Rooted Hope: God's Faithfulness and Our Call to Share

Devotional

Day 1: God Empowers and Equips Us for His Purposes

God is not only the creative force behind the universe, but He is also intimately involved in empowering His people to accomplish what He calls them to do. Throughout history, God has given strength, wisdom, and ability to those He calls—whether it was Samson’s physical might, David’s courage in adversity, or the artisans building the tabernacle. He promises not to send us out empty-handed but to equip us with the resources, skills, and support we need to fulfill His purposes. When you face challenges or feel inadequate, remember that God is able to establish and strengthen you according to the gospel, providing exactly what you need to serve Him faithfully. [15:19]

Romans 16:25-27 (ESV)
"Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith— to the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen."

Reflection: What is one area in your life where you feel unprepared or inadequate for what God is calling you to do? Ask God today to equip and empower you for that specific task.

Day 2: God’s Plan Has Always Included All Nations

From the very beginning, God’s plan was to bless all nations, not just one group of people. He revealed this to Abraham, promising that through his offspring all the nations of the earth would be blessed. This promise was fulfilled in Jesus, who came not only for the Jews but for the whole world. God’s heart is for everyone to be brought into His family, regardless of background, status, or past. This truth calls us to unity and to see others as God sees them—worthy of His love and salvation. [23:44]

Genesis 22:18 (ESV)
"And in your offspring shall all the nations of the earth be blessed, because you have obeyed my voice."

Reflection: Who in your life might feel excluded or overlooked? How can you intentionally show them the inclusive love and welcome of God this week?

Day 3: God Is Trustworthy—He Keeps His Promises

God’s faithfulness is seen throughout Scripture as He consistently keeps His promises, even when circumstances seem impossible. From Abraham becoming the father of many nations to the birth of Jesus as foretold by the prophets, God’s word never fails. Unlike people who may let us down, God’s track record of faithfulness gives us a solid foundation for trust. When we remember how He has kept His promises in the past, we can confidently obey Him in the present and future, knowing He will not fail us. [37:55]

Isaiah 7:14 (ESV)
"Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel."

Reflection: Recall a time when God kept a promise in your life or in the life of someone you know. How does remembering His faithfulness help you trust Him with your current challenges?

Day 4: Our Hope Is Reasonable and Defensible

The hope we have in Christ is not based on wishful thinking or blind faith, but on the historical reality of God’s actions and the transformation He brings. We are called to be ready to give a reasoned defense for the hope within us, sharing both the evidence of God’s faithfulness in history and the personal change He has worked in our lives. This means living in such a way that others notice the difference and being prepared to explain why we have hope, with gentleness and respect. [45:42]

1 Peter 3:15 (ESV)
"But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect."

Reflection: If someone asked you today why you have hope in Christ, what specific story or evidence from your life would you share with them?

Day 5: We Are Called to Share the Good News

God’s revelation and faithfulness are not just for our own benefit—they are meant to be shared. Jesus commands us to go and make disciples of all nations, teaching and baptizing in His name. This calling is not reserved for a select few; each of us is invited to participate in God’s mission, using the unique gifts and opportunities He has given us. Whether through conversation, acts of service, or simply living differently, we are to bring the good news to those around us, trusting that God is with us always. [47:31]

Matthew 28:19-20 (ESV)
"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."

Reflection: What is one practical step you can take this week to share the good news of Jesus with someone in your sphere of influence?

Sermon Summary

This morning, we explored the deep foundation of our hope as followers of Christ, especially in the context of Paul’s closing words to the Roman church. Life is often unpredictable and frustrating, as my own morning reminded me, but God’s faithfulness and power remain constant. The heart of the gospel is not just a set of beliefs or traditions, but a living hope rooted in God’s unbreakable promises and His ongoing work to unite all people in Christ.

Paul’s letter to the Romans addresses a divided church—Jews and Gentiles struggling for leadership and identity. Paul levels the ground, reminding both groups that all have sinned and all are in need of grace. But he doesn’t leave them in their brokenness; instead, he points to the power of God to establish, equip, and empower His people. God’s ability is not theoretical—He has demonstrated it throughout history, from giving Samson strength to gifting artisans in Exodus with skill for His purposes. Whatever God calls us to, He provides what we need to fulfill it.

God’s plan, hidden for ages, is now revealed: the blessing of salvation is for all nations, not just a select few. This was always His intention, as seen in His promise to Abraham and in the prophetic writings. The gospel is not about making others into copies of ourselves, but about inviting everyone into the transforming life of Christ. God’s faithfulness is proven by His fulfilled promises—He told the story from the beginning, from Genesis to Jesus, and He has kept every word.

Trust in God leads to obedience. We obey not out of blind faith, but because God has shown Himself trustworthy time and again. Our hope is not wishful thinking; it is grounded in God’s character, His actions in history, and the transformation we experience in our own lives. We are called to be ready to give a reason for this hope, to live differently, and to share the good news with those around us. God equips each of us uniquely, not just with miraculous gifts, but with everyday skills and opportunities to serve and witness. The invitation is clear: trust God, obey Him, and share the hope you have with a world longing for good news.

