Rooted in Hope: A Journey of Faith

Devotional

Day 1: Generosity and Vision

Our collective generosity has brought us halfway to our goal of hiring a children's pastor. This milestone is a testament to our shared vision and commitment to nurturing the youngest members of our congregation. It reminds us that when we unite for a common mission, we can achieve great things. This act of giving is not just about the financial aspect but also about the spiritual investment in the future of our church. It is a reflection of our faith and trust in God's provision and our dedication to His work.

Generosity is a powerful expression of love and faith. It shows that we are willing to sacrifice our resources for the greater good and the advancement of God's kingdom. As we continue to work towards our goal, let us remember that every contribution, no matter how small, is significant. It is a collective effort that will bear fruit for generations to come. Let us be encouraged by the progress we have made and remain steadfast in our commitment to this vision. [01:23]

2 Corinthians 9:7-8 (ESV): "Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work."

Reflection: How can you contribute to the church's vision, not just financially, but also with your time and talents?

Day 2: Hope in the Great Commission

Jesus' assurance in the Great Commission that He is with us always should fill us with hope. This promise means that no matter the challenges we face, we are never alone. Our hope is rooted in the eternal presence of Christ, which should transform our outlook on life. This hope is not just for our personal comfort but also empowers us to fulfill the mission Jesus has given us—to make disciples of all nations.

The Great Commission is a call to action, but it is also a promise of Jesus' continual presence. This assurance should give us the courage to step out in faith, knowing that we are supported by the Creator of the universe. It is a reminder that our efforts in spreading the gospel are not in vain, and that Jesus is with us every step of the way. Let this hope inspire us to live boldly for Christ, sharing His love and truth with those around us. [04:14]

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: In what ways can you actively participate in the Great Commission in your daily life?

Day 3: Societal Despair and Christian Hope

The increasing rates of depression, suicidal ideation, and substance abuse in society highlight a deep-seated despair. As Christians, our hope should not be in worldly solutions but in God. We are children of the Almighty, and our hope is secure in His promises and actions. This hope is not just a fleeting emotion but a firm foundation that sustains us through life's challenges.

In a world filled with uncertainty and pain, it is easy to lose hope. However, as believers, we have a source of hope that transcends our circumstances. God's faithfulness throughout history, particularly in the story of Israel, shows us that He is always working for our good, even when we cannot see it. This hope is ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ, whose resurrection assures us of eternal life and victory over death. Let us hold fast to this hope and be a beacon of light to those around us who are struggling. [08:12]

Romans 15:13 (ESV): "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."

Reflection: How can you share the hope you have in Christ with someone who is struggling with despair?

Day 4: Hope in the Trinity

We find hope in the Father, who has been faithful throughout history, in the Son, whose resurrection assures us of eternal life, and in the Holy Spirit, who dwells within us. This triune hope provides a firm foundation, enabling us to endure life's trials with confidence and joy. The presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives is a constant reminder of God's love and guidance.

The Trinity is a profound mystery, yet it is also a source of immense comfort and hope. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit each play a unique role in our salvation and daily walk with God. The Father's faithfulness, the Son's sacrifice, and the Spirit's indwelling presence all work together to assure us of God's unending love and commitment to us. This triune hope is not just a theological concept but a practical reality that empowers us to live victoriously. [14:03]

Ephesians 1:13-14 (ESV): "In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory."

Reflection: How does the understanding of the Trinity deepen your sense of hope and assurance in your daily life?

Day 5: Communion and Hope

Coming to the communion table should be an act of hope. It is a moment to reflect on our lives, repent of our sins, and embrace the love and presence of the Trinity. This sacred act reminds us of the eternal hope we have in Jesus Christ and the unity we share as His body. Communion is not just a ritual but a profound expression of our faith and hope in the redemptive work of Christ.

As we partake in communion, we are reminded of Jesus' sacrifice and the hope it brings. It is a time to examine our hearts, seek forgiveness, and renew our commitment to follow Him. This act of remembrance and reflection strengthens our faith and unites us with fellow believers. Let us approach the communion table with reverence and gratitude, fully aware of the hope we have in Christ. [33:44]

1 Corinthians 11:26 (ESV): "For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes."

Reflection: How can you prepare your heart and mind to approach the communion table with a renewed sense of hope and gratitude?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Today, we celebrate a significant milestone in our church's journey. Thanks to your incredible generosity, we have raised $65,000 towards hiring a children's pastor, which is halfway to our goal. This is a testament to your commitment and faithfulness. As we continue to build a foundation for the next 100 years, we must be intentional in our actions, ensuring that future generations will celebrate the legacy we leave behind.

