CRCF\u201d\u201d1\/30\/11<\/p>\n
Introduction<\/p>\n
Is there really any hope?<\/p>\n
We live in some of the most uncertain and fear-filled times of most of our lives, don\u201d\u2122t we?<\/p>\n
Hope is the only universal liar who never loses his reputation for veracity. ~Robert G. Ingersoll<\/p>\n
TIME Magazine, \u201cWhen Fear Goes Viral\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u201d\u2122re in a flood stage of anger and suspicion.\u201d<\/p>\n
72% of Americans say they are angry and uncertain about the future.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat I hear most is, people are scared!\u201d<\/p>\n
Lord save us all from… a hope tree that has lost the faculty of putting out blossoms. ~Mark Twain<\/p>\n
\u201cIn contrast to a freaked-out world, [we can] be people of joyful hope!\u201d (Rene Schlaepfer).<\/p>\n
HOW is that even possible?<\/p>\n
Real Hope for Your World
\nRomans 15:13<\/p>\n
Resting in God\u201d\u2122s grace gives us a hope in Jesus that is stronger than fear!
\nRomans 15:13 (NIV)
\n13 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.
\nResting in God\u201d\u2122s grace gives us a hope in Jesus that is stronger than fear!<\/p>\n
Romans 15:13 (NLT)
\n13 I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.
\nResting in God\u201d\u2122s grace gives us a hope in Jesus that is stronger than fear!<\/p>\n
Brennan Manning<\/p>\n
Hope is the reliance on the promise of Jesus, accompanied by the expectation of fulfillment.<\/p>\n
Resting in God\u201d\u2122s grace gives us hope because\u201d\u00a6
\n1.\tGrace Gives FORGIVENESS
\nEphesians 1:7 (NIV)
\n7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God\u201d\u2122s grace\u201d\u00a6
\nRomans 5:1-2 (NLT)
\n1 Therefore, since we have been made right in God\u201d\u2122s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. 2 Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God\u201d\u2122s glory.<\/p>\n
If you have peace with the One Who made you, then much of the fear in your heart subsides!<\/p>\n
Resting in God\u201d\u2122s grace gives us a hope in Jesus that is stronger than fear!<\/p>\n
2.\tGrace Gives STRENGTH
\nIsaiah 40:29-31 (NIV)
\n29 He gives strength to the weary
\nand increases the power of the weak.
\n30 Even youths grow tired and weary,
\nand young men stumble and fall;
\n31 but those who hope in the LORD
\nwill renew their strength.
\nThey will soar on wings like eagles;
\nthey will run and not grow weary,
\nthey will walk and not be faint.
\nRene Schlaepfer
\nHope gives wings.
\n2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (NLT)
\n9 Each time he said, \u201cMy grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.\u201d So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. 10 That\u201d\u2122s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
\nResting in God\u201d\u2122s grace gives us a hope in Jesus that is stronger than fear!
\n3.\tGrace Gives CERTAINTY FOR ETERNITY
\nHebrews 6:18-20 (NLT)
\n18 So God has given both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. 19 This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God\u201d\u2122s inner sanctuary. 20 Jesus has already gone in there for us. He has become our eternal High Priest in the order of Melchizedek.
\nResting in God\u201d\u2122s grace gives us a hope in Jesus that is stronger than fear!
\nTHIS is REAL hope for YOUR world!<\/p>\n
And it\u201d\u2122s as certain as God Himself!<\/p>\n
Communion<\/p>\n
Match Point<\/p>\n
Proposed Strategy and Initiatives<\/p>\n
1) To ignite personal and corporate (group) transformation by creatively communicating God\u201d\u2122s unlimited grace and love to people<\/p>\n
\u201d\u00a2\tPromotion of Ronnie McBrayer\u201d\u2122s writings via his books, blog, and website; and the continued expansion of his \u201cKeeping the Faith\u201d readership<\/p>\n
\u201d\u00a2\tDevelopment of ongoing speaking engagements in churches, communities, to small groups, and other appropriate venues<\/p>\n
2) To impact local communities by matching those with spiritual, communal, and physical needs with the necessary resources to meet those needs<\/p>\n
\u201d\u00a2\tStrengthen the intentional partnership with the Fuller Center for Housing, domestically and internationally<\/p>\n
\u201d\u00a2\tThrough discernment and growing relationships, respond to emerging needs either as the direct service provider or as a conduit of those services<\/p>\n
3) To inspire individuals, churches, and communities of faith in following the simple way of Jesus<\/p>\n
\u201d\u00a2\tIntentionally develop and disciple small groups and unconventional gatherings of believers who are seeking to follow Jesus<\/p>\n
\u201d\u00a2\tDevelop partnerships within the diverse \u201corganic-micro-simple-church\u201d movement, aiding these believers to serve those who have been over-churched but under-gospeled<\/p>\n
Hope begins in the dark, the stubborn hope that if you just show up and try to do the right thing, the dawn will come. ~Anne Lamott<\/p>\n
Hope is faith holding out its hand in the dark. ~George Iles<\/p>\n
Take hope from the heart of man and you make him a beast of prey. ~Ouida<\/p>\n
Hope is the physician of each misery. ~Irish Proverb<\/p>\n
Hope is grief’s best music. ~Author Unknown<\/p>\n
When you say a situation or a person is hopeless, you’re slamming the door in the face of God. ~Charles L. Allen<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
CRCF\u201d\u201d1\/30\/11 Introduction Is there really any hope? We live in some of the most uncertain and fear-filled times of most of our lives, don\u201d\u2122t we? Hope is the only universal liar who never loses his reputation for veracity. ~Robert G. … Continue reading