Romans 5:2-5

Chad Myhre

Romans • Sermon • Submitted 6 years ago

Romans 5:1–5

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Romans 5:2–5 ESV

2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

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–

Psalm 79:9 ESV

Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of your name; deliver us, and atone for our sins, for your name’s sake!

(ESV) 9 Help us, O God of our salvation,

for the glory of your name; deliver us, and atone for our sins,

for your name’s sake!

Chad Page 1

2/15/2014

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Intro: I can still remember the innocence, and the blissful ignorance that I had as a child..

ignorance that I had as a child..

1. I can still remember thinking... that a check book- was free money..

I can still remember thinking... that a check book- was free money..

a) ..when you get old, someone gives you a checkbook,

..when you get old, someone gives you a checkbook, and voila, you have free money.

(1) and voila, you have free money.

Chad

I can still remember thinking... that nobody I knew.. no one who was close to me... would ever die..

a) He was a weird room mate.. Page 2 2/15/2014

I can still remember the day my parents separated.. -It was 1975... There was a lot of yelling... and within two hours of waking up,

a) It was 1975... There was a lot of yelling... and within two hours of waking up,

I was living with Grandma... And, in my head… it was ok..

4. mate’...

(1) (2)

I was living with Grandma... And, it was ok..

I didn’t see the trauma in it. I didn’t feel the pain.. I didn’t understand the heartbreak.. I didn’t even cry.

I can still remember... thinking that my dad just had a ‘room mate’ - I didn’t understand the nature of their relationship.

(a)

I can still remember... thinking that my dad just had a ‘room

My dad’s room mate seemed weird to me…

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Chad

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(But then again, my dad was weird too.. And for years.. I got to know my dad’s friends..

my dad’s friends..

(And all of them were un-married men, and they all had room mates too..

And the light bulb didn’t go on till I was like... 13- “Hey, wait a minute! Dad’s gay!”

Until then... it was all just youthful ignorance... I had no idea what was going on... and in my head… it was just a new normal… it was ok.

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As we grow, as we mature… as we become more capable of understanding the world around us......and… those light bulbs start going off..

++ We start to realize, and reluctantly embrace... -grown up truth..

truth..

The check book is not free money.

a) The check book is not free money.

Grandma did die..

b) Grandma did die..

Divorce is traumatic..

c) Divorce is traumatic..

Dad is gay..

d) Dad is gay..

Life is difficult..

e) Life is difficult..

It’s time to turn the t.v. off, put on your big-boy pants and get to work..

f) It’s time to turn the t.v.

off, put on your big-boy pants and get to work..

When Grown up truth is presented to us.. We are faced with a decision.. ..

C. When Grown up truth is presented to us..

Chad

Page 4 2/15/2014

We are faced with a decision.. ..

...do we... grow up enough, to pursue that truth?

(1) ...do we... grow up enough, to pursue that truth?

Or.. do we remain in our ignorance and in our immaturity…

(2) Or.. do we remain in our ignorance and in our

--Do we just keep on looking at all the wrong that is around us, and keep on saying that it’s ok? Do we just let the opportunity pass?

immaturity.. and just let the opportunity pass?

These ‘grown up’ truths present themselves to us in areas of: responsibility, ...in calls to humility, and, in a call to change our perspectives.

(i)

(b)

responsibility,

...in calls to humility, and, in a call to change our perspectives.

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(i) and, in a call to change our perspectives.

And as we respond to these calls… we mature...

We mature by.. recognizing and accepting things that we are responsible for...

We mature by recognizing.. that pride has no place in the process of maturity..

We mature by recognizing... that we possess perspectives that are tainted, poisoned and skewed.. - THAT IS… FLAT OUT… WE JUST PLAIN THINK WRONGLY.

Not because we are bad people..

Not because we are bad people.. But, RATHER… because we are products of our society..

(i) Not because we are bad people..

(ii) But, because we are products of

our society..

WE ARE: Products of culture... products of tradition... products of religion and politics.. products of our own personalities...

...and weaved into our very being, are concepts and perspectives which mandate and influence the very way

-we think...

(a) The way we process information.. (i) The way we make judgment..

-The way we process information.. -The way we make judgment..

Chad

Sometimes... Grown Up Truth opens up before us.. And we get glimpses of it.. But, we can’t always quite make it out.. We can’t grasp it..

(1) And we get glimpses of it..