Our focus today is on hope, particularly the hope found in the Great Commission (Matthew 28). Jesus assures us that He is with us always, even to the end of the age. This promise should fill us with hope and change our perspective on life. However, many people today, including Christians, are struggling with hopelessness. Statistics show increasing rates of depression, suicidal ideation, and substance abuse, indicating a deep-seated despair in our society.

As Christians, our hope should be rooted in God, not in worldly things. We find hope in the Father, who has demonstrated His faithfulness throughout history, particularly in the story of Israel. Despite their rebellion, God continually called them back, promising a Messiah who would bring ultimate hope. This promise was fulfilled in Jesus Christ, whose resurrection assures us of eternal life and victory over death.

Hope is also found in the Holy Spirit, whom Jesus promised to send as our helper. The Holy Spirit dwells within us, providing guidance, comfort, and a constant reminder of God's presence. This indwelling should fill us with immense confidence and joy, knowing that we are never alone.

Biblical hope is not a fleeting wish but a firm foundation based on God's promises and actions. It is the confidence we gain from remembering God's redemptive acts in the past, assuring us of His goodness in the present and future. As we come to the communion table today, let us do so with hope, reflecting on our lives, repenting of our sins, and embracing the love and presence of the Trinity.

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Key Takeaways

1. seated despair. As Christians, our hope should not be in worldly solutions but in God. We are children of the Almighty, and our hope is secure in His promises and actions. [08:12]
4. Hope in the Trinity: We find hope in the Father, who has been faithful throughout history, in the Son, whose resurrection assures us of eternal life, and in the Holy Spirit, who dwells within us. This triune hope provides a firm foundation, enabling us to endure life's trials with confidence and joy.

5. Communion and Hope: Coming to the communion table should be an act of hope. It is a moment to reflect on our lives, repent of our sins, and embrace the love and presence of the Trinity. This sacred act reminds us of the eternal hope we have in Jesus Christ and the unity we share as His body.

### [08:12]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:23] - Generosity and Vision Update
[02:41] - Hiring a Children's Pastor
[04:14] - The Great Commission and Hope
[06:17] - Definition and Misconceptions of Hope
[08:12] - Societal Despair and Statistics
[09:55] - Mental Health and Youth Statistics
[11:52] - Where Do We Find Hope?
[14:03] - Hope in the Father
[16:08] - Prophecies and Promises
[18:14] - God's Faithfulness and Promises
[20:21] - Hope in the Son
[22:25] - The Resurrection and Eternal Hope
[24:30] - Biblical Hope as a Firm Foundation
[26:35] - Hope in the Holy Spirit
[29:15] - God's Plans and Promises
[31:50] - Bold Faith and Eternal Hope
[33:44] - Communion and Hope
[35:25] - Reflecting and Repenting
[37:33] - Blessing and Closing

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Matthew 28:18-20 (The Great Commission) — > "Then Jesus came to them and said, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.'"

2. John 14:16-17, 26-27
> "And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you... But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."

3. Isaiah 9:6-7
> "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this."

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Observation Questions

What promise does Jesus give in the Great Commission that should fill us with hope? (Matthew 28:20)
According to John 14:16-17, who is the "Advocate" that Jesus promises to send, and what is His role?
In Isaiah 9:6-7, what titles are given to the child who is to be born, and what do these titles signify about His role and character?

Interpretation Questions

How does Jesus' promise to be with us "always, to the very end of the age" (Matthew 28:20) impact our daily lives and our approach to challenges? [04:14]
What does it mean for Christians to have hope in the Holy Spirit as described in John 14:16-17, 26-27? How does this hope differ from worldly hope? [26:35]
How does the prophecy in Isaiah 9:6-7 about the coming Messiah provide a foundation for hope, both for Israel and for us today? [20:21]

