Rediscovering Kingdom Hope: Confidence in God's Best

 

Summary

In today's gathering, we embarked on a journey to redefine and rediscover the concept of hope, particularly through the lens of what we are calling "kingdom hope." As we step into 2025, our theme at Five Rivers Church is centered around discovering this kingdom hope, which we define as a confident expectation that we will experience God's best both now and forever. This is not merely a distant, ethereal hope for an afterlife but a tangible, present reality that we can experience here and now.

We began by examining the common understanding of hope, often used in contexts where we lack confidence. Whether it's hoping for cheesy potatoes at a potluck or for a sports team to win, our everyday use of hope is frequently rooted in doubt rather than assurance. However, biblical hope, as Jesus teaches, is different. It is a confident expectation, not just for eternal life with God but for experiencing His kingdom on earth today.

In Luke 6, Jesus speaks to His disciples about the blessings of the kingdom, emphasizing that those who are poor, hungry, or weeping now are blessed because they will experience God's kingdom. This passage highlights that our hope is not only for the future but also for the present. Jesus assures us that we can rejoice now, even amidst trials, because our reward is great in heaven. This dual aspect of hope—both now and forever—is central to our understanding of kingdom hope.

Moreover, Jesus is the source of this hope. As we become more like Him, empowered by the Holy Spirit, we bring His kingdom to the world. This transformation allows us to be conduits of hope, reflecting God's best in our lives and communities. While we cannot bring a perfected heaven to earth, we can certainly bring glimpses of it through our actions and love.

In a world often overshadowed by darkness and despair, we are called to be beacons of hope. By living out the teachings of Jesus, we can instill a confident expectation in others that God's best is not just a future promise but a present reality. As we close, I encourage you to reflect on how you can be a source of hope in your daily life, bringing bits of heaven to earth through your faith and actions.

Key Takeaways:

- Redefining Hope: Our everyday use of hope often stems from doubt rather than confidence. Kingdom hope, however, is a confident expectation of experiencing God's best both now and forever. This redefinition challenges us to shift our perspective from uncertainty to assurance. [05:00]

- Present and Future Hope: Jesus teaches that hope is not only for the afterlife but also for the present. In Luke 6, He assures us that those who are suffering now are blessed because they will experience God's kingdom. This dual aspect of hope encourages us to rejoice even amidst trials, knowing our reward is great in heaven. [11:23]

- Jesus as the Source of Hope: Jesus is the source of kingdom hope. As we become more like Him, we bring His kingdom to the world, reflecting God's best in our lives and communities. This transformation empowers us to be conduits of hope, instilling confidence in others. [15:25]

- Bringing Heaven to Earth: While we cannot bring a perfected heaven to earth, we can bring glimpses of it through our actions and love. By living out the teachings of Jesus, we can instill a confident expectation in others that God's best is a present reality. [17:32]

- Empowered by the Holy Spirit: As followers of Jesus, we are empowered by the Holy Spirit to live more like Him, bringing kingdom hope to the world. This empowerment enables us to be beacons of light, spreading hope and reflecting God's love in a world often overshadowed by darkness. [18:14]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [01:45] - Introduction and QR Code
- [02:59] - Potluck Analogy
- [04:13] - The Concept of Hope
- [05:00] - Redefining Hope
- [06:17] - Hope as a Verb and Noun
- [07:05] - Discovering Kingdom Hope
- [08:31] - Eternal Hope through Jesus
- [10:39] - Jesus' Teachings on Hope
- [11:23] - Present and Future Hope
- [12:12] - Experiencing God's Best Now
- [13:57] - Bringing Kingdom to the World
- [15:25] - Jesus as the Source of Hope
- [16:12] - The Role of People in Hope
- [17:32] - Bringing Heaven to Earth
- [18:14] - Empowered by the Holy Spirit
- [20:18] - Reflection and Closing Song

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Kingdom Hope

Bible Reading:
- Luke 6:17-23

Observation Questions:
1. In Luke 6:20-23, what specific groups of people does Jesus call "blessed," and what reasons does He give for their blessedness?
2. How does the sermon describe the common use of the word "hope" in everyday life, and how does this differ from "kingdom hope"? [05:00]
3. According to the sermon, what role does Jesus play in the concept of kingdom hope? [15:25]

