WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.620 Our scripture reading for this morning will come from Romans chapter 5, verses 1-5. 00:00:05.620 --> 00:00:10.500 ! If you don't have a Bible, it will be up on the screens. 00:00:10.620 --> 00:00:15.320 There are also some Bibles in the back if you want to grab a hard copy. 00:00:16.100 --> 00:00:24.300 I didn't write down what page it's on, but Romans chapter 5, verses 1-5. 00:00:24.300 --> 00:00:31.120 Romans chapter 5, verses 1-5. 00:00:33.079 --> 00:00:42.640 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 00:00:43.560 --> 00:00:50.460 Through Him we also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand. 00:00:50.460 --> 00:00:54.120 And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. 00:00:54.980 --> 00:01:01.439 Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 00:01:02.520 --> 00:01:07.579 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope. 00:01:08.540 --> 00:01:11.079 And hope does not put us to shame, 00:01:12.079 --> 00:01:19.859 because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who's been given to us. 00:01:20.459 --> 00:01:22.959 This is the reading of God's Word. 00:01:25.339 --> 00:01:28.759 We are talking today about hope. 00:01:29.379 --> 00:01:32.299 And I just think that song captures so much. 00:01:32.879 --> 00:01:39.839 The psalmist that wrote that was capturing so much of our condition of so many times a situation feels like, 00:01:40.019 --> 00:01:41.219 God is not even there. 00:01:41.459 --> 00:01:43.319 Has He hidden His face from me? 00:01:43.699 --> 00:01:47.579 And we just recall to mind who God is and what He's done for us. 00:01:47.579 --> 00:01:48.679 And that gives us hope. 00:01:48.939 --> 00:01:50.039 Today we're talking about hope. 00:01:50.620 --> 00:01:53.519 So we're taking a break again from Ephesians. 00:01:53.879 --> 00:01:58.019 Next week, Corey will be back, and we'll be picking back up in chapter 5. 00:01:59.060 --> 00:02:02.280 But today we'll be discussing, really, this passage. 00:02:02.879 --> 00:02:06.459 As I was trying to think about what to preach on, 00:02:06.500 --> 00:02:09.319 I've been reading a book called The Hiding Place, 00:02:09.319 --> 00:02:12.719 which is the biography of Corrie Ten Boom, if any of you familiar with that. 00:02:13.400 --> 00:02:18.139 And just the hope in the midst of suffering in that book, 00:02:18.340 --> 00:02:20.379 along with just some other things. 00:02:20.439 --> 00:02:21.599 So I work with uni students, 00:02:21.900 --> 00:02:27.379 and you may have heard some statistics about how mental health in uni students, 00:02:27.459 --> 00:02:28.240 where they are today. 00:02:28.240 --> 00:02:36.000 And there's a statistic that would say that over 40% of Gen Z battle with depression 00:02:36.000 --> 00:02:37.800 and feelings of hopelessness. 00:02:38.460 --> 00:02:39.520 Over 40%. 00:02:39.520 --> 00:02:41.939 And so these things are just on my mind a lot. 00:02:42.260 --> 00:02:47.740 And this passage in Romans chapter 5 has actually just been a big personal help to me 00:02:47.740 --> 00:02:51.120 in times when I feel like I need hope. 00:02:51.120 --> 00:03:00.340 There is actually a global foundation that has been tracking hope, 00:03:00.780 --> 00:03:03.039 what they would call the Hope Index. 00:03:03.439 --> 00:03:08.719 Since 2014, it was a global project, and then it included studies here in the UK. 00:03:09.659 --> 00:03:14.040 It assessed various dimensions of hope, like expectations for a better future, 00:03:14.599 --> 00:03:19.259 one's ability to, or perceived ability to achieve that future, 00:03:19.259 --> 00:03:21.899 and the motivation to overcome challenges. 00:03:23.620 --> 00:03:27.819 Then COVID happened, and newer studies started happening based in the UK. 00:03:28.019 --> 00:03:30.859 There's a company called 5654 and Company 00:03:30.859 --> 00:03:36.139 that started publishing statistics in 2022 on the Hope Index. 00:03:36.539 --> 00:03:41.659 And again, it started really with COVID as they were trying to measure where people are. 00:03:41.719 --> 00:03:44.979 And all this is found in the Office for National Statistics here in the UK. 00:03:45.620 --> 00:03:48.159 These newer studies that began in the UK, 00:03:48.159 --> 00:03:55.859 they suggested that fluctuations in hopelessness were influenced by factors like economic conditions, 00:03:56.419 --> 00:03:59.439 political developments, and societal changes. 00:04:00.579 --> 00:04:07.659 So coming out of COVID, the numbers were like below 40% of people felt hopeful for the future. 00:04:08.159 --> 00:04:10.719 And today that number is closer to 66%. 00:04:11.400 --> 00:04:13.759 It's a massive jump in just a few years. 00:04:13.759 --> 00:04:18.599 And one of the things I think this tells us is just as human beings, 00:04:18.879 --> 00:04:21.659 we view hope in light of our circumstances. 00:04:22.480 --> 00:04:25.500 If things are going well, we're more hopeful. 00:04:26.079 --> 00:04:28.959 If things are going bad, we feel less hope. 00:04:30.120 --> 00:04:34.740 But that's not the biblical view of hope and what Jesus has for us. 00:04:34.740 --> 00:04:40.519 So we come to this passage in Romans chapter 5, 00:04:41.340 --> 00:04:45.360 where we're talking about, Paul is talking about sufferings. 00:04:45.939 --> 00:04:47.680 And look what he says in verse 3. 00:04:48.680 --> 00:04:49.019 He says, 00:04:49.360 --> 00:04:52.160 But we rejoice in our sufferings. 00:04:54.160 --> 00:04:56.699 Rejoice in our sufferings. 00:04:56.920 --> 00:04:58.639 This is one of those times where you're like, 00:04:58.699 --> 00:05:00.079 Paul, have you lost your mind? 00:05:00.079 --> 00:05:03.819 What do you mean rejoice in your sufferings? 00:05:03.899 --> 00:05:07.620 Now, my wife and daughter will tell you that I'm prone to hyperbole. 