280 likes | 350 Views
Finding Hope in the Wonderful Counselor. Introduction. hope = the anxious anticipation of good
E N D
Introduction • hope= the anxiousanticipation of good • Romans 8:24 For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it.
Sinful • Mark 8:38 "For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels."
Adultery • Matthew 5:27 You have heard that it was said, 'YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY'; 28 but I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
Foolish • Matthew 7:26 "Everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand.”
Little Faith (unbelief) – doubting God • Matthew 6:30 "But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith!”
Building relationships was/is a priority with Jesus! • John 15:15 "No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you.”
Communicationis a key to building good relationships! • John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. 17For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.”
People’s lives can be changed as a result of a good relationship (or negatively influenced through a bad relationship) Input: What do you think about this quote? “To influence someone, you have to get close.”
Hope: He Took the Initiative – John 4 • Began in the Genesis – Gen. 1-3 • Continued throughout the O.T.
Confirmed at the birth of Christ – the Son of Man • Evidenced by the life of Christ – John 4:1-42 Lesson: Don’t wait for somebody to come to you – take the initiative and go to them!
“You can more friends in two months by becoming interested in other people than you can in two year by trying to get other people interested in you.” – Dale Carnegie • Taking initiative is an eternal investment!
Hope: He Showed No Partiality • Matthew 9:9 As Jesus went on from there, He saw a man called Matthew, sitting in the tax collector's booth; and He said to him, "Follow Me!" And he got up and followed Him. 10 Then it happened that as Jesus was reclining at the table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and were dining with Jesus and His disciples.
Matthew 9:11When the Pharisees saw this, they said to His disciples, "Why is your Teacher eating with the tax collectors and sinners?" 12 But when Jesus heard this, He said, "It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick.”
13 "But go and learn what this means: 'I DESIRE COMPASSION, AND NOT SACRIFICE,' for I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners."
“It’s easy to love the beautiful people!” • Hope: God didn’t show partiality with you!
Hope: He Looked Beyond the Offense to the Need! - John 8:1-11 Lesson: Keep your focus on how people can CHANGE by the grace of God! Q: Do you really believe that God can change anybody?
Input: How does your view of God affect the way you view the sin of others? • Hope: We can change and grow as well!
Hope: He Modeled Unselfishness at All Times! • Luke 23:42 And he was saying, "Jesus, remember me when You come in Your kingdom!" 43 And He said to him, "Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise."
Hope: He humbled Himself to build a relationship with you! • KJV Proverbs 13:10 Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.
Philippians 2:2 Make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. 3 Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves;
4 do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. 5 Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus…
Hope: He Modeled the Heart of a Servant – John 13:5-17 Put Off Selfish thinking Selfish actions Selfish Put On Unselfish thinking Unselfish actions Servant
Hindrances to our Hope in Relationships! Input: What are the some other obstacles to being like the Wonderful Counselor? • Too busy • Wrong priorities • Fear
Conclusion: Q: Are you willing to BUILD relationships with others the way Jesus did? Q: Are you thankful for His relationship with you?
Q: What needs to change in order for you to be more like the Wonderful Counselor?