Category: Hope
Subject: Hope
Sermon: The Triumph of Our Faith (Romans 5:1-11)
A discussion of Romans 5:1-11, discussing salvation, obtained by God’s grace through our faith in Jesus, bringing us a firm hope of eternity with God.
Note: Be sure to add Categories Sermon and Subject Index
Sermon: The Risen Christ, Our Hope
Stan discusses the text of 1 Corinthians 15, showing the ultimate hope of life for the child of God, based on the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Mining the Scriptures: 1 Peter 1:6-9
In the previous verses, Peter referred to the inheritance that awaits all the faithful. It is reserved in heaven (4), and is eternal in nature (5). In our text, he notes this is a reason for rejoicing though our lives at present may be difficult.
It is a fact that life here on earth may be difficult for every human. Christians are not excepted. Rain falls on “the just and on the unjust” (Matthew 5:45). These trials serve a specific purpose for the child of God. The establish the genuineness of his faith.
Is your faith in Jesus true? You have never seen Him. Do you truly love Him? The hope that is proclaimed, an eternity in Heaven in the presence of God, is contained in a future promise. Do you believe it? The proof is seen in how you conduct yourself as you live here on this earth. Trials and tribulations on earth serve the same purpose as fire does to the purification of metal. If you prove yourself by the life you live on earth you will receive “the end of your faith — the salvation of your souls” (9).
Struck Down but Not Destroyed
Various texts in the New Testament are examined to contrast the difficulties and limitations of this life as compared to our state and hope in eternity.
God’s Power and Protection
The book of Psalms often refer to the victory of God over either His own enemies, or the enemies of His people, the Israelites.
As Christians today are God’s people, an understanding of God’s power and ability both to protect us, and to punish the wicked, brings us comfort and hope.
In Psalm 68, the singer extolls God’s power over His enemies. He has the ability to scatter them, causing them to flee “As smoke is driven way” (2). He writes, “As wax melts before the fire, so let the wicked perish at the presence of God” (2).
As a contrast we have joy as we abide in God’s favor. “But let the righteous be glad; let them rejoice exceedingly. Sing to God, sing praises to His name; extol Him who rides on the clouds, by His name Yah, and rejoice before Him” (3-4).
Our God is wonderful to the righteous, those who depend upon Him. He is “A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows” (5). “Blessed be the Lord, Who daily loads us with benefits, the God of our Salvation!” (19).
As such, He is worthy of our praise. “Sing to God, you kingdoms of the earth; Oh, sing praises to the Lord. To Him who risdes on the heaven of heavens, which were of old! Indeed, He sends out His voice, a mighty voice. Ascribe strength to God; His excellence is over Israel, and His strength is in the clouds… Blessed be God!” (32-35).
Quiet Resolve and Confidence
“Truly my soul silently waits for God; from Him comes my salvation. He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense; I shall not be greatly moved” (Psalm 62:1-2).
Christians who have a full and correct understanding of the nature of grace and faith have a great confidence in their salvation. It is God who accomplishes their redemption, so they can be sure that their service to Him will be rewarded in the end. This brings patience and comfort as they await the day where the Lord says, “Well done, good and faithful servant” (cf. Matthew 25:21).
Others, who place their trust in something other than God, have no such assurance.
“Surely men of low degree are a vapor, men of high degree are a lie; if they weighed on the scales, they are altogether lighter than vapor. Do not trust in oppression, nor vainly hope in robbery; if riches increase, do not set your heart on them.” (Psalm 62:9-10).
Remember:
“In God is my salvation and glory; the rock of my strength, and my refuge is in God. Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us.” AND “God has spoken once, twice I have heard this: that power belongs to God. Also to You, O Lord, belongs mercy; for You render to each one according to his work” (Psalm 62:7-8, 11-2).
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Sermon: Assurance
Speaker: Josh Cox
As faithful Christians, we have assurance due to our relationship with Christ. Josh Cox discusses how to properly live in that hope.
Sermon: Fall Meeting 2020, Jeremiah Cox
The following lessons were preached from November 1-6, 2020 during the West Side Fall Meeting.
Brother Jeremiah Cox is the evangelist for the Elm Street church of Christ in El Reno, Oklahoma. He and his wife Zoe and little girl Collins live in Yukon, OK.
Sunday Sermon in two parts
Boldness to Enter the Holiest (Hebrews 10)
Sunday Class
Asking for Wisdom in Faith (James 1)
Monday
The Defense for My Hope
Tuesday
Walking in the Light (1 John 1)
Wednesday
Memories from Home
Thursday
The Generic Jesus
Friday
If They Were Here, What Would They Say?
Sermon: What Can the Righteous Do?
From Psalm 11 we see that the instinct to run and hide in the face of persecution and conflict is misguided. God is in control, and He protects those who are His. If we please Him, we can rejoice in our hope!
Sermon: The Function of Hope
Sermon by Jeremiah Cox
Hope serves to supply us with joy, stability and focus. It motivates us to purity and steadfastness. Hope is the anchor of the soul!
Sermon: Faith, Love, Hope
The text of 1 Thessalonians 1:2-4 talks about the work of faith, labor of love and patience of hope that defines the Christian experience. The subject was a favorite one of the great Apostle.
An Evil Common Among Men
The wise man of Ecclesiastes used his book to consider the vanity of life lived under the sun. Put simply, life is not fair, and seeking for lasting happiness and value by trusting in the here and now is a mistake. He illustrated the main point of his treatise in chapter six by noting “an evil which I have seen under the sun, and it is common among men.” It was not an evil in the same sense we typically use it, that is, sin. Rather, it was the observation that many receive great physical blessings from God, but before they can be enjoyed, they lose their ability to enjoy their blessings. It may be illness, tragedy, or death, but “a foreigner consumes it” instead of them. “This is vanity, and it is an evil affliction” (vs. 1-2).
Consider this lesson, “For who knows what is good for man in life, all the days of his vain life which he passes like a shadow? Who can tell what will happen after him under the sun?” (12).
Rather than seeking joy and happiness in this fickle world, with all its injustice and uncertainty, the wise man instead places his hope in heaven. In order to gain that eternal reward, it is necessary to live a life of faithful obedience! “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man’s all. For God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether good or evil” (12:13-14).
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Sermon: Hope, Self Esteem and Our Spiritual Family
Speaker: Josh Jackson
The world struggles with despair. The rise in suicide, drug abuse and sexual promiscuity are all indicators of dysfunction. The answer to these problems is spiritual in nature. Hope, Self-Esteem and the spiritual family of God.
The Patternists: The Promise of Rest
The Jewish Sabbath serves as a type of the ultimate rest available to the Christian. This truth is made evident by the Hebrew writer in the fourth chapter of that letter. In verse 4, the reference is to Genesis 2:2, “For He has spoken in a certain place of the seventh day in this way: ‘And God rested on the seventh day from all His works.’”
That “rest”, and the fact that the disobedience of God’s people led them to lose out on the promise of rest in the promised land (cf. vs. 6), leads to an object lesson for Christians today.
Consider the expressed reason why God said to them, “They shall not enter My rest” (cf. Psalm 95:11). The text states, “For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it” (vs. 2). Also, note verse 6, “Since therefore it remains that some must enter it, and those to whom it was first preached did not enter because of disobedience.”
