Sermon Notes

Resurrecting Hope: Week 8: Fatherhood

Building Hope From the Lessons Of Our Fathers

Steve (Coach Corky) Davis

June 15, 2025

Sermon in a sentence:

Receiving the unconditional love of a Father builds hope. God, Our heavenly Father is a God of hope.

Effective Fatherhood plays an important role in shaping family, society and spiritual health.

Being a Father is both a blessing and a challenge. We will explore Fathers in todays word who were challenged in leading their families and we will also explore Fathers who were courageous, stood strong and built a “hedge of hope” for their families and their territory.

Let’s explore a couple of Fathers who were challenged in their leadership:

- Eli – Eli was a priest at Shiloh and a judge of Israel during the prophet Samuel’s youth. He was also the high priest and mentor to Samuel. I Samuel 2:12Now the sons of Eli were scoundrels who had no respect for the Lord13or for their duties as priests. Whenever anyone offered a sacrifice, Eli’s sons would send over a servant with a three-pronged fork. While the meat of the sacrificed animal was still boiling, 14 the servant would stick the fork into the pot and demand that whatever it brought up be given to Eli’s sons. 22Now Eli was very old, but he was aware of what his sons were doing to the people of Israel. He knew, for instance that his sons were seducing the young women who assisted at the entrance of the tabernacle. Eli was both neglectful and passive as a Father.

- King David – 2Samuel 13-16. David’s son Amnon pretends to be sick and gets permission for Tamar who is his brother Absalom’s sister. She prepares him a mealand then he rapes her. Amnon then kicks her out to live a life of shame and in disgrace. Vs. 8-20. 2 years later, Absalom got revenge on Amnon by having him killed. Absalom later devised a plot to kill King David.2Samuel 18:9-18. Absalom set out to kill David and reign as King. During battle, his hair got caught in a tree and he was left with his legs dangling in the air. The soldiers surrounded him and killed him and buried him beneath stones. David mourned for his son.

- Challenge: – David did not address the sins of Amnon or Absalom. David had no peace as both his Father Sauland his son Absalom tried to kill him.

- Lot – Genesis 19 Lot hesitated to leave the city even after the angels ahowed up to warn him to flee. 15At dawn the next morning the Angels became insistent. “Hurry,” they said to Lot. “Take your wife and your two daughters who are here. Get out right now, or you will be swept away in the destruction of the city!” 16When Lot still hesitated, the angels seized his hand and the hands of his wife and daughters and rushed them to safety outside the city, for the Lord was merciful. 17When they were safely out of the city, one of the angels ordered, “Run for your lives! And don’t look back or stop anywhere in the valley!” Escape to the mountains, or you will be swept away!” 26But Lot’s wife looked back as she was following behind him, and she turned into a pillar of salt. 29But God had listened to Abraham’s request and kept Lot safe, removing him from the disaster that engulfed the cities on the plain.

- Challenge:- Lot was caught up in “the life!”

Biblical Examples of Fathers who Inspired Hope

- Abraham (Genesis 12-22) 1The Lord said to Abram, “Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you. 2I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others. 3I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt. All the families on earth will be blessed through you. 4So Abram departed as the Lord had instructed, and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he left Haran.

22:2 “Take your son, your only son-yes, Isaac, whom you love so much-and go to the land of Moriah. Go and sacrifice him as a burnt offering on one of the mountains, which I will show you.” 9”God will provide a sheep for the burnt offering, my son,” Abraham answered. And they both walked on together. 10And Abraham picked up the knife to kill his son as a sacrifice. 11At that moment the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven, “Abraham! Abraham!” “Yes,” Abraham replied. “Here I am!” 12”Don’t lay a hand on the boy!” the angel said. “Do not hurt him in any way, for now I know that you truly fear God. You have not withheld from me even your son, your only son.”

Strength: Modeled faith, love and obedience

Joseph (earthly father of Jesus-Matthew 1-2) 20 As he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. “Joseph son of David,” the angel said, “do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child withinher was conceived by the Holy Spirit. 21And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” 24When Joseph woke up, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded and took Mary as his wife. 25But he did not have sexual relationswith her until her son was born. And Joseph named him Jesus.

Strength: Righteous, obedient, protector and provider.

Joshua(Joshua 24:14-15) “So fear the Lord and serve him wholeheartedly. Put away forever the idols your ancestors worshipped when they lived beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt. Serve the Lord alone. 15But if you refuse to serve the Lord, then choose today whom you will serve. Would you prefer the gods your ancestors served beyond theEuphrates? Or will it be the gods of the Amorites in whose land you now live? But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.”

Strength: Bold stance with clear convictions and a commitment to lead.

Key differences between strong Fathers versus Fathers challenged by life’s circumstances:

• Response to God’s voice: Hopeful Fathers listen to and make adjustments; challenged Fathers resist or ignore God

• Level of intentionality: Hopeful fathers pursue long-term vision; challenged ones live reactively

• Impact focus: Hopeful fathers consider generational impact; challenged fathers often live for the moment.

