Happy home, happy life, Heart, Importance of hope,  Hope, Hope in times of trouble, Hospitality

HOPE TO LIVE:- Eph 2:12- gentiles have no hope.

  1. God is the hope:- Ps 78:7; 146:5; Jer 17:7; Col 1:27

-         the Lord Jesus ministered that hope.

  1. Gospel contains the hope:- Col 1:23; Ro 8:24; I Thess 5:8
  2. God’s word gives hope:- Rom 15:4
  3. Hope for today- temporal hope:- Ro 5:4; I Thess 1:3; I Jn 3:3
  4. Eternal hope (better):- I Cor 15:19; II Thess 2:16
  5. Experienced through a vital personal relationship with God- Is 40:31; Eph1:18

                Ps 71:14- hope & praise

HAPPY HOME OR HOME PRIORITIES- Luke 10:38-42

He contrasting things in a home:-

  1. Person vs Possessions :- receiving Jesus
  2. Priorities vs Activities:- sitting & hearing His word.
  3. Worship vs Service :- balance & prominent
  4. Compliments vs Complaints:-
  5. Expectations vs Demands:-
  6. Peace vs Disturbance:-
  7. One thing vs many things:-
  8. Needs vs Desires :-
  9. Choices (plans) vs Pressures (invitations)
  10. Permanent (eternal, essential, lasting) vs temporary (temporary, extra things  

      momentary ) :-

THE HEART:- Prov 4:23

(Gen 8:21- evil; Jer 17:9-deceitful; Mat 15:8- far; Mat 19:8- hard; Mat 5:28-sinful)

(Heb 4:12; Ac 2:37; Rom 10:10; Ps 119:11; Ps 19:14)

(I Sa 16:7; Ps 44:21; Jer 17:10; Rom 8:27; II Thess 3:5)

  1. A new heart- I Cor2:14(spiritual); Mt 5:8(pure); Ac 2:37(committed)- convicted & cleansed; Ps 51:17(broken); Rom 5:5(love)
  2. A hungry heart- I Pe 2:2- not carnal but determined & serious
  3. An obedient heart- Ps 119:98-100- willing to do, to respond to
  4. A disciplined heart :- Mt 7:7; Ps 119:11(self-disciplined, acting on it; Ps 51:17-broken & contrite.
  5. A teachable heart:- Is 50:4-willing to learn from others; Mt 11:29(gentle & humble); Lk 24:25(not slow to believing)

HOPE IN TIMES OF TROUBLE- PSALMS 138

What we need to do:

  1. Praise Him for His loving kindness & truth
  2. Worship with His people
  3. Proclaim His words-magnifying/exalting
  4. Pray- express yourself to Him

What He does:-

  1. Answers-responds-acts
  2. Strengthens Soul-gives inner strength
  3. Considers- understands our state
  4. Revives- lifts us up
  5. Saves- gives victory
  6. Completes His plans- perfects.

THE SECRETS OF A HAPPY LIFE :-

    1. The Cross (possessions) – take up (walk) & follow Christ:- Mk 10:21; Gal 6:14; Gal 2:20; Mt 10:36-39
    2. His feet (priorities) – sit (work) & listen His words :- Lk 10:42; Ps 1:1-2
    3. His touch (positions)- experience (visions) & express :- Jn 9:25; II Cor 5:17
    4. His call ( perspective ) – respond & reach : Phil 3:13,14; Mt 11:28; Heb 3:15; I Cor 1:9; Ac 20:24; 2 Ti 4:7,8
    5. His house (place) – abide & behold) :- Ps 27:4; Ps 16:11; I Ti 3:15; Heb 10: 21-25.

The secrets of a happy life:_

1. One thing lacking :- (sp. Riches) Mark 10:21- to come to the cross & make Jesus your Lord- having Him

     (Rt. Perspective)

2. One thing needful:- Lk 1:42 – sit at His feet & learn of Him- knowing Him (Sp. Priorities)

3. One thing certain :_ Jn 9:25- experiencing His power- experiencing Him (Personal experience- Rt. Power)

4. One thing desired:- Ps 27:4 – to dwell in His house- abiding in Him (Rt. Place)

THE BIBLICAL GUIDELINES FOR HOSPITALITY :- 2 JOHN

      1. The basis of Christian hospitality (1-3)

-         common love or interest in the truth

-         must share love with in the confirm of that truth

-         not called to universal acceptance of anyone who claims to be a believer

-         love must be discerning

-         Hospitality & kindness must be focused on those who are adhering to the fundamentals of the faith.

