Carmichael Ministries

Season of Hope—The Faith and Hope Connection

[Rom 15:12-13 NASB95]

· Paul emphatically states that apart from Christ people do not have hope (Eph. 2:12); that is, they do not have the kind of hope the Bible talks about.

· Hope and faith is central to the Christmas message. Jesus’s birth is the embodiment of our faith and hope. Faith and hope work together, especially during the Christmas season.

What does Romans 15:13 show us about the faith and hope connection?

Here are five details Romans 15:13 show us about the faith and hope connection.

I. God is the source.

a. God is identified as the “God of hope,” emphasizing that true hope originates from Him. He is not just a source; He embodies hope.

b. Hope is God’s nature: His faithfulness, promises, and ability to fulfill His word.

c. [2Ch 20:12 NASB95]

d. Keep your faith and hope based upon Him.

II. Filled with joy and peace is the goal.

a. The ultimate aim is to be filled with “all joy and peace,” which points to a holistic experience of God’s presence.

b. Joy represents an inner contentment and delight in God, while peace refers to being grounded and secure amid life’s storms.

c. [Isa 26:3 NASB95]

d. When hope and faith are in our lives, this is the state we will find ourselves filled with.

III. It comes as we live in faith.

a. This joy and peace are connected to our faith in God. The phrase “as you trust in Him” emphasizes that our faith is the channel through which we experience hope.

b. Living in faith involves dependence on God’s promises and actions, not just intellectual belief.

c. [Heb 11:1 NASB95]

d. [Heb 11:6 NASB95]

e. Remembering last week’s sermon (Romans 15:4) that hope comes through the Scriptures stay focused the Word (Romans 10:17).

IV. Your hope will be stronger than your struggle.

a. That your hope may be steadfast and strong. (Albert Barnes)

b. Hope does not negate struggles; rather, it empowers us to face them. Our hope in God sustains us through trials and tribulations.

c. [Zec 9:12 NASB95]

d. [Rom 8:18-25 NASB95]

e. God is strengthening your hope to be unstoppable.

V. Your relationship with the Holy Spirit will tap into the power.

a. The last part of Romans 15:13 mentions “the power of the Holy Spirit.” The Holy Spirit is the agent who fills us with joy, peace, and hope as we live in connection with Him.

b. There is a necessity of nurturing a relationship with the Holy Spirit for the overflow of hope.

c. [Rom 14:17 NASB95]

d. [Act 1:8 NASB95]

e. The Holy Spirit empowers you to live in hope and walk by faith.

· God is our source of hope, our goal is to be filled with joy and peace, faith activates this process, our hope empowers us through struggles, and a relationship with the Holy Spirit taps into the divine power.

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Supernatural Phenomenon—Angels Among Us

[Luk 2:8-15 NASB95]

One of the primary players in birth of Christ

Angels mentioned over 200 times. More in the NT than the OT.

Two Warnings concerning angels

Not be worshiped – new age, curiosity, hopelessness – [Col 2:18 NASB95]

Not be believed if they counter the Bible – Mohammed, Joseph Smith – [Gal 1:8 NASB95]

Bill Johnson, “We don’t worship angels, but we would be stupid to ignore them.”

Angels are used to bring answers to prayer.

[Gen 28:12 NASB95]

[Heb 1:14 NASB95]

In this Christmas season what should I know about angels?

Here are very important Biblical roles angels play in our lives.

Here are some facts about angels’ interaction with us.

A. Angels praise God.

· [Isa 6:1-4 NASB95]

John saw the same thing in Revelation

Shows the importance,

When we praise God, we are joining with the angels

B. Angels rejoice greatly when sinners repent.

· [Luk 15:7-10 NASB95]

Understand the importance of winning the lost

C. Angels protect people.

Most often given message by angels is FEAR NOT

[Psa 91:11-12 NASB95]

[2Ki 6:15-17 NASB95]

D. Angels bring judgement.

· [Act 12:21-23 NASB95]

We choose blessing or cursing

E. Angels bring direction.

[Dan 10:12-14 NASB95]

[Act 10:1-7 NASB95]

Both men had a dynamic walk with God, consistent for years.