(3)

(4)

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(a) (b)

Chad

Page 6 2/15/2014

We still have some perspectives which hinder our reach.. ... Perspectives, which blind us- from seeing more of what God wants to show us..

But, we can’t always quite make it out.. We can’t grasp it..

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Because we have some perspectives which hinder our reach.. ...

(ii) Perspectives, which blind us- from seeing more of what God wants to show us..

And in those times… And we have to make that decision..

We have to ask ourselves...

Chad

Page 7 2/15/2014

2. 3.

Am I willing to question, and re-evaluate the basis by which I process truth and life ...in order, to clearly see, understand, and get to, the grown up truth?

(1) ...in order, to clearly see, understand, and get to, the grown up truth?

I believe that Most of us here today.. would say, very quickly.. That we process truth and life, through the lens of Scripture.

(1)

Scripture.

I we believe that... fully..

But... let’s take it back one more step...

What is the basis by which we... process Scripture?

(2)

(a) (a)

Scripture?

And if we’re honest.. You, like me... will identify that there filters - pre-conceived ideas and philosophies that we strain information through… there are lenses that distort our view…

And if we’re honest..

(a) You, like me... will identify all kinds of little lenses and filters which we have inserted...

Scripture is our guide… but are there times where we are guiding the scripture… rather than, letting the scripture guide us..

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(b) Over the years.. we’ve placed them... between us..

We read a verse… we consider a passage… and automatically, we run it through our filters… And as a result… we don’t see clearly, what God is showing us..

(b) In our own ways... we look at the Word of God through some lens...

(a) But instead, we see something which is tinted... and blurry.

Instead: We see something that is blurred .

Chad

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Chad

Page 9 2/15/2014

I am continually attempting to bring my scriptural conclusions into judgment..

(1)

And finding out..

(a) That many of my beliefs.. (i) Are not founded on prayer and

I have conclusions that I came to when I was in Bible School… when I was 19 and barely knew anything… But I had such a respect for that teacher, that I affirmed a doctrinal conclusion… and that conclusion serves as a filter.. - AND sometimes… WHEN I COME TO THE SCRIPTURE… - I default to that untested conclusion from 1989.

un-biased inductive study..

(a) But, they are founded on... the conclusions of other people..

And it’s not always an issue of right and wrong..

What did I know in 1989? WHAT DID MY TEACHER KNOW?

Since i have to teach you the Bible regularly… I can’t just pawn off the interpretation of a doctrine on some teenage conclusion.

Those filters need to be tested. Those influences of society need to be tested…

+++

(Rarely do I find that my doctrinal beliefs are ‘flat out wrong’...

But I do find conclusions which are presumptuous.. or trite... or slightly skewed.

Sometimes these things are founded, on the religious traditions that we grew up in..

(i) They are founded even, on our opinions and personal views..

Sometimes: They are founded.. on the things we were taught in school...

Sometimes… they are founded on our doctrinal statements... our confessions... and our rule-books..

Sometimes even -our personalities: Some folks... have strong will power..

BECAUSE OF THEIR PERSONALITY…

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(Every thing in their life has squared off corners... - Every thing is black and white.. - There is an answer and a judgment for every issue.

(i) Every thing is black and white..

(a) There is an answer and a judgment for every issue.

There is no room for ambiguity or mystery..

Their homes are run well and their children are obedient.. - And by the pure nature of their personality..

(b) And by the pure nature of their personality.. (i) They will face the continual

...They will face the continual challenge ...of not interpreting God’s Word.. –through the lens of their personality..

challenge..

(a) ...of not interpreting God’s Word.. –through the lens of their personality..

Often times... the folks who possess this kind of personality, are drawn to legalism - their personality affects their view on scripture, and it affects their outlook towards other Christians..

(i) It affects their view on scripture, and it affects their outlook towards other Christians..

People who are very lax… have a similar challenge… - People who are outgoing have a challenge… people who are introverts have a challenge..

As an introvert, I always want scripture to affirm that I should go off into the mountains by myself for a couple days.

personality.. it’s a lens, a filter..

Chad

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(1)

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It can warp our perspective of God’s truth..

values...

(a)

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I didn’t realize it... but I used to a perspective about my faith... that was fundamentally wrong… - And when I say, “used to”… I really mean: I’m constantly fighting to keep it at bay.

It’s a perversion of faith called ‘Me Centered Christianity’....