Interpretation Questions:
1. What does it mean to have a "confident expectation" of experiencing God's best now and forever, as described in the sermon? [07:05]
2. How does the dual aspect of hope—both present and future—impact a believer's perspective on current trials and challenges? [11:23]
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that followers of Jesus can bring glimpses of heaven to earth? [17:32]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current understanding of hope. How does it align or differ from the concept of kingdom hope as a confident expectation? What steps can you take to shift your perspective from doubt to assurance? [05:00]
2. Consider a current trial or challenge you are facing. How can the promise of a great reward in heaven, as mentioned in Luke 6:23, encourage you to rejoice even now? [11:23]
3. Identify one area in your life where you can actively reflect God's best and be a conduit of hope to others. What specific actions can you take this week to bring a glimpse of heaven to earth? [17:32]
4. The sermon emphasizes the empowerment of the Holy Spirit in living like Jesus. How can you seek the Holy Spirit's guidance to become more like Jesus in your daily interactions? [18:14]
5. Think about a person or community in your life that is overshadowed by darkness and despair. How can you be a beacon of hope to them, instilling a confident expectation of God's best? [17:32]
6. Reflect on the role of Jesus as the source of hope. How can you deepen your relationship with Him to strengthen your hope and share it with others? [15:25]
7. The sermon challenges us to bring bits of heaven to earth. What is one practical way you can demonstrate God's love and hope in your community this week? [17:32]

Devotional

Day 1: Redefining Hope as Confident Expectation
In our daily lives, hope is often associated with uncertainty and doubt. We hope for things like good weather or a favorable outcome in a situation, but this kind of hope lacks assurance. Kingdom hope, however, is fundamentally different. It is a confident expectation of experiencing God's best both now and forever. This redefinition challenges us to shift our perspective from uncertainty to assurance, trusting that God's promises are not just for the future but are also a present reality. By embracing this confident expectation, we align ourselves with a hope that is rooted in faith and certainty, rather than wishful thinking. [05:00]

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." (Jeremiah 29:11, ESV)

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you find yourself hoping with doubt rather than confidence? How can you begin to shift your perspective to embrace a confident expectation of God's best?


Day 2: Embracing Present and Future Hope
Jesus teaches that hope is not only for the afterlife but also for the present. In Luke 6, He assures us that those who are suffering now are blessed because they will experience God's kingdom. This dual aspect of hope encourages us to rejoice even amidst trials, knowing our reward is great in heaven. By understanding that hope is both a present and future reality, we can find joy and strength in our current circumstances, trusting that God's kingdom is at work in our lives today. This perspective allows us to live with a sense of purpose and anticipation, knowing that our present struggles are not in vain. [11:23]

"Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you shall be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh." (Luke 6:21, ESV)

Reflection: How can you find joy in your current trials, knowing that God's kingdom is both a present and future reality? What practical steps can you take to embrace this dual aspect of hope in your daily life?


Day 3: Jesus as the Source of Hope
Jesus is the source of kingdom hope. As we become more like Him, we bring His kingdom to the world, reflecting God's best in our lives and communities. This transformation empowers us to be conduits of hope, instilling confidence in others. By living out the teachings of Jesus, we can reflect His love and grace, becoming beacons of hope in a world often overshadowed by darkness. As we grow in our relationship with Him, we are equipped to share this hope with those around us, demonstrating the reality of God's kingdom through our actions and words. [15:25]

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope." (Romans 15:13, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you become more like Jesus to bring His kingdom hope to those around you? How can you actively reflect God's love and grace in your community today?


Day 4: Bringing Heaven to Earth
While we cannot bring a perfected heaven to earth, we can bring glimpses of it through our actions and love. By living out the teachings of Jesus, we can instill a confident expectation in others that God's best is a present reality. This involves being intentional in our interactions, showing kindness, and serving others selflessly. As we embody the values of God's kingdom, we create opportunities for others to experience His love and grace, offering them a taste of heaven on earth. This mission calls us to be proactive in our faith, seeking ways to make a positive impact in the lives of those around us. [17:32]

"Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven." (Matthew 6:10, ESV)

Reflection: What specific actions can you take today to bring glimpses of heaven to earth in your community? How can you intentionally live out the teachings of Jesus to make a positive impact on those around you?


Day 5: Empowered by the Holy Spirit
As followers of Jesus, we are empowered by the Holy Spirit to live more like Him, bringing kingdom hope to the world. This empowerment enables us to be beacons of light, spreading hope and reflecting God's love in a world often overshadowed by darkness. The Holy Spirit equips us with the strength and wisdom needed to navigate life's challenges, allowing us to be effective witnesses of God's kingdom. By relying on the Holy Spirit, we can overcome obstacles and share the hope of Christ with others, demonstrating the transformative power of God's love in our lives. [18:14]

"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." (Acts 1:8, ESV)

Reflection: How can you rely on the Holy Spirit to empower you in your daily life? In what ways can you be a beacon of hope and light to those around you, reflecting God's love in a tangible way?

