Sermon

The Tidings of Hope

Romans 15: 1-13

December 15, 2002

Our message today is about Hope- our hope in God.

I believe this is relevant because, if ever there’s a time of the year for all of us to open our hearts to hope, it is this season- the Christmas season.

In fact, the call to hope is urgent because of the gloom that looms over our country today. Last Monday, the second largest in the airline industry, the United Airlines filed bankruptcy. They cannot service their $10.3 billion debt. Again this week, the American Airlines announced that they are losing about $ 5 million dollars a day. This is the economic reality of the day. Also this week, the Spanish and US forces and inspectors intercepted a North Korean ship that carries 12 scud missiles for Yemen. This adds more tension to the already volatile situation in the Middle East, and add to this, the UN is still analyzing the 12 thousand-page report of Iraq denying any possession of weapons of mass destruction. This is the political climate in which we live. And again, this week, the news about Cardinal Law of Boston resigning from his post over alleged sexual abuse cover-up has disillusioned many Roman Catholics from their church. So, at this time, it seems that politically, economically, and also religiously many people are losing hope.

If not for our trust in God, we too would be losing hope. In fact, Paul said that anyone who does not believe in God and in Christ are " without hope"(Ephesians 2;12). How true the saying is that " men without Christ has a hopeless end, but with Christ there is an endless hope"!

Just think for a moment: How would history be without God, and if everything just evolved? Then the world would have a different literature, music, law ( where would we get the idea of a moral law, that individuals have inalienable rights, etc. ), then there is no Bible, no Jesus Christ, then there are no charities and missions, no schools, no hospitals, no churches- Oh, life would really be hopeless! You see the opposite of hope is despair. Despair results into defeatism, it is debilitating, and it ends in death. What a tragedy this is!

Also, Paul warns the rich – and everyone for that matter " not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment." (I Tim.6: 17)

Furthermore, the prophet Jeremiah directs everyone to trust and hope in God rather than the worthless idols for it is the Lord who sends down showers and blesses the nations. (Jeremiah 14: 22). That is why David said, " Blessed are those who put Hope in God." (Psalm 146:5.)

The Definition of Hope

Webster defines hope as " a desire of some good, accompanied with a belief that it is attainable" . Biblically, hope (elpis), is a favorable and confident expectation. It describes a happy anticipation of the good. It concerns about the unseen and the future. Paul speaks of this virtue as based in Christ , " Christ in you, the hope of glory". (Col.1:27). Therefore, when we put our hope in God, we are believing that the BEST IS STILL TO COME. This is in contrast to the FALSE HOPES and the delusions of some, for this concerns things that are neither good, nor attainable. But the Christian hope is one that is grounded on God.

This is the prayer of Paul to the Christians in Rome. This could be our prayer also as we celebrate this Christmas season, that the Best Is Yet To Come.

Let us now turn to our text, in Romans 15: 1-13.

              I.      First, in this chapter we find the EXHORTATION of Paul to the believers in Rome. V. 1-2.

A. This is an exhortation to SELF-DENIAL

To Paul, there are two kinds of members in the church: The Strong and the Weak. V. 1 Which of these two are you? The bearer or the burden?

The strong bear ( help, carry, lift) the weak in faith.

B. This is an exhortation not to be SELF-CENTERED, but neighbor-centered . V. 2 This applies to the weak, not to think of themselves only.

Growth comes when we begin to think about others, not just self.

C. This is an exhortation to SERVANTHOOD. It is for the purpose of building up the weak, the edification of the body, the church.

II. Second, in this chapter, we find the EXAMPLE of Christ. V.3

A. This is for our learning, particularly the ENDURANCE OF CHRIST. V. 4 AND THE ENCOURAGEMENT OF SCRIPTURES. Hope brings endurance or patience.

We get our learning through the Scriptures ( read, understood, and applied) and by OBSERVATION of the life of Christ.

III. Third, in our text, we find the EARNEST PRAYER OF PAUL .V.5-13

This prayer is about the tidings of hope.

A. The prayer in v. 5 is given more substance in v. 13.

May the God – what kind of God? – THE GOD OF HOPE. He is the Author of hope.

B. Notice the Requests in this Prayer:

i. To be given the spirit of Unity v.5

To glorify God in one heart and one mouth…v. 6

ii. To accept one another – as Christ accepted us.

Christ humbled himself --- so that the SCRIPTURES CAN BE CONFIRMED ( That is says the truth can be verified)

So that the Gentiles may receive Mercy and they glorify God.

And they WILL HOPE IN GOD.

These are heavy assignments. These are tall orders. Almost impossible in our human thinking.

But, yes, it can be attained- because God is a God of hope.

C. THE RESOURCES FOR THIS PRAYER:

i. GOD, HIMSELF- AND THE HOLY SPIRIT

He will fill you: We are empty, or lacking. Only He can fill.

With Joy and Peace- What a commodity that we need!

D. THE RESPONSIBILITY IN THIS PRAYER: - As you trust in Him –

FAITH ( and hope often go together) Man needs to depend on God.

E. THE RESULT OF THIS PRAYER– You may overflow with HOPE….that we will overflow with optimism. That our positive thinking will result in the best of others. which is love.

What a life lived in hope: Faith, hope, and love: Faith is the basis, hope is the life principle, love is the result . Love which is willing even to sacrifice for the sake of those in need in the name of Jesus Christ.

It also overflows in our relationships with friends, family, church, community!

But notice even the greater result:

THE GENTILES WILL REJOICE WITH THE PEOPLE OF GOD.V. 10

THE GENTILES WILL HOPE IN HIM-V. 12

They will believe in JESUS – WHO IS THE ROOT OF JESSE who will be born, He will establish David’s throne, and he will be the Lord of Lords and the King of Kings.

Conclusion:

Several practical lessons that we will learn from our message today.

1.That we Hope in God alone for the salvation of our souls. Jesus is the only Savior, as one prophesied from the Root of Jesse who will be Lord of all.

2. That we may be people of Hope – Our lives not centered on the temporal things of this earth, but we set our affections on things above – they are eternal. We hope for them, because we hope in God. 1 Peter 1:3-5 Let us have joy and peace as we have these hopes.

3. Three descriptions of hope in the Bible can be appropriated in these uncertain times:

a. We have a living hope I Peter 1: 3-5. We have a living hope because we have a living savior. With this living hope we also have:

- an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade ( stocks of United Airlines seem worthless today – but ours in heave will not perish or devalue) it is safe , kept in heaven, shielded by the power of God.

b. We have a better hope – Heb.7:19. A superior, a perfect hope based upon a superior and perfect Savior.

c. We have a blessed hope – Titus 2:13 Christ will come to take us with Him.

This then are anchors of our souls - Heb. 6:18. We can have a sure hope.

May this blessed and living hope fill us as we celebrate this year’s Christmas season.