Rejoice In Hope
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Turn to and read Romans 5:1-6. Pray.
Rejoice In Hope
Rejoice In Hope
Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.
Vs. 1 tells us that...
We’ve been justified by faith.
We’ve been justified by faith.
To explain this just a little further we just have to look ahead a few verses...
But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
Romans 5:1 continues to tell us the glorious truth that...
We have peace with God.
We have peace with God.
We see this explained a little further in Romans 5:10-11:
For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.
And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.
But, it gets even better because Romans 5:2 tells us that...
We have access to the grace of God.
We have access to the grace of God.
This truth is beautifully explained for us in Hebrews chapter 4:
Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.
For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
We have all of this because Christ died for the ungodly.
We have all of this because Christ died for the ungodly.
For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.
Amen? Praise the Lord? Can we rejoice in these truths?
While all of that is wonderful - and they are the things that we tend to rejoice about - they are not what I desire to focus on this morning.
The word “rejoice” that we have in Romans 5:2 is found two other times in Romans chapter 5. In the passage that we read this morning - Romans 5:1-6 - the word is actually used twice. Now, I understand that the English word “rejoice” is not used twice in this passage but the original Greek word is used twice in this passage. Any idea what English word it is? While you think about that for a moment, allow me to share an illustration:
In high school, when I played basketball, our coach would always tell us, “Any team can beat any other team on any given night.” He would tell us that, especially right before we played against opponents who were bigger or better than we were.
However, I was strange in the fact that I believed what our coach told us and the fact that I enjoyed playing against guys who were bigger than me and better than me.
One such school that we played was Walnut Ridge Christian School out of Waterloo, Iowa. I recall one game in particular that we played against them in 1988. I still have the scar from that game!
With 34 seconds to play, we were down by one point. We ended up winning the game by several points.
Have you figured out the word? In Romans 5:3 we are told...
And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
The word “glory” in vs. 3 is the same word “rejoice” in vs. 2. So, as Paul says...
Rejoice in Hope
Rejoice in Hope
…he also says...
Rejoice in Tribulations
Rejoice in Tribulations
Just as I would get excited about the challenge of facing teams who were bigger and better than us, we should get excited about facing tribulations!
The words, “rejoice” and “glory” literally mean to brag or to boast: “Look at the tribulations that God is allowing me to go through!”
How would you define “tribulations?”
We probably would have as many definitions for “tribulations” as there are people in this room. For that reason, allow me to define it and see if any of these definitions apply to you:
Trouble - agitation, disturbance , confusion
Trouble - agitation, disturbance , confusion
Distress - extreme pain, either of body or mind
Distress - extreme pain, either of body or mind
Oppression - hardship, misfortune, cause for misery
Oppression - hardship, misfortune, cause for misery
Affliction - a state of pain, grief
Affliction - a state of pain, grief
Burdened - loaded with weight
Burdened - loaded with weight
All of those words can be used in the definition of “tribulations.” Do any of those words “hit home?”
Knowing that many of you would probably think, “What I’m going through cannot be considered a tribulation,” I wanted to make it a little more personal especially as, this past week, I have considered what some of our church family has experienced recently:
The Rutledge’s have endured the suffering of seeing Skip’s father experience seizures without any obvious cause.
Joe & Dianne White - For those of you who know Joe & Dianne, there’s no need for explanation. We all can agree that they have been carrying a heavy burden.
Bill & Dee Crawford have carried a heavy burden as they have watched Bill’s parent’s health gradually decline.
Matt & Carol Myers have watched Matt’s brother have been electrocuted and suffering. I think that could be described as “extreme pain.”
Allen & Kay Moulson, in trying to sell their home, have experienced some agitation and confusion.
Miles & Andrea Gibson have experienced the misfortune of being forced from their home.
Dwaine Roach has endured some “affliction” these past several months while experiencing three different automobile accidents.
This is just a small sampling of the tribulations that our church family have recently experienced.
Before looking at the reason for our rejoicing in tribulations, I want to share two thoughts to help us have the right perspective of tribulations.
Tribulations are personal.
