Category: Hope
Subject: Hope
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.”
Sermon: The Christian’s Hope
Speaker: Josh Cox
A short lesson discussing the hope the Christian enjoys of an eternity in heaven.
Faith, Love, Hope (Colossians 1:1-8) [Video 1-2]
Note: The video suffers from an echo emanating from Jeremiah’s microphone. However, the majority of the teaching done in this video is from Stan, so the video is still worth a viewing. We will have the echo fixed in subsequent videos.
Sermon: The Samaritan Woman at the Well
Lessons learned from the conversation Jesus had with the Samaritan woman in John 4 include the reality of a new relationship between Jew and Gentile, a new covenant between God and man, a new worship, and a new hope (living water).
Invitation: Rejoicing in Tribulation
Invitation delivered by: Stan Cox
This short lesson uses the text of 1 Peter 1:3-6 to note that our living hope is cause for rejoicing despite the suffering we may experience in this life.
Seeing the Unseen
Lesson 4 of 9, Fall 2016 Gospel Meeting. Speaker: Jeremiah Cox.
An exegetical study of 2 Corinthians 4, emphasizing the importance of keeping our focus on spiritual, eternal matters – so that we do not become discouraged.
An Anchor of the Soul
David, as the anointed King of Israel, had many enemies. Among them was Saul, who remained enthroned as King. Saul was jealous of David, and sought his life. However, scripture reveals that God providentially protected David. In 2 Samuel 22, David acknowledged that help:
“The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; The God of my strength, in whom I will trust; my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold and my refuge; my Savior, You save me from violence” (2-3).
Invitation: A Doorkeeper in the House of My God
Invitation delivered by: Stan Cox
In Psalm 84:10-11, the Psalmist describes beautifully the advantages to having a relationship with the Almighty.
Sermon: Faith, Hope, Love
The text of 1 Corinthians 13:13 is a famous one. However, Paul’s explanation of his intercessions for the Colossians (Colossians 1:3-7) gives interesting insight on how faith, hope and love work together for the Christian.
Superconquerors!
The most potent weapon Christians have in combating life’s difficulties and the despair that accompanies them is the realization that our ultimate victory has already been secured through the work of our Lord. Paul acknowledged this reality in 1 Corinthians 15 as he wrote of the significance of Christ’s resurrection.
If Christ has not been raised from the dead after dying for our sins, Paul noted, “your faith is futile; you are still in your sins! Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished” (17-18). But, because Christ has gained victory over death, the reality is far different! “But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep” (19). Our confidence lies in the fact of Christ’s accomplishment. Because Christ was raised from the dead, we know that the faithful will be as well, as He promised! Paul wrote, “But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (57).
The Path to Joy
The wise man of Ecclesiastes had it right in despairing of a contemplated life without God’s presence. “‘Vanity of vanities,’ says the Preacher; ‘Vanity of vanities, all is vanity’” (Ecclesiastes 1:2). Life only has meaning if God is in the picture. Otherwise, it is without any lasting value or purpose. Men everywhere live out their short existence on earth without hope beyond the grave. Such an existence is truly vain. “One generation passes away, and another generation comes; but the earth abides forever” (1:4).
Many of the problems we have with sorrow and despair come from this flawed perspective on life. Above all other things, we must recognize our purpose on earth is to serve God. If we do, we can with that realization have a happy and productive life, and after, a sure hope of eternal bliss. As the wise man concluded in his contemplation of life, “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).
Invitation: The Rock That is Higher Than I
Invitation delivered by: Stan Cox
Psalm 61:1-4 reveals in poetic terms the protection afforded us by the Almighty.
Invitation: Who Should You Trust?
Invitation delivered by: Brantley Gallman
What do the scriptures reveal concerning who you should trust with regard to spiritual matters. (God, our brethren, ourselves).
Sermon: These Things Do Not Change
In the midst of a changing world, there is a need for us to hold on to some things which do not change.
Invitation: A Better Place
Invitation delivered by: Stan Cox
In 2 Timothy 4:6-8, the apostle Paul refers to a better place which would follow his life on earth. His hope is the same hope enjoyed by all Christians!
