Love that Satisfies Hope

(To download an mp3 file of this message, click on the title above. To listen now, click on the play button of the audio player here.)

This is a sermon that was preached on the second Sunday of Advent on the theme of Love. It is based on Romans 5:5 in which the theme of love is directly connected to the subject of hope, which was the theme of last week's sermon. The Apostle Paul emphasizes the fact that adversity ultimately produces hope, and hope does not embarrass us or shame us, because God's love is poured out into our hearts, enabling us to share the nature of Christ.

Written Excerpts:

Romans 5:5 (NKJV) Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. 

Introduction:

Last Sunday the theme of our Advent Candle reading was Hope. I tried to offer a message of hope that was based on a passage of Scripture in Lamentations chapter 3, where the prophet spoke about the compassion of the Lord and His faithfulness as the basis for his hope. We saw that the message of hope was included in the same context with a lament about all of the suffering the people of God had endured because of their disobedience.

Today, the theme of the Advent Wreath is “love.” As I was reviewing various passages of Scripture on love, I came upon the verse in Romans 5:5, which makes a clear link between love and hope. So, I felt like this was the obvious choice to focus our thoughts on for the message today.

There are two objectives I wish to accomplish today. First, I want to explain and elaborate on what it means for God’s love to be shed abroad in our hearts. Secondly, I want to explain the connection the Apostle makes between love and hope.

I.    God’s Love Is Shed Abroad

I think most of us have a basic understanding of the word “love.” I also believe that most of us know that love does include feelings or emotions, but it is much more than that. And, we know that God’s love is unconditional and self-sacrificing. That is, we don’t have to be fit/worthy for Him to love us. And, His love cost the death of His Son.

In studying the biblical passages about love, we learn that genuine/divine love has a “jealous” element to it. Of course, when we speak of God, we do not use the word “jealous” in the same manner as we often do for humans. (i.e. suspicious, controlling, restricting, etc.) However, if you stop to think about it, true love must have some level of wholesome jealousy about it or it couldn’t be sincere. For example, how can I truly claim to have an intense love for my wife and not be bothered if someone else tries to win her affections? In the same way, God’s love for us is a jealous love in the sense that He will not share us with competing “lovers.” We must be all His.

When we speak of love we also speak of more than just words. As so many have pointed out… “love is a verb.” Love is demonstrated by action or deeds. Certainly God demonstrated His love in a multitude of ways, but especially by giving up His Son to be put to death.

Paul says, God’s love is “shed abroad in our hearts.” “Shed abroad” – lit. poured out; this verse is the only time the word is translated “shed abroad” in the KJV. It is translated “pour out” 12 times; “shed” 9 times. The word appears in the Greek perfect tense, which indicates an event that took place in the past, but its consequences or results continue into the present.

(Wuest) "Is shed abroad" is in the Greek text the perfect tense of ekcheō, "to pour out," which Denney translates, "has poured in, and still floods our hearts."

(Lenski New Testament Commentary) – The figure used in "pour out" is that of water. Our dry, arid, lifeless hearts have poured out into them the love of God for us. This may come upon us like a stream or like a rain of living water and change our hearts into fruitful, delightful soil. Again the means is the Word, the sum and substance of which is the love of God, and this love, not as a mere feeling in God toward us, but as actively conveying all the gifts of this love to us by means of the Word. God does not love in words only but in deeds.

All of the love of God actively displayed in the events of redemption are poured into our lives and personally applied to our hearts by the Holy Spirit.

II.  Love Satisfies the Yearning of Hope

Now that we’ve discussed the point that God’s love is poured out into our hearts, let’s turn our attention to the context to find the connection to the matter of hope.

We notice that there is a connection because of the way verse 5 begins with a conjunction (and, now), which ties the thought with the preceding verse, which ended with the word hope. Then “hope” is mentioned again in the first phrase of verse 5 and it is tied to the subject of God’s love by the conjunction “because.”

“hope does not disappoint” (NKJV) / “hope does not put us to shame” (NIV) – The hope that we have does not leave us ashamed, disappointed or embarrassed. Why? Because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts.

There’s two kinds of hope referred to in these verses.

In v. 2, Paul says we “rejoice” in hope of the glory of God. (According to Expositor’s Bible Commentary) The hope is connected to a series of other subjects: faith, peace, access and grace. We have joy in the prospect that we will share in the glory of God. We will regain what was lost in the Garden of Eden.

