Share Hope Gently

The topic for today’s exhortation is Share Hope Gently.

We will look at what is this hope that we should have, why we should have this hope and how we can share this hope in a way that makes it attractive to others.

We sing a song in our church “We have this hope that burns within our hearts, hope in the coming of the Lord.”

As Christians, our hope in Jesus is founded on the belief in His promises, His love, and the salvation He provides. 

We must know, Family, that the best hope we have is for eternal life and redemption. John 3:16 New Living Translation - “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. 

We hope, we believe, we trust God, that one day, when Jesus Christ returns, we will experience the end of suffering and injustice.

Revelation 21:4 “He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.””

One of these days, we hope and know we will experience victory over sin and evil. Revelation 20:10 “Then the devil, who had deceived them, was thrown into the fiery lake of burning sulfur, joining the beast and the false prophet. There they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.”

In the meantime, as we trod this journey of life and we face our many challenges, we can have a hope that is comforting to our souls.  When we grow weak under pressure, we are reassured that we can have peace and be strong in the Lord, knowing that God’s Presence is always with us.

Philippians 4:13 - “For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.”

John 16:33 -  “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” 

And Matthew 28:20 - “Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” 

So this great hope that we have, Family, what will we do with it? Keep it to our selves? Absolutely not. It’s so good, we must share it. 

But how do we share it in a way that attracts others rather than scare them away?

I want to submit to us today that we must share home gently.

Yes it’s important for us to have hope, yes it’s important for us to share hope, but our method of sharing is equally important.

I saw this recently on someone’s Facebook Page: ‘Be a sponge not a steel wool. Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling.’

So how do we share hope gently?

Family, firstly, it is important when we share that we show others Jesus’ love.

John 13:34-35 “So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.””

This means, secondly, that we must ask God to help us remove behaviors and thought patterns that do not reflect His character or heart for His people. 

Colossians 3:8-10 “But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language. Don’t lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds. Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him.”

Thirdly, as we share hope in Jesus, we must be gentle, respectful and loving, not judgemental and arrogant.

Galatians 6:1  “Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself.”

1 Peter 3:15-16 says “Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it. But do this in a gentle and respectful way. Keep your conscience clear. Then if people speak against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ.”

#4 - We must share hope and our faith with genuine joy. Philippians 4:4-5  “Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon.”

Romans 15:13 “I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.”

So yes we must be passionate about the Word of God, but as we share, make ensure that our lives are exemplary, because people will quicker believe what they see than what you tell them.

So we have this hope Family, and everywhere we go every day, we are encouraged to share it, by living holy. 

1 John 3:3 “And all who have this eager expectation will keep themselves pure, just as he is pure.”

For soon and very soon, we will experience, once we are faithful and keep hope alive, the fulfilment of Jesus’ Promise in John 14:1-3: ““Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am.”

1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 tells us, “For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the believers who have died will rise from their graves. Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever.” 

Hallelujah. 

Amidst it all Family, let us continue to hope in the Lord, and share this hope gently. Certainly, we want others to experience this with us as well.

aub - 14 October 2024

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