7 Distinct roles of a Father: (shared by Pastor Brian Edmonds at the ManUp conference)

1. Provider – to meet the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of those that God has placed under my care.

a. I Thessalonians 4:11-12 stay calm: mind your own business: do your own job. You have heard all this from us before, but a reminder never hurts. We want you living in a way that will command the respect of outsiders, not lying around sponging off your friends.

b. 2 Thessalonians 3: 10-13;

c. Ephesians 6:4

2. Protector – to physically, emotionally, and spiritually cover those God has placed under my care.

a. I Samuel 17:26

b. I Peter 3:15

c. I Timothy 3:9

3. Prophet – Called to speak what god has spoken

a. Deuteronomy 34:10

b. Romans 10:14

4. Priest/Pastor – Cultivate an environment for the presence of God to thrive.

a. Exodus 30:30

b. I Peter 2:4-5;9

c. Ephesians 5: 25-28

5. Produce (her) – to create an environment where my wife can flourish

6. Patriarch – to Father and form those assigned to him

a. Genesis 17:4

b. 2Timothy 2:1

Resurrecting Hope: Week 8 Finances (continued)

What to Do When Your Money Gets Funny

John M. Wallace, Jr., PhD

June 8, 2025

Sermon in a Sentence

Obedience to God’s instruction invokes His protection and provision (even when we mess up)

12. Own our own businesses

Acts 18:1-3 1After this, Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. 2 There he met a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had ordered all Jews to leave Rome. Paul went to see them, 3 and because he was a tentmaker as they were, he stayed and worked with them.

Acts 20:34-35 34 You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions. 35 In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”

1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 11 and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, 12 so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.

Resurrecting Hope in Our Finances through God’s Provision and Protection: Insights from the Life of Jacob

1. Face the Facts—We can’t fix what we won’t face

Genesis 27:42-43 42 When Rebekah was told what her older son Esau had said, she sent for her younger son Jacob and said to him, “Your brother Esau is planning to avenge himself by killing you. 43 Now then, my son, do what I say: Flee at once to my brother Laban in Harran. 44 Stay with him for a while until your brother’s fury subsides.

Genesis 28:10 Jacob left Beersheba and set out for Harran.

2. Shift our focus from our financial facts to our Father (prioritize His will and His way)

Genesis 28:12-14 12 He had a dream in which he saw a stairway resting on the earth, with its top reaching to heaven, and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it. 13 There above it stood the Lord, and he said: “I am the Lord, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac. I will give you and your descendants the land on which you are lying. 14 Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread out to the west and to the east, to the north and to the south. All peoples on earth will be blessed through you and your offspring. 16 When Jacob awoke from his sleep, he thought, “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I was not aware of it.”

3. Be content and grateful where we are, confident in God’s provision

4. Pre-prioritize giving back to God

Genesis 28:20-22 20 Then Jacob made a vow, saying, “If God will be with me and will watch over me on this journey I am taking and will give me food to eat and clothes to wear 21 so that I return safely to my father’s household, then the Lord will be my God 22 and this stone that I have set up as a pillar will be God’s house, and of all that you give me I will give you a tenth.”

5. Work our job(s) and eliminate unnecessary expenses

Genesis 29:14b-23,25 14bAfter Jacob had stayed with him for a whole month, 15 Laban said to him, “Just because you are a relative of mine, should you work for me for nothing? Tell me what your wages should be.”16 Now Laban had two daughters; the name of the older was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel. 17 Leah had weak eyes, but Rachel had a lovely figure and was beautiful. 18 Jacob was in love with Rachel and said, “I’ll work for you seven years in return for your younger daughter Rachel.” 20 So Jacob served seven years to get Rachel, but they seemed like only a few days to him because of his love for her. 21 Then Jacob said to Laban, “Give me my wife. My time is completed, and I want to make love to her.” 22 So Laban brought together all the people of the place and gave a feast. 23 But when evening came, he took his daughter Leah and brought her to Jacob, and Jacob made love to her. 25 When morning came, there was Leah! SoJacob said to Laban, “What is this you have done to me? I served you for Rachel, didn’t I? Why have you deceived me?”26 Laban replied, “It is not our custom here to give the younger daughter in marriage before the older one. 27 Finish this daughter’s bridal week; then we will give you the younger one also, in return for another seven years of work.”28 And Jacob did so. He finished the week with Leah, and then Laban gave him his daughter Rachel to be his wife.

Genesis 30:25ff 25 After Rachel gave birth to Joseph, Jacob said to Laban, “Send me on my way so I can go back to my own homeland. 26 Give me my wives and children, for whom I have served you, and I will be on my way. You know how much work I’ve done for you.”

6. Acknowledge God’s ownership and accept our stewardship

7. Own our own businesses

Genesis 30:27-32 27 But Laban said to him, “If I have found favor in your eyes, please stay. I have learned by divination that the Lord has blessed me because of you.” 28 He added, “Name your wages, and I will pay them.”29 Jacob said to him, “You know how I have worked for you and how your livestock has fared under my care. 30 The little you had before I came has increased greatly, and the Lord has blessed you wherever I have been. But now, when may I do something for my own household?”31 “What shall I give you?” he asked. “Don’t give me anything,” Jacob replied. “But if you will do this one thing for me, I will go on tending your flocks and watching over them: 32 Let me go through all your flocks today and remove from them every speckled or spotted sheep, every dark-colored lamb and every spotted or speckled goat. They will be my wages. 34 “Agreed,” said Laban. “Let it be as you have said.” 43 In this way the man grew exceedingly prosperous and came to own large flocks, and female and male servants, and camels and donkeys.

Genesis 31:1-2 Jacob heard that Laban’s sons were saying, “Jacob has taken everything our father owned and has gained all this wealth from what belonged to our father.” 2 And Jacob noticed that Laban’s attitude toward him was not what it had been.