Application Questions

Reflecting on the church's generosity and vision, how can you contribute to the mission of nurturing the youngest members of our congregation? What specific actions can you take this month to support this goal? [01:23]
In what ways can you remind yourself daily of Jesus' promise to be with you always? Are there specific practices or habits you can adopt to keep this promise at the forefront of your mind? [04:14]
Considering the societal despair mentioned in the sermon, how can you be a beacon of hope to those around you who may be struggling with depression or hopelessness? What practical steps can you take to offer support and encouragement? [08:12]
How can you cultivate a deeper relationship with the Holy Spirit in your life? Are there specific areas where you need guidance, comfort, or a reminder of God's presence? [26:35]
When you come to the communion table, how can you make it an act of hope and reflection? What steps can you take to repent of your sins and embrace the love and presence of the Trinity more fully? [33:44]
Think about a time when you felt hopeless. How did you find hope again? How can you use that experience to help others who might be in a similar situation?
How can you ensure that your hope is rooted in God and not in worldly things? Are there specific areas in your life where you need to shift your focus from worldly solutions to God's promises? [11:52]

Sermon Clips

1. "As Christians, you should always have hope. But here's what I'm seeing in America, is that there's less and less hope. And actually, what is gaining ground is hopelessness, even within the church. Doing some research, here's some statistics that I was looking at this week when we're talking about hope. Fifty-three percent of Americans affirm this, in the coming decades, humans will not make significant progress on big societal and global challenges, and life will be worse for future generations." [06:17] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "Church, where do you find your hope? Where do we look for hope? My country is challenged right now. We're ripping in half, and so we're not looking for hope. We're looking for hope. We're looking for hope. We're sadly, I also see stats that say that the church has experienced that, and I don't get it. I only have one king. My trust is in him. Everything else is up to great debate. Everything. I don't hope in politics, presidents, governments, countries. My hope is in the Savior of humanity." [11:52] (57 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "Christians should never feel hopeless. We are children of the Almighty God, the author of life itself, and the source of the only true hope in the universe. If you're a Christian, you should be latching on to that. We shouldn't have hopelessness in our lives. To help us see that, I want to take a look at how God shows us hope. How he reveals hope. How he gives us hope through the Trinity." [13:00] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "God is always there. God rescues the Hebrew slaves out of Egypt. He provides for all of their needs in the wilderness, and eventually, he gives them their own nation, the land that he promised them to. All these promises, all these prophecies being fulfilled. Why? So you can have hope. So when we believe in God, we can latch onto that and say, okay, it's secure. I get it." [14:03] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "Hope is not some pitiful wish. Hope is not fleeting. Hope is not momentary. Biblical hope is the firm foundation on which Christians live their lives. It is standing on solid ground, able to endure the trials of this life with great expectation of what is to come. Hope in Jesus Christ is to have confidence and trust in what he has done and what he will do in the future. Hope. Christians, live with hope." [24:30] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "Church, we literally carry hope in us. The Holy Spirit dwells in you. Hope dwells in you. A living hope. You should have immense confidence and joy with that. Time and again, our God tells us to have hope. In the Old Testament, one of my favorite passages, for I know the plans that I have for you, declares the Lord. Plans for welfare, not for calamity, to give you a future and a hope." [29:15] (47 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "Biblical hope is securely based on the words and actions of God. The promises of God have proven to be dependable. The resurrection of Jesus becomes the ultimate basis for our hope. Since God has already overcome death through Christ, Christians can live with confidence in the present. I think Paul gives perhaps the best summary statement of hope. As Paul is writing to the church in Rome, he says this, is hope." [31:50] (72 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8. "My hope is found in Jesus Christ. That hope has been securing the church, not only for the past 100 years, but for the past 2,000 years. It has been faithfulness, faithful leaders of the church who have had hope. I have great hope for South Lake. I have great hope that this church will be here 100 years from now. I have great hope that in the generations to come, we will have a tangible impact upon Lake and Porter County. Not because of any human, but because of God." [32:25] (52 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

9. "Paul's writing to the church with hopeful anticipation of what Jesus Christ is going to do. And he says, when you come to this table, if you're carrying sin in your heart that you haven't repented of, if you're struggling in your faith, maybe you're struggling to believe me. Talk to me. Repent of your sins. Get right with me. Repent of your sins. Repent of your sins. Repent of your sins. Repent of your sins. Before you come to this table, because at this table, you find hope." [35:25] (43 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

10. "Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace and believing so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Hug somebody, tell them you love them, and we'll see you next week. God bless you all." [37:33] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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