00:05:07.979 --> 00:05:08.139 Okay? 00:05:08.639 --> 00:05:11.060 And a lot of ministers, we'll just call it out, 00:05:11.159 --> 00:05:12.759 we can be prone to hyperbole. 00:05:13.439 --> 00:05:14.959 Dramatic effect sometimes. 00:05:15.079 --> 00:05:17.299 Sometimes it's just, that's what we're feeling and thinking, 00:05:17.519 --> 00:05:19.680 is this what Paul's doing? 00:05:21.099 --> 00:05:23.379 Saying, like, he's just being super spiritual and saying, 00:05:23.500 --> 00:05:26.019 we rejoice in our sufferings? 00:05:27.019 --> 00:05:31.259 To be quite honest, this sounds like something someone would say who hasn't suffered. 00:05:32.419 --> 00:05:33.299 You know what I'm saying? 00:05:34.680 --> 00:05:36.039 Are you out of your mind? 00:05:36.560 --> 00:05:40.319 But we know Paul is one of those people that suffered a ton. 00:05:40.439 --> 00:05:44.000 I mean, in fact, he has different places in Scripture 00:05:44.000 --> 00:05:46.079 where he talks about some of the suffering he's gone through. 00:05:46.579 --> 00:05:49.319 And one time he casually just throws in there being shipwrecked. 00:05:49.399 --> 00:05:51.500 Doesn't say much about it, but just shipwrecked. 00:05:52.099 --> 00:05:53.079 And I was thinking about that. 00:05:53.120 --> 00:05:55.019 Do you know how scary that would be to be shipwrecked? 00:05:55.019 --> 00:05:55.500 Shipwrecked? 00:05:55.819 --> 00:05:57.779 Back in those days, there's no Coast Guard. 00:05:57.899 --> 00:05:58.859 There's no radar. 00:05:58.979 --> 00:06:00.479 People aren't coming to help you. 00:06:01.759 --> 00:06:02.279 Shipwrecked. 00:06:02.500 --> 00:06:05.180 I mean, he faced anything from physical suffering 00:06:05.180 --> 00:06:08.319 to emotional suffering with planting the churches 00:06:08.319 --> 00:06:10.099 and trying to be a minister. 00:06:11.259 --> 00:06:15.060 This is a man who knew suffering extremely well. 00:06:15.579 --> 00:06:18.560 And he's saying that we rejoice in suffering. 00:06:18.859 --> 00:06:19.859 That word rejoice, 00:06:19.860 --> 00:06:22.100 some of you may have translations of your Bible 00:06:22.100 --> 00:06:25.060 that actually translates the word to boast. 00:06:25.600 --> 00:06:27.360 We boast in our sufferings. 00:06:27.819 --> 00:06:29.340 Now, that seems like a weird word. 00:06:29.420 --> 00:06:31.000 It kind of has a negative connotation. 00:06:31.480 --> 00:06:35.240 And our vocabulary to boast is like to highlight one's successes. 00:06:35.900 --> 00:06:36.100 Right? 00:06:37.120 --> 00:06:39.259 But in a sense, what Paul is saying 00:06:39.259 --> 00:06:43.780 is that suffering can highlight what God is doing in our lives. 00:06:43.779 --> 00:06:47.500 It puts a spotlight on different things 00:06:47.500 --> 00:06:48.819 where God is going to say, 00:06:49.179 --> 00:06:51.359 I am there, I am with you, and I am working. 00:06:52.099 --> 00:06:54.000 For those who are in Christ, 00:06:54.779 --> 00:06:57.739 it is not to our shame that we're suffering. 00:06:58.119 --> 00:07:01.219 But instead, it is a place that God walks with us 00:07:01.219 --> 00:07:02.479 through these things. 00:07:03.459 --> 00:07:04.479 So he says, 00:07:04.480 --> 00:07:07.860 We rejoice in sufferings. 00:07:07.920 --> 00:07:10.439 When we suffer, we know that God is up to something 00:07:10.439 --> 00:07:13.460 and that we are assured it is for our good. 00:07:13.960 --> 00:07:16.220 And then he goes on to explain what he means. 00:07:17.140 --> 00:07:18.980 But we rejoice in our sufferings, 00:07:19.360 --> 00:07:22.379 knowing that suffering produces endurance. 00:07:23.379 --> 00:07:23.620 Okay. 00:07:24.360 --> 00:07:25.759 Suffering produces endurance. 00:07:25.900 --> 00:07:26.180 All right. 00:07:26.400 --> 00:07:26.759 Endurance. 00:07:27.080 --> 00:07:29.720 It means a patient steadfastness. 00:07:29.960 --> 00:07:32.160 We might even describe it as someone that's solid. 00:07:32.480 --> 00:07:33.500 He's really solid. 00:07:33.500 --> 00:07:34.660 Or she's really solid. 00:07:34.740 --> 00:07:36.699 Meaning they're not just blown and tossed by the wind. 00:07:36.959 --> 00:07:40.680 It's a steady ability to persevere through the storms. 00:07:42.980 --> 00:07:44.399 A few Sunday nights ago, 00:07:44.480 --> 00:07:47.740 we talked about give us this day our daily bread 00:07:47.740 --> 00:07:50.600 and how that can even be a little bit of like coming to God 00:07:50.600 --> 00:07:51.600 and just saying, 00:07:51.939 --> 00:07:55.199 Give me exactly what I need to make it through today. 00:07:56.120 --> 00:07:59.100 That's when we do that day after day after day 00:07:59.100 --> 00:08:00.259 through suffering, 00:08:00.259 --> 00:08:03.339 it produces this perseverance and endurance 00:08:03.339 --> 00:08:08.519 that provides a steadfastness to our lives. 00:08:08.819 --> 00:08:10.779 I mean, even the world would say something like, 00:08:10.879 --> 00:08:12.459 What doesn't kill you makes you stronger. 00:08:12.579 --> 00:08:12.759 Right? 00:08:12.860 --> 00:08:15.319 I mean, so even some general wisdom, 00:08:15.500 --> 00:08:15.800 kind of, 00:08:16.120 --> 00:08:17.899 we can see this a little bit, 00:08:17.980 --> 00:08:19.240 that through suffering, 00:08:19.480 --> 00:08:21.120 I learn to endure. 00:08:22.139 --> 00:08:23.860 I learn to persevere. 00:08:23.860 --> 00:08:25.980 It's like, okay, 00:08:26.360 --> 00:08:27.379 I've seen that to be true. 00:08:27.540 --> 00:08:28.340 I'm listening, Paul. 00:08:28.460 --> 00:08:29.740 Maybe you're not crazy. 00:08:31.100 --> 00:08:33.180 Suffering produces endurance. 00:08:33.379 --> 00:08:34.220 And then he goes on to say, 00:08:34.340 --> 00:08:37.039 And endurance produces character. 