Season of Hope—The Power of the Scriptures
Season of Hope—The Power of the Scriptures
[Rom 15:4 NASB95]
· Division, confusion, and scandal have caused many to lose many things. One of those things lost is hope. We through distrust, disappointment, and doubt have lost an expectation of anything. Many are just in neutral; numb to many things, including Jesus and His Church.
· Paul addresses this situation here in Romans. His fix is to draw those who are experiencing these issues to the Scriptures.
· The Scriptures are under attack. Existence. Influence. Dilution.
· Christmas inspires us to hope (expectation of the fulfillment of God’s plan universally and individually.) The Scriptures help to develop that hope.
In what ways do the Scriptures have the power to produce hope in our lives?
Here are four points from Romans 15:4 that help us tap into the power of the Scriptures.
I. The Scriptures Were Written for Our Learning
a. “For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction…”
i. The Bible is not just a collection of stories; it is a teaching tool designed to shape our understanding of God, His will, and our purpose.
b. [2Ti 3:16-17 NASB95]
i. The Scriptures provide us with guidance in every area of life, equipping us to navigate challenges and grow in righteousness.
c. [Psa 119:105 NASB95]
i. The Word lights our way, teaching us how to walk in alignment with God’s will.
d. Commit to daily Bible reading and study. Let the Word shape your decisions and understanding.
II. The Scriptures Teach Perseverance
a. “… so that through perseverance…”
b. Perseverance is patiently keeping on. The Word of God instills patience by teaching us to trust God’s timing and remain steadfast in trials.
c. [Jas 1:3-4 NASB95]
i. Through Scripture, we see how God uses trials to produce patience and maturity in us.
d. [Isa 40:31 NASB95]
i. The Word reassures us of the blessings that come to those who wait on the Lord.
e. Reflect on Biblical stories of those who waited on God (e.g., Abraham, Joseph) and find encouragement to persevere.
III. The Scriptures Provide Encouragement
a. “… the encouragement of the Scriptures…”
b. God’s Word is a source of encouragement in times of distress, offering reassurance of His presence and promises.
c. [Psa 23:4 NASB95]
i. The Scriptures remind us that God’s presence brings peace even in the darkest times.
d. [Jhn 14:1 NASB95]
i. Jesus speaks comfort to us through His promises of eternal care and provision.
e. In times of distress turn to the Scriptures to find encouragement.
IV. The Scriptures Lead to Hope
a. “… we might have hope.”
b. The ultimate purpose of Scripture is to instill hope—a confident expectation of God’s faithfulness and promises.
c. [Jer 29:11 NASB95]
i. God’s plans for us, revealed in His Word, give us a future filled with hope.
d. [Heb 6:18-19 NASB95]
i. The Word anchors us in hope, no matter the storms of life.
e. Make the Scripture your source of hope.
· God wants you to give the Scriptures existence (place), influence, singular focus so you can maintain hope through learning, developing patience, and receiving encouragement in any environment or season of life.
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