“The Power of Hope for New Beginnings”

Lead Pastor, Stephen Macaluso

 

We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure...                    Hebrews 6:19a

         

The Danger of Hope: possible disappointment

 

The Danger of Hopelessness:  no possible appointment

 

How To Plug Into The Power of Hope

 

1. Stop  pretending  

 

For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve.  After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep.  Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles...                   1 Corinthians 15:3-7

 

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.       

                                                Hebrews 11:1

 

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”             John 10:10

 

2.  Start engaging  

 

But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?  If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised.  And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith...If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men.                                            1 Corinthians 15:12-14, 19

 

I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe.  That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms…                     Ephesians 1:18-20

 

For in this hope we were saved.  But hope that is seen is no hope at all.  Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.             Romans 8:24, 25

 

3. Begin engaging  

 

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”             John 10:10

 

And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.  At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.  The earth shook and the rocks split.  The tombs broke open and the bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life.  They came out of the tombs, and after Jesus’ resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many people.  When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, “Surely he was the Son of God!”                                                         Matthew 27:50-54

 

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!            2 Corinthians 5:17

 

 

 

~ I Know my redeemer lives ~