Introduction
This morning I want to take some time to help us rediscover hope. We have been living in difficult times for the last year or so. We have wrestled with a pandemic, uncertainty, fear, and to some degree our hope has been challenged. The ups and downs, and loneliness, have affected us all in different ways; to some degree many feel like we are in a season of change, maybe like we are under construction, needing help both spiritually and practically in life. But I want to encourage us today, that hope is still a reality for us to experience.
In the previous chapters in Romans, Paul had shown that all humanity lies, spiritually dead and without hope, under the judgment of God. The Law in which Israel had hoped was no aid to salvation, but rather a mirror set up to display the sinfulness of human beings. Even the Gentiles who did not have the Law were without excuse having fallen short of the glory of God. For believers in Paul’s day, the rule of the Roman Empire resulted in persecution and hardship, making hope something especially important to hold onto. Paul had not abandoned hope but made it clear that through Jesus Christ’ sacrifice salvation is possible. “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us” (Rom 5:1-5). This powerful passage of Scripture is full of insight into our glorious salvation. Through our Lord Jesus Christ we have Peace… Grace… Hope… Love… What life-giving words. How is this possible for us to experience? Paul makes this remarkably simple for us – through faith and by faith. In other words, there is an acknowledgment in us that we need a Saviour. We can’t go through life without being in relationship with God. Jesus is the answer and we put our trust in him. Amen!
The Power of Hope
Hope is something that everyone needs in life. Hope by definition can be described as looking forward with confidence and expectation to something or someone that brings goodness and benefit to our life. It is the desire or feeling that what is wanted can be ours and that future events will turn out for the best. Hope carries with it a sense of impending winnings. I came across this saying a few weeks ago. “Some people go to bed and wake up feeling like a million dollars. Others wake up feeling like insufficient funds.” Hope helps us to enjoy the abundant life of Jesus. Hope is a total grounding of one’s confidence and expectation in God’s goodness and providential care even in the face of trouble. Amen. Here are a few thoughts about hope from the Scriptures.
Hope in God is to be a daily experience.
· Psalm 31:24 - Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord.
· Psalm 130:7 - O Israel, put your hope in the Lord, for with the Lord is unfailing love and with him is full redemption.
· Psalm 131:3 - O Israel, put your hope in the Lord both now and forevermore.
· 1 Timothy 6:17 - Command those who are rich in this present world 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.
Sometimes, busyness, people, things simply get in the way of enjoying hope. It is important to take time to let hope spring up in our minds and emotions so we can wake up each morning feeling like a million dollars, enjoying the abundant life of Jesus.
Hope can be placed in the Promises and Word of God.
· Psalm 119:74 - May those who fear you rejoice when they see me, for I have put my hope in your word.
· Psalm 130:5 - I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope.
· Acts 26:6 - And now it is because of my hope in what God has promised our fathers that I am on trial today.
· Romans 15:4 - For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
As a pastor one of the challenges I face is helping believers connect to God’s Word. Here are some statistics to consider. What is the most sold book on the planet? The Bible. The Barna Group – 1991, 45 % of believers read the Bible once a week. 2009, 33 % do the same. Skepticism is on the rise with regards to the Bible. Secular culture is creeping in and beginning to interpret Scripture, rather than the culture of day in which the book of the Bible was written. What am I saying? It is time to read, study, memorize and meditate on the Scriptures. The power of the hope of God has been written down for us.
Hope can be placed in God in the face of difficulty or trial.
· Psalm 42:5 - Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Saviour and my God.
· 1 Timothy 5:5 - The widow who is really in need and left all alone puts her hope in God and continues night and day to pray and to ask God for help.
Hope is one of the most powerful things we can embrace in the midst of challenge. We all have situations that can get the best of us. Maybe we are struggling with a friend or family member and we feel rejected or defeated, hope can heal and reconcile. Or we might be under temptation to this or that sin, anger, lust, or pride, and we feel condemned and unclean. Hope can come and bring new mercies into our lives each and every morning. When we put our hope in God and his promises and his Word, we gain confidence. We have a positive sense of inheritance; we have a future and a hope. My future is secure. I can see light at the end of the tunnel. I will overcome. This is the power of hope.
The Glory of God
Let’s take a look back at Paul’s letter to the Romans. He was concerned for the believers in Rome and wanted them to remain strong in hope. Not just strong but rejoicing in the hope of the glory of God. The focus of hope is important to consider in this passage of Scripture. It is not hope in the rapture. Or hope in some powerful times of worship or prayer. It is not hope in this or that charismatic leader. It is hope in the glory of God (verse 2). I am reminded of my journey with God and when I have felt the most hopeful. It is when I have encountered the glory of God. The Presence of God has touched my Spirit which in turn affected my mind and emotions. I was truly able to rejoice and not just put on a good Christian act. So, what is the glory of God? It has been described as the Presence of God… his majesty, power, kindness, love, holiness, just to name a few. It is the manifestation of the excellencies of God. Glory (doxa in the Greek Language) is a way God goes public with his beauty. Breathtaking… This is our hope and our rejoicing while we live on earth – the display of his glory.
Hope is also very practical. Paul tells us that even in the midst of our sufferings or struggles, our tribulations or troubles, hope is present. Perseverance, character, and hope carry us through the difficult times and that hope will not disappoint us (verses 3-5). The breathtaking splendor of God’s glory becomes wonderfully realistic when combined with hope in the midst of life’s twists and turns. The Glory of God is even more fantastic when it show up in the midst of our bad news. Hope is the one aspect of salvation that carries us through awful times.
There's an old catechism that states that the chief end or work of man is “to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.” Wow. Can you imagine getting up in the morning and your only goal is to glorify and enjoy God… That is your work, your enjoyment. This kind of living is hopeful living. This is the abundant and hopeful life we have been called to as followers of Jesus.
In conclusion
Like the previous chapters in Romans, Romans 5:1-5 is theological in character and introduces theological terms. Justification is a Greek word translated which means “to acquit,” “to vindicate,” or “to pronounce righteous.” These are important judicial terms, and it carries the picture of a courtroom. The Judge, God himself, clears those who have been charged with sins or failures. They are set free and do not pay for the crime or sin committed. The Bible makes it clear that God will clear no one of the charge of sin on the basis of his or her efforts to keep the Law. One can be justified, declared righteous, but only on the basis of faith in Jesus Christ. Not guilty is a powerful message in a court of law. Not guilty brings a message of hope for a new beginning.
God’s gift of righteousness is received by faith but is rooted in his grace. Grace is a dominant theme in both the Old and New Testament. The compassionate and caring nature of God can be approached “according to Your unfailing love; according to Your great compassion” (Ps. 51:1). Remember that we can wake up each morning feeling like a million bucks, because of God’s grace and mercy. Grace affirms God’s attitude of love and acceptance and forgiveness.
We all need a little more hope in our lives. Each and every day, more optimism. More enthusiasm. More confidence. More passion and zeal.
It is my hope and prayer that are minds are “alert and fully sober, and that your hope is set on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming” (1 Peter 1:13).
“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” (Rom 15:13).