I want to read a passage from

Psalm 79:9 ESV

9 Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of your name; deliver us, and atone for our sins, for your name’s sake!

In this verse, three ‘me – centered’ things are being asked for..

I opened by reading

a) In that verse, three ‘me – centered’ things are being asked for..

1. First one: “Help us God”

2. Second one: “deliver us”

(2) Second one: “deliver us”

3. Third one: “Atone for our sins”

(3) Third one: “Atone for our sins”

help, deliverance and atonement is given..

2. help, deliverance and atonement is given..

Now for granted.. the purpose and intent for God giving His; help, deliverance and atonement is given..

And we’ll ask the question ‘why?’ in a moment. - But before we ask why... let’s consider.. what it is that consumes our faith...

a) And we’ll ask the question ‘why?’ in a moment.

3. But before we ask why... let’s consider.. what it is that consumes our faith...

Most of us are driven to prayer by the needs presented in this passage..

B. “Help us God” - “Deliver us God!” 1. These requests... can consumes our faith... for many

We cry out… “Help us God” - “Deliver us God!” - And we should WE SHOULD ASK GOD FOR THESE THINGS OFTEN..

BUT -These requests... THAT can consumes our faith... for many Christians, these WORDS consume the prayer life. ..

Christians, these prayers consume the prayer life. ..

We see trials and hardships around us that we don’t like..

Chad Page 11 2/15/2014

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Chad

Page 12 2/15/2014

We ascribe human judgment and sympathy to our circumstances and declare them ‘unjust’

We think... “I’m a good person, therefore, I should have a good life.” - This is what my personal justice system demand… good people should get good things..

(a) But, we’re willing to give God a little time work it out..

And when we don’t.. -well, we’re willing to give God a little time work it out..

So... we cry out.. -Help me God! Deliver me God! - Help my life get better, help my life get easier, help my finances, help my health, help my relationships...

b) Help my life get better, help my life get easier, help my finances, help my health, help my relationships...

And we don’t stop crying out... for help.. -

It consumes us. We are obsessed, with gaining comfort. -We wake up, obsessed with our problems. We go through the day.. obsessed with our problems..

gaining comfort. We wake up, obsessed with our problems.

a) We go through the day.. obsessed with our problems..

(1)

(2)

People stop calling us and start avoiding us..

Because inevitably, we are going to take every opportunity to talk about how our life stinks..

++ And how God won’t help me.. - and … All’s I want is my comfort...

All’s I want is my comfort...

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So we become those whose faith, is centered on ‘help me God’..

(a) So we become those whose faith, is centered on ‘help me God’..

Chad

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Don’t take this wrong… the issue here, is not a matter of whether God will or will not help us.

He’s given us the H.S. – (the Helper) -He’s given us instruction... He’s redeemed us unto an eternal relationship with Him..

(2)

His help is abundant.. and it may, or may not apply to our broken marriages and our financial tragedies..

(a) His help is abundant.. and it may, or may not apply to our broken marriages and our financial tragedies..

But… we miss the entire point of our faith sometimes... because, we are obsessed with our own comfort..

(a) Because, we are obsessed with our own comfort..

And our Christianity is ‘me centered’

And ‘me centered’ Christianity doesn’t get... who God is.. or What God wants..

(i)

(a) (b)

What God wants..

And the me-centered Christian..... Usually... will not, persevere.

Sometimes... we are looking for God to fulfill our expectation..

(b) Sometimes... we are looking for God to fulfill our expectation..

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When in fact... God’s expectations and intentions, are completely different than ours.

(i) When in fact... God’s expectations and intentions, are completely different than ours.

Then, in … there is.. the- ‘atone for our sins’ -version of ‘me centered’ Christianity..

Chad

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And I do not, in any way want to detract from salvation.. - But often times, a Christian’s perspective on salvation..

a) But often times, a Christian’s perspective on salvation..

...is completely, and totally... ‘me centered’. How do we answer this question:

(1)

Why am I saved?

(2)

Why am I saved?

(a) (a)

* If your answer is... “so I can go to Heaven.”

Your Christianity is ‘me centered’

* If your answer is... “so I can live forever.”

Your Christianity is ‘me centered’

* If your answer is... “so I can live a happier, healthier and wealthier life.”

Your Christianity is not only a big set-up for disappointment.. -But it’s also... extremely.... ‘me centered’...

(i) But it’s also... extremely.... ‘me centered’...

