Radical Faith as a response to the random hopefulness of the world

Many people have hope.  They dream.  They want.  They wish.  They hope.

People hope to win the lottery.  People hope to be successful.  People hope to go to heaven when they die.  People hope.

While hope can be grounded in something, it can also be grounded in nothing.  No matter your level of hopefulness, your lottery chances to do not change based on your hope.  Success is not built upon our hopes.  Hoping will not get anyone to heaven.

Radical faith calls us to a hope grounded upon God and his character.  The power of hope is not in the one hoping but the faithfulness of the one in which we place our trust.  Radical faith demonstrates trust in the One who can fulfill our hopes.  Radical faith connects us to a God who can do more than we ask or imagine.  Radical faith allows our hopes to be dependent upon the good grace of God and not our ability to come up with better wishes. 

Radical faith is the key to hope.

VIDEO: 4-26-20 Sermon "RADICAL FAITH: Faith pleases God"

As we worship together "from house to house," we are reminded that the church worships separated by miles, time zones, and continents every Lord's Day.  We are never able to meet with the entire family of God as we worship here on this Earth.  We look forward to a day when we will all worship together in the presence of the Lamb.

As we gather together this Sunday in our own homes, we would invite you to sing with the worship videos.  We want to encourage you to take the Lord’s Supper in your home at 10:00am.  In this way, we can take communion together even though we are apart.  Pray for the lost.  Watch my message about Radical Faith.  Accept the challenge to make your faith visible this week.  Watch the bonus video of one of my favorite songs.

WORSHIP

COMMUNION

Read Isaiah 53:5 NIV "But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed."  Here is a possible communion prayer to say before you take the bread and the juice, "Lord, grant us eyes to see, ears to hear and minds to conceive all that you have done for us in Christ.  Help us to see your love in His sacrifice.  Help us to hear your voice proclaim peace in our lives.  Help us to know we are made whole by His wounds.  In Jesus' name, amen."

Take the Lord's Supper.

PRAYER

Pray for those who have no church family to lift them up during this dark time.  Pray for those who need an eternal solution to all the problems they face.  Pray they find Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.  Pray this pandemic might be the vehicle by which God brings revival to a world spinning out of control.  

MESSAGE

“By faith Abel brought God a better offering than Cain did. By faith he was commended as righteous, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith Abel still speaks, even though he is dead. By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death: “He could not be found, because God had taken him away.” For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God. And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”

‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭11:4-6‬ ‭NIV‬‬

CHALLENGE

Make a list of 5 ways you can demonstrate that God exists. Do all 5 of those actions this week and see if anyone notices your faith. Write down on your list the ways in which your faith was noticed by someone else. Praise God that your faith was witnessed by another person to the glory of God.

RADICAL FAITH: Faith pleases God - Hebrews 11:4-6 Sermon Outline (a blog post for a video sermon for Kenwood Church in Livonia, MI, on April 26, 2020)

RADICAL FAITH:Faith pleases God (Hebrews 11:4-6) - April 26, 2020

INTRODUCTION

Radical Faith goes beyond our beliefs and our hopes. Faith is about the trust it takes to start the journey in the first place. Even without knowledge or aspirations, we can trust.

For the next several weeks we will examine faith. We will not primarily be looking at the teachings of the faith or what we believe, but, rather, we will look at what faith looks like itself. What does it look like to trust? How does faith act?

Let us look at Hebrews 11:4-6 for some clarity on this issue.

“By faith Abel brought God a better offering than Cain did. By faith he was commended as righteous, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith Abel still speaks, even though he is dead. By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death: “He could not be found, because God had taken him away.” For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God. And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”

‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭11:4-6‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Keith Miller and Bruce Larson, The Edge of Adventure

The following letter was found in a baking-powder can wired to the handle of an old pump that offered the only hope of drinking water on a very long and seldom-used trail across Nevada's Amargosa Desert:

"This pump is all right as of June 1932. I put a new sucker washer into it and it ought to last five years. But the washer dries out and the pump has got to be primed. Under the white rock I buried a bottle of water, out of the sun and cork end up. There's enough water in it to prime the pump, but not if you drink some first. Pour about one-fourth and let her soak to wet the leather. Then pour in the rest medium fast and pump like crazy. You'll git water. The well has never run dry. Have faith. When you git watered up, fill the bottle and put it back like you found it for the next feller.

