Hope: Our Greatest Need

Woodland Hills Church of Christ

Hope: Our Greatest Need

Introduction: Romans 5:3 in the NKJV states: “And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations…” Tribulations is not a word we use in conversation much any more. The Greek word means, “pressure, compression; affliction, distress of mind, distressing circumstances, trial, affliction.” From the definition we can see that tribulations are not as specific as “persecutions.” We all deal with pressures, distress of mind, and distressing circumstances quite regularly, and it can from come any direction. It can be temporary or quite severe.

How well do you handle pressures, distress of mind, or distressing circumstances? If we could rearrange this room in a circle and take an hour to individually discuss our pressures and distresses, I would imagine it would be an amazing session. Just the thought of it is evidence that we do not talk much about our pressures and distresses that we deal with. And yet, it is a major part of our lives, is it not?
In regard to that, what do you believe each of us need more than anything else on a daily basis? Not just in regard to tribulations, but a daily need for life, whether good days or bad – how would you answer? Please remember that the question has to do with a daily need. This would be a need that would go beyond the typical “food, clothing, and shelter.” This is a need that more than anything else will not just get you through your day, but get you through it with joy and peace; get you through the worst of trials and heartaches of life, something that will stabilize you and actually allow you to rejoice especially when you are being tested to your mental and physical limits.
Obviously, many would answer prayer, and that would be a great answer, and very needed. But this is more about where our minds ought to be so that we can pray. I’m going to even go so far as to say that there is no argument about this. But amazingly, though it is repeated dozens of times throughout scripture, it is rarely talked about and possibly even more rarely on our minds, especially when we need it the most. Now, tell me, what is it?

1. Recognizing Hope as Our Greatest Need
   1. Do you remember how Paul concluded I Corinthians 13? “So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” It is striking to me that “hope” in this context has nothing to do with Paul’s primary message. He is dealing with the lack of love the Corinthians are showing for one another. And yet when he summarizes the three greatest principles of Christian living, hope is one of the three. There is certainly a reason for that.
   2. Romans 5:1-5 Notice the connections to hope:
      1. Justified by faith – our trust in what Jesus has done instead of in ourselves
      2. Peace with God – no more living in doubt and questioning our salvation
      3. Access to grace – grace is always available
      4. Rejoice in hope of the glory of God – notice especially that hope, that is based on our access to grace, creates rejoicing. Notice further that the hope is in the glory of God. The Hebrew writer states that God promised to “crown us with glory and honor, subjecting the world to come to us.” He then explains that Jesus is bringing us to that glory because he himself went through suffering and “tasted death for everyone” so that we no longer live in fear of death, but instead will share in his glory. Thus, Paul summarizes, in hope of the glory of God.
      5. 3-5: but even more, hope is connected to sufferings. Hope is not only based in God’s grace and God’s promises, it is intended to increase exponentially through suffering. Thus, suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character [Greek: proven, tested character], and character produces hope. And hope does not put us to shame [we do not need to fear that the Lord will let us down because…
      6. God’s love…illustrated in 6-11, thus solidifying hope. Hope not put to shame. If he showed his love for us and died for us while we were ungodly, still sinners and enemies deserving the wrath of God, how much more will he save us now that we are reconciled, no longer enemies, and Jesus is living before the throne as our intercessor?

2. Romans 8:12-39 In This Hope We Are Saved
   1. 12-17: three key points –
      1. If you “live by the Spirit” and are “led by the Spirit,” you are “sons of God.” Please do not pass over the phrase, “sons of God.” Paul explains its importance as a term emphasizing the rights of a family member. We have read in the OT how angels are called “sons of God,” those who are considered in God’s divine, heavenly family. Like them, this is our status in God’s earthly realm
      2. Thus, verse 17 announces the benefits of being in this family – we are heirs, but not just heirs, fellow heirs with Christ and thus, “glorified with him.”
      3. Glorified with Christ is predicated on suffering with him. Consider Paul’s words in Galatians 2:20, “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Consider Paul’s words carefully! What is our life in Christ all about? What is this world all about? What is the primary focus of every day? It is all about our battle against the spiritual forces of wickedness and working for victory in Jesus.
         Yes, we have jobs and responsibilities, but when we work, we work for him. When we raise our children, we raise them for him. When we make friends and love our neighbors, we do so for him. And when we rest, we rest so that we can all the more live for him. It isn’t about us! “To live is Christ, and and to die is gain.”
   2. 18-25:
      1. Note first, the focus is on the glory to be revealed.
      2. The sufferings are relegated to background noise as our eyes and heart is in the future revealing of the sons of God. We so easily do the opposite! Suffering and trials crowd out and eager longing for the glory to come. This should tell us of a serious flaw in our lives! We are too bound to our earthly existence.
      3. Verse 23: the reason sufferings should be a footnote in our lives is that we have already have the firstfruits of the Spirit and now eagerly waiting for the completion of those firstfruits, our adoption as sons and the redemption of our bodies.
      4. Verse 24: Notice the word “for.” Everything is now summarized in these words, “in this hope we were saved.” We can’t see it yet, because that wouldn’t be hope. But we wait for it with patience! It is the burning desire of our hearts. Our hope is what makes suffering something we wouldn’t even begin to compare. It gives us the attitude of “who cares!” – we are eagerly waiting for glory!
3. 8:26-39 Everything Flows from This Hope
   1. Vs. 26: The Spirit intercedes when we do not know what to pray for.
   2. Vs. 28: God is at work, bringing all things together for the good of his purpose.
   3. Vs. 29-30: He foreknew us in Christ. He predetermined that we would be in his image, he called us, justified us, and has already announced our glorification.
   4. Vs. 31-32: What can we say to these things? If the one who gave his only Son is for us, who could be against us? This is the one who has graciously given us all things!
   5. Vs. 37-39: We are more than conquerors! Nothing can separate us from the love of God!
   6. This is what should be filling our hearts! This is what crushes the trials, the doubts, the pressures! Our eyes are on what we cannot see but are assured of receiving.

Conclusion: Where is “hope” in your life? Has it been buried in the background of your mind? When trials become unbearable, does your mind immediately go to the “happy place” of hope? Is it rare, if at all, that you default to “what God has prepared for those who love him”? Does your spirit groan within you as you eagerly wait for your adoption as a son or daughter of God and the redemption of your body?

Please consider what will happen when hope is the answer to all suffering and every trial: Your mind will go to that peaceful place and you will find yourself smiling as the tension drains from your body and mind, and you will say to yourself, “In this hope I am saved.”

Therefore, Paul said to the Philippians, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:6-7).

Berry Kercheville

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