Romans 4:13-25. In Hope Against Hope He Believed. Ho Kang

Summary

This sermon explores the theme of hope through the story of Abraham, as described in the Bible. The speaker delves into how Abraham's faith in God's promise, despite his advanced age and seemingly impossible circumstances, was credited to him as righteousness. Drawing parallels to modern struggles and uncertainties, the sermon emphasizes the importance of maintaining hope and faith in God's plans, even when faced with challenges. Through personal anecdotes and biblical insights, the message encourages listeners to trust in God's timing and promises, highlighting that true hope and strength come from faith in God and the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Takeaways

• 😀 Abraham had unwavering hope in God's promise to make him a great nation, even when there was no rational reason to hope
• 💡 God delayed fulfilling His promise to strengthen Abraham's faith and teach him to fully rely on and glorify God
• 🌟 Abraham gave glory to God even before seeing the fulfillment of the promise, trusting God's faithfulness
• 🙏 The more Abraham lost hope in himself, the more he relied on and glorified God
• ✨ God uses even our failures and waits until we admit spiritual deadness before saving us by His grace
• 👀 God was silent for years to help Abraham surrender everything and confess 'God, I'm done and dead without You'
• 🤝 Believing means fully trusting in and building our identity on God and His promises
• ☮️ Our hope is in the resurrected Christ; setting minds on heavenly things to live for His Gospel
• 💪 Encourage each other to truly believe in Christ's resurrection as our rock solid hope
• 💡 We need unwavering hope in God by believing, trusting and glorifying Him in Jesus Christ

Q & A

What did Victor Frankl conclude from his observations in the Nazi prison camps?

Victor Frankl concluded that people died less from lack of food or medicine than from lack of hope. He realized that in order to keep living, people need a purpose, a goal, and hope.

What was the source of Abraham's unwavering hope?

Abraham's unwavering hope was rooted in God's promise to make him a great nation and give him many descendants as numerous as the stars and the sand.

Why did God delay in fulfilling His promise to Abraham?

God delayed in fulfilling His promise to Abraham to allow his natural strength to decline completely. This was so Abraham would admit he was powerless and rely fully on God's grace rather than his own ability.

How did Abraham glorify God even when the promise was unfulfilled?

Even though God's promise was not yet fulfilled, Abraham glorified God by giving Him credit and importance in his life. He trusted God even when his circumstances seemed hopeless.

What does it mean to believe in Jesus' resurrection?

Believing in Jesus' resurrection means more than intellectual assent. It means trusting Jesus' resurrection power to give us new, glorified, and resurrected life. It means building one's life and identity upon Him.

What kind of confession does God want to hear from us?

God wants to hear us confess, like Abraham, that apart from God we are hopeless and powerless - essentially dead. He wants our full reliance and trust in Him alone.

What was the vision and hope that brought Pastor Ho to America?

Pastor Ho came to America with a vision and hope for a Christian movement in society. Though he faced many obstacles, this vision anchored his faith.

What central truth has Pastor Ho learned in his 14 years of ministry?

In his 14 years of ministry, Pastor Ho has learned more and more that life is not about himself, but all about God. This is the confession God wants to hear.

Where can we find hope against hope?

We can find hope against hope by believing, trusting and glorifying God in Jesus Christ. He is the ultimate hope for all nations.

How can Smith Chapel bring hope to the world?

Smith Chapel can bring hope to the world by anchoring their lives in Christ's hope, living Gospel-driven lives, and pointing others to find lasting hope in Jesus.