(signed) Desert Pete.

P.S. Don't go drinking the water first. Prime the pump with it and you'll git all you can hold.”

I. FAITH IS DEMONSTRATED IN OUR ACTIONS

“The Bible recognizes no faith that does not lead to obedience, nor does it recognize any obedience that does not spring from faith. The two are opposite sides of the same coin.” - A.W. Tozer

Genesis Chapter 4

A. Abel’s sacrifice

1. He kept flocks.

2. Sacrificed “the fat portions from some of his firstborn of his flock”

3. The finest, choice cuts

B. Cain’s sacrifice

1. He worked the soil.

2. Sacrificed “some of the fruits of the soil”

3. “Fruits”, not first fruits

It takes faith to give God the first of anything.

II. FAITH PLEASES GOD

“A man fell off a cliff, but managed to grab a tree limb on the way down. The following conversation ensued:

“Is anyone up there?”

“I am here. I am the Lord. Do you believe me?”

“Yes, Lord, I believe. I really believe, but I can’t hang on much longer.”

“That’s all right, if you really believe you have nothing to worry about. I will save you. Just let go of the branch.”

A moment of pause, then: “Is anyone else up there?”

Bits and Pieces, June 24, 2993, p. 3

A. Abel

1. Faithful

2. Righteous

B. Enoch

1. Faithful

2. Pleased God with his faith

III. FAITH FUNDAMENTALS

“A man lives by believing something, not by debating and arguing about many things.” - Thomas Carlyle

A. Believe God exists

B. Believe that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him

CHALLENGE

Make a list of 5 ways you can demonstrate that God exists. Do all 5 of those actions this week and see if anyone notices your faith. Write down on your list the ways in which your faith was noticed by someone else. Praise God that your faith was witnessed by another person to the glory of God.

VIDEO: 4-19-20 Sermon "RADICAL FAITH: What is faith?"

On this Sunday morning, we invite you to join us as we worship together "from house to house."  We are excited to join together this morning.  We are one because of Him, not our proximity.

As we gather together this Sunday in our own homes, we would ask you to sing with the worship videos.  We want to encourage you to take the Lord’s Supper in your home at 10:00am.  In this way, we can take communion together even though we are apart.  Pray for one another.  Watch my message about Radical Faith.  Accept the challenge to do one thing to demonstrate faith this week.  Watch the bonus video of one of my favorite songs.

WORSHIP

COMMUNION

Read Philippians 2:1-8, "Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.  Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit.  Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.  In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.  And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death--even death on a cross!"

 Here is a possible communion prayer to say before you take the bread and the juice.  "Dear God, Today we gather together as brothers and sisters in Christ to remember the extraordinary sacrifice You made in sending Jesus, Your beloved Son to be with us.  We thank You for His legacy in words, actions, and obedience to suffering on the cross.  Lord, we come to You now to ask for forgiveness for any thoughts, words, or deeds that have not honored Your name.  We are also truly sorry for the times we have chosen to live selfishly rather than heed Your calling.  We invite you to inhabit our hearts now as we take communion.  As we share this meal, come bind us together as one family, filled with Your love.  Thank You Lord for Your grace that is at work in our lives, Amen."

Take the Lord's Supper.

PRAYER

Pray for those on the front lines of this pandemic.  Pray also for the sick who have become infected during this pandemic.  Pray for the families of those who are sick or deceased.  Pray for our government as they make decisions that impact us all.  Pray for each one of us that we might live in a manner that shows that we value the lives of others.  Pray.

MESSAGE

"Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.  This is what the ancients were commended for.  By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible."  Hebrews 11:1-3

CHALLENGE

Make a list of 3 specific instances that are difficult for you to trust God (COVID-19 recovery, salvation of someone, finances, etc). Pick one of them. Make another list of 2 actions that would demonstrate that you did trust God in that area. Pick one of them. Do that one thing. That is faith.

RADICAL FAITH: What is faith? - Hebrews 11:1-3 Sermon Outline (a blog post for a video sermon for Kenwood Church in Livonia, MI, on April 19, 2020)

RADICAL FAITH: What is faith? (Hebrews 11:1-3) - April 19, 2020

INTRODUCTION

Radical Love is the highest of all human qualities. The Apostle Paul says, “And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”

‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭13:13‬ ‭NIV‬‬. If we don’t have love, we don’t have anything. While faith and hope may not be as great as love, they are still essential for Christians living in the world. Radical Hope is the culmination of suffering, perseverance, and character. Hope does not disappoint with its ability to get us to the next day, hour, or minute. What is Radical Faith though?