-         Sound doctrine must serve as the test of fellowship & the basis of separation between those who profess to be Christians & those who actually are (Rom 16:17; Gal 1:8,9; II Thess 3:6,14; Tit 3:10)

-         Love & truth are inseparable in Christianity

-         Truth must always guide the exercise of love (Eph 4:15). Love must stand the test of truth.

-         Truth must exist before love can unite

-          For truth generates love (I Pe 1:22)

-         when someone compromises true Christian love & unity are destroyed.

      1. The behavior of Christian hospitality (4-6)

-         involves obedience to the truth. “walking” continual

-         making obedience to the truth a habit in one’s life.

-         With walking in truth & in love is the behavior of hospitality. Those who obey walk in love. (Jn 14:15,21; 15:10)

      1. The bounds of Christian hospitality :-

-         Satan comes as an angel of light (7-11) (2 Cor 11:13-15)

-         Believer must be on guard against error.

-         A habitual denial of the undiminished deity & humanity of Christ (false doctrine)

-         Col 2:18,19; 3:24,25- Reward can be lost by aiding/ abetting false teaching

-         Supreme loyalty to God & His word aloe must characterize the action of every true believer.

-         Hospitality commanded (Rom 12:13; I Pe 4:9)

      1. The blessings of Christian hospitality (12,13)

-         is the full joy (I Jn 1:4)

-         when believers uphold the biblical standards for fellowship, the result is genuine joy, among believers because the truths of the word are maintained.

-         Jn 15:10,11- Jesus joy in us – because of His words (Col 3:16) (Jn 17:13)

-         Neh 8:10 – The joy of the Lord is strength.

-         Ac 2:46- gladness in the fellowship of saints.

THE IMPORTANCE OF HOPE :- Key vs (Rom 8:18-25)

Biblical change can’t take place without hope, especially in difficult situations.

The various aspects of hope- what hope does?

1.Produces joy that remains even through the most difficult trials : I Thess 4:13 ; Prov 10:28

2.Produces perseverance : Rom 8:24-25

3.Produces confidence :- Phil 1:20

4.Produces effective ministry:- II Cor 4:8-18

5.Produces greater faith & love :- Col 1:4-5

6.Produces consistency:- I Thess 1:3

7.Produces increased energy & enthusiasm :- I Thess  4:10

8.Produces stability :- Heb 6:19

9.Produces a more intimate relationship with God :- Heb 7:19

10.Produces personal purity :- I Jn 3:3

               False Hope

  1. Is based on human ideas of what is pleasurable & desirable. (Jn 16:33; Jam 1:2-4)
  2. Is based on a denial of reality
  3. on mystical or magical thinking

e.g. devotions a verse a day ;

random reading. (but intently looking & doing is necessary-Ja 1:25)

      4.On an unbiblical view of prayer –

         (I Tim 4:7; Mt 6:11 ; II Thess 3:10)

5.On an improper interpretation of 

Scripture – reading random verse & giving personal interpretation

Its like building on an unbiblical foundation as in Luke 6:47-49

                True Hope

1.Is a biblically based expectations of good-

   based on the promises of God.

  (Rom 4:18; II Pe. 1:4- precious promises)

   - a believing hope not mere speculation.

   - Is an expectation.

2.Is the result of true salvation-

   - I Pe.1:3- born again to a living hope

   - I Tim 1:1 Christ Himself is our hope

3.Is holistic in focus- concerned about happens to others e.g. Paul

 (Phil 2:17; II Tim 2:8-10 ; Joseph & Job – Gen 50:20; Job 13:15; 19:25)

4.Is realistic – Rom 8:28

5.Must be renewed daily – I Cor 4:16

6.Is inseparable from a diligent & accurate study of God’s word- Lk 24:32

7.A matter of the will – I Pe.1:13; Phil 4:13

8.Is based on knowledge- Rom. 5:2-3.