In v. 4, the hope mentioned here is the conclusion of a different series of themes: tribulations, (patience) endurance, and (experience) character.

It seems that in this series, Paul is expressing a process that produces hope in us that we will become more like Christ – that all of the adversity we’ve endured will in fact produce Christ-like attitudes and character in us. Are we embarrassed, disappointed or ashamed of that hope? No. Why? Because the love of God is poured into our hearts and floods our hearts. We can sense that the kind of love God has for us is filling us and flowing through us. That should be the result of the processes of experiences that God allows to come into our lives – the over-flowing love of God within us and through us.

Conclusion:

There is a story I heard many years ago that I found on the internet… I think it’s supposed to be true, but don’t know if it is or not.

John 3:16 
One cold winter day in Chicago during the Great Depression a little boy was selling newspapers on the corner as people were rushing in and out of the cold. The little boy was so cold that he wasn't trying to sell many papers. Finally, he walked up to a policeman and said, "Mister, you wouldn't happen to know where a poor boy could find a warm place to sleep tonight would you? You see, I sleep in a box up around the corner there and down the alley and it'll be awful cold in there for tonight. It sure would be nice to have a warm place to stay."

The policeman looked down at the little boy and said, "You go down the street to that big white house and you knock on the door. When they come to the door you just say ‘John 3:16,’ and they will let you in." So he did. 

He walked up the steps and knocked on the door, and a lady answered. He looked up and said, "John 3:16." The lady said, "Come on in, Son." She took him in and she sat him down in a split-bottom rocker in front of a great big old fireplace, and she went off. The boy sat there for a while getting warmed by the crackling fire and thought to himself: John 3:16 ...I don't understand it, but it sure makes a cold boy feel warm. 

Later she came back and asked him "Are you hungry?” He said, "Well, just a little. I haven't eaten in a couple of days, and I guess I could stand a little bit of food," The lady took him in the kitchen and sat him down to a table full of wonderful food. He ate and ate until he couldn't eat any more. Then he thought to himself: John 3:16. Boy, I sure don't understand it but it sure makes a hungry boy feel full. 

She took him upstairs to a bathroom to a huge bathtub filled with warm soapy water, and he sat there and soaked for a while. As he soaked, he thought to himself: John 3:16 I sure don't understand it, but it sure makes a dirty boy feel clean… 

The lady took him to a room, put on nice warm pajamas, tucked him into a big old feather bed, pulled the covers up around his neck, kissed him goodnight and turned out the lights... As he lay in the darkness and looked out the window at the snow coming down on that cold night, he thought to himself: John 3:16...I don't understand it but it sure makes a tired boy feel rested. 

The next morning the lady came back up and took him down again to that same big table full of food. After he ate, she took him back to that same big old split bottom rocker in front of the fireplace and picked up a big old Bible. She sat down in front of him and looked into his young face. "Do you understand John 3:16?" she asked gently... He replied, "No, Ma'am, I don't. The first time I ever heard it was last night when the policeman told me to use it," She opened The Bible to John 3:16 and began to explain to him about Jesus. Right there, in front of that big old fireplace, he gave his heart and life to Jesus. He sat there and thought: John 3:16 -- don't understand it, but it sure makes a lost boy feel saved. (http://www.niagaraeventide.ca/newsletters/Feb17.pdf)

The love of God: 

·     Can make a cold-hearted person warm and pleasant

·     Can make a hungry soul filled with righteousness

·     Can make a dirty heart and mind pure and clean

·     Can make a tired soul rested and peaceful

·     And can make a lost soul saved.

The little boy in this story found that the display of love that was offered to him truly satisfied the greatest hope of his heart. When he spoke to the policeman, he hoped for a favorable answer to his request, and what he discovered at the big white house more than satisfied his hopes and dreams.

God’s love for all of us that was demonstrated by sending His Son into our world has satisfied our greatest hope for life both now and for eternity. Thank God for His wonder gift!

Let us close the service by singing the song that is listed in our bulletins, Wonderful Story of Love.

Hope in Times of Trouble

(To download an mp3 file of this message, click on the title above. To listen now, click on the play button of the audio player here.)