Key Takeaways

1. God’s Power Equips Us for His Purposes God is not only able to save, but He actively empowers us for the tasks He calls us to. From the strength given to biblical figures like Samson and the artisans of Exodus, to the spiritual gifts in the New Testament, God provides what is needed for His mission. Our limitations are not obstacles for Him; He delights in equipping us, often in ways that surprise us and build our trust in His sufficiency. [15:19]
2. God’s Plan Has Always Included All Nations From the earliest pages of Scripture, God’s intention was to bless all peoples, not just one group. The promise to Abraham that “all nations will be blessed” finds its fulfillment in Christ, who breaks down every dividing wall. This challenges us to see the gospel as radically inclusive, calling us to unity and to resist the temptation to make faith about cultural conformity rather than Christlike transformation. [21:54]
3. God’s Trustworthiness Is Proven by His Promises Kept Unlike human leaders who may fail to deliver, God has a perfect track record of keeping His word. The fulfillment of promises—from Abraham’s descendants to the coming of Christ—demonstrates that God is worthy of our trust. This history of faithfulness is not just ancient; it is the foundation for our present and future hope, giving us confidence to obey even when the path is difficult or unclear. [36:41]
4. Obedience Flows from Trust, Not Obligation True obedience is not mere rule-following, but a response to the trustworthiness of God. When we see how God has acted in history and in our lives, we are moved to follow Him, even into the unknown. This kind of obedience is costly—it may involve sacrifice or suffering—but it is sustained by the assurance that God works all things for good and that His purposes are always loving and wise. [39:52]
5. Our Hope Is Reasoned, Defensible, and Meant to Be Shared Christian hope is not blind optimism or emotionalism; it is grounded in historical reality and personal transformation. We are called to be ready to give a reasoned defense for our hope, pointing to God’s faithfulness in Scripture and in our own stories. This hope is too good to keep to ourselves; God calls us to actively share it, using the unique gifts and opportunities He has given each of us, so that others may find life in Christ. [45:42]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:43] - The Challenge of Hope: Why Do You Believe?
[02:50] - The Roman Church’s Division and Paul’s Response
[04:38] - Grace for All: Jews and Gentiles United
[05:38] - Warnings Against Legalism and Division
[07:06] - The Doxology: A Summary of God’s Plan
[08:08] - Reading Romans 16:25-27
[10:20] - God’s Power to Establish and Equip
[14:10] - God Gives What We Need for His Mission
[17:48] - The Revelation of God’s Long-Held Mystery
[19:39] - God’s Strength in Our Weakness: The Story of Abraham
[21:54] - God’s Blessing for All Nations
[25:57] - The Call to Make Disciples, Not Clones
[28:43] - God’s Promise to Defeat Evil
[31:18] - God’s Intimacy: Sharing His Secrets with Us
[36:41] - God’s Promises Fulfilled in History
[39:52] - Trust, Obedience, and the Cost of Following
[42:52] - Living Differently: The Reason for Our Hope
[45:42] - Defending and Sharing Our Hope
[50:33] - Going Out: Our Mission to Share the Good News
[53:00] - The Joy of Sharing Good News
[54:11] - God Equips Us for Every Good Work

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Romans 16:25-27 (ESV) — > Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith— to the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen.

Genesis 22:18 (ESV) — > and in your offspring shall all the nations of the earth be blessed, because you have obeyed my voice.

1 Peter 3:15 (ESV) — > but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,

Observation Questions

In Romans 16:25-27, what does Paul say God is able to do for believers? How does he describe the “mystery” that has now been revealed?
According to Genesis 22:18, what was God’s promise to Abraham, and who was included in this blessing?
In 1 Peter 3:15, what are believers instructed to be ready for, and how are they supposed to respond?
The sermon mentioned that God equipped people like Samson with strength and artisans in Exodus with skill. What are some other examples from the Bible or your own life where God provided what was needed for His purposes? [[14:10]]

Interpretation Questions

The sermon emphasized that God’s power equips us for His purposes, not just in miraculous ways but also through everyday skills. Why is it important to recognize both kinds of equipping? How might this change the way someone views their own abilities? [[15:19]]
Paul’s message to the Romans was meant to unite Jews and Gentiles, reminding them that God’s plan always included all nations. How does this challenge the way people sometimes view who “belongs” in the church? [[21:54]]
The sermon said that obedience flows from trust, not just obligation. What is the difference between obeying God out of trust versus out of duty? How might this affect someone’s willingness to follow God’s leading, especially when it’s difficult? [[39:52]]
The pastor shared that Christian hope is “reasoned, defensible, and meant to be shared.” What does it look like to give a reason for your hope in a way that is both logical and gentle? [[45:42]]