F. Angels minister strength.

· [Luk 22:43 NASB95] 4

· [1Ki 19:4-5 NASB95]

G. Angels heed God’s Word.

· [Psa 103:20 NASB95]

H. Angels accompany us when we die.

· [Luk 16:22 NASB95]

I. Angels are used to bring provision.

· [Gen 31:11-13 NASB95]

II. Here are some actions/attitudes that we need to incorporate in our lives concerning angels’ interaction with us.

A. Speak the Word.

B. Worship God.

C. Allow them to speak.

D. Spread the Gospel. Pray for people.

E. Treat people right. [Heb 13:2 NASB95]

F. Be comforted and at peace concerned loved ones who have passed away.

G. Believe for supernatural results.

· God has commissioned angels to render service for us.

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Season of Hope—The Power of the Scriptures

[Rom 15:4 NASB95]

· Division, confusion, and scandal have caused many to lose many things. One of those things lost is hope. We through distrust, disappointment, and doubt have lost an expectation of anything. Many are just in neutral; numb to many things, including Jesus and His Church.

· Paul addresses this situation here in Romans. His fix is to draw those who are experiencing these issues to the Scriptures.

· The Scriptures are under attack. Existence. Influence. Dilution.

· Christmas inspires us to hope (expectation of the fulfillment of God’s plan universally and individually.) The Scriptures help to develop that hope.

In what ways do the Scriptures have the power to produce hope in our lives?

Here are four points from Romans 15:4 that help us tap into the power of the Scriptures.

I. The Scriptures Were Written for Our Learning

a. “For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction…”

i. The Bible is not just a collection of stories; it is a teaching tool designed to shape our understanding of God, His will, and our purpose.

b. [2Ti 3:16-17 NASB95]

i. The Scriptures provide us with guidance in every area of life, equipping us to navigate challenges and grow in righteousness.

c. [Psa 119:105 NASB95]

i. The Word lights our way, teaching us how to walk in alignment with God’s will.

d. Commit to daily Bible reading and study. Let the Word shape your decisions and understanding.

II. The Scriptures Teach Perseverance

a. “… so that through perseverance…”

b. Perseverance is patiently keeping on. The Word of God instills patience by teaching us to trust God’s timing and remain steadfast in trials.

c. [Jas 1:3-4 NASB95]

i. Through Scripture, we see how God uses trials to produce patience and maturity in us.

d. [Isa 40:31 NASB95]

i. The Word reassures us of the blessings that come to those who wait on the Lord.

e. Reflect on Biblical stories of those who waited on God (e.g., Abraham, Joseph) and find encouragement to persevere.

III. The Scriptures Provide Encouragement

a. “… the encouragement of the Scriptures…”

b. God’s Word is a source of encouragement in times of distress, offering reassurance of His presence and promises.

c. [Psa 23:4 NASB95]

i. The Scriptures remind us that God’s presence brings peace even in the darkest times.

d. [Jhn 14:1 NASB95]

i. Jesus speaks comfort to us through His promises of eternal care and provision.

e. In times of distress turn to the Scriptures to find encouragement.

IV. The Scriptures Lead to Hope

a. “… we might have hope.”

b. The ultimate purpose of Scripture is to instill hope—a confident expectation of God’s faithfulness and promises.

c. [Jer 29:11 NASB95]

i. God’s plans for us, revealed in His Word, give us a future filled with hope.

d. [Heb 6:18-19 NASB95]

i. The Word anchors us in hope, no matter the storms of life.

e. Make the Scripture your source of hope.

· God wants you to give the Scriptures existence (place), influence, singular focus so you can maintain hope through learning, developing patience, and receiving encouragement in any environment or season of life.

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How Not to Ruin the Holiday Season

[Luk 2:10-14 NASB95]

· There are studies that suggest that family fights happen during the holiday season than any other time of the year. People gain more weight during the holiday season. People get into more debt during the holiday season. People get overwhelmed during the holiday season.

· People make so many mistakes during the holiday season that it becomes ruined for them.

· This season is supposed to one of “great joy.”

Does the Bible help us to avoid ruining this holiday season?

Here are seven practical Biblical tips to avoid ruining this holiday season.

I. Practice self-care.

a. [Mar 6:31 NASB95]

b. Rest.

c. Exercise.

d. Eat moderately.

e. Accept invitations to be with people.

II. Live at peace with people.

a. [Rom 12:18 NASB95]

b. Do your best to live at peace with people.

c. Overlook offenses. [Pro 19:11 NASB95]

III. Be present.

a. [Psa 118:24 NASB95]

b. It is ok to appropriately reminisce about the past or to look forward to the future.

c. Cherish today. Love the people who are here now.