8.Get our people on the same financial page and plan

Genesis 31:3-13,16 3 Then the Lord said to Jacob, “Go back to the land of your fathers and to your relatives, and I will be with you.”4 So Jacob sent word to Rachel and Leah to come out to the fields where his flocks were. 5 He said to them, “I see that your father’s attitude toward me is not what it was before, but the God of my father has been with me. 6 You know that I’ve worked for your father with all my strength, 7 yet your father has cheated me by changing my wages ten times. However, God has not allowed him to harm me. 8 If he said, ‘The speckled ones will be your wages,’ then all the flocks gave birth to speckled young; and if he said, ‘The streaked ones will be your wages,’ then all the flocks bore streaked young. 9 So God has taken away your father’s livestock and has given them to me. 10 “In breeding season I once had a dream in which I looked up and saw that the male goats mating with the flock were streaked, speckled or spotted. 11 The angel of God said to me in the dream, ‘Jacob.’ I answered, ‘Here I am.’ 12 And he said, ‘Look up and see that all the male goats mating with the flock are streaked, speckled or spotted, for I have seen all that Laban has been doing to you. 13 I am the God of Bethel, where you anointed a pillar and where you made a vow to me. Now leave this land at once and go back to your native land.’”16 Surely all the wealth that God took away from our father belongs to us and our children. So do whatever God has told you.” 17 Then Jacob put his children and his wives on camels, 18 and he drove all his livestock ahead of him, along with all the goods he had accumulated in Paddan Aram,[a] to go to his father Isaac in the land of Canaan.

9. Pay our bills, on time, and in full, if possible (operate in full financial integrity)

Genesis 31:22-23,36,38-42 22 On the third day Laban was told that Jacob had fled. 23 Taking his relatives with him, he pursued Jacob for seven days and caught up with him in the hill country of Gilead. Genesis 31:36 Jacob was angry and took Laban to task. “What is my crime?” he asked Laban. “How have I wronged you that you hunt me down?38 “I have been with you for twenty years now. Your sheep and goats have not miscarried, nor have I eaten rams from your flocks. 39 I did not bring you animals torn by wild beasts; I bore the loss myself. And you demanded payment from me for whatever was stolen by day or night. 40 This was my situation: The heat consumed me in the daytime and the cold at night, and sleep fled from my eyes. 41 It was like this for the twenty years I was in your household. I worked for you fourteen years for your two daughters and six years for your flocks, and you changed my wages ten times. 42 If the God of my father, the God of Abraham and the Fear of Isaac, had not been with me, you would surely have sent me away empty-handed. But God has seen my hardship and the toil of my hands, and last night he rebuked you.” 55 Early the next morning Laban kissed his grandchildren and his daughters and blessed them. Then he left and returned home.

Resurrecting Hope: Week 7; Finances

(continued)

What to Do When Your Money Gets Funny

John M. Wallace Jr., PhD

June 1, 2025

Sermon in a Sentence

Obedience to God’s instruction invokes His protection and provision (even when we mess up)

Job 1:9-10 “Does Job fear God for nothing?” Satan replied. 10 “Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land.

Nehemiah 9:20-21 20 You gave your good Spirit to instruct them and did not withhold your manna from their mouth and gave them water for their thirst. 21 Forty years you sustained them in the wilderness, and they lacked nothing. Their clothes did not wear out and their feet did not swell.

Malachi 3:10-11 10 Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need. 11 I will rebuke

the devourer for you, so that it will not destroy the fruits of your soil, and your vine in the field shall not fail to bear, says the Lord of hosts.

10 11 Biblical Principles For God’s Provision and Protection

Face the Facts—We can’t fix what we won’t face

Shift our focus from our financial facts to our Father (prioritize His will and His way)

Be content and grateful where we are, confident in God’s provision

Acknowledge God’s ownership and accept our stewardship

Pre-prioritize giving back to God

Work our job(s) and eliminate unnecessary expenses

Get our people on the same financial page and plan

Mark 3:25 If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: 10 If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.

Pay our bills, on time, and in full, if possible

Psalm 37:21 The wicked borrow and do not repay, but the righteous give generously.

James 5:4 Look! The wages you failed to pay the workmen who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty.

1 Timothy 5:8 But those who won't care for their own relatives, especially those living in the same household, have denied what we believe. Such people are worse than unbelievers.

Romans 13:6 This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing.

Ephesians 4:8 Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those

in need.

Put some away for a rainy day (save and invest for the future)

Proverbs 6:6-8 NLT 6 Take a lesson from the ants, you lazybones. Learn from their ways and be wise! 7 Even though they have no prince, governor, or ruler to make them work, 8 they labor hard all summer, gathering food for the winter

Proverbs 21:20 In the house of the wise are stores of choice food and oil, but a foolish man devours all he has.

Ecclesiastes 11:1-2 NCV Invest what you have, because after a while you will get a return. 2 Invest what you have in several different businesses, because you don’t know what disasters might happen.

10. Help people in need

Proverbs 28:27 Whoever gives to the poor will lack nothing. But a curse will come upon those who close their eyes to poverty.

Psalm 41:1 Blessed is the one who considers the poor! In the day of trouble the Lord delivers him;

11. Enjoy life

Ecclesiastes 3:12-13 12 I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live. 13 That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all their

toil—this is the gift of God.

1 Timothy 6:1Tell those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which will soon be gone. But their trust should be in the living God, who richly gives us all

we need for our enjoyment.