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If your answer is... “Well, -I don’t want to go to Hell, and a preacher made me feel real guilty one time at a revival meeting... “

(a)

(i)

... if that’s your answer..

(ii) centered.

And everything about it.. is ME

tells us why God gives Help..

(a)

It’s quite possible..

That you’re not saved at all..

First off: He helps us.. ‘for the glory of His name’

You’ve been duped into banking

(b) eternal life on an emotional experience..

It also tells us why God delivers us, and atones for our sins..

D. tells us why God gives Help.. 1. He helps us.. ‘for the glory of His name’

a) It also tells us why God delivers us, and atones for our sins..

.. the answer.. ‘for His name’s sake’

This is the heart.. the core.. purpose.. and the motivation of our redemption...

Chad

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God loves His glory.

In ... He says, “My glory I will not give to another”...

Isaiah 48:11 ESV

11 For my own sake, for my own sake, I do it, for how should my name be profaned? My glory I will not give to another.

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Chad

More than once, God calls Himself... “jealous’

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b) More than once, God calls Himself... “jealous’

What is He jealous of?

++ of -Mankind ascribing worship, and giving glory.. to other Gods.. He is jealous..

to other Gods.. He is jealous..

(1)

absorbed.

(a)

(b)

But our God.. is not only, ‘selfish’... but He is self

Any recognition of Who God is… or What God has done, Or the wisdom that God has given… or the Wonderment of God… any expression and recognition of these things… is an expression of glory.

That sounds... down right offensive..

It might even sound.. blasphemous..

b) ... -We have learned that selfishness is bad..

When we credit the non-being

(1)

When it comes to His glory… God is jealous… and God is selfish. IT’S HIS… AND HE HAS CREATED US WITH A PURPOSE… AND THAT PURPOSE… IS TO GIVE HIM GLORY.

(a) There is one being, so great, so powerful, so above and beyond you and me..

(i) One being.. to whom there is no equal..

God created the heavens… When we look at them, we see something that is bigger than us… WE see something that is amazing..

(ii) There are no other options in His class..

He created us, the world we live in and the existence that encircles us..

(2)

You know what that wonder is… that you feel when you look upon the stars?

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Psalm 19:1 ESV

1 The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.

(a) And He did it all for a reason.... For a purpose..

(b) - ‘the heavens declare the glory of God’

God made everything for His glory..

Chad

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b) In , Jesus told His disciples... that Lazarus’ sickness wasn’t unto death.. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.

(1) That Lazarus’ sickness wasn’t unto death.. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.

And yet, Lazarus, His friend, suffered.. in and through a sickness, which did in fact, lead to a temporary death..

a) As a sickness, which did in fact, lead to a temporary death..

It was probably painful… It created a lot of agony, both physically and emotionally.

emotionally.

His family members had to go through a process of mourning, suffering, agony..

This guy was on his deathbed.. probably crying out.. for help.. for deliverance...

His family members... Martha and Mary.. Were crying out.. for help...

(a) Were crying out.. for help...

There was agony and confusion.. - The disciples... when hearing that Lazarus was dead.. - THEY Probably had internal struggles of doubt and confusion..

The disciples... when hearing that Lazarus was dead..

(1) Probably had internal struggles of doubt and confusion..

They were banking on Jesus the Messiah.. And He had just dropped the ball on His Lazarus prediction..

on His Lazarus prediction..

Everyone was confused.. It just didn’t seem fair..

Why would a loving God allow so many people to suffer so much????

To what purpose? To bring glory to God’s son.

(1) (2)

Back to … - We cry out for deliverance: Why?

(a)

Because God brings deliverance to His people..

For His glory

He affirmed Pharaohs hard heart, by hardening it all the more… Why?

So that His glory would be seen.. Not only in the great deliverance of Israel…

the more..

(a)

(i) Not only in the great deliverance

But also… in the great judgment upon Egypt..

(a) upon Egypt..

But also, in the great judgment

5. distraught.

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Chad

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5. distraught.

emotionally.

(2) His family members had to go through a process of mourning, suffering, agony..

(a) This guy was on his deathbed.. probably crying out.. for help.. for deliverance...

(i) His family members... Martha and Mary..

(a) Were crying out.. for help...

There was agony and confusion..

The disciples... when hearing that Lazarus was dead..

(1) Probably had internal struggles of doubt and confusion..

(a) They were banking on Jesus the Messiah.. (i) And He had just dropped the ball

on His Lazarus prediction..