For the next several weeks we are going to look at faith through the lens of Hebrews Chapter 11.

“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for. By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.”

‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭11:1-3‬ ‭NIV‬

Quote of the series- “Seeing isn’t believing; believing is seeing.” Judy, the elf, from The Santa Clause‬

Other worthy quotes

“Faith has to do with things that are not seen and hope with things that are not at hand.” - Thomas Aquinas

“God, our Father, has made all things depend on faith so that whoever has faith will have everything, and whoever does not have faith will have nothing.” - Martin Luther

“During the terrible days of the Blitz, a father, holding his small son by the hand, ran from a building that had been struck by a bomb. In the front yard was a shell hole. Seeking shelter as quickly as possible, the father jumped into the hole and held up his arms for his son to follow.

Terrified, yet hearing his father’s voice telling him to jump, the boy replied, “I can’t see you!”

The father, looking up against the sky tinted red by the burning buildings, called to the silhouette of his son, “But I can see you. Jump!”

The boy jumped, because he trusted his father. The Christian faith enables us to face life or meet death, not because we can see, but with the certainty that we are seen; not that we know all the answers, but that we are known.” - Donner Atwood.

I. FAITH AND THE UNKNOWN

“The steps of faith fall on the seeming void and find the rock beneath.” - Whittier

A. Confidence in what we hope for

B. Assurance of what we do not see

II. FAITH AND OUR HERITAGE

“Faith doe not operate in the realm of the possible. There is no glory for God in that which is humanly possible. Faith begins where man’s power ends.” - George Muller

A. Biblical characters of faith

1. Noah - built a boat while never seeing rain

2. Sarah - trusted God even after long disappointment

3. Rahab - helped God’s people without knowing them or their God

4. Moses - obeyed God and kept the Passover

B. Restoration Movement characters of faith

1. Barton W. Stone

2. Alexander Campbell

3. Raccoon John Smith

C. Our personal heritage of faith

1. My grandmother, Ila Mae Lackie - taught the Word for longer than I have lived

2. My mother, Patty Lackie - demonstrated faith to her family

3. My dad, Aubrie Lackie - showed the difference a decision makes

3. My wife, Paula Lackie - left her own people to follow God’s plan

III. FAITH AND OUR BELIEFS

“Understanding is the reward of faith. Therefore seek not to understand that you might believe, but believe that you might understand.” - Augustine

A. The creation of the universe

1. “the universe was formed at God’s command” - Hebrews 11:3

2. “In the beginning, God created . . .” - Genesis 1:1

B. The truth of Scripture

1. It is a matter of faith.

“When I disagree with something in God’s Word, I just assume that I’m wrong.” - Francis Chan speaking in the Philippines

CHALLENGE

Make a list of 3 specific instances that are difficult for you to trust God (COVID-19 recovery, salvation of someone, finances, etc). Pick one of them. Make another list of 2 actions that would demonstrate that you did trust God in that area. Pick one of them. Do that one thing. That is faith. 

Recording Sermons

Over the past month, I have learned a few things about myself.

1.  I definitely prefer speaking with you present.

2.  I can communicate a complete thought in 15 minutes.

3.  I am intimidated by the idea that so many people have access to my messages.

4.  I am humbled to be used by God in this way.

I am anxiously awaiting the day we meet together again to celebrate our King.

RADICAL FAITH series (beginning April 19, 2020)

RADICAL LOVE series took us through Paul's concept of love in 1 Corinthians 13.  We were challenged to love the way God would have us love.  Love is patient, is kind, does not envy, does not boast, is not proud, does not dishonor others, is not self-seeking, is not easily angered, keeps no record of wrongs, does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth, always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres, never fails.  That is truly a radical way to live in this world.

RADICAL HOPE series saw us look at Romans 5:1-11 where Paul presses us toward hope.  A hope that begins with suffering that develops perseverance that becomes character that leads to hope is certainly a hope that does not disappoint.  The process of becoming hopeful is never easy but is always worth it. 

RADICAL FAITH series (beginning April 19. 2020) will break down faith into understandable ideas about what faith is and how we can demonstrate it on a daily basis.

