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Sermon of the Week 
Wednesday, June 08 2016

….Our Living Hope

Even though tragedy may test us and tempt so many to just give up and stop trying….deep down in the depth of our being, we know that life has an ultimate and greater purpose than what we may be experiencing at the moment. To lose hope is perhaps the most tragic thing that can ever happen in anyone’s life. For this reason, we keep going and we keep believing that no matter what, sooner or later things will break, and everything will and can change for the better.

1Peter 1:3 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to His abundant mercy has rebirthed us unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, v4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that will not fade away, and is reserved in heaven for us…”  

The great New England preacher Phillips Brooks was noted for his poise and quiet manner. At times, however, even he suffered moments of frustration and irritability. One day a friend saw him pacing the floor like a caged lion. "What's the trouble, Dr. Brooks?" asked the friend. "The trouble is that I am in a hurry, "but God isn't."

David the psalmist declared that his times were in the hands of Jehovah. That tells me this truth, that David believed in God’s timing, and trusted that His timing was always best! Just because God doesn’t operate within the realm of timing which you may expect Him to, doesn’t mean He doesn’t want to bless you….

Do you truly believe beyond the moment you may be struggling with, that God wants to bless you real big, that He wants to show you His love in ways beyond your highest expectation?

Most of us have had the experience of blowing out the candles on our birthday cake, only to see them go out and then burst back into flame again. Someone put trick candles on our cake, and you can blow them out as many times as you want, but they’ll always burst into flame again! That’s what it’s like to be a Christian, serving a living Lord…to truly believe ”Because He lives, we shall live also”. All the winds of persecution and adversity, all blowing against our lives, can never extinguish the resurrection power within us, if we understand who we are and what we have been given.                        

The question the Devil often asked of those who would dare to take the word of God literally and stand and believe in faith….is “Who do you think you are”? We must respond with clarity, and deep conviction….                                                                                                                                 conviction and courage the following:

We are the light of the world (Matt. 5:14)….We are a city on a hill. (Matt. 5:14)…..We are people of the Word (1 Kings 8:56)….We are salt and light (Matt. 5:13-16)….We are prophetic and not pathetic…..We are disciples, witnesses and Christ followers (Matt. 28:16-20)…..We are apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers (Eph. 4:11)….We are children of the cross (Rom. 8:17), the fruit of the empty tomb (John 12:24) and the product of the upper room of a Pentecostal outpouring (Acts 2)…We are the redeemed of the Lord (Ps. 107:2)….We are the sheep of his pasture (Ps. 100:3)….We are forgiven, free and favored, for we are called and chosen (1 Pet. 2:9)….We are warriors who are worshippers (Ps. 144:1)….

We are world changers and history makers (Mark 16:15)……We are the church of Jesus Christ, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against us (Matt. 16:18). Hallelujah! .....

1 Peter 1:5 “For we are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. v6 Wherein we greatly rejoice, though now for a season, it may be through manifold temptations: v7 That the trial of our faith, being much more precious than of gold that perishes, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: v8  Whom having not seen, we love; in whom, though now we see him not, we believe, we rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: v9  Receiving the glorious end of our faith”…….

Peter in this scripture, and our opening text, describes Our inheritance as being incorruptible.  The Greek word is aphthartos {af'-thar-tos}, meaning "not subject to corruption or decay, imperishable".

Unlike this present heavens and earth in which now live, which will one day be destroyed –Our inheritance is undefiled. The Greek word is amiantos {am-ee'-an-tos}, meaning "not defileable, unsoilable, resistant to contamination, stain free". It’s substance is embedded with the materials of eternity.

Our inheritance does not fade away, dim or diminish over time. The Greek word is amarantos {am-ar'-an-tos}, means "unfading, regenerative, evergreen". This word is a variation of the word "amaranth" which was the name of a mythical flower whose bloom was perpetual and whose loveliness and fragrance never faded.


 

Paul says in Hebrews 10:19 “And so, dear brothers and sisters, we can boldly enter heaven’s Most Holy Place because of the blood of Jesus. v20 By His death, Jesus opened a new and living way, through the veil and right into the Most Holy Place. v21 And since we have a great High Priest who rules over all of God’s house, v22 let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting him. For our guilty consciences have been sprinkled with Christ’s blood to make us clean, and our bodies have been washed with pure water. v23 Let us hold tightly without wavering to this living hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise”.

