Series: The Cure [#13]
MY HOPE IS BUILT ON…
Romans 8:18-28
Introduction:
Troubles are just part of life. We all go through things and what matters is how we go through them. We know that Jesus is the cure to our problems; but do we go through the problem alone or with Jesus? In our passage today we are going to talk about hope. What is hope? Hope is something that we are looking forward to. What is the basis of your hope? What is your hope built on?
Romans 8:18 (NIV)
“I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.”
I have hope because…
1. My suffering is temporary.
We all have aches and pains. Many of you in the room have health problems that no one, (including the doctor) knows what the problem is or how to treat it. Many of you in the room are having family problems- Your marriage is falling apart or your children have lost their minds and are acting like idiots. Many of you in this room are having problems at school or at work. I could build on this list all morning long and would find something that would ring true for each person here today.
My encouragement to each of you today is this, “All of your problems are temporary.” I know it may seem like your situation will never end; but it is temporary. That situation will end and a new one will arrive.
Romans 8:19-21 (NIV)
“The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God.”
I have hope because…
2. Jesus is coming again.
Not just mankind was affected by sin. The Earth has been affected by sin as well. We know that this life here on Earth is temporary and this Earth is temporary as well. No one knows when; but Jesus will return and when He does I pray that each of you are ready. The trumpet will sound, the Archangel will shout, the dead in Christ will rise, and those Christians that remain will be taken up in the air with Jesus.
No matter how terrible things become on this Earth, I know that Jesus is coming back. I have hope because Jesus will return and take me physically to Heaven. By the way, I will be given a new body. I’ll be done with this one.
Romans 8:22-25 (NIV)
“We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.”
I have hope because…
3. I’m on my way to Heaven.
Everyone is groaning- Life is challenging; but Christians, this isn’t it. I know that when I die, my soul is going to Heaven and I know that there will be a day when my old body will be changed into a new body.
Romans 8:26-27 (NIV)
“In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will.”
I have hope because…
4. The Holy Spirit prays for me.
There are times when you don’t know what to pray; but don’t worry because the Holy Spirit will intercede for you. There are times that you are so distraught that you can’t pray; but the Holy Spirit will intercede for you. The Holy Spirit knows your heart and is interceding for you.
Romans 8:28 (NIV)
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
I have hope because…
5. God has a purpose for my problems.
God knows what is going to happen to you. God knows what you are dealing with; and God will take those hurts and challenges and use them to strengthen you.
Conclusion:
Take this sermon and never forget your hope that you have in Christ.