Everyone was confused.. in pain, suffering and severely 6. It just doesn’t seem fair..

a) Why would a loving God allow so many people to suffer so much????

(3)

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(1)

Why?

Because He understood the end goal, of His love for them.

God had a distinct purpose in all of this pain and suffering..

He loved them beyond measure..

(1)

he wants...

(2)

(a)

But His love, is not rooted in mankind getting what His love..

Is rooted, in man, experiencing, and being part.. of glorifying God.

The end game was His glory. ++

(a)

So.. the skeptic might ask.. –are we just pawns in God’s sick game?

F. God had a distinct purpose in all of this pain and suffering..

1. The end game..

a) Was His glory. III. So.. the skeptic might ask.. –are we just pawns in God’s

sick game?

No.. –because it’s not a sick game..

- And we are not pawns… we are not insignificant beings who merely serve a purpose of sacrificing ourselves to protect more important beings..

C. But let’s consider the attributes of the God... that moves us around like pawns..

BUT, EVEN IF WE WERE… HERE’S THE GOD TO WHOM WE’D BE PAWNS FOR…

THE God who is just. - who is merciful.. - who is patient .. - who is gracious

God is merciful

God is patient

Chad

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God is gracious

Then it is because we are fulfilling our greatest possible purpose..

and sacrifice.

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But, as the word applies to Him, it is completely appropriate..

a) For He has already declared.. (1) I will not give my glory to another. If you are a married man..

(1) (2)

If we are pawns..

Then it is because He loves us.. If we are pawns,

Then it is because we are fulfilling our greatest possible purpose..

If we go to Heaven and bow down before His glory and He tells us..

If we are pawns… Then so be it..

For His attributes declare to me.. - That I have received.. mercy, and grace.. and justice..

(3)

(a)

(4) For His attributes declare to me.. b) That I have received.. mercy,

and grace.. and justice..

D. So yes... God is selfish..

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a) In the context of God... revealing His wisdom and His love for the sake of man’s praise...

(1) In the context of God.. demanding His creation’s adoration and worship..

(a) Selfishness... is completely, and totally appropriate.

a) It is appropriate and expected that you have a sexual relationship with your wife..

(1) But, it is not appropriate for other men to have a sexual relationship with your wife..

(a) That’s for you.. and you alone..

b) And some people might say that you are selfish..

(1)

And they are right..

(a) You are selfish.. (i) And in the context of your

marriage..

(a) It’s appropriate.. you have every right and responsibility to be selfish concerning your spouse’ affections.

In today’s passage… in .... it tells us that ‘hope does not put us to shame… or… hope does not disappoint’.. ++

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This passage changed me - It totally confronted my thinking. ..

(ESV) 2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

A. This passage has changed my thinking..

This passage forced me to look through the obstructions, the filters… the lenses which exist in my life..

And I saw.. the ‘grown up’ truth.

And this is where I first asked the question..

Do I really want to consider, that my views on Christianity are wrong?

Chad

Page 22 2/15/2014

Do I really want to challenge the fact, that my faith is practically centered around me.. - ...and that I have made my needs and wants the idolatrous center of a corrupt faith?

(a) ...and that I have made my needs and wants the idolatrous center of a corrupt faith?

Am I willing to recognize the lenses that I have been looking through?

Am I willing to challenge the doctrines and traditions that I have been raised with?

Am I willing to challenge the problems that my very own personality brings to this issue?

And this is where I first asked the question..

Do I really want to consider, that my views on Christianity are wrong?

(1)

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And I answered.. ‘yes’

Chad

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(1)

(1) (2)

And I learned.. about the ‘hope that does not disappoint’ And some of you know about this hope too..

It’s not.. in any way.. ‘me centered hope’ - Because, as you know, ‘me centered Christianity’ - Is nothing but a set up for disappointment..

(a) Is nothing but a set up for disappointment..

Hope that does not disappoint.. is not a hope which is centered upon my wants?

The hope that does not disappoint...

Is centered upon: THE GLORY OF GOD..

No matter what happens... God is going to be glorified.

(a)

The passage starts out, in vs. 2, by saying.. ‘we rejoice in hope! Which also means, literally... we BRAG in hope.

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The passage starts out, in vs. 2, by saying.. ‘we rejoice in hope! Which also means, literally... we BRAG in hope.

(1)

What kind of hope? In hope of the glory of God!

