Hope in a time of fear
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Understanding The Nature of God
Understanding The Nature of God
Our hope and fear is in God
If you think about it, hope and fear in the common mind are the same emotions with the only difference being the perceived outcome
If the outcome is good - then hope, if the outcome is bad - then fear
However, as Christians we should know that hope is in a person, Jesus Christ, not an outcome.
Fear is in a state, being lost without Christ.
Lets look at Romans 8:15
15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
Paul is talking about a spirit of adoption, which is the result of your hope being in Jesus Christ, whom we cry Abba, Father.
Egypt is the picture of bondage.
Christ is the picture of freedom.
In adoption, being born again, is hope and a loving father.
11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
13 Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.
Paul tells us to abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Spirit
How do we reconcile that with the world? Why is it so difficult to reconcile that with what we are inundated with in the news:
45 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit. 46 Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual. 47 The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven. 48 As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly.
That which is of the earth is perishable and by its very nature unstable, unsure
That which is spiritual is eternal and unchanging.
4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
The world will end, and with it sickness and all earthly uncertainty. We are called to a higher living, and higher expectation.
We must be the example to the world. We know the end and the truth.
Times like this require us to take up our cross
Times like this require us to take up our cross
a. To live for Christ is to be crucified with Christ -
Galatians 2:20 KJV 190020 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
b. The things we used to live for - that which is good in the world’s eyes, died when we were buried with Christ
Philippians 3:7–8 KJV 19007 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. 8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
Times like these are opportunities to be a witness
Times like these are opportunities to show the world that we do not fear death, or disease, though we are as susceptible to them as any one else, because our hope is not in this life, but in Jesus Christ
A healthy life and wealth gained in this world Paul says, “what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.”
Christian you cannot have it both ways. You cannot be a witness for Christ and be afraid of the what the world is afraid of.
Overcoming fear is assurance of being in Christ
Overcoming fear is assurance of being in Christ
Before we were Christians we were gentiles, lost and without hope. The children of disobedience, until we were called out of the darkness by witnessing the light of Jesus Christ. In John 3:3 we read that a man must be born again to see the Kingdom of God:
John 3:3 KJV 19003 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV 190017 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
Romans 8:1 KJV 19001 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Ephesians 2:6 KJV 19006 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
Galatians 2:20 KJV 190020 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
3. Understanding our relationship in Christ, we move towards the understanding that being in Christ is the gateway and understanding the fulfillment of all the promises not only of the Old Testament but of the New Testament as well.Understanding:
Colossians 1:27 KJV 190027 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:
As Christians we are heirs to throne of of Glory in Christ. For this reason, being part of the adoption of being the Sons of God, we are to rejoice as it says in:
Romans 15:8–12 KJV 19008 Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers: 9 And that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name. 10 And again he saith, Rejoice, ye Gentiles, with his people. 11 And again, Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles; and laud him, all ye people. 12 And again, Esaias saith, There shall be a root of Jesse, and he that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles trust.