[SPEAKER_00]: in our third episode in this week-long series on the marks of a true Christian.
[SPEAKER_00]: Today we're going to explore together what it means to rejoice in hope.
[SPEAKER_00]: In a world that can so often bring us down, so often appeared to be without hope.
[SPEAKER_00]: Today we have the opportunity to make room for God to give us His perspective that we might rejoice in His hope.
[SPEAKER_00]: May God give us wisdom, joy, and eternal perspective today as we make space for him to fill.
[SPEAKER_00]: Welcome to the first 15 podcast.
[SPEAKER_00]: Our Scripture for today comes from Romans chapter 12 verse 12, Scripture says,
[SPEAKER_00]: We are not promised a life without struggle here on earth.
[SPEAKER_00]: In fact, the Bible makes clear that the world will hate us for our love of Jesus.
[SPEAKER_00]: John 15 verses 18 through 19 says, If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you.
[SPEAKER_00]: If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own.
[SPEAKER_00]: But because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world.
[SPEAKER_00]: Therefore, the world hates you.
[SPEAKER_00]: Jesus even promises us in John 1633.
[SPEAKER_00]: In the world you will have tribulation.
[SPEAKER_00]: Except John, each disciple was martyred for his faith in Christ.
[SPEAKER_00]: And John was exiled to the prison island of Patmos for teaching that Jesus is God.
[SPEAKER_00]: We live in an imperfect world, wrought with the destruction sin and separation from God has caused.
[SPEAKER_00]: You and I will face trials here as followers of Jesus.
[SPEAKER_00]: In light of Jesus' promise of problems here on earth, it's interesting that Paul would write in Romans 1212, rejoice in hope, be patient, in tribulation, be constant in prayer.
[SPEAKER_00]: Paul knew all too well, the trials we as believers can face in the world, but he wasn't about to let them affect his ability to rejoice in hope.
[SPEAKER_00]: Along with promising us tribulation, scripture speaks of the perspective we as believers are to have in the light of our restored relationship with God.
[SPEAKER_00]: Hebrews 1314 says, for here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is the come.
[SPEAKER_00]: Scripture is clear that this world is not your home.
[SPEAKER_00]: Jesus commands us in Matthew 6, verses 19 through 21.
[SPEAKER_00]: Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.
[SPEAKER_00]: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in and steal.
[SPEAKER_00]: But for where your treasure is, their heart will be also.
[SPEAKER_00]: The Bible doesn't tell us the trials won't hurt here.
[SPEAKER_00]: Being disliked by others, or the loss of a loved one, a job, or finances, will not feel good.
[SPEAKER_00]: But you can rejoice in hope and be patient in tribulation with the knowledge that the trials you suffer here will one day end.
[SPEAKER_00]: Earthly success and possessions are not the goal.
[SPEAKER_00]: Because like it says in 1 John 217, the world is passing away along with its desires.
[SPEAKER_00]: But whoever does the will of God abides forever.
[SPEAKER_00]: and you are promised an eternity with your heavenly father.
[SPEAKER_00]: Where death shall be no more.
[SPEAKER_00]: Neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore.
[SPEAKER_00]: For the former things have passed away.
[SPEAKER_00]: That's Revelation 21, verse 4.
[SPEAKER_00]: So in light of the hope we have in God, how can we be obedient to His Word in Romans 12, 12?
[SPEAKER_00]: How can we consistently rejoice in hope and be patient and tribulation when everything seems to be crashing down around us?
[SPEAKER_00]: Only by being obedient to the last exhortation in Romans 12, it says, be constant in prayer.
[SPEAKER_00]: James 5 verses 13 through 15 says, Is anyone among you suffering?
[SPEAKER_00]: Let him pray.
[SPEAKER_00]: Is anyone cheerful?
[SPEAKER_00]: Let him sing praise.
[SPEAKER_00]: Is anyone among you sick, let him call for the elders of the church and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord, and the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up.
[SPEAKER_00]: There is power in praying to God.
[SPEAKER_00]: And just as God has answered his children in the past, he will answer you.
[SPEAKER_00]: If you need his peace, pray and ask him for it.
[SPEAKER_00]: If you need to be reminded of what matters, pray and ask for revelation from the Holy Spirit.
[SPEAKER_00]: humble yourself before your brothers and sisters in Christ, and ask for their prayer.
[SPEAKER_00]: Be constant in prayer, always conversing with your heavenly Father.
[SPEAKER_00]: God knows what it is to suffer.
[SPEAKER_00]: He knows what it is to go through trial and tribulation.
[SPEAKER_00]: Through every problem, Jesus exemplified what it is to rejoice in hope, be patient, in tribulation, and be constant in prayer.
[SPEAKER_00]: Spend time with Jesus today in prayer.
[SPEAKER_00]: Allow the Spirit to mold and shape you into His likeness.
[SPEAKER_00]: May His love lay an unshakenable foundation for you to remain hopeful and patient in every trial and tribulation that comes your way.
[SPEAKER_00]: Jesus says in John 1633, in the world you will have tribulation, but take heart, I have overcome the world.
[SPEAKER_00]: In this is our hope.
[SPEAKER_00]: Jesus overcame the world and so will we.
[SPEAKER_00]: spend time with the one who has overcome every trial you are going through.
[SPEAKER_00]: Receive his guidance and direction today as you pray.
[SPEAKER_00]: As we begin, meditate on God's promise of tribulation and the hope you have in Christ Jesus.
[SPEAKER_00]: And next, reflect on any trials or tribulations you are going through.
[SPEAKER_00]: Where do you need hope, patience, and constancy in the midst of trial?
[UNKNOWN]: Thank you.
[SPEAKER_00]: And last, ask the Holy Spirit to strengthen you in the midst of your trials.
[SPEAKER_00]: Place your hope in your God who walks with you through this life.
[SPEAKER_00]: He is near to you.
[UNKNOWN]: Thank you.
[SPEAKER_00]: You have a real enemy fighting to steal, kill, and destroy you.
[SPEAKER_00]: But he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.
[SPEAKER_00]: You can overcome by the blood of Jesus.
[SPEAKER_00]: In the spirit, you have a constant source of hope, joy, and power.
[SPEAKER_00]: When you feel the enemy fighting against you,
[SPEAKER_00]: stand against Him in the authority of Jesus, rise up, take hold of the temptations and condemnation your enemy brings against you and throw them at the foot of the cross where Jesus crushed the power of the enemy in your life once and for all.
[SPEAKER_00]: Thank you for listening to today's podcast.
[SPEAKER_00]: I'm Josh Miller with first 15.
[SPEAKER_00]: As you go about the rest of your day, look for opportunities to choose hope where you normally wouldn't.
[SPEAKER_00]: Make room for God to give you his perspective in the face of challenges in your own life and challenges you see in the lives of others.
[SPEAKER_00]: Thank you for being here and being a part of what God is doing at first 15.
[SPEAKER_00]: Have a wonderful rest of your day today and may God bless you as you see Kim.