Living with Hope: Rebels Against a Broken World
Summary
In today's sermon, we explored the profound concept of living with hope in a broken world. We delved into the essence of biblical hope, which is not merely wishful thinking but a confident expectation of good things to come. This hope is rooted in the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, intertwining faith and hope as inseparable elements of our Christian walk. Faith, as we know, is essential for salvation, but hope is equally vital as it propels us towards the future with assurance and conviction.
We examined the metaphor of life's unexpected challenges, likening them to the disruptions we faced this week with illness and absence within our worship team. Yet, just as the gospel made a way for us to gather and worship, it also provides a pathway through life's trials. We are reminded that God is not ashamed of our brokenness; instead, He pursues us with a desire to heal and forgive.
The sermon also highlighted the rebellious nature of hope. We are called to be rebels against the despair and brokenness of this world, standing firm in the promises of God. This rebellion is not one of chaos but of purpose, built on the living hope we have in Christ. We are rebels for the gospel, for the kingdom, and for the message of Jesus Christ.
We touched on the importance of not conforming to the patterns of this world but being transformed by the renewal of our minds. This transformation allows us to discern God's will, which is good, acceptable, and perfect. We are encouraged to live as rebels with hope, rebelling against the brokenness of the world by clinging to the promises of God.
In closing, we were reminded that our hope is not in vain. It carries us through the darkest valleys and the highest peaks of life. It is the assurance that, despite the temporary nature of our earthly existence, our eternal future is secure in Christ. Our hope is in the Lord, and it is this hope that renews our strength, allowing us to soar on wings like eagles, run without growing weary, and walk without fainting.
Key Takeaways:
- Biblical hope is a confident expectation of good things to come, deeply intertwined with our faith. It is not wishful thinking but a certainty that God's promises will be fulfilled. This hope is an active, living force that sustains us through life's challenges and propels us towards God's eternal promises. [49:33]
- We are called to be rebels for the cause of Christ, standing against the brokenness and despair of this world. Our rebellion is built on the living hope we have through Jesus' resurrection, which empowers us to live differently and resist conforming to the world's patterns. [46:58]
- The Christian life is marked by a sense of absence, not because God is not present, but because we long for the fullness of His presence that will only be realized when He returns. This tension creates a hope that is both present and future, driving us to live in anticipation of Christ's return. [51:40]
- Our hope in Christ is not passive; it is a dynamic and transformative power that carries us through life's trials. It is the assurance that no matter what we face, our future is secured by the sacrifice of Jesus. This living hope is what lights our path and gives us the strength to endure. [53:29]
- As we live out our hope in the Lord, we are charged to be messengers of this hope to others. Our lives should reflect the hope we have in Christ, encouraging and inspiring those around us to seek the same assurance and strength that comes from trusting in God's promises. [01:22:34]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide: Living with Hope in a Broken World
#### Bible Reading
1 Peter 1:3-5 (NIV)
> "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time."
#### Observation Questions
1. According to 1 Peter 1:3-5, what is the source of our "living hope"?
2. How does the sermon describe the relationship between faith and hope? [40:31]
3. What metaphor did the pastor use to describe life's unexpected challenges, and how does it relate to the gospel? [24:00]
4. What does the sermon say about the nature of hope as a form of rebellion? [45:04]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the resurrection of Jesus Christ provide a foundation for our hope, according to 1 Peter 1:3-5?
2. The sermon mentions that hope is not merely wishful thinking but a confident expectation. How does this understanding of hope change the way we face life's challenges? [38:27]
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that Christians are called to be "rebels" against the brokenness of the world? [45:04]
4. How does the concept of being transformed by the renewal of our minds (Romans 12:2) relate to living with hope in a broken world? [44:13]
#### Application Questions
1. The sermon encourages us to live as "rebels with hope." What are some practical ways you can stand against the brokenness and despair in your own life and community? [45:04]
2. Reflect on a recent challenge you faced. How did your understanding of biblical hope influence your response to that situation? [24:00]
3. The pastor mentioned that our hope in Christ is not passive but dynamic and transformative. Can you identify a specific area in your life where you need to let this living hope transform your actions or attitudes? [52:13]
4. How can you actively encourage and inspire others around you to seek the same assurance and strength that comes from trusting in God's promises? [53:29]
5. The sermon highlighted the importance of not conforming to the patterns of this world. What are some specific "patterns" in your life that you feel called to change in order to align more closely with God's will? [44:13]
6. The pastor spoke about the tension of living in the "already but not yet" of God's kingdom. How does this tension create a sense of hope in your daily life, and how can you live in anticipation of Christ's return? [48:03]
7. Think of a person in your life who is struggling with despair or hopelessness. What is one tangible way you can share the message of living hope with them this week? [53:29]
Devotional
Day 1: Hope Anchors the Soul
Hope is not a fleeting emotion but a steadfast anchor for the soul, a confident expectation that God's promises will be fulfilled. This hope is not born out of naivety but out of a certainty that comes from the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is a living hope that sustains believers through the darkest times and the most challenging circumstances. It is active, not passive, and it requires a daily commitment to trust in God's future grace. This hope is a powerful force that propels Christians forward, giving them the strength to face trials and tribulations with a sense of assurance and conviction.
"Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful." - Hebrews 10:23
Reflection: How does the hope of Christ's return shape your daily actions and attitudes in the face of life's challenges? [07:40]
Day 2: Rebels of Hope
Christians are called to be rebels in a world of despair, standing firm on the hope that is found in Jesus Christ. This rebellion is not one of anarchy but of purpose and conviction. It is a rebellion against the patterns of this world, which often lead to brokenness and hopelessness. Instead, believers are to live out the transformative power of the gospel, which renews minds and hearts. This rebellion is rooted in the resurrection, which provides the strength to resist worldly influences and live in a way that honors God.
"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." - Romans 12:2
Reflection: In what ways can you actively rebel against the brokenness of the world by embodying the hope of the gospel in your community? [46:58]
Day 3: Anticipating Fullness in Christ
The Christian life is characterized by a sense of absence, a longing for the fullness of God's presence that will only be realized upon Christ's return. This tension between the already and the not yet creates a hope that is both present and future-oriented. It drives believers to live in anticipation of the coming kingdom, where every tear will be wiped away, and the presence of God will be fully known. This hope is not passive; it is a dynamic force that motivates Christians to live with purpose and passion, knowing that their labor in the Lord is not in vain.
"For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known." - 1 Corinthians 13:12
Reflection: How does the anticipation of Christ's return influence your priorities and the way you invest your time and resources? [51:40]
Day 4: The Transformative Power of Hope
Hope in Christ is a dynamic and transformative power that carries believers through life's trials. It is not a passive waiting but an active endurance, an assurance that no matter what challenges arise, the future is secured by Jesus' sacrifice. This living hope illuminates the path of the believer, giving strength to endure and persevere. It is a hope that does not disappoint because it is grounded in the reality of Christ's victory over death and the promise of eternal life.
"But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." - Lamentations 3:21-23
Reflection: What trials are you currently facing, and how can the transformative power of hope in Christ give you strength to endure? [53:29]
Day 5: Messengers of Hope
As carriers of hope, Christians are charged to be messengers of this hope to others. Their lives should be a testament to the hope they have in Christ, serving as a beacon of encouragement and inspiration to those around them. This calling is not just about personal assurance but about sharing the strength that comes from trusting in God's promises with the world. Believers are to reflect the light of Christ, pointing others to the source of true hope and eternal security.
"And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all." - 1 Thessalonians 5:14
Reflection: Who in your life needs to hear about the hope you have in Christ, and how can you intentionally share that hope with them this week? [01:22:34]
Quotes
- "Rebellions are built on hope... we are all rebels rebelling against this world, its brokenness, its despair... we are rebels for the gospel, rebels for the kingdom, we are the messengers of the living hope we have in Christ." [46:58] (Download | Download cropped video)
- "The Christian life is a life of absence because we will never get all of God's presence that we want until He returns. So we wait in hope." [51:40] (Download | )
- "The living hope we've been learning about is what carries us through the loss of a loved one, it gets us through those lonely nights... this living hope is the knowledge that this life is not the end... our eternal future is bought and paid for." [53:29] (Download | )
- "Our hope is in the Lord because we know that no matter what this world does, no matter what we go through, what it takes from us, and even how badly we fail ourselves and one another, Jesus is not in that tomb. Our hope is in the risen Son of God." [53:29] (Download | )
- "The opposite of hope however well it's hopeless... let's look at some other fun words that we can use like anxiety, apprehension, skepticism, cynicism, discouragement, bleakness, and sort of the granddaddy despair those words are ones I think we see all around us in the world." [43:11] (Download | )
- "This broken world it wants to break us, to conform us to it and in doing so to replace our hope with FUD - fear, uncertainty, doubt. But our God knows this... do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewal of your mind." [45:11] (Download | )
- "Hope is not a strategy... but my lovely bride pointed out that he is actually wrong. Hope is in fact the strategy of life... my strategic hope was and is in the knowledge that deal or no deal I am a child of God and my future is secured in him." [43:11] (Download | )
- "The book of Hebrews calls it the full assurance of hope... meaning rather than cross your fingers the Bible tells us expect great things." [38:42] (Download | )
- "The living hope of Jesus Christ... we are not only saved by grace through faith but saved by grace through hope, the living hope of Jesus Christ." [41:24] (Download | )
- "We are rebels for the cause... we are the messengers of the living hope we have in Christ. So if our rebellion is built on this hope... then what do we make for this life?" [46:58] (Download | Download cropped video)
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