UNWRAPPING HOPE THIS SEASON - Ps. / Rabbi Brian Bileci - 12-10-23

“In this life we have three great lasting qualities—FAITH, HOPE and LOVE. But the greatest of them is LOVE.” - 1 Corinthians 13:13 (Phillips)

“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.” - Romans‬ ‭15‬:‭13‬ ‭(NIV)‬‬

12 “Be joyful in HOPE, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.” - Romans‬ ‭12‬:‭12‬-‭13‬ (‭NIV‬‬)

‬•   Joyful in Hope 
‬•   Patient in Affliction 
•   Faithful in Prayer 
‬•   Share Your Resources
•   Practice Hospitality

THE MESSIAH’S “MISSION IMPOSSIBLE”: 

‬•   He became a Leader in a time of Crisis and Confusion
‬•   He became a Solution in a time of Problems and Political Unrest
‬•   He became a Unifier in a time of Division and Dysfunction  
•   He became an Influencer in a time of Absent or Questionable Leadership 

“Leaders Give Hope When Things Seem Hopeless.” ~ uniquedevelopment.com

“Hope is the only guarantee that Tomorrow will be Better!” 

HOW TO UNWRAP HOPE IN THIS SEASON:

1. UNWRAPPING HOPE ERADICATES SHAME 

“O you HOPE of Israel, its savior in time of trouble, why should you be like a stranger in the land, like a traveler who turns aside to tarry for a night?” - Jeremiah 14:8 (ESV)

13 “Lord, you are the HOPE of Israel; all who forsake you will be put to SHAME. Those who turn away from you will be written in the dust  because they have forsaken the Lord, the spring of living water. 14 Heal me, Lord, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise.” - Jeremiah 17:13-14 (ESV)

7 O Israel, HOPE in the Lord; For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him is abundant redemption. 8 And He shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities. - Psalm 130:7-8 (NKJV)

“Such HOPE never DISAPPOINTS or deludes or SHAMES us, for God’s love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit Who has been given to us.” - Romans 5:5 (AMPC)

2. UNWRAPPING HOPE REMEDIES DISAPPOINTMENT 

“It is sad not to get what you HOPED for [HOPE delayed makes the heart sick]. But wishes that come true are like eating fruit from [longing fulfilled is] the tree of life.” - Proverbs 13:12 (EXB)

“Unrelenting DISAPPOINTMENT leaves you heartsick, but a sudden good break can turn life around.” - Proverbs 13:12 (MSG)

READ Ezekiel 37:9-14 (NKJV) 

3. UNWRAPPING HOPE REVEALS EXPECTATION 

24 At that time Jesus’ parents also offered their sacrifice for purification—“either a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons” was the legal requirement [“for a male child”]. 25 That day a man named Simeon, a Jerusalem resident, was in the Temple. He was a good man, very devout, filled with the Holy Spirit and constantly EXPECTING THE MESSIAH to come soon. 26 For the Holy Spirit had REVEALED to him that he would not die until he had seen him—God’s anointed King. - Luke 2:24-26 (TLB)

21 But we kept HOPING that he would be the one to REDEEM Israel. What is more, this is now the third day since these things occurred… - Luke 24:21 (ISV)

Such HOPE [in God’s PROMISES] never DISAPPOINTS us, because God’s love has been abundantly poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. - Romans 5:5 (AMP)