IV. Spend wisely.

a. [Pro 21:20 NASB95]

b. Stick to a budget.

c. Avoid impulse spending.

V. Focus on the positives.

a. [Phl 4:8-9 NASB95]

b. Some things will not go exactly as you have planned. People will disappoint you.

c. DEAL with problems but do not DWELL on problems.

d. Focus on good things. It is how you have peace.

VI. Live like a Christian.

a. [Rom 6:12-13 NASB95]

b. Avoid things like getting drunk or sex outside of marriage.

c. It is not worth ruining your walk with God and witness with others.

VII. Be faithful to God.

a. [1Sa 12:24 NASB95]

b. Maintain your pursuit of God.

c. Pray. Read the Bible. Be faithful to church.

God wants this season to be a season of great joy by living by seven Bible ways to avoid ruining the holiday season.

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Times Two pt10—The Supernatural Power of Greed

[2Ki 5:15-27 NASB95]

Greed will connect you to the supernatural. Not the kind of supernatural that you want.

We live in a greedy society. Please long for money. Steal. Do not pay what they owe people.

Gehazi was greedy. It was not time to receive the money. His greed for more things caused him to get leprosy.

What does God want us to know about greed?

Here are three things God wants us to know about greed.

God wants us to know what greed is not.

Greed is not:

Wanted to get paid for work performed including preaching.

[1Ti 5:18 NASB95]

[1Co 9:13-14 NASB95]

Believing for and righteously working for provision and prosperity that God has promised. [Mat 6:28-30, 33 NASB95]

Greed is:

Loving money. [Heb 13:5 NASB95]

Stealing. [Eph 4:28 NASB95]

Not paying what you owe. [Jas 5:4 NASB95]

Ask the Holy Spirit if there is greed in your life.

God wants us to know the effects of greed.

It leads to all kinds of evil. [1Ti 6:10 NASB95]

It connected Gehazi to leprosy.

Not a stretch to believe that greed, along with lying, caused Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, to die. [Act 5:1-10 NASB95]

Greed will keep you from serving God. [Mat 6:24-26 NASB95]

Greed will get you to compromise like Baalam.

[2Pe 2:15 NASB95]

[Jde 1:11 NASB95]

Do not allow greed to stay in your life.

God wants us to know how to free from greed.

Overcome fear of lack by trusting in God for provision and prosperity.

Learn to love people.

Become a generous giver. Giving is the antidote to greed.

God wants you free from the negative supernatural effects of greed by learning to trust God for provision and prosperity as you learn to love people and become a generous giver.

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How to Labor in Prayer for Breakthrough

[Col 4:12 NASB95]

Lazy, passionless prayer is not a NT kind of praying.

Αγωνιζομενος – agonizing

JFB – “literally, ‘striving as in the agony of a contest.’”

LITS – “In other words, the disciple had learned well from his mentor and was now modeling the kind of prayer activity that Paul wanted to see reproduced in the life of the Colossian congregation.”

Fire Bible notes: We must pray with passion and inner persistence, knowing that as we wrestle in prayer, Christ’s energy is working powerfully in us (cf. 1:29) and his purposes are being realized on behalf of others.

What does laboring in prayer for a breakthrough involve?

Here are three things to consider about laboring in prayer for a breakthrough.

OT example of laboring in prayer for breakthrough.

Hannah, the mother of the prophet Samuel. [1Sa 1:10, 12-13, 15, 17 NASB95]

Learning to pray from a sense of urgency helps us to birth a breakthrough.

NT example of laboring in prayer for breakthrough.

Jesus’ prayer life.

[Heb 5:7 NASB95]

[Mar 1:35-39 NASB95]

Jesus’ earthly ministry and life serves as an example of how we NT believers are expected to live. This includes His prayer life.

Three principles of laboring in prayer for breakthrough.

The FIT principle

F

Frequent

[2Co 4:16 NASB95]

[Psa 55:17 NASB95]

[1Th 5:16-17 NASB95]

Faithful

[Lev 6:12-13 NASB95]

I

Intensity

[Jas 5:16 NASB95]

Intentional

[Act 16:13 NASB95]

T

Time

[Mar 14:37-38 NASB95]

[Act 3:1 NASB95]

Teachable

[Luk 11:1-2 NASB95]

Pattern – keep you focused and covers what needs to be covered.

Preference – Sing, write, speak.

God wants us to labor in prayer to Him so we and others can experience a breakthrough.

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