Application

1. Review and apply these lessons!

Pulling it all together—Insights from the Life of Jacob

Genesis 30:25-30 25 After Rachel gave birth to Joseph, Jacob said to Laban, “Send me on my way so I can go back to my own homeland. 26 Give me my wives and children, for whom I have

served you, and I will be on my way. You know how much work I’ve done for you.”27 But Laban said to him, “If I have found favor in your eyes, please stay. I have learned by divination that the

Lord has blessed me because of you.” 28 He added, “Name your wages, and I will pay them.”29 Jacob said to him, “You know how I have worked for you and how your livestock has fared

under my care. 30 The little you had before I came has increased greatly, and the Lord has blessed you wherever I have been. But now, when may I do something for my own household?”

31 “What shall I give you?” he asked. “Don’t give me anything,” Jacob replied. “But if you will do this one thing for me, I will go on tending your flocks and watching over them: 32 Let me go

through all your flocks today and remove from them every speckled or spotted sheep, every dark-colored lamb and every spotted or speckled goat. They will be my wages.

Genesis 31:4-13 4 So Jacob sent word to Rachel and Leah to come out to the fields where his flocks were. 5 He said to them, “I see that your father’s attitude toward me is not what it was before, but the God of my father has been with me. 6 You know that I’ve worked for your

father with all my strength, 7 yet your father has cheated me by changing my wages ten times.

However, God has not allowed him to harm me. 8 If he said, ‘The speckled ones will be your wages,’ then all the flocks gave birth to speckled young; and if he said, ‘The streaked ones will

2be your wages,’ then all the flocks bore streaked young. 9 So God has taken away your father’s livestock and has given them to me.

10 “In breeding season I once had a dream in which I looked up and saw that the male goats mating with the flock were streaked, speckled or spotted. 11 The angel of God said to me in the

dream, ‘Jacob.’ I answered, ‘Here I am.’ 12 And he said, ‘Look up and see that all the male goats mating with the flock are streaked, speckled or spotted, for I have seen all that Laban has been

doing to you. 13 I am the God of Bethel, where you anointed a pillar and where you made a vow to me. Now leave this land at once and go back to your native land.’”

have set up as a pillar will be God’s house, and of all that you give me I will give you a tenth.”

Genesis 31:14-16 14 Then Rachel and Leah replied, “Do we still have any share in the inheritance of our father’s estate? 15 Does he not regard us as foreigners? Not only has he sold us, but he has used up what was paid for us. 16 Surely all the wealth that God took away from

our father belongs to us and our children. So do whatever God has told you.”

Resurrecting Hope: Week 6 Finances (continued)

What to Do When Your Money Gets Funny

John M. Wallace, Jr., PhD

June 1st

Sermon in a Sentence

Obedience to God’s instruction invokes His protection and provision (even when we mess up)

Job 1:9 “Does Job fear God for nothing?” Satan replied. 10 “Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land.

10 Biblical Principles For God’s Provision and Protection

1. Face the Facts—We can’t fix what we won’t face

Luke 15:14-17 14 And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country,

and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. 16 And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything. 17 “But when he came to himself,

he said, ‘How many of my father's hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger!

Application: Write down ALL your income, your expenses, what you own, and what you owe

2. Shift our focus from our financial facts to our Father (prioritize His will and His way)

Luke 15:18 I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.”’

Matthew 6:31-33 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and

all these things will be given to you as well.

Joshua 1:8 Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.

Application: If we’ve messed up, get back in back “in the hedge” and inundate our mind with God’s instruction and do what it says.

3. Be content and grateful where we are, confident in God’s provision

Philippians 4:10-14, 19 10 I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the

circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all things [which He has called me to

do] through Him who strengthens and empowers me [to fulfill His purpose—I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency; I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him

14. 5. 6. 7. 2

who infuses me with inner strength and confident peace.], 19 And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

Psalm 37:25 I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread.

Proverbs 21:17 Whoever loves pleasure will become poor; whoever loves wine and olive oil will never be rich.

Acknowledge God’s ownership and accept our stewardship

Deuteronomy 10:14 To the Lord your God belong the heavens, even the highest heavens, the earth and everything in it.

1 Timothy 6:7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world.

1 Corinthians 4:2 Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful.

Application: Quit Claim everything you “own” to God Prioritize giving back to God

Proverbs 3:9 Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; 10 then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.

Leviticus 27:30, 32 30 “‘A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the Lord; it is holy to the Lord. 32 Every tithe of the herd and

flock—every tenth animal that passes under the shepherd’s rod—will be holy to the Lord.

Malachi 3:10-11 10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of

heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it. 11 I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not drop their fruit

before it is ripe,” says the Lord Almighty.

Luke 11:42 NLT What sorrow awaits you Pharisees! For you are careful to tithe even the tiniest income from your herb gardens, but you ignore justice and the love of God. You should tithe, yes, but do not neglect the more important things.

Work your job(s) and eliminate unnecessary expenses

Proverbs 12:11 Those who work their land will have abundant food, but those who chase fantasies have no sense.

Proverbs 14:23 All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.

Proverbs 24:27 Finish your outdoor work and get your fields ready; after that, build your house.

Pay your bills, on time, and in full if possible Psalm 37:21 The wicked borrow and do not repay, but the righteous give generously.

James 5:4 Look! The wages you failed to pay the workmen who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty.

1 Timothy 5:8 But those who won't care for their own relatives, especially those living in the same household, have denied what we believe. Such people are worse than unbelievers.

