Go Deeper

In this week’s sermon, Pastor Dan talked about hope.

We need hope when times are dark, when we’re looking for the light. We need hope in times of suffering.

And fortunately, the Bible has a lot to say about hope.

 A WORD ABOUT THINGS

In the video above, Pastor Dan explores one of his favorite passages on Hope. Take a minute to read Romas 8:18-32.

Then focus on this particular verse by reading it a few times.

Romans 8:28–29

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. (ESV)

Take a minute and ask yourself: what are the “all things” that this verse is referring to?”  Once you have your answer, go on to the next section.

 ALL THINGS v. GOOD THINGS

In the video above, Dan explains how all things in our life work together for good, and how we naturally just interpret the “all things” in this passage as meaning “good things.”

But that’s not always what God has in mind.

The ultimate “good things” God wants to do in our life is to form us to look more like Jesus. And if that’s the case the, “all things” might not always be “good things,” in the sense of events and circumstances that make us more comfortable. 

ALL THE THINGS

Take a minute and think back on this year.  See if you can identify an event or circumstance that fits each of these categories:

1. A hard thing.
2. A disappointing thing.
3. A thing that made you rejoice.
4. A thing that made you cry.
5. A thing that made you angry.
6. A thing that surprised you.
7. A thing that you wanted.
8. A thing that you didn’t want.
9. A thing that you expected.
10. A thing you never could have expected.
11. A frustrating thing.
12. A fulfilling/rewarding thing.
13. A thing that was boring.
14. A thing that kept you busy.
15. A thing that made you anxious.
16. A thing that made you proud.
17. A thing that let you down.
18. A thing that amazed you.
19. A thing you found embarrassing.
20. A thing that inspired you.

Once you have your list, take a minute and go back through and see if you can identify how God used (or is using) that event/circumstance to fashion Christ in you, and deepen your hope.

If you have trouble identifying it, that’s okay. Keep your list with you through advent and bring it to God in prayer for the next few weeks and see what God will say.