Marty Sloan – Living the Dream

Faith that Works Part 4 – Faith that’s hope (WHS)

10 11 09 HT AM

Colossians 1:24-29 NKJV

This is it!  This is our moment right now!  – We have talked about it, prayed about it, today is the moment that we as a body will make a difference.  Weeks back together we began our journey toward this moment! Today is our day to make a huge difference beginning here in the River Valley and crossing the seas to places we may never even see. This is our moment to give outside of ourselves.

Since giving is a matter of faith and trust (not of finance) we today we will conclude our “Faith that works series” here is a brief recap:

Faith that works series recap -

Part 1 Faith that works is – faith that works – how to measure our faith

Part 2 Faith that works is – faith that gives

Part 3 Faith that works is – faith that invites

Last wk      Faith that works is faith and action (Rob Schenck)

Today

Part 4 Faith that works is – faith that is hope

The Christian faith is based on several key words – words like Grace, Mercy, Forgive, Give, Serve, Love and on and on… today I want to focus on one key word in our faith – the word is HOPE! Faith that works is faith that brings hope.  Our faith is not based on fear, its not based on punishment, it is based on our eternal hope founded in Jesus Christ – HE IS OUR EVERLASTING HOPE!

Colossians 1:24 NKJV

I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the church,

Colossians 1:25

of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God which was given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God,

Colossians 1:26

the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints.

Colossians 1:27

To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Colossians 1:28

Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. Colossians 1:29

To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily.

In our text the Apostle Paul notifies every reader that he personally suffered in order to bring the Gospel. He tells them that what he labored through was for their good and benefit. Paul also notifies us that he was compelled to do what he did by the stirring of Christ inside of him!

Paul was committed to every believer hearing and being personally transformed by the message of Christ.  Out of Paul’s challenges and denial of self came their hope found in Christ.

World Harvest Sunday is all about each one of us seeing ourselves as the hope of another. The seed that we sow today be it great or small is a seed of hope that will bring hope to the life of another through the power of Jesus Christ.

Today if you profess to be a believer in Jesus Christ, it means something. Its not the same as being a member of a social or political party – its not the same as being a part of a civil or philanthropy group – its not the same as being a sports fanatic or supporter.

To be a believer means that Spirit of Christ Himself dwells in you.

Questions:

• Is Jesus Christ the hope of the nations?
• If Jesus is the hope of the nations, then where is He?

Answers:

• Yes He is the hope of the nations
• Jesus resides inside of each one of us as believers.

This morning I want to stir up in you an awareness of what it means to have Christ in you. As we discover together what faith that is hope means it is important that you see yourself as a part of this hope.

Consider with me these following statements about faith, your faith! If your faith is going to be anohters hope, you will need to embrace these statements!

Faith that works is faith that is hope!

1. Faith that is hope will challenge our will -

A quick look at the life of Christ shows this!

Luke 22:41 NKJV

And He was withdrawn from them about a stone’s throw, and He knelt down and prayed,

Luke 22:42

saying, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.”

The Bible tells us that faith is the substance of things hoped for!

Hebrews 11:1 NKJV

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

This creates an internal battle – our will it strengthened by the things that we see. Our faith is based on things NOT seen!

In your moment today, when it comes to giving it will be your awareness of what you know that will challenge what you faith desires to sow!  I challenge you let your faith win the battle today!

2. Faith that is hope requires perspective change -

Our perspective must move from looking just upward to Heaven for help (and there is help there) but inward to Christ working through us! Jesus empowered/commissioned the Church/ the believer corporately/individually to be responsible for creating change and being the hope!

Set the scene – the multitudes gathered together to hear great words of hope and leadership from Jesus. Pick it up at the sermon on the mountain, they have come expecting to hear some great words of how He would lead and deliver – envision this as a local rally – watch what he says!

Matthew 5:13 NKJV

“You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.

Matthew 5:14

“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.

Matthew 5:15

Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.

Matthew 5:16

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

Notice He never Himself as the focus but rather the hearers! In this moment right now, we gather as people, as nations and we cry out to God and ask Him to change our world, to heal our lands, to feed our hungry to stop our wars – we ask Him to do all these things!

Right now we all need to have our own mountain experience! As we lift our eyes toward Heaven and look into the eyes of Jesus, looking to Him for our help, we too need to hear His voice as He looks back toward us and tells us that we are the light, we are the salt –

• Where there is darkness – we need to shine
• Where there is decay – we must preserve
• Where there is disease – we use healing hands
• Where this is despair – we offer hope
• Where there is a need – we sow the seed

This is our moment today to take the hope that resides in us through the power of Jesus Christ and be hope to another!

3. Faith that is hope must see His hand on us

We need an outward turn because of our inward transformation.

I Thessalonians 1:2-4 MSG

2 Every time we think of you, we thank God for you. Day and night you’re in our prayers3 as we call to mind your work of faith, your labor of love, and your patience of hope in following our Master, Jesus Christ, before God our Father.4 It is clear to us, friends, that God not only loves you very much but also has put his hand on you for something special.

Each one of us has felt the amazing power of His love inside of us!  We have felt that internal strength as only He can give – discover today it’s for reason!!

4. Faith that is hope splashes over

1 Thessalonians 3:11 MSG

May God our Father himself and our Master Jesus clear the road to you!

1 Thessalonians 3:12

And may the Master pour on the love so it fills your lives and splashes over on everyone around you, just as it does from us to you.

1 Thessalonians 3:13

May you be infused with strength and purity, filled with confidence in the presence of God our Father when our Master Jesus arrives with all his followers.

Declaration of faith that is hope:

If my faith is going to be another’s hope I must:

• Seek His will not my own
• See myself as their hope
• Search inside for His strength
• Splash others with His goodness