Tribulations are personal.
No one can define tribulations for anyone else. What one person considers a tribulation may not be a tribulation to someone else and vice versa.
Also, no one can truly experience the tribulation that someone else is going through. Yes, Galatians 6:2 does command us to bear one another’s burdens, it goes on to say in just a few verses after that...
For every man shall bear his own burden.
Illustration: Recently, Dan & Kelly Bishop lost their newborn daughter. Even though individuals have tried to help, they must go through that tribulation for themselves.
That’s why we are commanded, in Romans 12:15...
Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.
Tribulations are personal. But also...
Tribulations are spiritual.
Tribulations are spiritual.
Job lost his wealth; he lost his family; he lost his health. All of those are “physical.” But at the core, everything that Job faced was spiritual in nature.
Why? Because tribulation require a faith response which we’ll understand better in just a moment. For now, though, understand that if we do not respond to tribulations in faith, we will respond in the flesh and that will never lead to good results!
Tribulations are personal. Tribulations are spiritual.
Now, the...
Reasons for Rejoicing
Reasons for Rejoicing
Look back at Romans 5:3-4. (Read)
Tribulation worketh Patience.
Tribulation worketh Patience.
The word “worketh” means to accomplish; result in; bring about; produce.
The word “patience” means steadfastness; endurance; perseverance. It literally means “to stay under.”
In high school, we would have basketball practice several days a week. Sometimes we would have morning practices at 6 AM. Our practices consisted of things such as “Turn on the Whistle” and “Suicides.” Practices were not meant for our enjoyment. But, in order to play in the game on Friday we would have to “endure” practice. If we didn’t practice, we didn’t play.
Tribulations are never fun. But, to fully experience everything that God has for us, we must endure!
Tribulations worketh Patience and...
Patience worketh Experience.
Patience worketh Experience.
The word “experience” means to examine; to test. It also means proven character!
Dr. Bob Jones Sr. once said, “The test of your character is what it takes to stop you!”
I have often heard it said that a ballgame is won in the 4th quarter. Why? Because that’s when a player’s character is really seen.
In our game against Walnut Ridge, in the last 30 seconds we were down by one point. Would we cave? Would we give in? Would we give up? Would we simply resign ourselves to the fact that they were just better than us and deserved to win?
May I ask you a question?
Do you have character that is worth having?
In your Christian life you will never develop the character of those individuals recorded for us in Hebrews chapter 11 unless you, by faith, are willing to endure tribulations that are designed to build and refine your character!
But he knoweth the way that I take: When he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.
Tribulations worketh Patience. Patience worketh Experience. And..
Experience worketh Hope.
Experience worketh Hope.
My last year of playing high school basketball, the Central Iowa Christian Academy Crusaders went 24-2. One of those losses was the regional championship game which would have allowed us to continue on to the national championship.
Each win that experienced, especially against teams like Walnut Ridge Christian Academy, made us a better team. In fact, each win solidified in our minds the thought, “We can beat anyone.”
The same is true in our Christian. The more we allow God to fully use tribulations in our lives, the more He is able to prepare us for what He has planned next!
That’s exactly the attitude that David had when he spoke with King Saul right before he faced Goliath...
Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living God.
Tribulations worketh Patience. Patience worketh Experience. Experience worketh Hope. And...
Hope maketh not Ashamed.
Hope maketh not Ashamed.
Earlier, when I first told you about our game against Walnut Ridge, I mentioned that I had the scar to prove it. (Take a moment to explain.) I was and am proud of that scar. Why? Because I know what I had to go through to get it!
Tribulation in our lives is nothing to be ashamed of. Tribulation is nothing to shy away from.
Turn to and read 2 Corinthians 12:7-10.
Notice again what Paul says in vs. 9...
And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
This Thanksgiving season, while it’s easier to rejoice in the good things, let’s be sure to also rejoice in the tribulations that God allows into our lives knowing that...
Tribulations worketh Patience.
Patience worketh Experience.
Experience worketh Hope. And...
Hope maketh not ashamed!
Rejoice in Tribulations
Rejoice in Tribulations