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build hope

 


Galatians 5:13  NLT  

For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love. 


This weekend our church family had a great time of worship at our future campus.  One of my favorite places, God led us to purchase and begin working on the building more than 12 years ago.  You gotta see it.


We continue our series in Romans, and we almost all the way through the book.  This particular message from Romans 15 centers on how Christians who haver come a long way in Christ deal with those who with others who haven[t come so far.


The verse I began with is a great reminder than our lives can be a blessing to others if we make sure that our way of seeing others is right and in line with what God says.


2 Corinthians 5:14  NIV  

For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died.


Why should we serve others, be kind and seek to help people come closer to Christ?  It is God’s love that compels us.  To be compelled is not be be driven to do something or made to do something in this instance.  It is a cause and an affect thing.  Because Jesus loves us and died for us, we should love and help others.


Galatians 6:2  NASB  

Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ.


That is is a great way to help other.  Bear their burdens.  Carry their groceries.  Mow their grass.  Stop and pray with them.  Do things that help some one else.


Philippians 2:7-11  NLT  

Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, 8 he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross. 9 Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.


There you have what Jesus did.  He gave all, and then God gave Him what we need.  I love Philippians 2.


Here is where we will stop for today.  Romans 15:12 and 13 remind us to put our hope in God.  In fact to trust God will always build out hope.  As we serve and share with others God builds and strengthens our confidence and hope as well as those we serve.


Jeremiah 17:7  NLT  

But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence.

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