This is a sermon that was given for the first Sunday of Advent on the theme of "hope." It is based on a passage from Lamentations chapter three, and it speaks about a message of hope that Jeremiah receives from the Lord even after the judgment the people have suffered for their disobedience.

Written Excerpts:

Lam. 3:22-24 (NKJV) Through the LORD'S mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. ²³ They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. ²⁴ "The LORD is my portion," says my soul, "Therefore I hope in Him!" 

Introduction:

We have entered the Advent season of the year and a few moments ago the first candle was lit on the Advent Wreath as a way of reminding us about the themes of the season. As we were reminded earlier, the first candle represents the theme of “hope.” Certainly hope is one of the primary messages we receive in the Scriptures surrounding the coming of the Messiah that was promised.

I began to think about the theme of hope and looking for references in the Bible that highlight that message. I was drawn to the passage of Scripture we read earlier in the service because of the multiple uses of the word “hope.” But I was particularly interested because the word appears several times in this chapter that also has so much to say about suffering. As we look into the Scripture today, I want to examine the meaning of the word hope, as well as the context of the passage in Lamentations and then apply it in a helpful way for our benefit and encouragement today.

What is hope?

(This is not really a definition, but a personal perspective about “hope” by Albert Einstein) – Men marry women with the hope they will never change. Women marry men with the hope they will change. Invariably they are both disappointed. (http://www.rudyh.org/common-sense-fun-quotes-jokes-quotations.htm)

Sometimes the ability to have hope depends on your interpretation of reality.

(Becky S. Barnes) At the elementary school where I teach, we recently had a problem with students throwing rocks. The principal made an announcement over the intercom warning students that anyone caught throwing rocks would be taken home by him personally. Later that day, during afternoon recess, a teacher admonished a kindergartner for throwing a rock.

"Didn't you hear what the principal said this morning?!" the teacher said in disbelief.

"Yeah," replied the proud lad, grinning from ear to ear. "I get to go home in the principal's car!" — "Small Talk," Today's Christian Woman Quoted in Today's Best Illustrations – Volumes 1-4.

Now, some of us here this morning know if this had happened to us, the only thing we could hope for was a memorable whipping after we got home!

(Complete Book of Zingers by Croft Pentz) The greatest enemy of man is not disease—it's despair.

Hope is the antidote for despair.

So, what is hope? How would you define it / describe it?

Hebrew

There are 13 different Hebrew words that are translated as “hope” in English.

(Strong's Talking Greek & Hebrew Dictionary) The two words used most frequently are:
1. תִּקְוָה‎, tiqwâ, from (qavah); literal a cord (as an attachment); figurative expectancy: - expectation ([-ted]), hope, live, thing that I long for. 

[The background meaning of this word “a cord” is very interesting because to me it conveys the thought or idea of a cord/rope that draws me forward, or ties me to something that is yet to come.]

2. יָהַל‎, yāḥal, to wait; by implication to be patient, hope :- (cause to, have, make to) hope, be pained, stay, tarry, trust, wait.

Greek

(Strong's Talking Greek & Hebrew Dictionary) There is 1 predominant Greek word for hope.
ἐλπίς, elpis, from a primary elpo (to anticipate, usually with pleasure); expectation (abstract or concrete) or confidence :- faith, hope.

(Webster, 1913 ed.) Hope: A desire of some good, accompanied with an expectation of obtaining it, or a belief that it is obtainable; an expectation of something which is thought to be desirable; confidence; pleasing expectancy.

(Pocket Dict. Of Apologetics and Philosophy of Religion) Hope is a positive expectation of some future good that is not yet present…. 

Hope, n: Desire and expectation rolled into one. Ambrose Bierce (http://www.rudyh.org/dictionary-fun-funny-quotes-quotations.htm#H)

(AMG Concise Bible Dict.) Hope is a characteristic of genuine faith in God. Such hope is different from the hope that people in general might speak of. It is not a mere wish for something, but a strong confidence that is placed in God. It is the assured belief that God will do what he has promised (Ps 42:5; 71:5; Rom 4:18; Heb 11:1). 

(William Barclay, The Letter to the Romans. From Christianity Today, "Reflections" -10/25/99) The Christian hope is the hope which has seen everything and endured everything, and has still not despaired, because it believes in God. The Christian hope is not hope in the human spirit, in human goodness, in human endurance, in human achievement; the Christian hope is hope in the power of God.