This is what we boast in.. - This is what we are looking for.. - This is the end goal to everything we do.. This is our daily thought..

Or.. it should be..

B. Or.. it should be.. 1. But.. it isn’t..

But.. it isn’t.. It isn’t for me… not always… because I”m still trying to kill ‘me centered’ Christianity.

a) I’m still trying to kill the beast of my own thinking..

I’m still trying to kill the beast of my own thinking..

(i)

This is the end goal to everything we do.. This is our daily thought..

Now, consider the process... of killing the beast for a moment.. - Some of you have killed the beast of cancer..

a) It isn’t for me.. 2. I’m still trying to kill ‘me centered’ Christianity..

C. Now, consider the process... of killing the beast for a moment..

Chad

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And it was hard.. - But you get exciting talking about.. the process of killing the beast.. and you are so thankful for that process, even though it was filled with agony and pain and sickness..

Some of you have killed the beast of cancer.. a) And it was hard..

(1) But you get exciting talking about.. the process of killing the beast.. and you are so thankful for that process..

Even though it was filled with agony and pain and sickness..

Some of you have killed the beast of debt.. a) And it was hard..

But you get excited talking about the process of snowballing your payments and taking on one creditor at a time till finally the beast was killed...

And even though you didn’t go on any vacations for 5 years and you ate nothing but beans and rice..

You are excited..

The fiction world is filled with the stories of ‘killing the beast’

Against all odds, and through great sacrifice the underdogs prevailed injury and despair to finally, in the end.. in the nick of time..

(1) ... finally, they conquered the beast.. For me, the grown up truth was this..

... finally, they conquered the beast..

For me, the grown up truth was this..

I have a beast.. It’s implanted in my faith like a cancer.. - It’s ‘me centered’ Christianity.. - And it’s a false religion.. it’s a perversion of what God intends..

a) And it’s a false religion.. it’s a perversion of what God intends..

And this passage in , shows me the testimony of a man who conquered the beast… - And he’s very excited about it.. ++

… - And he’s very excited about it.. Page 25 2/15/2014

Chad

a) And he’s very excited about it.. Page 25 2/15/2014

(1) But you get excited talking about the process of snowballing your payments and taking on one creditor at a time till finally the beast was killed...

(a) And even though you didn’t go on any vacations for 5 years and you ate nothing but beans and rice..

(i) You are excited.. The fiction world is filled with the stories of ‘killing the beast’

a) Against all odds, and through great sacrifice the underdogs prevailed injury and despair to finally, in the end.. in the nick of time..

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Not only does Paul ‘brag in hope of the glory of God’ - But he brags in his suffering..

(2) But he brags in his suffering.. B. His suffering?

His suffering? - Yes... because.., it’s part of the process of victory.

It’s the chemo in cancer.. It’s the sacrifice in overcoming debt It’s the injury and exhaustion in the unlikely battle..

Chad

Paul is excited about suffering, because it led to his victory over the beast..

Page 26 2/15/2014

And he tells us how it works ..

If we have the right perspective about suffering.. We will gain endurance..

If we have the right perspective about endurance.. It will produce character..

And character produces hope.. And hope does not disappoint..

a) Why? (1) Because it’s not rooted in ‘me centered’

Why? ++

Because it’s not rooted in ‘me centered’ Christianity any more.. - Hope is finally rooted in the very thing that merits our existence..

Christianity any more..

(a)

(1) (2) (3)

Yes... because.., it’s part of the process of victory. It’s the chemo in cancer.. It’s the sacrifice in overcoming debt It’s the injury and exhaustion in the unlikely battle..

(1)

The glory of God..

C. The glory of God..

(1)

If we have the right perspective about suffering.. We will gain endurance..

++ This will change the way you think..

If we have the right perspective about endurance.. It will produce character..

(a)

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(a)

VI. This will change the way you think..

We’ll still have pain and frustration..

Chad

Page 27 2/15/2014

We will still cry out for God to help us and deliver us..

a) And sometimes God will help us and deliver us... even according to our expectation..

And sometimes God will help us and deliver us... even according to our expectation..

And we should rejoice when He does..

But sometimes He has other plans.. ++

a) And He is desiring to produce something in us.. (1) Or use us as a testimony of faith and patience..

Sometimes He is desiring to produce something in us.. - Or use us as a testimony of faith and patience.. - Or display His patience and grace in and through our response..

(a) Or display His patience and grace in and through our response..

Whatever the case might be..