00:08:37.340 --> 00:08:40.259 This word character is a really interested word 00:08:40.259 --> 00:08:42.779 that it basically means that you've been tested 00:08:42.779 --> 00:08:45.240 and approved to be true. 00:08:45.240 --> 00:08:47.200 It's this idea, 00:08:47.700 --> 00:08:49.899 the same concept of the refiner's fire 00:08:49.899 --> 00:08:52.220 where metal is heated up 00:08:52.220 --> 00:08:56.159 and the impurities are taken away 00:08:56.159 --> 00:08:58.740 so that what's left is more pure. 00:08:59.779 --> 00:09:01.580 That's the same idea here. 00:09:01.759 --> 00:09:04.600 Something that is tested and approved. 00:09:04.759 --> 00:09:05.379 So he says, 00:09:05.659 --> 00:09:06.560 As we endure, 00:09:07.320 --> 00:09:08.580 character is built. 00:09:09.180 --> 00:09:09.899 As I endure, 00:09:10.460 --> 00:09:12.200 I become a deeper, 00:09:13.180 --> 00:09:14.159 weightier person. 00:09:15.240 --> 00:09:16.580 As I endure, 00:09:17.139 --> 00:09:18.879 there's more substance to me. 00:09:19.639 --> 00:09:21.440 A person of character. 00:09:22.080 --> 00:09:22.700 It's like, okay, 00:09:23.279 --> 00:09:25.000 this is making a little sense. 00:09:25.960 --> 00:09:27.200 As we endure, 00:09:27.480 --> 00:09:29.060 it produces a maturity. 00:09:30.000 --> 00:09:32.680 A person of substance and weightiness. 00:09:33.500 --> 00:09:34.320 And then he says, 00:09:34.680 --> 00:09:37.659 And character produces hope. 00:09:38.100 --> 00:09:40.060 As I grow and mature, 00:09:40.919 --> 00:09:42.659 I learn to hope. 00:09:42.659 --> 00:09:45.839 Now this word hope has the idea 00:09:45.839 --> 00:09:48.120 of a confident expectation. 00:09:48.120 --> 00:09:49.839 It's not like wishful thinking, 00:09:50.339 --> 00:09:52.459 but this is a confident expectation. 00:09:52.759 --> 00:09:54.939 Now one of the things that we can be tempted to do 00:09:54.939 --> 00:09:57.219 is we can be tempted to look at our lives 00:09:57.219 --> 00:09:57.620 and say, 00:09:57.939 --> 00:09:58.240 All right, 00:09:58.480 --> 00:09:59.740 suffering is not going away. 00:09:59.939 --> 00:10:03.240 This problem hasn't necessarily gone away. 00:10:03.240 --> 00:10:08.539 I'm not promised that it will go away. 00:10:09.299 --> 00:10:12.500 So how can I have a confident expectation 00:10:12.500 --> 00:10:16.220 if I can't be assured that the problem will go away? 00:10:16.960 --> 00:10:20.259 Well, hope says that we know there is a future 00:10:20.259 --> 00:10:22.700 that God is working for our good. 00:10:23.019 --> 00:10:24.779 A confident expectation, 00:10:25.240 --> 00:10:26.799 not a wishful thinking. 00:10:27.159 --> 00:10:28.299 And one of the things that we also, 00:10:28.440 --> 00:10:30.060 like as I was studying this passage, 00:10:30.059 --> 00:10:32.119 every commentator that I read, 00:10:32.219 --> 00:10:33.639 every sermon that I listened to, 00:10:34.039 --> 00:10:37.119 everyone agreed that Paul is not talking about 00:10:37.119 --> 00:10:38.519 the hope of heaven 00:10:38.519 --> 00:10:40.659 or the hope of when Jesus comes back. 00:10:41.099 --> 00:10:42.579 That is certainly true. 00:10:42.759 --> 00:10:45.119 But he's talking about hope now. 00:10:45.899 --> 00:10:48.919 He's talking about that now in Christ, 00:10:49.279 --> 00:10:50.839 having been declared righteous, 00:10:51.059 --> 00:10:51.899 it says in verse 1, 00:10:51.979 --> 00:10:53.000 justified by faith, 00:10:53.000 --> 00:10:54.619 we have peace with God 00:10:54.619 --> 00:10:57.359 and access into this grace in which we stand. 00:10:57.739 --> 00:10:59.459 It's talking about now. 00:11:00.059 --> 00:11:01.099 We have hope now. 00:11:01.419 --> 00:11:03.399 No matter how hard life is, 00:11:03.519 --> 00:11:05.979 no matter how great the suffering is, 00:11:06.259 --> 00:11:08.779 we have hope now. 00:11:10.159 --> 00:11:10.859 All right. 00:11:11.579 --> 00:11:15.079 Many of you have faced suffering before 00:11:15.079 --> 00:11:16.299 and you're like, 00:11:16.379 --> 00:11:17.459 all right, time out. 00:11:17.739 --> 00:11:18.639 Stop right there. 00:11:19.239 --> 00:11:22.379 I have learned that the more I hope, 00:11:23.000 --> 00:11:24.599 the more disappointed I'm going to be. 00:11:24.600 --> 00:11:26.500 So I've learned, 00:11:26.800 --> 00:11:27.899 this is the quote we say, 00:11:28.320 --> 00:11:30.139 I'm not going to get my hopes up. 00:11:30.659 --> 00:11:30.879 Right? 00:11:31.740 --> 00:11:33.480 I'm not going to get my hopes up. 00:11:33.960 --> 00:11:36.519 We put this self-protection on 00:11:36.519 --> 00:11:38.779 where it's like, 00:11:39.000 --> 00:11:39.680 yeah, if I just, 00:11:39.840 --> 00:11:40.879 if I'm hope, 00:11:41.240 --> 00:11:43.060 hoping is kind of like for those people 00:11:43.060 --> 00:11:44.759 that want to bury their head in the sand 00:11:44.759 --> 00:11:46.259 and avoid reality. 00:11:46.259 --> 00:11:51.039 And we start letting that dictate the way 00:11:51.039 --> 00:11:52.480 that we view truth. 00:11:52.600 --> 00:11:54.019 But look at the next verse. 00:11:55.139 --> 00:11:55.740 It says, 00:11:55.879 --> 00:11:57.039 a character produces hope. 00:11:58.039 --> 00:11:58.819 And then Paul says, 00:11:59.379 --> 00:12:02.299 and hope does not put us to shame. 00:12:03.279 --> 00:12:05.600 One translation says it does not disappoint. 00:12:06.559 --> 00:12:08.700 You could also translate it as, 00:12:09.000 --> 00:12:10.740 hoping does not dishonor us 00:12:10.740 --> 00:12:12.740 or disgrace us. 00:12:12.740 --> 00:12:13.299 In other words, 00:12:13.340 --> 00:12:15.120 we're not going to look like a fool by hoping. 00:12:15.919 --> 00:12:18.320 That's a promise that Paul is giving us here. 00:12:19.419 --> 00:12:22.639 We don't have to be afraid to hope. 00:12:23.399 --> 00:12:26.220 We don't have to worry about getting our hopes up 00:12:26.220 --> 00:12:28.560 because they're just going to be dashed. 00:12:29.200 --> 00:12:30.659 Nothing's ever going to happen the way 00:12:30.659 --> 00:12:32.039 I think it should happen. 