Application Questions

The sermon began with a story about a frustrating morning and how life’s unpredictability can shake our mood. When was the last time you felt frustrated or discouraged? How did you see (or not see) God’s faithfulness in that moment? [[00:00]]
God’s plan has always included all nations and all people, not just a select few. Are there people or groups you find it hard to imagine as part of God’s family? What would it look like to welcome them as Christ does? [[21:54]]
The sermon highlighted that God equips us for what He calls us to do, sometimes in surprising ways. What is one skill, talent, or opportunity you have that God might want to use for His purposes? How could you offer it to Him this week? [[15:19]]
Trust in God leads to obedience, even when the path is unclear or costly. Is there an area in your life where you sense God asking you to trust and obey, but you’re hesitant? What is holding you back, and what step could you take this week? [[39:52]]
The pastor said our hope is not wishful thinking, but grounded in God’s character and actions. When someone asks you why you have hope, what specific story or reason could you share from your own life? [[45:42]]
The sermon challenged us not to make others into “copies of ourselves,” but to invite them into Christ’s transforming life. Are there ways you’ve expected others to conform to your preferences or culture, rather than to Christ? How can you shift your approach? [[25:57]]
God calls us to actively share the good news, not just wait for people to ask. Who is one person in your life who needs hope? What is one practical way you could reach out to them this week? [[50:33]]

Sermon Clips

So when God says he is able to establish you according to the gospel, he's not just going to tell you to believe this thing. He's going to tell you, I'm going to support you in this. It will be hard. It will be difficult. Make no mistake. But I will give you what you need to get through it. I will give you the abilities and skills you need so that you will succeed. God has plans for people, for us. But he empowers us and equips us to see these plans through. [00:16:07] (40 seconds) #EstablishedByGrace

God promised to bless the nations, to bless everyone. And that promise was upheld through Jesus Christ. We just read what the hope was. That the promise upheld looks like. Whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. The promise to bless the nations. I can't think of a better blessing of the nations. That you're going to have all your sins forgiven. And have eternal life. [00:30:55] (34 seconds) #BlessingOfEternalLife

When God says he's going to do something, he means it. When he told Moses he would save his people, he did it. When he says he can save us from our sins, he can. God is able. God keeps his promises. If someone loves you, someone loves us, they're going to do what they can to keep their promises, but what they can, that's their ability, their strength. But we know that God, he has powers. so he can keep his promises. And we know that he does love us. Which means, yes, I can trust God. I can trust him. [00:38:34] (51 seconds) #TrustAndObedience

If I'm going to trust God, then I'm going to have to start doing the kinds of things, I'm going to start doing the kinds of things that he wants me to do. In that verse, it says, So that the Gentiles might come to the obedience that comes from faith. To the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ. Amen. So this trust isn't just to go, Oh, I trust you, God. And then just do whatever you want. Now you trust him and start actually doing the things he tells you to do. [00:39:28] (34 seconds) #HardRoadToGlory

God does not promise, as I said, things are going to be easy, but he does promise that he's going to make sure that these things work out, that they work together for good of the kingdom. In Luke 9 .23, he tells us it's going to be hard, that if you're going to follow him, that you're going to have to pick up a cross and follow him. A giant beam on your shoulder weighing you down that's meant to crucify you, painful death. These are all things that could happen, but he also still promises that it's still going to lead to somewhere so much better that even death doesn't even look scary in comparison. [00:41:21] (38 seconds) #ReadyToDefendHope

Remember the verse in Romans 8 .31 what then shall we say to these things if God is for us who can be against us it doesn't matter what is against us we have the creative force behind the universe on our side who is able to establish us empower us with this trust with this God at my side, at my back holding me up I can take on whatever task God has for me because he's with me [00:47:40] (34 seconds) #TrustToBeSaved

God chooses to reveal this great mystery to us not just to reveal a mystery not just to go, oh look how great I am but he wants to save us he wants us to learn to trust him so that we'll be saved and many times in the Bible he tells people things like turn from your evil ways, oh Israel so that you'll live he wants us to live he wants us to trust him so that he can save us if there is a helicopter coming to save you from the rising floodwaters but you don't trust the person who's trying to save you you might not grab their hand but if you do trust him he can be saved [00:49:19] (37 seconds) #RevealAndObey

God's plan from the beginning was to bring about the salvation of the nations. He is revealing this to them to build this trust, to show them, I have always been on your side. I have been trying to reach out to you since the very beginning. And now he's showing this to them and showing them that he has a plan for them, for the defeat, the final complete defeat of Satan, of sin and death that he has triumphed over and that all they need to do is give them his trust. Just trust him and you will be saved. [00:52:05] (39 seconds) #ShareTheGoodNews

How much greater is it that God has good news for us? That he wants us to share this with everybody. And that good news is that you can be saved from sins that will kill you if you don't go along with him. And that he has wonderful, amazing plans for you to be involved with. So many people in this world, they have so many problems. You hear them talking, and they sound like all they have in their life is, I go to work, I come home, maybe I watch this show, and then I go to work, and then I come home, I go to work, and then I come home. And it sounds so, it sounds like their life is not great. They long for something more. We know what it is. We have the good news for them. [00:53:22] (43 seconds)

Ask a question about this sermon

Chatbot

What is the biblical basis for Christian hope?

How does God's power enable believers in difficult times?

Why is trust essential in obeying God's revealed plans?