Romans 13:6 This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing.Ephesians 4:8 Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those

in need.

8. Put some away for a rainy day (save and invest for the future

Proverbs 21:20 In the house of the wise are stores of choice food and oil, but a foolish man devours all he has.

9. Help people in need

Proverbs 28:27 Whoever gives to the poor will lack nothing. But a curse will come upon those who close their eyes to poverty.

Psalm 41:1 Blessed is the one who considers the poor! In the day of trouble the Lord delivers him;

10. Enjoy life

Ecclesiastes 3:12-13 12 I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live. 13 That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all their

toil—this is the gift of God.

1 Timothy 6:1Tell those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which will soon be gone. But their trust should be in the living God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment.

Application: Review and Apply these lessons.

Resurrecting Hope: Week Finances

John M. Wallace, Jr., PhD

Our Prayer for the Resurrecting Hope Series

Romans 15:13 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.

Key Term

Biblical Hope—a confident and patient expectation that God will fulfill His promises (in His Word).

Psalm 119:114 You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in your word.

Psalm 130:5 I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope.

Romans 15:4 For everything that was 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.

People with a Hopeful Mindset

1. Set specific goals

2. Believe in their ability to achieve them

3. Create and implement plans to achieve them, adjusting as necessary

An Overflowing Hope Kingdom Mindset

Philippians 4:13 (Amplified) 13 I CAN do all things [which He has called me to do] through Him who strengthens and empowers me [to fulfill His purpose—I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency; I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses me with inner strength and confident peace.]

Key Truth

People with a Kingdom Mindset are confident that God causes (or allows) things to happen FOR

us, not TO us

Romans 8:28 (Amplified) And we know [with great confidence] that God [who is deeply concerned about us] causes all things to work together [as a plan] for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to His plan and purpose.

How to Resurrect Hope When Your Money Gets Funny: Insights from the Life of Job

Sermon in a Sentence

The way to resurrect hope for our finances is to understand and apply Biblical principles of God’s protection and provision

1. Live right

Job 1:1-3 1 In the land of Uz there lived a man whose name was Job. This man was blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil. 2 He had seven sons and three daughters, 3 and he owned seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen and five

hundred donkeys, and had a large number of servants. He was the greatest man among all the people of the East.

1Job 1:13-21 13 One day when Job’s sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother’s house, 14 a messenger came to Job and said, “The oxen were plowing and the

donkeys were grazing nearby, 15 and the Sabeans attacked and made off with them. They put the servants to the sword, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!”

16 While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, “The fire of God fell from the

heavens and burned up the sheep and the servants, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!”

17 While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, “The Chaldeans formed three raiding parties and swept down on your camels and made off with them. They put the servants to the sword, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!”

18 While he was still speaking, yet another messenger came and said, “Your sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother’s house, 19 when suddenly a mighty wind

swept in from the desert and struck the four corners of the house. It collapsed on them and they are dead, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!”

How to respond to financial setbacks

1. Mourn what you lost

2. 3. 4. Worship God in the midst of your circumstance

Acknowledge God’s ownership and sovereignty

Maintain your hope in God’s provision and protection

20 At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship 21 and said: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord

gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.”

Job 2:9-10 9 His wife said to him, “Are you still maintaining your integrity? Curse God and die!”

10 He replied, “You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?” In all this, Job did not sin in what he said.

Job 13:15a Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him;

Job’s Financial Resurrection

Job 42:10,12-13,16-17 10 After Job had prayed for his friends, the Lord restored his fortunes and gave him twice as much as he had before. 2 The Lord blessed the latter part of Job’s life

more than the former part. He had fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand camels, a thousand yoke of oxen and a thousand donkeys. 13 And he also had seven sons and three daughters. 16

After this, Job lived a hundred and forty years; he saw his children and their children to the fourth generation. 17 And so Job died, an old man and full of years.

Resurrecting Hope:

Mother’s Day Week 4

John M. Wallace, Jr., PhD

May 11, 2025

Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.

3 Ways to Resurrect Hope Even If Children Go Astray: Insights from the Life of Samson

Sermon in a Sentence: Even if our children stray, God can…

Judges 13:1-ff 1 Again the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord, so the Lord delivered them into the hands of the Philistines for forty years.

1. Remember “our” children are God’s children, under our stewardship

2 A certain man of Zorah, named Manoah, from the clan of the Danites, had a wife who was childless, unable to give birth. 3 The angel of the Lord appeared to her and said, “You are

barren and childless, but you are going to become pregnant and give birth to a son. 4 Now see to it that you drink no wine or other fermented drink and that you do not eat anything unclean.

5 You will become pregnant and have a son whose head is never to be touched by a razor because the boy is to be a Nazirite, dedicated to God from the womb. He will take the lead in

delivering Israel from the hands of the Philistines.”

6 Then the woman went to her husband and told him, “A man of God came to me. He looked like an angel of God, very awesome. I didn’t ask him where he came from, and he didn’t tell me his name. 7 But he said to me, ‘You will become pregnant and have a son. Now then, drink no wine or other fermented drink and do not eat anything unclean, because the boy will be Nazarite of God from the womb until the day of his death.’”

2. Ask God to teach you how to raise His children, and do what He says

8 Then Manoah prayed to the Lord: “Pardon your servant, Lord. I beg you to let the man of God you sent to us come again to teach us how to bring up the boy who is to be born.”9 God heard

Manoah, and the angel of God came again to the woman while she was out in the field; but her husband Manoah was not with her. 10 The woman hurried to tell her husband, “He’s here! The

man who appeared to me the other day!”