00:12:32.720 --> 00:12:34.980 We start letting our experiences dictate 00:12:34.980 --> 00:12:37.620 what we believe is true and not. 00:12:38.560 --> 00:12:40.360 But this passage tells us 00:12:40.360 --> 00:12:43.720 that we don't have to be afraid to hope. 00:12:44.680 --> 00:12:46.300 We don't have to hedge our bets. 00:12:47.240 --> 00:12:49.840 We don't have to try to minimize losses 00:12:49.840 --> 00:12:52.539 and disappointments by self-protection. 00:12:53.480 --> 00:12:56.639 That is not what God teaches us. 00:12:58.180 --> 00:12:58.700 How? 00:12:59.220 --> 00:13:01.060 How does hope not put us to shame? 00:13:01.419 --> 00:13:01.800 How do we, 00:13:02.320 --> 00:13:03.659 how is like hoping, 00:13:03.879 --> 00:13:04.800 really hoping, 00:13:04.960 --> 00:13:05.940 deep down hoping, 00:13:06.399 --> 00:13:07.600 not going to make me look a fool, 00:13:07.840 --> 00:13:08.960 not feel like an idiot? 00:13:08.960 --> 00:13:11.259 Why was I believing that would happen? 00:13:12.420 --> 00:13:13.660 How can we believe this? 00:13:13.740 --> 00:13:14.440 Look at verse 5. 00:13:16.139 --> 00:13:17.639 And hope does not put us to shame 00:13:17.639 --> 00:13:21.080 because God's love 00:13:21.080 --> 00:13:23.740 has been poured into our hearts 00:13:23.740 --> 00:13:25.519 through the Holy Spirit 00:13:25.519 --> 00:13:28.080 who has been given to us. 00:13:28.900 --> 00:13:31.840 Because God has poured His love 00:13:31.840 --> 00:13:32.860 into our hearts 00:13:32.860 --> 00:13:35.340 by, through the Holy Spirit, 00:13:35.340 --> 00:13:38.879 we don't have to be afraid to hope. 00:13:39.360 --> 00:13:41.060 When it talks about God's love here, 00:13:41.120 --> 00:13:42.000 it's talking about 00:13:42.000 --> 00:13:44.899 the knowledge of God's love for us. 00:13:46.200 --> 00:13:48.480 We know God loves us, 00:13:49.100 --> 00:13:51.860 therefore we can have hope. 00:13:52.740 --> 00:13:55.759 This word poured out, 00:13:56.300 --> 00:13:58.980 the good old King James version 00:13:58.980 --> 00:14:00.480 says shed abroad. 00:14:00.480 --> 00:14:05.580 It's this idea of love being gushed out, 00:14:05.960 --> 00:14:07.460 poured out liberally. 00:14:07.940 --> 00:14:09.420 It's one of the things that 00:14:09.420 --> 00:14:11.480 a lot of commentators 00:14:11.480 --> 00:14:13.039 really put their finger on 00:14:13.039 --> 00:14:13.300 and says, 00:14:13.480 --> 00:14:15.500 this is not just little sprinkles of love here, 00:14:15.580 --> 00:14:17.259 but this is an inundation 00:14:17.259 --> 00:14:19.379 of God's love for us. 00:14:20.460 --> 00:14:22.800 God has poured out His love 00:14:22.800 --> 00:14:23.879 into our hearts 00:14:23.879 --> 00:14:26.200 through the Holy Spirit. 00:14:26.519 --> 00:14:27.700 This word here 00:14:27.700 --> 00:14:29.840 about God's love being poured out 00:14:29.840 --> 00:14:30.660 through the Holy Spirit 00:14:30.660 --> 00:14:32.120 is the same word used 00:14:32.120 --> 00:14:33.220 in Acts chapter 2 00:14:33.220 --> 00:14:34.340 when it talks about 00:14:34.340 --> 00:14:35.060 the Holy Spirit 00:14:35.060 --> 00:14:36.340 being poured out on the church. 00:14:37.720 --> 00:14:40.480 This incredible pouring out 00:14:40.480 --> 00:14:41.280 and gushing out 00:14:41.280 --> 00:14:43.280 inundation of God's love for us. 00:14:43.420 --> 00:14:45.259 That is what we can experience 00:14:45.259 --> 00:14:46.480 in our hearts 00:14:46.480 --> 00:14:47.740 when we recognize 00:14:47.740 --> 00:14:49.100 who God is 00:14:49.100 --> 00:14:51.700 and what He has done for us. 00:14:52.580 --> 00:14:53.840 The Holy Spirit 00:14:53.840 --> 00:14:56.580 helps us to experience 00:14:56.580 --> 00:14:58.379 God's love for us. 00:14:58.460 --> 00:14:59.800 That everything the Bible says 00:14:59.799 --> 00:15:00.979 about God's love toward us 00:15:00.979 --> 00:15:01.779 is true. 00:15:02.779 --> 00:15:03.579 So if we're walking 00:15:03.579 --> 00:15:04.139 with the Lord 00:15:04.139 --> 00:15:05.859 and walking in the Spirit, 00:15:06.379 --> 00:15:07.819 God's love for us, 00:15:07.879 --> 00:15:08.839 that knowledge, 00:15:09.299 --> 00:15:10.879 will just be poured out 00:15:10.879 --> 00:15:11.519 into our hearts 00:15:11.519 --> 00:15:12.799 and we will understand 00:15:12.799 --> 00:15:13.939 experientially 00:15:13.939 --> 00:15:16.839 how much God loves us. 00:15:17.879 --> 00:15:19.839 Now, many of you may be like me. 00:15:20.379 --> 00:15:21.859 I had a friend one time 00:15:21.859 --> 00:15:22.519 that said this 00:15:22.519 --> 00:15:23.819 that I thought was very insightful. 00:15:24.679 --> 00:15:25.319 He said, 00:15:25.620 --> 00:15:27.799 because of how my parents loved me, 00:15:27.799 --> 00:15:29.279 I don't really have a hard time 00:15:29.279 --> 00:15:30.779 understanding that God loves me, 00:15:31.259 --> 00:15:32.839 but I do have a hard time 00:15:32.839 --> 00:15:33.939 believing He likes me. 00:15:35.359 --> 00:15:36.740 I do have a hard time 00:15:36.740 --> 00:15:37.679 believing that I don't just 00:15:37.679 --> 00:15:39.259 disappoint Him all the time. 00:15:41.159 --> 00:15:42.579 Paul is telling us 00:15:42.579 --> 00:15:44.019 that the Holy Spirit 00:15:44.019 --> 00:15:44.599 has been given 00:15:44.599 --> 00:15:45.899 to each one of us 00:15:45.899 --> 00:15:47.599 to help us know 00:15:47.599 --> 00:15:49.459 that God loves you, 00:15:49.620 --> 00:15:50.699 He likes you, 00:15:50.959 --> 00:15:53.039 He wants you in His family. 00:15:53.620 --> 00:15:54.979 He's not looking for an excuse 00:15:54.980 --> 00:15:55.940 to kick you out. 00:15:57.399 --> 00:15:58.440 And because of this, 00:15:58.680 --> 00:16:00.200 we can have hope. 00:16:00.279 --> 00:16:02.200 As we meditate on God's love for us, 00:16:02.379 --> 00:16:04.100 what He did for us in Jesus, 00:16:04.820 --> 00:16:05.960 what He does for us 00:16:05.960 --> 00:16:07.360 on a daily basis 00:16:07.360 --> 00:16:08.460 because of His character. 