Spiritual power - the fruit of the Spirit - arises out of the Holy Spirit s life within us. The Holy Spirit gives expression to God-honouring character traits through our lives as we yield to Him and walk in step with Him.
SPIRITUAL POWER HOPE VS DOUBT
Hope is the confident expectation that God s promises will be kept. It is an inner sense of serenity in God that rises above present circumstances. Hope in God has kept people alive and buoyant when the circumstances of life were almost unbearable.
Isaiah 40:31 Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not be faint.
Christian hope comes from God and springs out of relationship with God 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.
Christian hope is anchored in eternity Hebrews 6:18-19 We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf. Godless hope hangs on a spider s web Job 8:13-14 The hope of the godless perishes. What he trusts in is fragile; what he relies on is a spider s web. He leans on his web, but it gives way; he clings to it, but it does not hold.
Christian hope, true hope, hope we can rely on, is anchored in God s truth. What we can truly rely on and hope for is revealed in the Word of God. Psalm 130:5 I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in His Word I put my hope.
Strong hope springs out of relationship with God. We must mean business with God Jeremiah 2:25 But you said, It is hopeless. I love foreign gods, and I must go after them.
Christian hope is Anchored in God s Truth - Be Honest with God Numbers 11:10-15 Moses heard the people of every family wailing, each at the entrance to his tent. The Lord became exceedingly angry, and Moses was troubled. Moses asked the Lord, Why have you brought this trouble on your servant? What have I done to displease you that you put the burden of all these people on me?. If this is how you are going to treat me, put me to death right now - if I have found favour in your eyes - and do not let me face my own ruin.
Pour out your heart to Him Psalm 62:3-8 How long will you assault a man? With their mouth they bless, but in their hearts they curse Find hope, O my soul, in God alone.. Pour out your hearts to Him.
Know the Voice of the Shepherd John 10:27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.
Turn to God Job 6:14 A despairing man should have the devotion of his friends. Proverbs 18:24 There is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
But stuff happens. Ecclesiastes 10:4 If your boss is angry at you, don t quit! A quiet spirit can overcome even great mistakes.
Know the Shepherd s Power 2 Corinthians 1:8-11 We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened so that we might not rely on ourselves, but on God, who raises the dead. He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On Him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us.
Hang in There - Don t Quit Romans 5:2-5 We rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance produces proven character / experience; and proven character produces hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us.
HOW DO WE ACTION THE HOPE OF GOD? Take a Risk Numbers 13-14 Then Caleb silenced the people before Moses and said, We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it. (11:30) Joshua 14:6-15 Now, just as the Lord promised, He has kept me alive for 45 years So here I am today, 85 years old! I am still as strong today as the day Moses sent me out. Now give me this hill country that the Lord promised me that day.
Hope looks for the big picture Psalm 147:11 The Lord delights in those who fear Him, who put their hope in His unfailing love.