We have a "living" hope: Because God is merciful and that will not change! Because Jesus is alive and that will not change! Our inheritance will not change, because God’s word of guarantee is an unchanging word! He has committed Himself, the Holy Spirit and the Holy, mighty angels to assure the culmination of our faith!

No matter what we have done, God’s love will not and cannot change toward us… His love is never a setting sun but only a rising sun. The only reason He would ever chastise us or allow His justice to come to bear in our lives, is so that we can enjoy more and more victory in our lives. The roots of His righteousness and truth grow inward, but their fruit grows and is demonstrated outwardly.

He does not condemn us but brings conviction upon our hearts of truth and righteousness. When we are saved, we receive righteousness, but often we fail to receive, acknowledge and apply it to our present lives at a daily level.

It’s time to step out of the fog of indecision…. -- Am I living a life worthy of the calling I have received? – Am I following Christ and living out His message in my life daily? -- Paul said that the life of a disciple was a choice -- we could choose to truly live for Jesus -- to give our all for Him because He gave His all for us -- we could choose to be all that we can be in Christ -- and enjoy the amazing privilege of winning the ultimate victory! What type of life do you want to live? -- the choice, after all, is one we each must make every day!  It’s time to choose victory, and happiness and living hope!!!

I can’t do any better than He has already done towards me, but I can improve in the area of receiving what He has done for me.

Before the battle is fought, victory is assured. Before the sickness, healing is accomplished. Before the trial, the triumph is guaranteed . Before we face the unknown, the answer and destination has been given. Before satan came up with your problem, the Lord already ordained your victory!

Do you remember how exciting it was when you held the paid in full deed to your car in your hands! You make payments on your house each month, knowing that one day, you will own the mortgage. No more payments, no more strained budget. It will be paid in full!

Every payment has in it, the seed of fulfillment. But what if someone just paid off your mortgage? Wouldn’t it be foolish for you to keep making payments. But that’s what we do if we keep trying to do what Jesus has already paid for!

The word Jesus spoke from the cross, in the Greek was ““Tetelestai.” (Tet el es tie) Or the final payment is now made”. By his great mercy we have been born anew to a living hope…. A living hope is one that will never die. A living hope is about refusing to live life in the past, it is also about living life beyond the present.. no matter what it may look like!                                                                  Adam abounded with incredible potential from the moment he was created, the sky was the limit, but he chose instead, the forbidden fruit, and then he allowed himself to set up camp and be identified by that tree of transgression. By doing so he became the prisoner of his own limited belief system and was unable to move beyond the present and enter into the living hope God had prepared for him in the future. Satan wanted to keep him from becoming what he was designed and created and planned by God to become.

Because of the limits placed by the Jewish law, if the apostle Peter were alive today, he would not be able to eat any pork chops, lobster, crabs, conch chowder, or turtle soup…(so sad) but three times on the roof top of Cornelius’ house the Lord offers these very items to him, and tells Peter to not call anything un-kosher or unclean that God has declared kosher. You see the law and religion, can bring you to righteousness, but it can never make you righteous. But folks want to produce their own righteousness, through goodness, good works, charitableness, and kindness.

Peter was making a huge transition from hope that came from the law, to the “living hope” which comes through the righteousness of Christ. The Lord was bringing Peter out of a performance based belief system and into a grace based way of living.

Our challenge is that all of us were called -- all of us were chosen by God to live out life as true believers of Christ -- which means making Him our source for every area of our lives, and by doing this, we cannot remain the same, because of the transformative affect in that relationship. We are willing to allow ourselves to be constantly reinvented through a “Living Hope” attitude and outlook.

As we step over into the “Living Hope” God has for us, we can declare daily….”I am free, I am happy; I am abundant in mind body and spirit, I am loved, and I am loving, Life is such a beautiful thing…I am surrounded daily with the beauty of life, I am one with God the Creator, I am fully present and in agreement as His Creation. Through His grace and mercy, I am guilt free, and I am shame free.                                                                                                 Everything is working for my good, I trust in God's greater purposes in all things, I now choose to expand myself and my life, I now choose to be successful and happy, I now choose to be unafraid, as I move forward, I now choose to know myself fully and discover New dimensions of God's plan for and through me, I now choose wholeness and acceptance, I now choose to understand unconditional love…”

God has provided, through Christ, through the Holy Spirit, through the powerful angel messengers, through His infallible word, through the prayers of the intercessors, through circumstances and situations, everything possible for us to Fulfill our ministry…and to experience victory in every battle and conflict….