00:16:08.860 --> 00:16:09.720 I mean, just even as we were 00:16:09.720 --> 00:16:10.600 praying earlier, 00:16:11.680 --> 00:16:12.580 it was just praying 00:16:12.580 --> 00:16:14.779 like the very air we breathe 00:16:14.779 --> 00:16:16.460 is because God loves us. 00:16:16.960 --> 00:16:18.159 The rain we'll experience 00:16:18.159 --> 00:16:18.899 later this week 00:16:18.899 --> 00:16:20.220 is because God loves us. 00:16:20.320 --> 00:16:22.759 Our atoms don't rip apart 00:16:22.759 --> 00:16:23.379 within us 00:16:23.379 --> 00:16:25.559 because God is holding them together 00:16:25.559 --> 00:16:28.200 because He loves us. 00:16:28.519 --> 00:16:30.139 Are we convinced of that? 00:16:31.240 --> 00:16:32.179 And if so, 00:16:32.439 --> 00:16:35.220 you don't have to be afraid to hope. 00:16:36.919 --> 00:16:38.700 You don't have to self-protect 00:16:38.700 --> 00:16:39.779 and hedge your bets. 00:16:40.919 --> 00:16:43.799 I can believe that God loves me so much 00:16:43.799 --> 00:16:45.919 that whatever I'm going through, 00:16:46.259 --> 00:16:48.220 He is working on my behalf 00:16:48.220 --> 00:16:49.620 right now. 00:16:50.700 --> 00:16:51.399 A lot of times, 00:16:51.399 --> 00:16:52.539 suffering can feel like 00:16:52.539 --> 00:16:53.840 He's abandoned me. 00:16:54.779 --> 00:16:57.500 Even the psalmist said that. 00:16:57.879 --> 00:16:59.299 Has God hidden His face? 00:16:59.759 --> 00:17:01.480 Has He withdrawn His compassion? 00:17:01.860 --> 00:17:02.759 That's what the psalmist 00:17:02.759 --> 00:17:03.659 in Psalm 77, 00:17:04.059 --> 00:17:05.200 that's what He was facing. 00:17:05.779 --> 00:17:07.700 I feel like you're not here, God. 00:17:08.740 --> 00:17:09.440 But then, 00:17:09.519 --> 00:17:10.660 I will recall 00:17:10.660 --> 00:17:12.960 the Lord's great love. 00:17:13.019 --> 00:17:13.779 I will recall 00:17:13.779 --> 00:17:15.139 what He has done for us. 00:17:15.339 --> 00:17:16.019 I will recall 00:17:16.019 --> 00:17:17.200 His mighty hand 00:17:17.200 --> 00:17:18.259 and outstretched arm. 00:17:18.259 --> 00:17:19.299 I will recall 00:17:19.299 --> 00:17:20.299 who He is 00:17:20.299 --> 00:17:22.559 and what He has done. 00:17:24.039 --> 00:17:25.140 How do I know 00:17:25.140 --> 00:17:26.700 that He loves me? 00:17:27.339 --> 00:17:28.240 How do I know 00:17:28.240 --> 00:17:29.299 that I can have hope? 00:17:31.240 --> 00:17:32.420 Because He didn't spare 00:17:32.420 --> 00:17:33.299 His own son, 00:17:33.900 --> 00:17:35.519 but gave Him up 00:17:35.519 --> 00:17:36.240 for us all. 00:17:37.259 --> 00:17:38.359 And because of that, 00:17:38.519 --> 00:17:39.619 we can have confidence 00:17:39.619 --> 00:17:41.000 that He's not going to withhold 00:17:41.000 --> 00:17:42.059 any good thing. 00:17:42.859 --> 00:17:44.400 If He gave us Jesus 00:17:44.400 --> 00:17:46.220 to come live the life 00:17:46.220 --> 00:17:47.240 that we couldn't live 00:17:47.240 --> 00:17:48.259 and die the death 00:17:48.259 --> 00:17:49.420 that we deserve to die, 00:17:49.480 --> 00:17:51.039 if He did that for us, 00:17:51.279 --> 00:17:52.440 what in the world 00:17:52.440 --> 00:17:53.900 would He withhold from us? 00:17:55.440 --> 00:17:56.880 We can have hope 00:17:56.880 --> 00:17:59.000 because God loves us 00:17:59.000 --> 00:18:00.400 and He doesn't withhold 00:18:00.400 --> 00:18:01.240 from His children. 00:18:01.720 --> 00:18:02.460 J.I. Packer 00:18:02.460 --> 00:18:03.180 in his great book 00:18:03.180 --> 00:18:03.779 Knowing God 00:18:03.779 --> 00:18:04.460 says this, 00:18:04.880 --> 00:18:06.240 every single thing 00:18:06.240 --> 00:18:06.980 that happens 00:18:06.980 --> 00:18:07.779 to the believer 00:18:07.779 --> 00:18:10.440 expresses God's love to him. 00:18:10.759 --> 00:18:12.200 Every single thing 00:18:12.200 --> 00:18:13.620 expresses God's love 00:18:13.619 --> 00:18:15.679 and comes to him 00:18:15.679 --> 00:18:17.139 for the furthering 00:18:17.139 --> 00:18:19.239 of God's purpose for him. 00:18:20.079 --> 00:18:20.979 Over and over 00:18:20.979 --> 00:18:21.779 we see in Scripture 00:18:21.779 --> 00:18:22.839 the things that 00:18:22.839 --> 00:18:24.479 what Satan intended for evil, 00:18:24.659 --> 00:18:26.000 God used for good. 00:18:26.439 --> 00:18:28.719 He is working on our behalf 00:18:28.719 --> 00:18:30.259 to make things good. 00:18:30.319 --> 00:18:31.299 So we have the promises 00:18:31.299 --> 00:18:33.599 of Romans 8.28 00:18:33.599 --> 00:18:34.179 that says, 00:18:34.299 --> 00:18:35.119 and we know that 00:18:35.119 --> 00:18:36.819 for those who love God, 00:18:37.279 --> 00:18:38.699 all things work together 00:18:38.699 --> 00:18:39.299 for good 00:18:39.299 --> 00:18:41.179 for those who are called 00:18:41.179 --> 00:18:42.879 according to His purpose. 00:18:43.619 --> 00:18:44.839 I can hope 00:18:44.839 --> 00:18:46.500 because God loves me. 00:18:47.099 --> 00:18:49.399 He really, really loves us. 00:18:50.479 --> 00:18:51.359 He loves you 00:18:51.359 --> 00:18:53.259 more than you love yourself. 00:18:53.799 --> 00:18:54.899 And all these things 00:18:54.899 --> 00:18:55.539 in your life 00:18:55.539 --> 00:18:56.579 that would cause us 00:18:56.579 --> 00:18:57.399 that stress 00:18:57.399 --> 00:18:59.359 of maybe even hopelessness, 00:18:59.899 --> 00:19:01.379 maybe it's a broken relationship, 00:19:01.939 --> 00:19:03.659 maybe it's financial difficulties, 00:19:04.199 --> 00:19:05.599 maybe it's problems at work 00:19:05.599 --> 00:19:06.359 or uncertainty 00:19:06.359 --> 00:19:07.359 about your future, 00:19:08.059 --> 00:19:10.559 maybe things just look grim 00:19:10.559 --> 00:19:12.159 and you just can't see 00:19:12.159 --> 00:19:13.480 very far out 00:19:13.480 --> 00:19:14.740 to see clearly 00:19:14.740 --> 00:19:15.879 of the direction 00:19:15.879 --> 00:19:16.379 that you're going. 