Success Scripture May 5, 2009

Living Serving With Hope  

"And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us." - Romans 5:5

EXPLORATION

DEFINITION: Hope is reliance, expectation of faith in a promise, someone or something.

In Hebrew it is rendered - quawah - which means wait for with eager expectation. In Greek scriptures, it is - elpis - which means expectation of good, which also means "confident expectation" in certain future events based on the integrity of God.

INSPIRATION

No Real Hope Without Christ. Man is lost in sins and trespasses and heading for eternal destruction and his condition seems hopeless. As the scripture puts it "That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:" - Ephesians 2:12 But with the knowledge of Jesus Christ as God's provision for man's salvation, man now has a foundation for hope. This knowledge is derived from the bible which is the word of God. It is trustworthy, and can never fail. (Matthew 5:18, 1 Kings 8:56). Hence, without hope (eager expectation to receive salvation) in the gospel of Christ, no man can be saved from eternal perdition: We are saved by hope in the gospel. (John 3:16, Romans 4:20-21).

Serving The Lord With Hope. A man's hope influences the way he lives and works. In serving the Lord as Christians, more so as ministers of the gospel, it is important for us to establish the right foundation for our hope in the Lord. This is because the manner in which some Christians and gospel ministers work in the vineyard of the Lord today seems to suggest that their hope in serving the Lord is to get what to eat and wealth to enjoy themselves in this world. "For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple." - Romans 16:18.

The teaching of our Lord Jesus and that of the apostles put the hope of the believer beyond this physical and material world: Jesus said - "In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also." - John 14:2-3 Paul said: "For here we have no continuing city, but we seek one to come" - Hebrews 13:14 : In the words of Peter, we are : "Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness." - 2 Peter 3:12-13.  (Therefore) "If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable." - 1 Corinthians 15:19

All these point to the fact that the sum total of our faith and hope does not end in this world but goes to the world beyond this physical life. Hence, serving the Lord, we look beyond this physical and material world to eternity: where there I shall be eternal life, eternal reward, eternal joy, and eternal rest. (Mark 10:28-30). This is the substance of our faith as we daily work for the Lord. The Bible says: "For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope." - Romans 15:4

We need to maintain biblical hope: The hope that is beyond this physical world as we serve the Lord in this present age. This hope is kept alive as we work in the assurance that what God has promised, either in this life or in the life to come, he will surely fulfill. The Bible says: "And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform." - Romans 4:21.

HOPE MUST BE MAINTAINED:

• (a) In trials and difficulties. - Daniel 3:16-18, Isaiah 43:1-3
• (b) In times of need. - Matthew 6:30-33, Philippians 4:19.
• (c) In serving the Lord. - 2 Timothy 2:12, Philippians 3:1-15
• (d) In the second coming of Christ. - Titus 2:13-14
• (e) For eternal rest and eternal reward. - John 14:1-3, 1 Corinthians 15:58, 2 Timothy 4:7-8, Hebrews 4:9-10.

This week: As we work for the Lord with hope, the Holy Spirit gives us strength, joy and peace of mind. (Romans 15:13). Eternal hope is indispensable to the gospel minister because it makes him bold, confident and outspoken in ministering to others. It makes us fervent in the spirit, helps us to maintain our integrity: Leads to a holy living and endurance in severe trails and difficulties. It is an anchor for the soul, sure and firm. (Hebrews 6:17-20).

Remember: "And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us." - Romans 5:5

We love you! 

God bless.

Bliss & Fire Network Team

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