Quotes



I do believe that we have hope in this eternal life, hope in being with God in a state of eternal perfection when we leave this earthly place. And I believe this is true because of God's redemptive work, his redemptive activity in the past through his son, Jesus Christ. I believe that we can have this eternal hope because Jesus Christ came and did what he did. It is because of Jesus that we have hope for eternal presence. [00:09:04] (31 seconds)


Blessed are you who weep now. Why? Because you will laugh. Blessed are you when people hate you, when they exclude you and reject you, reject your name as evil because of the son of man. And then he says this. It lines up perfectly with the song we just sang. Rejoice in that day. And do what? Leap for joy. In what day, folks? Not the day that's coming. Rejoice in the moment now. [00:10:49] (29 seconds)


You see, this idea that we can experience God's best forever is just one aspect of this definition that we're giving of kingdom hope, this confident expectation that we will experience God's best. Yes, we will experience it forever, but let's put the definition back on the screen. It also says we will experience God's best now. [00:12:12] (17 seconds)


Now, I need to make it clear that while we will not experience the perfected goodness of God prior to the return of Jesus, in other words, until Jesus comes, it's never going to be perfect. It's not going to be the way God designed it. But that doesn't mean that we can't experience God's best, because his Holy Spirit still miraculously changes followers of Jesus now to make us more and more and more like him. And the more we become like him, what happens? [00:13:31] (26 seconds)


The more we become like Jesus, the more we bring his kingdom to the world. That's what happens. And as more people experience God's kingdom in the world, they will have more confidence in the expectation that they will experience God's best. And for some of you, maybe that's a little bit hard to wrap your head around. You're like, I don't know what that means. Well, that means that the more people who follow Jesus, look like Jesus, live like Jesus, act like Jesus, and bring kingdom to the world, the more people that experience that experience hope. [00:13:57] (38 seconds)


Jesus is the source of kingdom hope in the world. Now. This may sound odd because you're like, well, it sounded like you were just saying we were the source of kingdom hope in the world. It sounded like you were saying, well, we do, we do, we do. Well, as we're changed to become more like who? To become more like Jesus, right? As we become more like Jesus, we bring more kingdom to the world because Jesus is the source of hope in the world. [00:14:48] (30 seconds)


Folks, you may or may not know this, but when you become a Jesus follower, you become empowered by the Holy Spirit to live a life more like Jesus that enables you to bring more kingdom. You bring kingdom to the world, and when people experience that, they have more confidence in humanity. Are you all following me? I know some of you may be like, well, wait a minute, this sounds like a humanist idea. [00:15:46] (26 seconds)


I believe that we can also bring some of heaven to the earth. Jesus kind of talks about it in his Lord's Prayer. Your kingdom come here on earth. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Folks, are you following me? We can have hope now and forever. I believe in the same way people bring hell to earth, people when they're empowered by the Holy Spirit and follow Jesus can bring heaven to earth too. [00:17:32] (29 seconds)


But man church when people experience god's best as it's lived out by followers of jesus here in this world they begin to experience hope confident expectation they'll experience god's best sometimes it's just a glimmer of hope but sometimes that hope comes like a shining star and while we may be the people who help bring it we are not the source you all follow me the source of hope is jesus jesus is the source of hope of kingdom hope in this world and so my encouragement to you today is this if you're here and you need a little bit of hope i'm here to tell you jesus is the source of your hope that confident expectation that you'll experience god's best forever but you may be thinking but i need that hope now here's what i would say to you if you're a follower of Jesus. [00:18:14] (59 seconds)


To bring hope. To live my life in a way that when people see it, they develop a confidence, a confident expectation that God's best does exist here on the earth even though there's so much darkness around. So much chaos, so much hurt, so much harm. That's my encouragement to you today. Because if you will allow yourself to be empowered by God's Holy Spirit to live a little more each day like Jesus, you will become a beacon of light powered by the source Jesus Christ and you will spread kingdom bringing bits of heaven right here on the earth. [00:19:34] (48 seconds)


what we have talked about this morning. And as you hear these words, I want you to just let them seep over you, let them seep into you, just think about them. You sing along if you want, please do not feel like you cannot sing. But allow these words, this idea of kingdom hope, this confident expectation of God's best now and forever. [00:20:18] (23 seconds)


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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?