00:19:16.519 --> 00:19:17.500 God cares more 00:19:17.500 --> 00:19:18.299 about those things 00:19:18.299 --> 00:19:18.859 than you do. 00:19:19.599 --> 00:19:20.559 Do you believe that? 00:19:22.720 --> 00:19:23.659 It says He knows 00:19:23.659 --> 00:19:24.579 the numbers of the hairs 00:19:24.579 --> 00:19:25.519 that are on our head. 00:19:26.779 --> 00:19:27.240 Now I don't have 00:19:27.240 --> 00:19:28.139 many of those left, 00:19:28.879 --> 00:19:29.779 but He knows 00:19:29.779 --> 00:19:30.819 which ones are still there. 00:19:31.480 --> 00:19:32.079 He takes care 00:19:32.079 --> 00:19:32.899 of the little birds, 00:19:33.579 --> 00:19:34.339 the sparrows, 00:19:34.419 --> 00:19:36.799 the most inconsequential beings. 00:19:36.899 --> 00:19:37.519 He takes care 00:19:37.519 --> 00:19:37.980 of all of them, 00:19:38.039 --> 00:19:38.899 clothes of the grass 00:19:38.900 --> 00:19:39.480 and the grass of the field. 00:19:39.759 --> 00:19:41.340 Will He not take care of us? 00:19:44.400 --> 00:19:46.120 Now we might think, 00:19:46.680 --> 00:19:47.800 how can I hope 00:19:47.800 --> 00:19:49.660 when I can't have confidence 00:19:49.660 --> 00:19:52.300 that such and such will happen? 00:19:53.000 --> 00:19:53.960 I can't have confidence 00:19:53.960 --> 00:19:54.620 that He's going to 00:19:54.620 --> 00:19:55.620 just fix everything 00:19:55.620 --> 00:19:56.800 in my life right now 00:19:56.800 --> 00:19:58.240 like I want it to, 00:19:58.560 --> 00:19:59.680 like I want Him to. 00:20:00.740 --> 00:20:02.240 That could point to the fact 00:20:02.240 --> 00:20:02.900 that we're hoping 00:20:02.900 --> 00:20:04.019 in the wrong thing. 00:20:04.900 --> 00:20:06.080 We're not hoping 00:20:06.080 --> 00:20:06.780 in the thing 00:20:06.780 --> 00:20:08.380 that can really bring us 00:20:08.380 --> 00:20:09.720 soul satisfaction. 00:20:10.720 --> 00:20:11.000 I mean, 00:20:11.040 --> 00:20:11.680 I was just reminded 00:20:11.680 --> 00:20:13.180 of the story 00:20:13.180 --> 00:20:13.900 in the Old Testament 00:20:13.900 --> 00:20:15.000 of Shadrach, Meshach, 00:20:15.060 --> 00:20:15.500 and Abednego. 00:20:15.900 --> 00:20:16.300 You know that? 00:20:16.340 --> 00:20:17.340 And the fiery furnace. 00:20:17.600 --> 00:20:18.160 I always heard that 00:20:18.160 --> 00:20:18.840 as a little kid. 00:20:20.780 --> 00:20:22.100 They say this. 00:20:23.320 --> 00:20:24.660 They're telling the king 00:20:24.660 --> 00:20:25.340 who's threatening 00:20:25.340 --> 00:20:27.240 to throw them 00:20:27.240 --> 00:20:28.640 into the fiery furnace 00:20:28.640 --> 00:20:30.680 for not bowing down 00:20:30.680 --> 00:20:31.400 to the idol 00:20:31.400 --> 00:20:32.040 that was made. 00:20:32.640 --> 00:20:33.280 And they said, 00:20:33.280 --> 00:20:34.160 our God, 00:20:34.640 --> 00:20:35.560 whom we serve, 00:20:35.700 --> 00:20:37.420 is able to deliver us. 00:20:39.120 --> 00:20:40.340 But if He doesn't, 00:20:41.000 --> 00:20:42.340 we still will not 00:20:42.340 --> 00:20:43.100 serve your gods. 00:20:44.180 --> 00:20:45.240 And it's this idea 00:20:45.240 --> 00:20:46.000 that God may not 00:20:46.000 --> 00:20:46.620 come through 00:20:46.620 --> 00:20:47.740 in this situation 00:20:47.740 --> 00:20:49.220 exactly like I would 00:20:49.220 --> 00:20:49.860 want Him to, 00:20:49.900 --> 00:20:51.100 but He's got a better plan. 00:20:52.800 --> 00:20:53.620 And then we go on 00:20:53.620 --> 00:20:54.300 to see that 00:20:54.300 --> 00:20:56.020 the king 00:20:56.020 --> 00:20:57.620 talks about 00:20:57.620 --> 00:20:58.240 they threw them 00:20:58.240 --> 00:20:59.220 into the fiery furnace 00:20:59.220 --> 00:21:01.160 and he says, 00:21:01.160 --> 00:21:02.400 did we not bind 00:21:02.400 --> 00:21:03.300 three men 00:21:03.300 --> 00:21:04.980 into the fire? 00:21:04.980 --> 00:21:06.220 but I see four 00:21:06.220 --> 00:21:07.360 unbound men 00:21:07.360 --> 00:21:08.660 walking around 00:21:08.660 --> 00:21:10.460 and one is like 00:21:10.460 --> 00:21:12.240 the son of the gods. 00:21:14.039 --> 00:21:15.579 There's four in the fire. 00:21:16.920 --> 00:21:18.140 And even though God 00:21:18.140 --> 00:21:20.200 may not save them, 00:21:20.460 --> 00:21:21.099 He does, 00:21:21.519 --> 00:21:22.480 but even if He doesn't 00:21:22.480 --> 00:21:23.519 save them for the fire, 00:21:23.940 --> 00:21:25.779 He is with them in it. 00:21:27.720 --> 00:21:30.039 And that is our greatest good. 00:21:30.360 --> 00:21:31.579 Even if He doesn't deliver us 00:21:31.579 --> 00:21:33.059 from this specific trouble, 00:21:33.059 --> 00:21:34.659 I can still hope in Him. 00:21:35.139 --> 00:21:36.179 He is going to work 00:21:36.179 --> 00:21:37.500 for my good 00:21:37.500 --> 00:21:38.980 and He is present 00:21:38.980 --> 00:21:39.799 with us 00:21:39.799 --> 00:21:40.740 in the fire. 00:21:41.720 --> 00:21:43.139 If eternal life 00:21:43.139 --> 00:21:44.839 is having a relationship 00:21:44.839 --> 00:21:45.359 with God, 00:21:45.419 --> 00:21:46.139 like Jesus said 00:21:46.139 --> 00:21:48.099 in John 17 verse 3, 00:21:48.659 --> 00:21:50.119 then the greatest thing 00:21:50.119 --> 00:21:51.639 that we can ever experience 00:21:51.639 --> 00:21:53.099 is God's presence. 00:21:54.339 --> 00:21:55.679 And so sometimes 00:21:55.679 --> 00:21:57.359 our greatest 00:21:57.359 --> 00:21:58.839 and deepest joys 00:21:58.839 --> 00:22:00.659 will be found 00:22:00.659 --> 00:22:02.179 in suffering. 