God’s Presents to You This Christmas

God’s Presents to You this Christmas

Romans 15:13

Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.

I. HOPE

-(Gr.) elpis = expectation of

-God is our expectation of good and the Giver of that good

-Working definition of HOPE = “Holding Onto Promises Everyday”

-Hope eliminates of the future.

-God is never confused or surprised.

A. Hope is Extensive — “abound” (lit.) to exceed a fixed number of measure

-Hope allows us to live life influenced by the present we see and future we know instead of the past we regret or the future we might fear.

-Hope is greater than you can imagine!

B. Hope is Supernatural — “through the power of the Holy Ghost”

-This is a daily choice to die to self and upon God’s Word.

-The key to hope: YEILDEDNESS 

II. JOY

-(Gr.) kara = gladness

-Christian joy is the same as the emotion of happiness.

-Joy is inward confidence and well-being based on the truth of Jesus Christ.

-Happiness depends on happenings and joy depends upon Jesus.

-Joy is a by-product of .

A. Joy is apparent to others

B. Joy attracts to Christ

If you have no joy…there’s a leak in your Christianity somewhere. (B. Sunday)

III. Peace

-(Gr.) eirene = the tranquil state of a soul assured of it’s salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and content with its earthly lot, of whatsoever sort that is

-John 14:27, Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

A. Peace God

B. Peace God

3 Faith-Building Thoughts God has Gifted to Us This Christmas:

1. The future is bright because God has the future in His hands.

2. There is no room for fear when your heart is filled with joy.

3. Worry over the past is by His peace.

Faith is BELIEVIING the Word of God

and ACTING upon it,

no matter how I FEEL,

knowing that God promises a GOOD result. (T. Bryant)

*Based largely upon The Bumps Are What You Climb On by W. Weirsbe