Forwarding Hope (the idea behind our FORWARDING HOPE email challenge from 4-9-20)

I catch myself feeling trapped and imprisoned.  COVID-19 has seemingly put life on hold.  So many things need done, but they will just have to wait.  Or will they?

Palm Sunday has come with its hosannas and palm branches.  Easter has passed with its glory and splendor.  We are excited because Jesus is our hope.  Jesus is our reason to keep on even though life is very different.  In fact, the world is so different that we are gaining new opportunities along with the challenges.   

I noticed that my blog is receiving many more visits than ever.  In fact, more people are hearing the Word from our “pulpit” now than on any Sunday in recent memory.  People are hearing the Word of God proclaimed.  Some of those people may have never been able to walk through the doors of Kenwood Church.  Some may have never heard the gospel without COVID-19.  Our doors may be closed to our physical presence, and, yet, the Gospel of Jesus Christ is moving forward anyway.

Forward is an appropriate word following holy week.  The glory of Palm Sunday had to make the disciples wonder where this was all going.  The hopefulness in the room as they celebrated the Passover must have been exciting.  Then His followers would feel the weight of Jesus’ arrest and crucifixion and undoubtedly feel like there was no way out.  All hope was lost.  But was it?

Going forward, they would find an empty tomb, the hope of the entire world.  Going forward, they would discover salvation for the nations.  Going forward, they would find the purpose of their lives.  Going forward, the world would be changed by the grace offered in Jesus Christ.

If we stop in the present or continually look back at the past, we cannot move forward.  We cannot get where God would have us go.  What if God is trying to get us somewhere right now?  What if this pandemic is an opportunity from God waiting for us to move forward?  This will not be the end of the church or our final chance to make a difference.  This is our great opportunity.

I have included challenges at the conclusion of my messages for many months now.  I have a new challenge for us all.  Let’s move the good news of Jesus FORWARD.  Let’s help others hear about the hope that is in Jesus.  Let’s give people the Good News in the midst of all of the bad news.  Let’s use this time as our opportunity to move FORWARD.

I challenge you to FORWARD HOPE to others who need the hope that can be found in Jesus.  Send them a note saying they can find hope at www.kenwoodsermons.blogspot.com.  If they just click on www.kenwoodsermons.blogspot.com, they can hear the Good News.  With this movement FORWARD, we want to bring in as many people to the Kingdom of God as possible.  As we continue to move FORWARD with new technology, we want to reach out to those we might never meet this side of glory.  Let us change the world by moving the story of Jesus FORWARD.

VIDEO: 4-12-20 Sermon "RADICAL HOPE: Hope Does Not Disappoint"

On this Easter morning, we invite you to join us as we worship together "from house to house."  We are together because God has built us into this spiritual house, the church.  We are the children of God.  We are the people of God.  We are the family of God.

As we gather together this Sunday in our own homes, we would ask you to sing with the worship videos.  Pray for one another.  We want to encourage you to take the Lord’s Supper in your home at 10:00am.  In this way, we can take communion together even though we are apart.  Watch my message about Radical Hope.  Accept the challenge to pass on hope to someone.  Enjoy Phil Wickham's song, "Living Hope."

WORSHIP

COMMUNION

Read John 6:53-58 with a time of silent reflection followed by a prayer.  John 6:53-58 says, "Jesus said to them, "Very truly I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you.  Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.  For my flesh is real food and blood is real drink.  Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in them.  Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of me.  This is the bread that came down from heaven.  Your ancestors ate manna and died, but whoever feeds on this bread will live forever."  Here is a possible communion prayer to say before you take the bread and the juice.  “Lord Jesus, I bow before you in humility and ask You to examine my heart today.  Show me anything that is not pleasing to You.  As I take the bread representing Your Life that was broken for me, I remember and celebrate Your faithfulness to me and to all who will receive You.  And in the same way, as I take this cup representing Your blood poured out from a splintered cross, I realize You were the supreme sacrifice for all my sin: past, present, and future.  Because of Your blood shed for me, and Your body broken for me, I can be free from the power and penalty of sin.  Thank You for Your victory over death.  In Your precious name, Amen."  Take the Lord's Supper.