00:22:03.059 --> 00:22:04.299 I said this, 00:22:04.619 --> 00:22:05.039 I think I, 00:22:05.819 --> 00:22:06.119 yeah, 00:22:06.159 --> 00:22:06.519 I'm pretty sure 00:22:06.519 --> 00:22:07.099 I said this 00:22:07.099 --> 00:22:08.619 a few weeks ago 00:22:08.619 --> 00:22:09.179 when we were 00:22:09.179 --> 00:22:10.779 in the Sermon on the Mount 00:22:10.779 --> 00:22:11.980 talking about daily bread. 00:22:12.679 --> 00:22:13.839 I had a friend 00:22:13.839 --> 00:22:17.039 who told me one time, 00:22:17.480 --> 00:22:18.119 Kelly and I 00:22:18.119 --> 00:22:18.720 were going through 00:22:18.720 --> 00:22:20.119 a pretty hard season, 00:22:20.579 --> 00:22:21.799 some suffering 00:22:21.799 --> 00:22:24.139 that was pretty great, 00:22:24.519 --> 00:22:25.619 and one of the things 00:22:25.619 --> 00:22:27.639 that he was asking me 00:22:27.639 --> 00:22:28.319 some questions, 00:22:28.740 --> 00:22:29.899 and I was giving 00:22:29.899 --> 00:22:30.559 some answers 00:22:30.559 --> 00:22:31.220 that maybe 00:22:31.220 --> 00:22:32.720 were a little bit like, 00:22:32.980 --> 00:22:33.919 I'm kind of trying 00:22:33.919 --> 00:22:35.319 to avoid all the heartache 00:22:35.319 --> 00:22:37.159 that I probably feel. 00:22:37.500 --> 00:22:38.559 I'm trying to skirt 00:22:38.559 --> 00:22:39.679 around it a little bit. 00:22:40.480 --> 00:22:42.259 And my friend said to me, 00:22:43.220 --> 00:22:44.799 trying to avoid suffering 00:22:44.799 --> 00:22:45.980 is a great way 00:22:45.980 --> 00:22:47.000 to avoid Jesus 00:22:47.000 --> 00:22:49.480 because sometimes 00:22:49.480 --> 00:22:50.579 the greatest ways 00:22:50.579 --> 00:22:51.960 we experience Jesus 00:22:51.960 --> 00:22:52.819 is in the middle 00:22:52.819 --> 00:22:53.899 of our suffering. 00:22:53.900 --> 00:22:58.180 everything that we've 00:22:58.180 --> 00:22:59.040 been talking about, 00:22:59.940 --> 00:23:00.820 about the ability 00:23:00.820 --> 00:23:01.640 to have hope, 00:23:02.560 --> 00:23:05.200 is true for all of those 00:23:05.200 --> 00:23:07.200 who are in Jesus Christ. 00:23:07.620 --> 00:23:08.759 This passage starts out, 00:23:08.980 --> 00:23:09.180 therefore, 00:23:09.380 --> 00:23:10.420 since we've been justified 00:23:10.420 --> 00:23:11.380 by faith, 00:23:12.120 --> 00:23:13.780 we have peace with God 00:23:13.780 --> 00:23:15.759 through our Lord Jesus Christ. 00:23:16.920 --> 00:23:18.380 And if all that's true, 00:23:18.460 --> 00:23:20.420 that we have peace with God 00:23:20.420 --> 00:23:21.740 and access. 00:23:21.960 --> 00:23:22.779 That word access 00:23:22.779 --> 00:23:24.180 in verse 2 00:23:24.180 --> 00:23:25.600 is like the idea 00:23:25.600 --> 00:23:26.420 of someone being 00:23:26.420 --> 00:23:28.259 introduced to royalty. 00:23:29.220 --> 00:23:30.200 Someone has come 00:23:30.200 --> 00:23:30.940 on your behalf, 00:23:31.380 --> 00:23:32.600 introduced you to royalty, 00:23:32.820 --> 00:23:33.220 and therefore, 00:23:33.440 --> 00:23:34.420 you now have access 00:23:34.420 --> 00:23:35.180 to royalty. 00:23:35.759 --> 00:23:36.840 That's the word picture 00:23:36.840 --> 00:23:37.500 that is given there 00:23:37.500 --> 00:23:38.039 for access. 00:23:39.180 --> 00:23:39.820 Through Jesus, 00:23:39.980 --> 00:23:41.380 we have peace with God 00:23:41.380 --> 00:23:43.360 and access to the creator 00:23:43.360 --> 00:23:44.160 and sustainer 00:23:44.160 --> 00:23:44.620 of the universe. 00:23:45.039 --> 00:23:46.340 And if all that's true, 00:23:46.720 --> 00:23:47.759 how will not all these 00:23:47.759 --> 00:23:48.980 other things be true 00:23:48.980 --> 00:23:49.720 for us? 00:23:50.019 --> 00:23:51.079 That we don't have 00:23:51.079 --> 00:23:52.740 to be afraid to hope. 00:23:53.720 --> 00:23:54.960 As you look throughout 00:23:54.960 --> 00:23:55.500 the Bible, 00:23:55.680 --> 00:23:57.360 it talks so much about hope. 00:23:57.440 --> 00:23:58.299 In the Old Testament, 00:23:58.860 --> 00:24:00.839 this same concept of hope, 00:24:00.920 --> 00:24:02.299 this same word in the Greek 00:24:02.299 --> 00:24:02.940 for hope, 00:24:03.059 --> 00:24:05.120 is used to refer to hope, 00:24:05.559 --> 00:24:07.059 trust, and refuge. 00:24:08.259 --> 00:24:09.539 Us going to God 00:24:09.539 --> 00:24:10.319 as our refuge, 00:24:10.440 --> 00:24:11.640 to hide in Him. 00:24:11.700 --> 00:24:13.240 That is a great word picture 00:24:13.240 --> 00:24:13.980 for hope. 00:24:14.680 --> 00:24:16.059 That we're going to Him 00:24:16.059 --> 00:24:17.819 to be under the shadow 00:24:17.819 --> 00:24:18.599 of His wings. 00:24:18.980 --> 00:24:20.559 It's not a passive thing. 00:24:20.639 --> 00:24:21.959 We're just sitting around, 00:24:22.319 --> 00:24:23.299 twiddling our thumbs, 00:24:23.879 --> 00:24:24.959 hoping that, you know, 00:24:25.019 --> 00:24:25.859 God does something 00:24:25.859 --> 00:24:26.599 in the situation. 00:24:26.740 --> 00:24:27.919 It's an active hope 00:24:27.919 --> 00:24:28.639 where I'm saying, 00:24:28.719 --> 00:24:29.899 God, I'm running to you. 00:24:30.139 --> 00:24:31.459 I'm trusting you. 00:24:31.719 --> 00:24:32.719 And it could be 00:24:32.719 --> 00:24:33.939 just one of those things 00:24:33.939 --> 00:24:34.699 that you have learned 00:24:34.699 --> 00:24:35.659 to take one, 00:24:35.859 --> 00:24:36.759 put one foot 00:24:36.759 --> 00:24:37.699 in front of the other 00:24:37.699 --> 00:24:38.639 and just pray, 00:24:38.740 --> 00:24:40.159 God, I need you. 00:24:40.539 --> 00:24:41.819 God, I need you. 00:24:42.259 --> 00:24:43.740 And when you see Him 00:24:43.740 --> 00:24:45.059 answer those prayers 00:24:45.059 --> 00:24:46.059 and come through for you 00:24:46.059 --> 00:24:46.879 in ways you couldn't 00:24:46.880 --> 00:24:47.740 have even anticipated, 00:24:48.380 --> 00:24:49.920 it builds our faith. 00:24:50.260 --> 00:24:51.360 It's an active hope, 00:24:51.440 --> 00:24:51.940 awaiting, 00:24:52.400 --> 00:24:54.600 a trusting in the refuge 00:24:54.600 --> 00:24:56.520 that He provides. 