Sermons

Benediction for a contagious life!

Posted by Alex on
Sermon on May 31 by Pastor Roland Eskinazi

Scripture: Romans 15:4-13

 

 

Of all the things we might be praying for each other, let us learn from what Paul sees as vital, in his prayer for the Romans.
When your hope seems to drag:

1. KEEP YOUR EYE ON GOD, ALWAYS!      “May the God of HOPE…”

  • Keep your eye on the primary source of your hope
    This is why we have the Scriptures.

“For everything written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.” (v 4)

  • Fix your eyes on the perfect goal of your hope
    Where there is no hope, and when Jesus is not the object of hope, there cannot be endurance or sacrifice.

“Oh, for more of God in my soul! Oh, this pleasing pain! It makes my soul press after God! Oh, that I might not loiter in my heavenly journey” (David Brainerd)

2. KEEP CONNECTING WITH JESUS, DAILY!      “…fill you with all joy and peace as you TRUST in Him”

  • Where there is lively hope, there is a pumping faith
    Joy and peace do not come magically but through exercising your faith – especially when it is uphill.

“Tested faith brings experience. You would never have believed your own weakness had you not needed to pass through trials. And you would never have known God’s strength had His strength not been needed to carry you through” (Charles Spurgeon)

  • Behind a pumping faith, there is a preaching heart
    You are your best preacher! Are you learning biblical self-talk, and how to speak of yourself as God does?
    The more you think rightly of yourself, the more freedom to keep rejoicing your heart in Jesus.

3. KEEP YOUR HOPES HIGH, EXPECTANTLY!       “…you may overflow with hope by THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT”

  • God is not done with you
    Our hope is linked to the God who is not undone
    God was not undone when Noah got into the arc, when Joseph was in prison, and when Ruth was widowed
  • God is not done with His world
    The sending of the Spirit is the ultimate proof that God is not finished and that He is at work in the nations, even throughout this time of Covid19
    The more we engage in gospel witness, the more joy and peace we shall surely know.

Remember!
The blessing and the benediction is the One who gives it.
Be faithful. Be focused. Be hopeful in God.

THOUGHTS FOR REFLECTION AND PRAYER

1. Why does Paul pray what He does for the Romans in this benediction?
2. Give a biblical definition of hope? How does if differ from a worldly hope? Why is it so important to have hope?
3. If joy and peace are essential for a contagious witness, how do we deepen these qualities? Can this happen apart from trials?

Learn ROMANS 15:13 by heart, meditate on it during the week and consciously ask the Lord to fill you with all joy and peace in believing.