This ‘grown up’ truth.. - Sets us free, from the burden of… obsessing over our own comfort.

(a) Obsessing over our own comfort. Some of you have probably ‘Crazy Love’ by Francis Chan.. a) I read it a couple years ago...

++ Some of you have probably read ‘Crazy Love’ by Francis Chan..

I read it several years ago... And it resonated so much with this grown up truth..

And it resonated so much with this grown up truth..

Page 28 of 31

(1) And it resonated so much with this grown up truth..

(2) It resonated so much with the way my mind has been

It resonated so much with the way my mind has been seeking to understand.. - ... what it means to live for God... as opposed to – living for me..

seeking to understand..

(a) ... what it means to live for God... as opposed to – living for me..

And in that book, he addressed comfort and safety.

He talked about.. how we always pray for comfort and safety..

(a) ...especially safety.. When someone goes on a trip.. we always pray that they will get there, and get back ‘safely’..

++ ...especially safety.. When someone goes on a trip.. we always pray that they will get there, and get back ‘safely’..

And he laid out a challenge.. - Would we ever... instead of asking for safety...

(a) Would we ever... instead of asking for safety...

Would we ever be willing to pray: “Lord, do whatever is necessary on this trip, to draw me closer to You.” ???

B. Guess what.

Chad

Page 28

2/15/2014

Guess what folks… - You might be comfortable and safe.

You might be comfortable and safe.

(2)

(1)

(2)

You might not be.

++ You might have a great relationship You might have a terrible one.

You might be out of debt - You might be in over your head..

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You might be healthy - You might be sick. Whatever the case might be..

a) You might be in over your head.. (1) You might be healthy

(a) You might be sick. Whatever the case might be..

The end goal of every condition is the same..

My purpose.. is to see God glorified, in and through my life..

(a) Is to see God glorified, in and through my life..

This is the greatest privilege that God affords us.. And we are always eligible to give it.

THE ‘ME CENTERED’ CHRISTIAN WILL NOT LIKE THIS… BUT THEY WILL SUFFER..

... will suffer.

Page 29 2/15/2014

... will suffer.

Some might flounder on, unhappily for years...

(1)

(a) Is to see God glorified, in and through my life..

This is the greatest privilege that God affords us.. And we are always eligible to give it.

VII.

A. The ‘me centered’ Christian..

Conclusion.

(1) (2)

Many will give up..

Some will end up shaking their fist at God.. Some will look for reasons to disbelieve Him..

Some will just slip off into darkness and depression..

(a)

The truth is.. these disappointed folks who are mad at God.. Don’t understand God.

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(i) The truth is.. these disappointed folks who are mad at God..

(a) Don’t understand God.

They don’t understand the life

they’re called to live..

They are completely duped by a false religion which focuses on man- being the center of everything..

B. You and I... we are Americans... -Therefore, we are living lives of great luxury and comfort..

You and I... we are Americans... -Therefore, we are living lives of great luxury and comfort..

Why? - Because comfort is easy. And not a whole lot of profitable, spiritual stuff comes out of comfort..

profitable, spiritual stuff comes out of comfort..

Chad

IN LIFE, There will be good times..

a) But suffering... that’s hard.. Page 30 2/15/2014

IN LIFE, There will be good times..

And you might ask.. . “Why doesn’t my pastor speak more about the good times... like that really pretty shiny pastor on tv does?”

And I don’t talk about the good times.. the comfort, the excess cash, the vacations and the good food all the time..

a) I talk about suffering a lot.. (1) But not comfort..

I talk about suffering a lot.. - But not comfort..

Why? - Because comfort is easy. And not a whole lot of profitable, spiritual stuff comes out of comfort..

BUT SUFFERING.... THAT’S HARD..

And that’s where the good stuff is often produced That’s where the process of character and hope is

That’s where patience and perfection germinate..

(1)

in our life..

(2)

built..

Jesus promised it.. - In this world, you will have tribulation..

2Jesus promised it..

a) In this world, you will have tribulation..

and then, He gave us words of hope..

Hope.. in the glory of God.. - BE OF GOOD CHEER… I HAVE OVERCOME THE WORLD.

MAY WE BE THOSE: Who overcome with Him.

That’s where patience and perfection germinate..

(a)

(1) (2)

D. May we be those... who overcome with Him!

(a)

world.

Be of good cheer.. I have overcome the

Chad Page 31 2/15/2014

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