Hebrews 11:24 (NIV) By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. 25 He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time. 26 He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward. 27 By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the king’s anger; he persevered because he saw him who is invisible.
Moses was raised as an Egyptian, though he was a Hebrew by birth. Moses was educated and immersed in Egyptian culture. He was Pharaoh's adopted son and a prince in Egypt. It is remarkable that God helped Moses not lose his true identity while in Egypt. Certainly, having his mother "hired" to serve as his nursemaid was part of God's plan to preserve his Hebrew heritage. It is a sad sight to see believers lose their true self to this world by failing to discover their spiritual heritage.
The Hebrews' writer weaves messianic insight into the fabric of the text when he writes in verse 26, "He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt."
Clearly, Moses' life speaks to us as believers in Christ today. We live in a kind of Egypt with all of its comforts, educational systems, culture, material wealth, arts, entertainment, sinful pleasures, and the rest.
Our greatest challenge is in answering the call of God, and then turning around to admonish the same culture that God used to educate us. In essence, we must spiritually "leave" Egypt to pursue greater "value" in Christ. We must come to identify with "the people of God" or Christ's church more than all others.
I believe that God wants us to be immersed in our culture (or diverse cultures) in order to connect us to the people that we will lead to Christ. Like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in Daniel Chapter 3, or like the young Jesus who wandered off to be about his "Father's business," we are fully IN this world, but ultimately not OF it.
God's grace grants us the faith to persevere because we "see" the invisible Christ at work through us. Paul said it best in Philippians, 2:13-15, "For it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,
Romans 15:5 May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus. 6 Then all of you can join together with one voice, giving praise and glory to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
13 I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.
We usually think about hope in one dimension. We understand hope as something that people need who are struggling and feeling hopeless. Thank God that when we struggle, there is hope to sustain us. When life does not makes sense and hope seems lost, there is a great hope from God to lift us up.
Hope is more than a survival strategy. Hope is not only for the hopeless. Hope is more than a campaign slogan. Hope is substance. Hope is a picture. Hope is a sustaining power from the Spirit of God. Jesus is the true hope giver.
The Biblical Greek definition of hope simply means, “An expectation.” (noun); “To anticipate” (verb).
A modern dictionary definition of Hope: 1) a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen, 2) grounds for believing that something good may happen
I want to suggest that there are three dimensions, or aspects, of hope: 1) Expectation, 2) Desire, and 3) Purpose.
EXPECTATION | Hope in the first dimension looks like our response to circumstances. Our expectation or anticipation in the moment comes from whatever is inside of us. We are in “response mode.” Things happens and we try to deal with it. People do something unexpected or situations arise that demand a response.
Example: If someone passed out in front of you, your expectation and anticipation are influenced or shaped by the knowledge and experience your already have, or don’t have. In this circumstance of a person who has passed out:
- Some people might simply panic and walk away.
- Some people might try to “cast out the devil” (thinking there’s demonic activity occurring)
- Some people would start praying
- However, a doctor or medic would know exactly what to do.
This first dimension of hope relies on prior knowledge or experience. This type of “response-only” hope comes naturally to all of us. But this is not the only way to understand hope.
DESIRE | Hope in the second dimension looks like the things we want, or what we desire to happen. We sometimes refer to this hope as our “dreams,” “goals,” or “desires of our hearts.” This hope is like a picture we paint of the kind of life we want to live. It looks like a picture of some reality other than we are currently experiencing. This kind of hope can be healthy or unhealthy depending upon its focus.
This kind of hope is healthy when it is based on the Word of God and rooted in genuine faith that is willing to both trust God AND work towards the desired outcome.
This kind of hope is unhealthy when we are doing little more than engaging in “pipe dreams,” “wishful thinking,” or “daydreaming” because we are unwilling to take the concrete steps necessary to achieve the desired outcome. Said another way, “faith (and hope) without works is dead.”
This second dimension or aspect of hope is made healthy and active by faith in the grace of God. The same grace that brought salvation and brings us through to victory in every tribulation, will produce the kind of character needed to sustain hope.