PRAYER

Pray for the power of the Resurrection to raise us up and give us power for life.  As we struggle in faith, may we find spiritual power.  As we struggle with sin, may we find overcoming power.  As we struggle in sickness, may we find life in the midst of death.  As we struggle with hope, may we find encouragement in despair.  As we struggle, may your resurrection overcome the chains of struggle and free us from our tomb.  Bring us into Your great life.

MESSAGE

CHALLENGE

Live each day in hope.  Write down a list of things the love of God, the Holy Spirit in you, and the resurrection cannot overcome.  Share that list with someone else.  (Hint-The list should be very, very short.)

Pass on hope to someone.  Tell them your personal story of hope.  Invite them to visit our blog, kenwoodsermons.blogspot.com, to hear about the hope found in Jesus. Contact someone in our church family and encourage them.  Be the hope someone else needs.

I want to conclude this message by sharing with you Phil Wickham's song, "Living Hope."  Have a blessed Easter.  Live in the hope of the resurrection.

RADICAL HOPE: Hope Does Not Disappoint - Romans 5:5-11 Sermon Outline (a blog post for a video sermon for Kenwood Church in Livonia, MI, on April 12, 2020)

RADICAL HOPE:

Hope Does Not Disappoint (Romans 5:5-11) - April 12, 2020

INTRODUCTION

Radical Hope is the by-product of suffering, perseverance, and character. It goes through the test, passes the test, and keeps passing the test.

Hope in Auschwitz

Rabbi Hugo Gryn used to tell of his experiences in Auschwitz as a boy. Food supplies were meager, and the inmates took care to preserve every scrap that came their way. When the Festival of Hanukkah arrived, Hugo’s father took a lump of margarine and, to the horror of young Hugo, used it as fuel for the light to be lit at the festival. When he was asked why, his father replied, “We know that it is possible to live for three weeks without food, but without hope it is impossible to live properly for three minutes.

Jewish Chicken Soup for the Soul, HCI Publishing.

“Hope means hoping when things are hopeless, or it is no virtue at all...As long as matters are really hopeful, hope is mere flattery or platitude; it is only when everything is hopeless that hope begins to be a strength.”

G.K. Chesterton, Signs of the Times, April 1993, p. 6

“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! Not only is this so, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.”

‭‭ Romans‬ ‭5:1-11‬ ‭NIV

I. HOPE IS OURS THROUGH THE LOVE OF GOD

A. God’s love changes everything.

B. God’s love never changes.

C. God’s love gives us hope.

II. HOPE IS OURS BECAUSE OF JESUS SACRIFICE

“Solid Rock” a hymn by Edward Mote, ca. 1834

My hope is built on nothing less

Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness;

I dare not trust the sweetest frame,

But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.

Refrain:

On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;

All other ground is sinking sand,

All other ground is sinking sand.

When darkness veils His lovely face,

I rest on His unchanging grace;

In every high and stormy gale,

My anchor holds within the veil.

Refrain:

On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;

All other ground is sinking sand,

All other ground is sinking sand.

A. God’s love is seen through Jesus’ death.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

‭‭John‬ ‭3:16‬ ‭NIV‬‬

B. God’s love is sourced in God’s love.

“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.”

‭‭1 John‬ ‭4:7-10‬ ‭NIV‬‬

C. God’s love is producing hope in us.

“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

‭‭ Galatians‬ ‭2:20‬ ‭NIV‬‬

III. HOPE IS OURS TO BOAST IN GOD

A. We have hope because of the love of God!

“and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”

‭‭ Romans‬ ‭5:5‬ ‭NASB‬‬

B. We have hope because of the Holy Spirit that lives within us!

C. We have hope because of the resurrection of Jesus!

“Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage one another with these words.”

‭‭1 Thessalonians‬ ‭4:13-18‬ ‭NIV‬‬

CHALLENGE

Live each day in hope. Write down a list of things the love of God, the Holy Spirit in you, and the resurrection of Jesus cannot overcome. Share that list with someone else.  (Hint-The list should be very, very short.)

I want to conclude this message by sharing with you Phil Wickam’s song, “Living Hope.” Have a blessed Easter. Live in the hope of the resurrection.

VIDEO: 4-5-20 Sermon "RADICAL HOPE: Character Produces Hope"

As we gather together this Sunday in our own homes, we would ask you to sing with the worship videos.  Pray for one another.  Watch my message about Radical Hope.  We want to encourage you to take the Lord’s Supper in your home at 10:00am.  In this way, we can take communion together even though we are apart.