00:24:57.460 --> 00:24:58.520 Sometimes we feel like 00:24:58.520 --> 00:24:59.600 the Lord has forgotten us 00:24:59.600 --> 00:25:00.480 like we just sing about 00:25:00.480 --> 00:25:01.340 in Psalm 77. 00:25:02.020 --> 00:25:03.080 But for the Christian, 00:25:03.720 --> 00:25:04.940 if your story 00:25:04.940 --> 00:25:07.100 is looking like a tragedy, 00:25:07.780 --> 00:25:09.120 that just means you're not 00:25:09.120 --> 00:25:10.280 at the end of the story yet. 00:25:10.279 --> 00:25:13.720 There is more to be told. 00:25:14.200 --> 00:25:15.200 There is more that God 00:25:15.200 --> 00:25:16.700 is writing in your story 00:25:16.700 --> 00:25:19.920 because He's going to 00:25:19.920 --> 00:25:20.799 make all things new. 00:25:21.460 --> 00:25:22.139 He's going to make 00:25:22.139 --> 00:25:23.160 all things right. 00:25:23.379 --> 00:25:24.660 And in the meantime, 00:25:24.879 --> 00:25:26.539 He's going to walk with us 00:25:26.539 --> 00:25:28.220 and give us His presence. 00:25:30.920 --> 00:25:31.960 I feel like this is 00:25:31.960 --> 00:25:32.500 one of those times 00:25:32.500 --> 00:25:33.200 that you need to quote 00:25:33.200 --> 00:25:34.539 the Jesus Storybook Bible. 00:25:34.660 --> 00:25:34.960 Is anybody? 00:25:35.299 --> 00:25:35.859 Are you all familiar 00:25:35.859 --> 00:25:36.940 with the Jesus Storybook Bible? 00:25:37.039 --> 00:25:37.359 Any of you? 00:25:37.359 --> 00:25:39.539 where it talks about 00:25:39.539 --> 00:25:40.639 how God loves us 00:25:40.639 --> 00:25:41.819 with a never stopping, 00:25:42.479 --> 00:25:43.579 never giving up, 00:25:44.019 --> 00:25:44.659 unbreaking, 00:25:45.279 --> 00:25:47.539 always and forever love. 00:25:49.019 --> 00:25:50.919 Because of that love 00:25:50.919 --> 00:25:51.719 that has been poured 00:25:51.719 --> 00:25:52.579 into our hearts, 00:25:52.799 --> 00:25:55.379 we don't have to be afraid 00:25:55.379 --> 00:25:55.979 to hope 00:25:55.979 --> 00:25:58.079 because God is working 00:25:58.079 --> 00:25:59.459 on our behalf. 00:26:00.119 --> 00:26:01.240 Even right now. 00:26:02.319 --> 00:26:03.039 Let's pray. 00:26:07.359 --> 00:26:10.379 God, we thank you 00:26:10.379 --> 00:26:12.799 that you care about 00:26:12.799 --> 00:26:13.799 all the things in our life 00:26:13.799 --> 00:26:14.399 more than we do. 00:26:14.979 --> 00:26:15.759 We come to you 00:26:15.759 --> 00:26:16.539 with our requests 00:26:16.539 --> 00:26:17.319 and many times 00:26:17.319 --> 00:26:17.859 we don't even know 00:26:17.859 --> 00:26:18.639 what to ask, 00:26:18.939 --> 00:26:19.759 but you've given us 00:26:19.759 --> 00:26:20.319 your spirit 00:26:20.319 --> 00:26:21.719 that translates those things 00:26:21.719 --> 00:26:23.319 to ask for the things 00:26:23.319 --> 00:26:24.500 that we should have asked for. 00:26:25.459 --> 00:26:26.179 So many times 00:26:26.179 --> 00:26:26.699 we're focused 00:26:26.699 --> 00:26:27.639 on our circumstances 00:26:27.639 --> 00:26:28.399 and we can be like 00:26:28.399 --> 00:26:29.299 the rest of the world 00:26:29.299 --> 00:26:31.299 that our hope fluctuates 00:26:31.299 --> 00:26:33.179 with if things are going good, 00:26:33.240 --> 00:26:34.099 our hopes are up, 00:26:34.539 --> 00:26:35.439 things are bad, 00:26:35.979 --> 00:26:37.000 our hopes are down, 00:26:37.719 --> 00:26:37.879 I mean, 00:26:37.919 --> 00:26:40.059 just even the sun 00:26:40.059 --> 00:26:40.979 not being present 00:26:40.979 --> 00:26:42.619 for a few days, 00:26:43.019 --> 00:26:44.779 that mood can change 00:26:44.779 --> 00:26:45.579 the way we hope. 00:26:45.740 --> 00:26:46.019 We're just, 00:26:46.299 --> 00:26:47.639 we're prone to let 00:26:47.639 --> 00:26:48.279 our emotions 00:26:48.279 --> 00:26:49.000 and our feelings 00:26:49.000 --> 00:26:51.779 and even untruths, 00:26:51.979 --> 00:26:53.059 falsehoods, 00:26:53.059 --> 00:26:54.740 dictate the way we hope. 00:26:55.500 --> 00:26:56.339 And I pray, Father, 00:26:56.399 --> 00:26:57.500 that you would help us 00:26:57.500 --> 00:26:59.079 to understand 00:26:59.079 --> 00:27:00.819 the way that you love us 00:27:00.819 --> 00:27:03.619 and as much as you love us, 00:27:05.219 --> 00:27:05.859 it guarantees 00:27:05.859 --> 00:27:06.759 that you're working 00:27:06.759 --> 00:27:07.439 on our behalf 00:27:07.439 --> 00:27:08.519 because you said you are. 00:27:09.059 --> 00:27:10.059 We're just taking you 00:27:10.059 --> 00:27:10.699 at your word. 00:27:10.879 --> 00:27:11.939 We're not making this up. 00:27:13.559 --> 00:27:14.339 But help us 00:27:14.339 --> 00:27:15.939 to experience that love 00:27:15.939 --> 00:27:16.500 that many of us, 00:27:16.559 --> 00:27:17.379 we have in our heads 00:27:17.379 --> 00:27:18.659 and we need it pushed down 00:27:18.659 --> 00:27:19.379 into our hearts 00:27:19.379 --> 00:27:20.039 and we ask you 00:27:20.039 --> 00:27:20.500 to help us 00:27:20.500 --> 00:27:21.619 to experience 00:27:21.619 --> 00:27:22.419 that love 00:27:22.419 --> 00:27:23.799 that you have for us 00:27:23.799 --> 00:27:25.619 in Jesus Christ. 00:27:26.240 --> 00:27:26.879 Lord Jesus, 00:27:26.979 --> 00:27:27.599 we thank you. 00:27:28.639 --> 00:27:29.419 Without you, 00:27:29.500 --> 00:27:30.439 we have no hope, 00:27:30.440 --> 00:27:31.820 but we have you, 00:27:32.180 --> 00:27:33.460 therefore we have hope. 00:27:34.220 --> 00:27:35.720 Help us to not be afraid 00:27:35.720 --> 00:27:36.240 to hope, 00:27:36.580 --> 00:27:37.160 Lord God, 00:27:37.299 --> 00:27:38.299 because hope 00:27:38.299 --> 00:27:39.279 does not disappoint 00:27:39.279 --> 00:27:41.340 because your love 00:27:41.340 --> 00:27:42.299 has been poured out 00:27:42.299 --> 00:27:43.200 into our lives. 00:27:43.960 --> 00:27:45.000 And we pray these things 00:27:45.000 --> 00:27:45.880 in Jesus' name. 00:27:46.700 --> 00:27:47.000 Amen.