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REVIEW: THE MOST RAMPANT SIN IN THE CHURCH FEAR

THEN LAST WEEK WE TALKED ABOUT BECOMING OUTRAGEOUS IN OUR HOPE

Romans 4:18 Against all hope, [WITH NO REASON FOR HOPE] Abraham in hope believed and so Abraham became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, "So shall your offspring be."

IF WE NEVER HAVE UNREASONABLE HOPE WE ARE NOT ABRAHAM’S KIDS

BEING PRESSED BY THIS WORLD DOES SOMETHING NOTHING ELSE CAN DO

Romans 5:3-4 Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings [PRESSURE], because we know that suffering produces perseverance; (4) perseverance, character; and character, hope.

HOPE CAN ONLY COME AFTER PERSEVERANCE AND CHARACTER

HUNGRY TODDLER CRIES AT EVERY HOPE FILLED PROMISE (BUT NOT THE TEEN)

THE BEST I CAN DO IS BE A ROBOT YES, BETTER THAN QUITTING BUT IT’S NOTHING LIKE THIS: James 1:2-4 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, (3) because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. (4) Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

THIS REQUIRES CONFIDENCE IN EVERY PART OF YOUR SOUL- MOVE THROUGH TRIALS BOLDLY

Hebrews 10:38-39 But my righteous one will live by faith. And if he shrinks back, I will not be pleased with him. [IF FEAR HOLDS THEM BACK, MY SOUL IS NOT CONTENT WITH THEM!] (39) But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved.

IN THE FACE OF A FEARFUL TASK GOD WILL ASK YOU: “REJOICE IN IT” WHAT? YES, SIR.

YOU’LL ENTER W/ A HAND BASKET & LEAVE W/ FULL-SIZED-CART TO HOLD HOPE GOD’S DESIRE FOR US IS A LIFE OVERFLOWING WITH HOPE

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.

THE FOUNDATION OF OUR HOPE IS ENCOUNTERING GOD’S LOVE

UNLESS WE START WITH LOVE HOPE HAS NOTHING TO GROW OUT OF

Romans 5:5 (NLT) this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.

EVERYTHING GOD HAS FOR YOU IS INSIDE HIS LOVE

Ephesians 3:17-19 And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, (18) may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, (19) and to know this love that surpasses knowledge--that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

ALL ANSWERS, ALL VINDICATION YOU WILL ASK NOTHING, DEMAND NOTHING

THE BEGINNING AND END OF EVERY CHAPTER AND STORY IS THAT GOD LOVES YOU

Jude 1:21 Keep yourselves in God's love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.

HE CLAIMS US & WE BELONG TO HIM [REMEMBER OUR TRANSFER OF OWNERSHIP] Isaiah 43:7 everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made." TOY STORY: COURAGE AND PURPOSE FROM “YOUR CHIEF ANDY INSCRIBED HIS NAME ON ME”

KNOWING “GOD LOVES THE WORLD” IS TRUE. BUT KNOWING “GOD LOVES ME” → LIFE CHANGING YOU WANT TO GET INTO THAT LOVE AND STAY FOREVER

1 John 4:16-17 Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. (17) In this way, love is made complete among us

THE WHOLE POINT OF LIFE IS TO LIVE IN LOVE

GETTING THROUGH LIFE WITHOUT GOD’S LOVE IS A COMPLETE LOSS

1 Corinthians 13:1-3 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. (2) If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. (3) If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.

I DID PROPHECY, TONGUES, GIVING, GREAT FAITH, EVEN GOT MARTYRED → ZERO

SO THEN WHAT IS LIFE ALL ABOUT? THE ILLUSTRATION OF THE CLIMBING WALL

SOME THINK THE GOAL: TO ACHIEVE WEALTH & A GOOD REPUTATION

BUMPER STICKER "The person who dies with the most toys wins!" OF COURSE IT’S NOT TRUE!

Luke 12:15 Then he said to them, "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions."

WE WIN, LOSE, GAIN, FAIL, COMMUNITY, LONELINESS

BUT A SECRET BEHIND THE EVENTS IS WAITING TO BE FOUND PAUL FOUND IT

Philippians 4:12 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. LIFE IS LIKE THE CLIMBING WALL AT THE GYM-

SOME STAY AT TOP THEN FALL. SOME LAST SEC SHOOT TO TOP. SOME STEADY CLIMB.

SOME MANY STUMBLES. AM I MAKING THIS HAPPEN? SEEMS RANDOM?

SOLOMON WHO LIVED AT THE VERY TOP OF THE WALL SAID

Ecclesiastes 3:14 nothing can be added to it [GOD’S WORK] and nothing taken from it. God does it so that men will revere [STAND IN AWE BEFORE] him.

IT ISN’T YOUR CHOICE ALONE GOD IS ULTIMATELY IN CHARGE EACH ONE IS ATTACHED TO A ROPE THE INSTRUCTOR IS HOLDING.

THE FINAL GRADE HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH WHERE YOU WERE ON THE WALL!

BUT HOW WELL YOU GOT TO KNOW THE INSTRUCTOR WHO HOLDS THE ROPE.

Ecclesiastes 12:13 Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God [REVERE AND WORSHIP HIM] and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.

WE MUST NEVER BE DISTRACTED BY OUR POSITION ON THE CLIMBING WALL

I HAVE PLENTY OR I HAVE NOTHING “I LOVE YOU LORD”

I AM HEALTHY OR I AM SICK

“I LOVE YOU LORD” LOVE IS BEHIND EVERY STORY

WHEN YOU FIND GOD’S LOVE YOU FIND THE SECRET

THAT’S BETTER THAN ANYTHING LIFE CAN OFFER

Psalm 63:3 Because your love is better than life