HAVING HOPE AGAINST HOPE

HAVING HOPE AGAINST HOPE

 

 

Beloved friends, what an auspicious time in our lives to bring you a message of hope! First, my wife and I, together with my family, wish you a prosperous New Year and Abundant Blessings. Secondly, on behalf of The Master’s Vessel Ministry, I want to bring you a message of hope.

 

The LORD GOD Almighty is still on the throne. HIS purposes will stand; HE will do HIS good pleasure in your life and in Nigeria. Believe me: the will of man will not prevail. GOD is a God of Justice. And HE answers prayers.

Nigeria is the LORD’s, the land and the people in it; and the resources – they belong to HIM. HE is not in any way ready to abandon us. HE’s not in any way ready to abandon us.

 

Today, we will take our text from The Book of Romans Chapter 8. The Book of Romans chapter 8, and we will be reading from verse 18.

 

Romans 8:18-25

 

18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 19 For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; 21 because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. 23 Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body. 24 For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.

We eagerly wait for it with perseverance.

 

Let us pray!

 

PRAYER

 

Almighty FATHER, YOU gave us YOUR SON, when the world was neck-deep into sin. YOU conceived in the Salvation Plan YOU will have all men to be saved. YOU have plans for us. Please, FATHER, grant my audience grace to renew hope in a troubled land and country. Grant us understanding; may YOUR SPIRIT use this message to rekindle hope and trust in YOU…in JESUS Mighty Name.

 

Friends, I’m speaking on the title, Having Hope against Hope.

 

HAVING HOPE AGAINST HOPE

 

That’s the title of my message. Even without further elaboration the passage we read in Romans 8:18-25 gives us direction at this time. Let us read verse 18 again.

Because there is hope is hope in life – there is hope in life: you don’t need to lose hope. Romans 8:18 – hear The Word of The LORD, 18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

 

The sufferings of this time are not worthy to be compared…there is hope.

Friends, the prevailing suffering is not the end of life. There is a glory coming: do not give up, rekindle hope – GOD is not done with you.

 

Romans 4:18

18 who, contrary to hope, in hope believed, so that he became the father of many nations, according to what was spoken, “So shall your descendants be.”

 

I am not talking about wishful thinking – I am talking about trusting GOD: that GOD will do what that HE said HE will do. Our world is filled with trouble. And so the bible says, the whole creation has been groaning as in the pangs of childbirth right up until the present time. Yes – Apostle Paul saw oppression in various parts of the world controlled by the Roman Empire in those days. He saw misery, he saw slavery, he saw poverty. In the Roman World he saw hardship and pain, occasioned by famines and wars. He saw the great burden people were carrying through ignorance and worship of idols.

 

Fiends, it is no better today. The world is groaning from natural disasters, floodings, landslides, tornadoes, volcanic eruptions, wildfires, earthquakes and so on. The world is groaning – groaning under pollution: water pollution, air pollution and all kinds of degradation of the environment. We try to build, and end up polluting the land.

Few years ago the world was groaning under HIV and AIDS. Some countries in Africa are still groaning under Ebola. The world is groaning under corruption. In particular, Nigeria is groaning under corrupt leaders. It is unprecedented! Nigeria is groaning under youth unemployment. The few vacancies available go to the highest bidder. Others are filled up secretly. People are groaning because of sickness. People are groaning because of accidents. Families are groaning from loss of dear ones, in road and air accidents, in particular. Children are groaning under divorce of parents and shattered families. People are groaning because of disappointments, misunderstandings and divisions. The list is inexhaustible: unfulfilled expectations, broken promises and failures of various kinds. GOD is calling us to hope, friends.

 

Abraham had no reason to still expect a child at the age of 100 years. But the Bible say, against all hope, Abraham in hope. Believed: and so became The Father of Many Nations. Just as it has been said to him, so shall your offspring be.

 

The good news, friends, is that the condition of our world today is not permanent. GOD is in control. GOD will not be defeated. A new year is a new gate of time to renew hope.

 

Why will you  renew hope?

 

  1. Renew hope because of The Resurrected Body. In verse 23 of our text the bible refers to the redemption of our bodies. Are you sick, bedridden, unable to bend down and wear your trousers and put on stockings and shoes? You can no longer read the small print in your bible? You cannot sleep well again? Toothache is taking its toll on you? Finances are not available? Do not give up! The redemption of our bodies is coming. The good news is that GOD has a Resurrected body for you – sometime in the future. That body will not be encumbered with sickness and disease. No pain, whatsoever, will reside in it.

 

  1. Besides all that, my friends, no condition is beyond GOD – no matter how hopeless your situation may be right now. GOD provides the ability to have hope: even if you cannot see any possible solution to the problem right now. GOD is able to turn bad things into good thing.

 

The book of Romans 8:28 is an amazing scripture. It will turn your mindset around. The bible says there: 28 And we know that in all things GOD works for the good of those who love HIM, who have been called according to HIS purpose.

 

 

Beloved friend, some good is coming out of that situation! Renew your hope; it is not over yet – GOD is on the throne. No condition can defeat HIM.

But, are you trusting GOD? Abraham believed GOD. Emulate Abraham in this season. Believe GOD!

 

PRAYER

 

Then I want you to repeat after me. LORD JESUS, I believe YOU. I believe YOU with all my heart: YOU can do all things. I renew my hope for this new year; it shall be well with me, because I believe YOU. I surrender my fears to YOU…in The Name of JESUS CHRIST.

 

Let me pray for you.

 

LORD JESUS, YOU are undefeatable; no situation is beyond YOUR power. Pour out YOUR grace upon all who are hearing me. Renew their hope. I rebuke that spirit of hopelessness…in JESUS Name. I rebuke the spirit of unbelief. Hard heart, depart…in The Name of JESUS. LORD JESUS, release YOUR SPIRIT to take over and control these ones who are trusting YOU. Help them see good coming out of those bad situations…in the mighty name of JESUS CHRIST. Amen!

 

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