Hope in Lamentations?

What is the root word in the word “lamentation?” - Lament. A lament is To express or feel sorrow; to weep or wail; to mourn. (Webster)

In my pulpit Bible, it says, “The Lamentations of Jeremiah.” The book of Lamentations does not specify who the author is, but it was accepted in Jewish tradition to be Jeremiah. It was also presumed to be Jeremiah in the Septuagint (Gk. trans. of the OT) since it was located immediately following the book of Jeremiah (as our modern Bibles do). The Septuagint adds at the beginning of the book that Jeremiah, after Israel had gone into exile and Jerusalem was laid waste, sat down weeping and composed this lament over Jerusalem. (Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries – Jeremiah and Lamentations).

It is believed to be laments of Jeremiah after the fall and destruction of Jerusalem and the temple.

Interesting Literary form in the book of Lamentations

(Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries) – One particular characteristic distinguishes the book of Lamentations as a very skilled piece of writing. The book’s structure is shaped by the Hebrew alphabet, which contains twenty-two letters. Chapters 1, 2 and 4 are written in the form of an alphabetic acrostic, whereby each verse begins with a different letter, working in succession through the whole of the Hebrew alphabet. In Lamentations 3 each group of three verses has the same letter at the start of each verse. Therefore, 3:1-3 all start with the first letter of the alphabet, verses 4-6 with the second, and so on, giving a total of sixty-six verses. Lamentations 5 does not have this acrostic pattern, although it too has twenty-two verses.

(Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries) – Lamentations is obviously a book about suffering, addressing the subject on both a communal and a personal level, as we have seen. The book does not offer a solution to the problem of suffering. It is not a collection of theoretical essays on the subject of ‘why people suffer’ or ‘why God allows his people to suffer’. Rather, it consists of a series of emotional responses to the disaster of the fall of Jerusalem, the destruction of the temple and the Babylonian exile (although exile is not mentioned much; see 1:3, 18). Lamentations is not an exact description of the disaster of 587 b.c., but an intense reaction to it.

(Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries) – The essential point in understanding the theology of Lamentations is that the people of God were supposed to live a life wholly committed to God; failure to do so would cause the disintegration of society and the breakdown of all relationships. The disasters mourned over in Lamentations are not the whim of a capricious God who ‘likes’ to punish (Lam. 3:33). In the midst of suffering, there is recognition that God is righteous (1:18) and that his compassions never fail (3:22). His faithfulness is great (3:23), echoing verses in Exodus (34:6-7).

(Tyndale) It seems possible that the “hope” passages of chapter 3 actually provide the “theological center” of the book.

Encouragement in hope.

To me, it seems that the main important point of this chapter is the fact that all of the troubles mentioned in the earlier verses are not just incidental cases of adversity and tragic random disasters, but they are the consequences for failing to obey the Lord and live by the “rules of conduct” outlined in the covenant. Yet, in spite of the judgment from a holy God, there is hope. This is specifically “hope for the disobedient.” It is hope for the “rebel.” It is a message that God has continually shown compassion, He has continually exhibited His faithfulness and He will grant forgiveness and pardon if they will turn back to Him.

Look at Lam. 3:22-24 again: Through the LORD'S mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. ²³ They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. ²⁴ "The LORD is my portion," says my soul, "Therefore I hope in Him!" 

The Bible provides numerous passages / texts that offer hope for sinners and saints. But this passage in Lamentations, I believe, is specifically written to give hope to the person/people who have turned against the Lord and disobeyed Him, but now recognize the error of their ways and seek to be reunited with God. This text is not specifically about the incarnation / coming of the Messiah, yet His coming is all about giving wayward sinners the hope that God loves us and wants us back.

If there is anyone here today that has turned your back on God and walked away from Him and His will for your life, I want to assure you that there is no better time than now to get back in the right relationship with the Lord and take full advantage of His compassion and His mercies that are “new every morning.” 

We are going to close the service by singing a hymn by Norman Clayton: My Hope Is in the Lord, #540

Christian believer, this is a reminder that our only hope of salvation is in Christ. Sinner, backslider, wayward son/daughter, this is also a reminder to you that hope is still offered. You can return to the Lord and recommit your life by seeking His forgiveness and His grace.