Do what God has told you faithfully, with determination, passion, dedication and integrity. Do it until he gives you something else to do. Be 100% where you are while you’re at the place you are!

2 Chronicles 20:17 God told Jehoshaphat…”You shall not need to fight in this battle: prepare yourselves, stand still, and see that the salvation of the LORD is with you. Fear not, nor be dismayed. At the right time, you shall go out against them: for the LORD is with you”.

Let me give you Nine reasons that we often miss the victory that God wants to give to us….these are things which may help us to Avoid Fighting Unnecessary Battles…

*1. Don't fight over something that's none of your business, or that you can't do anything about. The outcome of some things is already decided and all you’ll do sometimes is get in the way and muddy the waters…. Pick your fights, and make sure you’re fighting the right ones for the right reasons! My mamma told me, “don’t try to win them all, but win the ones you pick”

*2. Before you argue with someone, think about the consequences of the argument. Is the aggravation, the stress and the repercussions really worth it? How many times do we win a battle and lose the war!  And the outcome isn’t worth the effort….

*3. Determine first, what the conflict is really all about.  Once you determine what the conflict is actually about, then decide if it's worth even bringing it up. If it is, be sure to address the real issues, not the superficial, emotional ones. How often do conflicts start because of something that has nothing to do with what is happening at the moment, but it’s a carry-over from a previous conflict or disagreement! So you’re really just finishing a previous argument! It’s like (to be continued)

*4. Make sure the argument is going to solve something. Make it a win, win situation… hopefully, with no losers… Kenny Rogers’ advice is … “you’ve got to know when to hold up, know when to fold up, know when to walk away, know when to run”!!!

A lady was bitten by a dog and she had the dog taken in and checked to see if it had rabbis. The report revealed that the dog actually did have rabbis, and the lady took a sheet of paper and began to write down names. The Doctor said, Mam, you don’t have to write your will, this is not fatal, it’s very treatable. The woman said, oh, I know that, I’m making a list of all the folks I’m going to bite, before I get treated!

*5. Don't fight just because you "feel you've been challenged." This is all about control. Someone has dared to enter your space without your permission and your response may be that you have to defend your space…. Most of the time just saying you’re sorry, is enough, and you both go on your way… an apology is the best strategy unless you’re just looking for a fight…..and then, you better know what you’re doing!

*6. Ask yourself, "Is it really a big deal?" Chances are that it's not. And chances are that you or the other person is tired, had a bad day, or got some bad news, and this has caused some venting on someone else….who has nothing to do with your underlying issue.

*7. Realize that you don't always have to have the last word, and often it takes the "bigger person" to simply let the conflict go. Don’t be a right fighter, but instead, it’s OK to let someone else win one, sometimes….   Has anyone heard the term “Silence is golden”????

*8. Ask yourself, "Am I really right? And does it matter if I'm right? Is there really a 'right or wrong' for this issue?" How often does conflict occur simply because of someone misunderstanding someone, or judging the situation improperly… to err is human, to forgive is divine!

*9. Is this an issue you'll remember in five years…. Or in one year or six months, even? If not, don't fight it. It’s a lot easier to live with a good memory than a bad one, so choose to make good memories that you’ll enjoy looking back on…There’s already too much negativity in our lives and enough regret, without creating more!!! Make sure you put an expiration date on all your fights!! And put an expiration date on all your hurts, rejection, and emotional wounds….because you’re not that person anymore… and it has no place in your present life. Tell those things, “your time is over, you don’t belong here. I’ve moved to a new place, and I leave no forwarding address.”

The Lord of Lords is still the miracle maker still today!!! Believe it!! Anything Jesus has done before He can do again. 2. Anything Jesus has done anywhere in the world, He can do here. 3. Anything He is doing for anyone else, He can do for you and me.

Acts 10:43 tells us He is no respecter of persons. He supplied needs by supernaturally feeding the hungry on five different occasions; He provided tax money; He stood in the boat and calmed the storm, He walked on water, and He prophesied into their lives, and it came to pass.                       

