December 6, 2020

A THRILL OF HOPE : HOPE CHANGES EVERYTHING
December 06, 2020
Scott Bullman

What is the most hopeless situation you’ve been in, that you’re able to share? What did you do to get out of it?

Open:

Today we continue our Christmas series, “A Thrill of Hope,” as we look at the hope we have in Jesus Christ, and how it can change our circumstances. Hope based on wishful thinking will never satisfy, but hope that stands on the promises of God is a certain hope, and one that will always be able to anchor our souls—even during times of storms. Let’s see how Biblical hope can change everything.

HOPE CHANGES EVERYTHING

Hope

  • Last week we talked about two kinds of hope; today we will add one more. Do you remember what the three kinds are? How do they differ?
  • In today’s messy world, hopelessness abounds. The Bible tells us that those who forget God have no hope. How does one drift away from God? It happens very slowly, so how can we prevent that happening in our lives?
  • Will wishful thinking or expectant hope anchor your soul when trials come? Why can you be certain of hope that has its foundation in God’s promises?

Biblical Hope

  • Read Titus 1:2. What does Paul say we hope for? Does God ever lie? Who is the father of lies? How do you know God always keeps His promises?
  • Read Romans 15:13. If God is the source of hope, what does that mean to the Christian? What will we be filled with? What is the conditional statement here? What occurs when we trust Him?
  • Read Romans 5:2-5. What else does the Holy Spirit do, that adds to our faith and hope? What is the cycle here?
  • Read Isaiah 43:2-3. What are the four promises in this passage? Do you think these have to be real rivers and fire? How is it possible for us to  “drown” in sorrow or storms? How should these verses comfort God’s people?
  • Where do our battles for hopelessness begin? Read 2 Cor. 10:4-5. What are we to do with thoughts that can begin to stir up in us a hopeless situation?
  • Why are thoughts that center on a lack of faith in God sinful? Therefore, since they are sinful, what should we immediately do? Read James 1:14. What is the person doing in verse 14? Where can those thoughts take him/her? What will it lead to?
  • Why is this statement true: “Contending for what you believe in is harder than conceding to what you are afraid of.” (Mark Batterson)? Instead of giving in to panic, what should we do? Instead of worrying, we should ____?  And, don’t concede, ______!   What are some things we panic over? What about the things you worry over?

The 10 Most Common Causes of Hopelessness and Their Antidote

(Based on the Lord’s Prayer, written by Rick Warren)

  • You feel alone or abandoned—REMEMBER: Your loving Father will never abandon you. “Our Father, which art in Heaven…”
  • Life seems out of control—REMEMBER: God’s power is greater than any problem. “Hallowed be Your Name…”
  • You don’t see a purpose—REMEMBER: God fits everything into His plan. “Thy Kingdom come…”
  • Grieving a loss-REMEMBER: God has a great purpose. “Thy will be done..”
  • When you don’t have what you need—REMEMBER: God has promised to meet all your needs. “Give us this day our daily bread…”
  • You’ve done something wrong (guilt, shame, regret)—REMEMBER: Jesus died to pay for all you’ve done wrong. “Forgive our trespasses…”
  • Deeply wounded by someone (bitterness, resentment)—REMEMBER: God will settle the score someday. “As we forgive those who trespass against us….”
  • Temptation (constantly pulled in the wrong direction)—REMEMBER: God has promised to help you. “Lead us not into temptation…”
  • Hounded by fear (anxiety leads to hopelessness)—REMEMBER: Jesus in me is greater than any other power. “Deliver us from evil.”
  • When it looks like defeat—REMEMBER: This is NOT the end of the story! “For Thine is the Kingdom, and the Power, and the Glory, FOREVER.”

 Close: 

Before we began this series, were you aware there are so many facets to “hope”? Definitely we all use the word many times a day, but have you been aware whether you were using it as wishful thinking, as an expectant hope, or in the manner of knowing that the thing you are hoping for has been promised to you by God? Knowing that His promises are sure, that His word is never deceitful, and that He is good, and faithful, should thrill us. Possibly we need to be reminded often that He is the same One who spoke all the world into being, who holds it all together, and who will one day rule while we live for eternity in a new Heaven and a new Earth. Those are huge truths—definitely too huge for our human thoughts to understand.

Most of us have probably also felt the rivers of hopelessness washing over us at some point in our lives. Isn’t it amazing that we can most likely find the reason we suffered that pain, and its Biblical counterpart, in the Lord’s Prayer? At this season of the year, we’re all aware that families who have lost loved ones, or who are afflicted in some other way with a hopeless situation, need the promise of God’s certain Hope to “fill [them] completely with joy and peace…and overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13). Perhaps God has allowed you to be reminded of His great and certain hope in order to meet the need in someone else’s life during this Christmas season.

Whatever you need, God has already promised He will abundantly supply it. Can you trust Him for that? Trust is an act of faith. Don’t let Satan destroy you through your thought life and remember what we’ve learned: Don’t panic…PRAY! Don’t worry….WORSHIP! And don’t concede…CONTEND—for your faith, your family, your marriage, and your children! Realize your heart, soul, mind and spirit are to be used fully to love our God and Father.

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