How to be a People of Hope Dave Holden
We live in an age lacking hope, but the church is called to be a community flooded with hope.
Romans 15:13
God is the God of hope, not a hopeful God. Our hope begins and ends in Him; it is not dependent on us or our circumstances.
See Romans 4:18, Psalm 39:7, Psalm 42:5, and even Lamentations 3: 21-24.
How do we become a people of hope?
1. Live in God and He will live in you
Colossians 1:27
Choose to abide in God, placing all your hope in Him.
2. By the power of the Holy Spirit
Romans 15:13
No matter your natural temperament, if you're being filled with the Holy Spirit regularly, you will be filled with hope. The basis of hope is not your personality!
3. Know the promises of God
Romans 8:24-25
Seasons of waiting are opportunities to put your hope entirely in God. Hope is deeply rooted in faith.
4. Consider Him
Hebrews 12:2-3
Look to Jesus and think of Him often! When we don't look to Jesus, we look elsewhere, we get weary, and we lose heart. Remind yourself of who He is and what He's done. Focus on the cross and on His resurrection daily.
5. Learn how to overcome disappointment
Proverbs 13:12
The Enemy knows he can't take you out the battle because you're secure in Christ, but he will try his best to make you ineffective. Delay, difficult circumstances, the culture surrounding us, and people can all disappoint and disillusion us, robbing us of hope.
- Remind yourself of truth.
- Renew your mind.
- Hang out with the right people! (Paul asks the Galatians, 'Who cut in on you', not what cut in on you.
- Have fun!
- Know that we have a wonderful future awaiting us. Wait and see what God will do.
Questions:
- What was God speaking to you about at Chosen For Purpose?
- Dave Holden encourage us to be doers, as well as hearers of the Word. With that in mind, what are you going to do about what God is speaking to you about?
- What area that we prayed for on Saturday evening did you feel most stirred about?