The Hope Bringer Pastor Rich Laskowski
The world is thirsty for hope. Paul tells us that there are three most important things: Faith, Hope, and Love. Without hope it is very hard to have faith or love. Mankind has to have a hope for a better tomorrow. If that hope is lost, then all desire to move forward ceases. The mistake that the Christian has made in the past is to preach eternity of bliss and a earthly existence of misery and poverty. While it is true that God does not want us o major on seeking fleshly things, He does want to meet the needs of our families and provide for the fulfilling of the missions that He has given us. Therefore it gives us hope when we understand that God has an eternity for us, but is also concerned with what happed in your life today. Be encouraged as you listen to the message, The Hope Bringer.
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THE HOPE BRINGER
I. Isaiah Prophesies about the Coming Appearance of the Messiah
Isa 9:1 Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali,
(First area attacked by the vicious Assyrian army)
(Great spiritual blindness and false worship and all the resulting problems and darkness)
but in the future he will honor Galilee of the Gentiles, by the way of the sea, along the Jordan--
(Jesus grew up in Galilee(same area) and did His first miracle in Canna in that same area) (Many miracles were in Capernaum)
2 The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.
- Isaiah prophesied more about Messiah than any other Old Testament prophet.
- A great Light Dawned in Jesus Christ not only in Israel but throughout the region
II. NT writer, Apostle Matthew quotes from Isaiah in Matt 4:16 to show us the fulfillment of this OT prophesy
Mt 4:13 Leaving Nazareth, he went and lived in Capernaum, which was by the lake in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali-- 14 to fulfill what was said through the prophet Isaiah: 15 "Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the way to the sea, along the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles-- 16 the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned."
A. Why did God have Isaiah give this prophecy 700 years before Christ.
- To prove His omniscience (all knowing)
- To prove His Omnipotence (All powerful)
- To recognize Messiah
- Also: TO BRING FORTH HOPE!
THERE IS A BETTER DAY COMING!
III. The Encouragement of Jesus - Jesus Brings Hope
Jesus is a Hope Bringer:
Joh 14:1 "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. 2 In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.
Joh 16:33 "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." (NIV)
Joh 14:13 And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father.
Joh 15:7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you.
Joh 15:16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit-- fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.
Joh 14:16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever-- 17 the Spirit of truth…..
Comforter: Advocate - encourager - Hope bringer
A. John 11 - Lazarus and Why Jesus was late
- Lazarus gets sick and his sisters send for Jesus
- Jesus gets the message but intentionally waits for Lazarus to die
- Jesus goes and raises Lazarus from the dead:
Joh 11:43 When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out!" 44 The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, "Take off the grave clothes and let him go." 45 Therefore many of the Jews who had come to visit Mary, and had seen what Jesus did, put their faith in him.
But why did Jesus wait for Lazarus to die?:
Joh 11:41 So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, "Father, I thank you that you have heard me. 42 I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me." MESSIAH PROOF
Joh 11:14 So then he told them plainly, "Lazarus is dead, 15 and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him."
JESUS INTENTIONALY PUT THEM ALL IN WHAT THE WORLD WOULD CALL A TOTALLY HOPELESS SITUATION TO PROVE TO THEM THAT HE IS THE MESSIAH AND THAT HE IS THE GOD OF HOPELESS SITUATIONS.
LAZARUS WAS DEAD 4 DAYS:
- Eastern custom and Rabbinical teaching had a theory or superstition
- After death there would be 30 days of mourning
- The first 3 days were called: Three Days of Weeping - departed spirit was thought to hang around for three days in hopes of returning.
- After 3 days all hope was given up mourners entered into the 7 days of lamentation.
- JESUS WAITED 4 FULL DAYS ON PURPOSE - ALL HOPE WAS GONE!
- HE WANTED TO PROVE THAT:
Mt 17:19 Then the disciples came to Jesus in private and asked, "Why couldn't we drive it out?" 20 He replied, "Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."
HE IS THE GOD OF HOPE! NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE in CHRIST
IV. The Result of Hope
A. Faith thrives in hope
B. Paul says top three things in the Christian walk 1 Cor
Faith, Hope, and Love Greatest is love
But if you have no Hope it is hard to have faith and it is hard to love
The resurrection of Lazarus sent out a shock wave of HOPE.
Messiah - Better days…….
There are some folks in here who need a Holy Spirit infusion of Hope!
V. Satan Know How Important Hope Is So He Works at Tearing Hope Down
A. Scene in the Passion of Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane
- Satan kept saying NO - Can't be done Hopeless
- We can not listen to his attacks on our hope!
VI. How is Your Hope?
A. Breaking the Chains of discouragement
#1. Realize that you have been deceived
- Jesus died for you
- Given us the Holy Spirit
- Angles are ministering spirits that are sent out to help us
- Word of God is a lamp unto our feet
- You are armed in Christ with every weapon you need to overcome
- You are a Spiritual Rambo, but have believed you are
#2. Renew your mind in the word
Ro 12:2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-- his good, pleasing and perfect will. (NIV)
#3. Cast your cares in prayer
1Pe 5:6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
Php 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
#4. Forgive and seek healing for wounded spirit
- Unforgiveness is often a door for Satan to enter.
- Unforgiveness keeps the wound fresh
- You can not be healed unless you forgive
#5. Deliverance from a demonic stronghold in your mind - due to unforgiveness, sin, or allowing your mind to be controlled by the enemy
Eph 4:26 "In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold.
Jesus is the Hope Bringer
Ro 15:12 And again, Isaiah says, "The Root of Jesse will spring up, one who will arise to rule over the nations; the Gentiles will hope in him." 13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Hope is a gift - It is God opening our eyes to see the truth, of God's love, His salvation, and His willingness to meet your need today
We are going to pray for God to meet needs and grant an infusion of Hope