WORSHIP

COMMUNION

For communion you can read, Luke 22:19 & 20, "And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it and gave it to them, saying, 'This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.'  In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, 'This is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.'"  Following the reading of Scripture, you can continue with a time of silent reflection followed by a prayer. Here is a potential communion prayer to say before you take the bread and the juice.  “Lord, we pray that You would still our minds and quiet our hearts as we approach this communion today. We ask that You would draw each one of us into ever closer fellowship with Yourself, as we partake together of the bread and the cup - in grateful remembrance of what You did for each one of us, on Calvary’s cross.  Help us, Lord, to approach this communion with reverence and godly fear, as we share together in the bread and the cup.  Amen."  Take the bread and the cup.

PRAYER

Pray for one another as we deal with the world as it is today.  People are sick.  People are losing loved ones.  People are out of work.  People are scared.

Pray for those who are in the hospital that cannot see family or friends.  Pray for kids who are separated from their parents.  Pray for protection for people who are in the hospital that do not have COVID-19.

Pray for healthcare workers who are in contact with COVID-19 patients.

MESSAGE

CHALLENGE

Memorize one of the quotations from this message (Biblical or secular). Share those words with someone else to encourage them to continue with character. Identify one area in your life where you need to persevere more in order to develop character in that area.

Love one another!

RADICAL HOPE: Character Produces Hope - Romans 5:1-4 Sermon Outline (a blog post for a video sermon for Kenwood Church in Livonia, MI, from April 5, 2020)

RADICAL HOPE:

Character Produces Hope (Romans 5:1-4) - April 5, 2020

INTRODUCTION

Radical Hope is the result of suffering and perseverance. We learned that perseverance means testing. Suffering tests our faith. Perseverance demonstrates our trust in the midst of suffering. When we have persevered, we develop character.

“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! Not only is this so, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.”

‭‭ Romans‬ ‭5:1-11‬ ‭NIV

I. WHAT IS CHARACTER?

“Character is a by-product; it is produced in the great manufacture of daily duty.”

Woodrow Wilson

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

experience, proof, trial.

From the same as dokimos; test (abstractly or concretely); by implication, trustiness -- experience(-riment), proof, trial.

A. Testedness

“Character is much better kept than recovered.”

Thomas Paine

B. Something that passes the test.

“And now, brothers and sisters, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the Lord’s people. And they exceeded our expectations: They gave themselves first of all to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to us. So we urged Titus, just as he had earlier made a beginning, to bring also to completion this act of grace on your part. But since you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you —see that you also excel in this grace of giving. I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others. For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich. And here is my judgment about what is best for you in this matter. Last year you were the first not only to give but also to have the desire to do so. Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means. For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have. Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. The goal is equality, as it is written: “The one who gathered much did not have too much, and the one who gathered little did not have too little.””

‭‭ 2 Corinthians‬ ‭8:1-15‬ ‭NIV‬‬

C. Character Continues to Pass the Test

1. Present and future looking

2. Not enamored by the past

3. Assurance of future test passing

“Character is not made in crisis—it is only exhibited.”

Freeman

4. Passes all the tests (large and small)

“Character may be manifested in the great moments, but it is made in the small ones.”

Phillips Brooks

II. CHARACTER DOES NOT CHANGE

A. Character can be impacted by those around you.

“Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.””

‭‭ 1 Corinthians‬ ‭15:33‬ ‭NIV‬‬

B. Character remains the same in any environment

“In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word.”

‭‭ Hebrews‬ ‭1:1-3‬a ‭NIV‬

The actual word, character, in the Greek is used here.

III. CHARACTER DEVELOPS HOPE

Strong's Concordance

elpis: expectation, hope

Original Word: ἐλπίς, ίδος, ἡ

Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine

Transliteration: elpis

Phonetic Spelling: (el-pece')

Definition: expectation, hope

Usage: hope, expectation, trust, confidence.

HELPS Word-studies

1680 elpís (from elpō, "to anticipate, welcome") – properly, expectation of what is sure (certain); hope

A. There is a purpose.

B. There is a result.

C. There is a hope.

CHALLENGE

Memorize one of the quotations from this message (Biblical or secular). Share those words with someone else to encourage them to continue with character. Identify one area in your life where you need to persevere more in order to develop character in that area.

Love one another!