11 Manoah got up and followed his wife. When he came to the man, he said, “Are you the man who talked to my wife?”“I am,” he said. 2 So Manoah asked him, “When your words are fulfilled, what is to be the rule that governs the boy’s life and work?” 13 The angel of the Lord

answered, “Your wife must do all that I have told her. 14 She must not eat anything that comes from the grapevine, nor drink any wine or other fermented drink nor eat anything unclean. She

must do everything I have commanded her.”

124 The woman gave birth to a boy and named him Samson. He grew and the Lord blessed him,

25 and the Spirit of the Lord began to stir him while he was in Mahaneh Dan, between Zorah and Eshtaol.

3. Trust and pray that God will bring His children back His way, even if they go astray

Judges 14:1ff 1 Samson went down to Timnah and saw there a young Philistine woman. 2 When he returned, he said to his father and mother, “I have seen a Philistine woman in Timnah; now

get her for me as my wife.”

3 His father and mother replied, “Isn’t there an acceptable woman among your relatives or among all our people? Must you go to the uncircumcised Philistines to get a wife?”But Samson said to his father, “Get her for me. She’s the right one for me.” 4 (His parents did not know that this was from the Lord, who was seeking an occasion to confront the Philistines; for at that time they were ruling over Israel.)

10 Now his father went down to see the woman. And there Samson held a feast, as was customary for young men. 11 When the people saw him, they chose thirty men to be his companions. 12 “Let me tell you a riddle,” Samson said to them. “If you can give me the answer

within the seven days of the feast, I will give you thirty linen garments and thirty sets of clothes.

13 If you can’t tell me the answer, you must give me thirty linen garments and thirty sets of clothes.” 15 On the fourth[a] day, they said to Samson’s wife, “Coax your husband into explaining the riddle for us, or we will burn you and your father’s household to death. Did you

invite us here to steal our property?” 16 Then Samson’s wife threw herself on him, sobbing, “You hate me! You don’t really love me. You’ve given my people a riddle, but you haven’t told me the answer.” “I haven’t even explained it to my father or mother,” he replied, “so why should I explain it to you?” 17a She cried the whole seven days of the feast. So on the seventh day he finally told her, because she continued to press him.

19 Then the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon him. He went down to Ashkelon, struck down thirty of their men, stripped them of everything and gave their clothes to those who had

explained the riddle. Burning with anger, he returned to his father’s home. 20 And Samson’s wife was given to one of his companions who had attended him at the feast.

Judges 15:1ff 1 Later on, at the time of wheat harvest, Samson took a young goat and went to visit his wife. He said, “I’m going to my wife’s room.” But her father would not let him go in. 2 “I

was so sure you hated her,” he said, “that I gave her to your companion. Isn’t her younger sister more attractive? Take her instead.” 3 Samson said to them, “This time I have a right to get even with the Philistines; I will really harm them.” 4 So he went out and caught three hundred foxes and tied them tail to tail in pairs. He then fastened a torch to every pair of tails, 5 lit the torches and let the foxes loose in the standing grain of the Philistines. He burned up the shocks and

standing grain, together with the vineyards and olive groves.

6 When the Philistines asked, “Who did this?” they were told, “Samson, the Timnite’s son-in-law, because his wife was given to his companion.” So the Philistines went up and burned her

2and her father to death. 7 Samson said to them, “Since you’ve acted like this, I swear that I won’t stop until I get my revenge on you.” 8 He attacked them viciously and slaughtered many

of them. Then he went down and stayed in a cave in the rock of Etam.

14 As he approached Lehi, the Philistines came toward him shouting. The Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon him. The ropes on his arms became like charred flax, and the bindings dropped from his hands. 15 Finding a fresh jawbone of a donkey, he grabbed it and struck down

a thousand men. Judges 16:1ff 4 Some time later, he fell in love with a woman in the Valley of Sorek whose name

was Delilah. 5 The rulers of the Philistines went to her and said, “See if you can lure him into showing you the secret of his great strength and how we can overpower him so we may tie him

up and subdue him. Each one of us will give you eleven hundred shekels of silver.”

6 So Delilah said to Samson, “Tell me the secret of your great strength and how you can be tied up and subdued.”7 Samson answered her, “If anyone ties me with seven fresh bowstrings that

have not been dried, I’ll become as weak as any other man.” 8 Then the rulers of the Philistines brought her seven fresh bowstrings that had not been dried, and she tied him with them. 9 With men hidden in the room, she called to him, “Samson, the Philistines are upon you!” But he snapped the bowstrings as easily as a piece of string snaps when it comes close to a flame. So the secret of his strength was not discovered. 15 Then she said to him, “How can you say, ‘I love

you,’ when you won’t confide in me? This is the third time you have made a fool of me and haven’t told me the secret of your great strength.” 16 With such nagging she prodded him day

after day until he was sick to death of it. 17 So he told her everything. “No razor has ever been used on my head,” he said, “because I have been a Nazirite dedicated to God from my mother’s

womb. If my head were shaved, my strength would leave me, and I would become as weak as any other man.”

18 When Delilah saw that he had told her everything, she sent word to the rulers of the Philistines, “Come back once more; he has told me everything.” So the rulers of the Philistines returned with the silver in their hands. 19 After putting him to sleep on her lap, she called for someone to shave off the seven braids of his hair, and so began to subdue him.[c] And his

strength left him.

