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God’s Word for Today: The Difference
Biblical hope is an unshakable assurance that God works all things together for good for those who are called according to His purposes. It is the belief that there is a future with and in Jesus regardless of circumstances. Hope is faith in the future tense. That means that most of faith is hope. The Bible says, "Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" (Rom. 10:17). This suggests that hope is strengthened by the Word of God much like faith. Hope comes from reading the Word of God. Hope comes from digesting the great promises of God. Hope comes by developing a closer relationship with Jesus Christ.
Our hope is a reflection of the trust we have in God and our confidence in His Word. The biblical definition of hope in noun form is “expectation,” and it indicates what is sure or certain. In verb form, it is “expect with confidence.” It is a confident expectation of what is certain.
Certain questions must then be asked: Can you explain what your hope is? Have you determined on what you base your hope? Do you clearly understand what your hope is so that if asked you could give a concise and reasonable answer?
Discussion: *What are three reasons upon which you base your hope in Christ and eternal life?
Sept. 9, 2020: Hope in God
Read Psalm 33:18 – 22.
“Let thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us, according as we hope in thee” (v. 22).
If you have time, read this entire psalm, which is a tribute to God in His offices of Creator, Controller, Consummator, Counselor. David exalts His mighty works and calls the entire earth to His worship.
But when we step away from the Divine Superintendency of all things, the world is a bleak and empty lowland, whether in politics, religion, economics, education. What a distressing view! And even in our personal lives, whatever we may trust in this life…good health, material comfort, a strong system of support, years of Christian living - all are false confidences unless they are buoyed up by our trust in God.
Let us, also, call out for the mercy of the Lord to be upon us as we hope in Him. (Leonard Sankey)
“My hope is renewed, my faith becomes strong,
The closer I walk to Him.” - Haldor Lillenas
“Hope deferred makes the heart sick,” but hope achieved makes the heart sing. Proverbs 13:12
Sept 13, 2020: Hope
PRINTED TEXT: Romans 4:17 25; 1 Corinthians 15:12 20
CENTRAL TRUTH: Believers have a living hope in Christ for time and eternity.
OBJECTIVE: By the end of this class we should be able to state at least three reasons for our hope.
LESSON OUTLINE:
I. Hope Believing in Hope (Romans 4:17 25)
II. Hope Rewarded (1 Corinthians 15:12 20)
Sept 6, 2020: Faith
The Difference
Basic to the understanding of this lesson is a grasp of our own depth of faith. Some pray, “God, increase my faith.” We don’t need God to increase our faith. We need to exercise the faith that we have. How solid is the faith that you have in God? If you face shattering circumstances in life, is your trust in Him going to waver?
In Paul’s defense before King Agrippa in Acts 26, he concluded his statement regarding the death and resurrection of Christ by saying, in effect, “This is not a deep dark secret. Check it out for yourself. You believe what the Word of God says, don’t you? It is all there, as plain as day” (vs. 26, 27).
Does the devil bring doubts to your mind? Read the Bible and make up your own mind. It doesn’t make God nervous when we search the Scripture in order to bolster our faith.
Our faith is founded on the great realities of the Bible – a literal creation, the existence of Israel, the miracles of God, the prophecies of the Messiah and their miraculous fulfillment, the marvelous virgin birth of the incarnate Son of the everlasting God, His sinless life, His sacrificial death, His victorious resurrection, and His triumphant ascension into heaven.
Justified By Faith
Read Romans 5:1-8.
“Therefore, being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (v. 1).
She shot her boyfriend! He was beating her up; she feared for her life. She claimed it was self-defense. Time and again, we justify our decisions and actions, the things we say and the way we respond to what is happening to us. At times it seemed like a raw reflex; it was spontaneous, but nevertheless, it was what caused us to draw on our resources and what we felt were our strengths.
What about when you turn the other cheek, when you go the extra mile, when you give your cloak as well as your coat, when you use a soft answer in responding to anger, when you endure hardness as a good soldier? Do you justify those times by your faith in God who gives you grace and strength and wisdom? The hope we have is because of the love of God that is shed abroad in our hearts. Thus our actions and reactions are to be justified by our faith! As Christians, let us act the way we do because we are who we are through Jesus Christ, our Lord! (Rodney Stearns)
“My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus blood and righteousness;
…………………….
On Christ, the solid rock I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.”
Justify your faith by living out the Lord Jesus within you!
Sept 6, 2020: Faith
PRINTED TEXT: 1 John 5:1 15
CENTRAL TRUTH: Faith in God is one of the most important principles in being an overcomer in the Christian life.
OBJECTIVE: By the end of this lesson we should be able to identify ways in which our faith in God should be demonstrated in our daily lives.
LESSON OUTLINE:
I. Victory Through Faith (I John 5:1 5)
II. The Witness of Faith (I John 5:6 12)
III. Assurance Through Faith (I John 5:13 15)