What an awesome promise He made when He said to all believers….                                                                                                             John 14:12 “Greater works than these shall you do also”

He did His miracles anywhere and everywhere that a miracle was needed… at weddings, funerals, graveyards, synagogues, houses, mountains, downtown, in the country side, at pools, and deserts. Is there anywhere we can allow Him to use us?

How did He perform miracles?....In every way possible… He prayed, He touched, He was touched by others, He wept, He groaned, He died, but always, He was moved with compassion. If we can believe, if we can touch, if we can weep, or groan or be moved with compassion, He will still heal and do miracles today!!!

He provided what was needed for the situation….

He gave Moses a rod.  He gave Elijah a mantle. To Samson, He gave long hair, which was his covenant of strength… to Shamgar, He supplied a jawbone, to David He provided a sling and a harp, Esther had her beauty, and Joseph had his dreams. And He has available for us, what is needed to show forth His glory in the “whatever” and “wherever” of our lives!!!

Moses had a stammering tongue, Jacob had a limp, Abraham was old, Sarah was barren, Peter had a temper… they all had things to overcome, but they believed the message that is given to us all….                         

Philippians 4:13  “I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me”. We all have the ability to say what He says. •  We can do what He tells us to do. • The only hands He has to use are our hands. • The only mouth He has to use is our mouth. • The only faith He has to use on earth is our faith. •  He has not changed, and He is the same. •  We have the same message as Paul, Peter, Matthew and John•  We have the same Jesus. •  We have the same power that was available to all of them.

I like the story of the seven-year-old boy who was given a school assignment, to write about the secret of life… He approached an old man sitting in front of a garden pool, he looked up into his eyes, and said: "My mommy said that you're a very wise man, could you tell me, what is the secret of life?" The old man looked down at the youngster and replied: "I've thought a lot about that, in my lifetime, and the secret can be summed up in four words: He said….

The first is "Think." Think about values you wish to live your life by.

The second is "Believe." Believe in yourself based on what you've done about the values you're going to live your life by.

The third is "Dream." Dream about the things that are possible, based on your belief in yourself and the values you're going to live by.

The last is "Dare."  Dare to make your dreams become reality, based upon your belief in yourself and your values.

And with that, the old man, Walt Disney, repeated the words to the little boy, that he had used all his life…."Think, Believe, Dream, and Dare."

God is bigger than your past, He is more powerful than your pain, He is stronger than your anger, He is greater than your fear, He is deeper than your scars, and He has overcome this world, so that you can overcome it, as He lives Big in You today!!                                                                                Jeremiah 30:17 “But I will restore you to health and heal your wounds, says the Lord”….

Our Prayer Today….is a dangerous prayer, and it will mean that some new things are coming, and it may not always be easy but it will always be worth it!!! Because we choose to live out this “Living Hope” that is greater than our past and goes beyond the present!!!

“Lord Jesus, may I come to understand, that blessings are everywhere, if I will choose to look for them. May I know that my attitude will affect the outcomes which I expect and that challenges are often gifts that You have sent to me in disguise. May I trust that most things will get better and improve with time, because I will not be the person then, that I am right now. Because of the Holy Spirit, who dwells in me, I can trust that my instincts & gut feelings have value, and are an extension of Your stirrings within me.

Lord, Your word gives me assurance that a positive attitude based on Your character of mercy, grace and love, will always cause everything to go smoother because You are working things out for my good and Your glory, every moment in my life. May I come to See that you have placed me in Your body with skills & talents that You can use, to be a positive influence on many people. May I come to value each moment of every day because each is a blessing to be enjoyed and may I value each person as unique & important to You.

Jesus, thank you that each moment of my life has meaning and purpose, far beyond what I can see and understand at any given time. May my spirit be open and accepting, of those things which I might not otherwise understand or accept. Renew my spirit with each opportunity and challenge that expands my skills and awareness, opening up areas and abilities in me as I move through each new experience. I seek to walk in Your blessing and favor as I move into the future You have chosen for me. Allow me see and grasp the possibilities which arise each day. I greet whatever awaits with vibrant faith and unending joy.

I realize that at times I must forsake the comfortable and familiar, in my quest for the best, for you have made my life, an adventure of discovery and you have gone before me to prepare all my tomorrows with the blessing of new places, new things, new friends, new opportunities, and new challenges.. Let me fully appreciate and receive them all, in Your time and choosing, and I thank You Father, in Jesus name, Amen”.
 

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