CRCF””1/30/11
Introduction
Is there really any hope?
We live in some of the most uncertain and fear-filled times of most of our lives, don”™t we?
Hope is the only universal liar who never loses his reputation for veracity. ~Robert G. Ingersoll
TIME Magazine, “When Fear Goes Viral”
“We”™re in a flood stage of anger and suspicion.”
72% of Americans say they are angry and uncertain about the future.
“What I hear most is, people are scared!”
Lord save us all from… a hope tree that has lost the faculty of putting out blossoms. ~Mark Twain
“In contrast to a freaked-out world, [we can] be people of joyful hope!” (Rene Schlaepfer).
HOW is that even possible?
Real Hope for Your World
Romans 15:13
Resting in God”™s grace gives us a hope in Jesus that is stronger than fear!
Romans 15:13 (NIV)
13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Resting in God”™s grace gives us a hope in Jesus that is stronger than fear!
Romans 15:13 (NLT)
13 I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Resting in God”™s grace gives us a hope in Jesus that is stronger than fear!
Brennan Manning
Hope is the reliance on the promise of Jesus, accompanied by the expectation of fulfillment.
Resting in God”™s grace gives us hope because”¦
1. Grace Gives FORGIVENESS
Ephesians 1:7 (NIV)
7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God”™s grace”¦
Romans 5:1-2 (NLT)
1 Therefore, since we have been made right in God”™s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. 2 Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God”™s glory.
If you have peace with the One Who made you, then much of the fear in your heart subsides!
Resting in God”™s grace gives us a hope in Jesus that is stronger than fear!
2. Grace Gives STRENGTH
Isaiah 40:29-31 (NIV)
29 He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
30 Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
31 but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.
Rene Schlaepfer
Hope gives wings.
2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (NLT)
9 Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. 10 That”™s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Resting in God”™s grace gives us a hope in Jesus that is stronger than fear!
3. Grace Gives CERTAINTY FOR ETERNITY
Hebrews 6:18-20 (NLT)
18 So God has given both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. 19 This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God”™s inner sanctuary. 20 Jesus has already gone in there for us. He has become our eternal High Priest in the order of Melchizedek.
Resting in God”™s grace gives us a hope in Jesus that is stronger than fear!
THIS is REAL hope for YOUR world!
And it”™s as certain as God Himself!
Communion
Match Point
Proposed Strategy and Initiatives
1) To ignite personal and corporate (group) transformation by creatively communicating God”™s unlimited grace and love to people
”¢ Promotion of Ronnie McBrayer”™s writings via his books, blog, and website; and the continued expansion of his “Keeping the Faith” readership
Ӣ Development of ongoing speaking engagements in churches, communities, to small groups, and other appropriate venues
2) To impact local communities by matching those with spiritual, communal, and physical needs with the necessary resources to meet those needs
Ӣ Strengthen the intentional partnership with the Fuller Center for Housing, domestically and internationally
Ӣ Through discernment and growing relationships, respond to emerging needs either as the direct service provider or as a conduit of those services
3) To inspire individuals, churches, and communities of faith in following the simple way of Jesus
Ӣ Intentionally develop and disciple small groups and unconventional gatherings of believers who are seeking to follow Jesus
”¢ Develop partnerships within the diverse “organic-micro-simple-church” movement, aiding these believers to serve those who have been over-churched but under-gospeled
Hope begins in the dark, the stubborn hope that if you just show up and try to do the right thing, the dawn will come. ~Anne Lamott
Hope is faith holding out its hand in the dark. ~George Iles
Take hope from the heart of man and you make him a beast of prey. ~Ouida
Hope is the physician of each misery. ~Irish Proverb
Hope is grief’s best music. ~Author Unknown
When you say a situation or a person is hopeless, you’re slamming the door in the face of God. ~Charles L. Allen