20 Then she called, “Samson, the Philistines are upon you!” He awoke from his sleep and thought, “I’ll go out as before and shake myself free.” But he did not know that the Lord had left him. 21 Then the Philistines seized him, gouged out his eyes and took him down to Gaza.

Binding him with bronze shackles, they set him to grinding grain in the prison. 22 But the hair on his head began to grow again after it had been shaved.

23 Now the rulers of the Philistines assembled to offer a great sacrifice to Dagon their god and to celebrate, saying, “Our god has delivered Samson, our enemy, into our hands.” 25 While they

were in high spirits, they shouted, “Bring out Samson to entertain us.” So they called Samson out of the prison, and he performed for them. When they stood him among the pillars, 26 Sampson said to the servant who held his hand, “Put me where I can feel the pillars that support the temple, so that I may lean against them.” 27 Now the temple was crowded with men and women; all the rulers of the Philistines were there, and on the roof were about three thousand

men and women watching Samson perform. 28 Then Samson prayed to the Lord, “Sovereign Lord, remember me. Please, God, strengthen me just once more, and let me with one blow get

revenge on the Philistines for my two eyes.” 29 Then Samson reached toward the two central pillars on which the temple stood. Bracing himself against them, his right hand on the one and

his left hand on the other, 30 Samson said, “Let me die with the Philistines!” Then he pushed with all his might, and down came the temple on the rulers and all the people in it. Thus he

killed many more when he died than while he lived.

Hebrews 11:1-2,32-34 Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. 2 This is what the ancients were commended for. 32 And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson and Jephthah, about David and Samueland the prophets, 33 who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the fury of the flames, and

escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies.

Application

Pray for your children, or the children of others, who may have gone astray, that God will turn them back to His way.

Resurrecting Hope: Week 3

John M. Wallace, Jr., PhD

May 3, 2025

1 Peter 1:3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.

Review

People with a Resurrected Hope (i.e., Kingdom) Mindset are confident that things happen FOR us not To us.

The Man Born Blind

John 9:1-3 1 As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. 2 And his disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” 3 Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him.

The Father and Two Sons

Luke 15:11-32 11 And he said, “There was a man who had two sons. 12 And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.’ And he divided his property between them. 13 Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living. 14 And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to[a] one of the citizens of that

country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. 16 And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything.

17 “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father's hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. 19 I am no longer worthy to

be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.”’ 20 And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. 21 And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against

heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’[b] 22 But the father said to his servants,[c] ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. 23 And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. 24

For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate.

25 “Now his older son was in the field, and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 And he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. 27

And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, 1because he has received him back safe and sound.’ 28 But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him, 29 but he answered his father, ‘Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours came, who has devoured

your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!’ 31 And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. 32 It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.’”

The Sermon in a Sentence

People with Resurrected Hope (i.e., Kingdom) Mindsets rewrite their stories of trauma into

testimonies and actions of hope

Paul’s Experience in Asia

2 Corinthians 1:8-10, 3-7 8 For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of

life itself. 9 Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead. 10 He delivered us from such a deadly

peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again. 11 You also must help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted

us through the prayers of many.3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 5 For as we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we

share abundantly in comfort too. 6 If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which you experience when you patiently endure the

same sufferings that we suffer. 7 Our hope for you is unshaken, for we know that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in our comfort.

Resurrected Mindsets choose to rewrite their stories

Resurrecting Hope: Week 2

John M. Wallace, Jr., PhD

April 27, 2025

Key Terms

 Faith—trust and confidence in God, and His promises, based on who He is and informed by

what He has done in the past

 Hope—a confident and patient expectation that God will fulfill His promises (in the future)

 Resurrected Hope (i.e., Kingdom) Mindset—confidence that God will use my SHAPE

(spiritual gifts, heart, abilities, personality, and experiences), and His plans, to accomplish

His goals, for my good and for His glory.

Sermon in a Sentence

People with Resurrected Hope (i.e., Kingdom) Mindsets are confident that things happen for us, not to us.

Philippians 4:13 (Amplified) 13 I can do all things [which He has called me to do] through Him who strengthens and empowers me [to fulfill His purpose—I am self-sufficient in Christ’s

sufficiency; I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses me with

inner strength and confident peace.]

Daniel 3:14-18 14 and Nebuchadnezzar said to them, “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach and Abwdnego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the image of gold I have set up? 15 Now

when you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music, if you are ready to fall down and worship the image I made, very good. But if you do not worship it, you will be thrown immediately into a blazing furnace. Then what god will be able to rescue you from my hand?”

16 Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. 17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. 18 But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”

Genesis 50:15-21 15 When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “What if Joseph holds a grudge against us and pays us back for all the wrongs we did to him?” 19 But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? 20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.

2 Corinthians 12:7b-10 Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord

to take it away from me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so 1that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in

insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

John 11:1-ff 1 Now a man named Lazarus was sick. He was from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. 2 (This Mary, whose brother Lazarus now lay sick, was the same one who

poured perfume on the Lord and wiped his feet with her hair.) 3 So the sisters sent word to Jesus, “Lord, the one you love is sick.”

4 When he heard this, Jesus said, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.” 5 Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. 6 So when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days, 7

and then he said to his disciples, “Let us go back to Judea.”

11 After he had said this, he went on to tell them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up.” 12 His disciples replied, “Lord, if he sleeps, he will get better.”

13 Jesus had been speaking of his death, but his disciples thought he meant natural sleep.

14 So then he told them plainly, “Lazarus is dead, 15 and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.” 16 Then Thomas (also known as Didymus) said to the rest of the disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.”

17 On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. 18 Now Bethany was less than two miles from Jerusalem, 19 and many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them in the loss of their brother. 20 When Martha heard that Jesus was

coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home.

21 “Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.”23 Jesus said to her, “Your brother

will rise again.”

24 Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”

25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; 26 and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe

this?” 27 “Yes, Lord,” she replied, “I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.”

28 After she had said this, she went back and called her sister Mary aside. “The Teacher is here,” she said, “and is asking for you.” 29 When Mary heard this, she got up quickly and went to him. 30 Now Jesus had not yet entered the village, but was still at the place where Martha

had met him. 31 When the Jews who had been with Mary in the house, comforting her, noticed how quickly she got up and went out, they followed her, supposing she was going to the tomb to mourn there.

232 When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.”

33 When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. 34 “Where have you laid him?” he asked. “Come and see, Lord,” they replied.

35 Jesus wept. 36 Then the Jews said, “See how he loved him!” 37 But some of them said, “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?”

38 Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. 39 “Take away the stone,” he said. “But, Lord,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man, “by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.”

40 Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?” 41 So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. 42 I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people

standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.” 43 When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” 44 The dead man

came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.”

Application

Review these scriptures and the state of your mindset!

Resurrection Sunday

Resurrecting Hope: Overview

John M. Wallace, Jr., PhD

Biblical Hope Defined

The confident expectation of the best outcome based upon the truth God’s word

And we know [with great confidence] that God [who is deeply concerned about us] causes all things to work together [as a plan] for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to His plan and purpose.

Key Truth

Scientifically hope is a feeling but Biblically hope is a fact!

Psalm 62:5 Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him.

Psalm 119:114 You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in your word.

Sermon in a Sentence

Lasting hope hinges on the truth of the resurrection

1 Peter 1:3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.

1 Corinthians 15:1-25 1 Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. 2 By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain.

3 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve. 6 After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, 8 and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.

13 If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. 14 And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. 15 More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised. 16 For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. 17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. 19 If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied. 20 But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. 22 For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.

23 But each in turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him. 24 Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power. 25 For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy to be destroyed is death.

1 Corinthians 6:14 And God will raise us from the dead by his power, just as he raised our Lord from the dead.

Our Hope Series Scripture and Prayer

Romans 5:13 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.

Friday? Who Was It Good For?

Elder Gary Nelson

April 18, 2025

Key Scripture

Romans 8:28 (AMP) - And we know [with great confidence] that God [who is deeply

concerned about us] causes all things to work together [as a plan] for good for those

who love God, to those who are called according to His plan and purpose.

Sermon in a Sentence

Good Friday is only good (of benefit) to those who receive and accept God’s call and

then choose to live in alignment with his plan and purpose.

Key Terms

Love – unselfish loyal and benevolent concern for the good of another: such as the

fatherly concern of God for humankind.

Good – something useful or beneficial

Called – summoned to a particular activity, employment, or office.

Plan – a method for achieving an end.

Anthropology – the science or study of human beings

Anthropological Study – 3 Classes of Humans on the earth at Christ’s

crucifixion

A. Class 1 – The God/Man - God himself taking on the form of a man was the only

unique human capable of averting God’s wrath and punishment due for

mankind’s sin.

John 1:1-2, 14 (NLT)

1 In the beginning the Word already existed.

The Word was with God, and the Word was God.

2 He existed in the beginning with God.

14 So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of

unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the

Father’s one and only Son.

2 Peter 1:17 (NLT) when he received honor and glory from God the Father.

The voice from the majestic glory of God said to him, “This is my dearly loved

Son, who brings me great joy.”

B. Class 2 – The World - Human beings who were not in an amicable

relationship with God.

Ephesians 2:16 (NLT) - Together as one body, Christ reconciled both

groups to God by means of his death on the cross, and our hostility toward

each other was put to death.

Romans 5:8 (NLT) - But God showed his great love for us by sending

Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.

C. Class 3 – The Called - The family/community of persons who claim Jesus

Christ as both savior and Lord.

1 Corinthians 1:2 (NLT) - I am writing to God’s church in Corinth, to you

who have been called by God to be his own holy people. He made you holy

by means of Christ Jesus, just as he did for all people everywhere who call

on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours.

24 But to those called by God to salvation, both Jews and Gentiles, Christ is

the power of God and the wisdom of God.

26 Remember, dear brothers and sisters, that few of you were wise in the

world’s eyes or powerful or wealthy when God called you.

Life Application

1 Corinthians 1:30 (NLT) God has united you with Christ Jesus. For our benefit God

made him to be wisdom itself. Christ made us right with God; he made us pure and

holy, and he freed us from sin.

So, let us reflect on this Good Friday and consider which of the 3 broad

anthropological classes we fit in. Then ask according to His word, does God love me?

Finally, let us examine if God, The Father has made provisions for me in the

redemptive plan he executed through Christ, The Son so that this can truly be a Good Friday for me.

Disclaimer: Everyone is entitled to their opinion. We believe and teach that the Bible is God’s Word — His opinion — and provides His instruction for how to live life under His rule (i.e., the Kingdom of God).

Sermon Notes

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