Romans 5:1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; 4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
PURPOSE | Hope in the third dimension looks like a mighty force for change and the emergence of greater purpose. This kind of hope shapes destiny and changes generations. This is the kind of hope that Paul imparted to the Colossians believers. Col. 1:27, “To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” The J.B. Philips transition reads, “Christ in you, the hope of all glorious things to come.”
This third aspect of hope helped Abraham achieve an astonishing miracle and purpose for his life that birthed the Hebrew people and brought blessing to all humanity! Abraham become the “father of faith” to all who have learned to trust God.
Romans 4:16 Therefore it is of faith that it might be according to grace, so that the promise might be sure to all the seed, not only to those who are of the law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all 17 (as it is written, “I have made you a father of many nations”[d]) in the presence of Him whom he believed—God, who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did; 18 who, contrary to hope, in hope believed, so that he became the father of many nations, according to what was spoken, “So shall your descendants be.”[e] 19 And not being weak in faith, he did not consider his own body, already dead (since he was about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah’s womb. 20 He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, 21 and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform.
Abraham was not simply trying to deal with a negative circumstance, as with the first dimension of hope. He was not trying to gain something he desired to have, as with the second dimension of hope. Abraham was dealing with a promise from God. He was wrestling with something far bigger than what his mind could conceive! God not only promised him a son, but He promised Abraham that He would become the father of a many nations, and that through him every person in the earth, present and future, would be blessed. That is a purpose that shapes destiny and changes generations!
There are three key thoughts in Romans Chapter Four pertaining to the third aspect of hope that God helped Abraham to achieve related to fulfilling God’s purpose in his life:
Verse 17, as it is written, “I have made you a father of many nations”) in the presence of Him whom he believed—God, who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did
Key Thought #1: Hope and faith comes from the direct presence of God
Verses 18--19, who, contrary to hope, in hope believed, so that he became the father of many nations, according to what was spoken, 19And not being weak in faith, he did not consider his own body, already dead (since he was about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah’s womb.
Key Thought #2: Hope permanently bends your expectation and anticipation away from the problems and towards the solution
Verses 20-21 He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, 21 and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform.
Key Thought #3: Hope produces a faith that will cause you to stand and not waiver at God’s promise because you know that Christ in You is your hope glorious things to come. You become fully convinced and persuaded that God can and will perform what he has promised. By God’s grace, you become a person of purpose on the way to bless others!
Hope is: “Having Only Positive Expectations”
Jeremiah 9:23 This is what the LORD says: "Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom or the strong man boast of his strength or the rich man boast of his riches, 24 but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight, declares the LORD.
These words from Jeremiah to Israel were like an oasis in a desert of harsh words of judgment. Even when God sends a hard word, He always embeds hope.
With all the blessings and opportunities that are available to us today, we must not make the mistake of boasting of things human and natural. More than our wisdom (or education), strength and riches is the importance of understanding and knowing the Lord while embracing His heart of kindness, justice and righteousness. This comes only from having a growing, deepening relationship with Christ.
Are you more mindful of your attributes, or of your relationship with God?
Psalm 36:5 Your love, O LORD, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies. 6 Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains, your justice like the great deep. O LORD, you preserve both man and beast. 7 How priceless is your unfailing love! Both high and low among men find refuge in the shadow of your wings. 8 They feast on the abundance of your house; you give them drink from your river of delights. 9 For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light.
Today, I had an experience that reminded me of the power of God's light. 1 John 1:5 states that "God is Light," and in Him "there is no darkness at all."
That experience was a prayer meeting held at the high school I attended way back on the 1970's. The prayer meeting was sponsored by a parent liaison, a believer in Christ, who has been working for 10 years to make a positive difference. Today, my old school, like many inner city schools, is laboring under the weight of ungodly behaviors on the part of many students and their parents. So grievous is the bad behavior that the motivated children go almost unnoticed.
When you hear discussions about urban public schools, we usually only hear about the bad things. To be sure, there are many hard breaking conditions in these schools. I was informed of the fighting that takes place at the school almost daily. I remember the fighting that occurred during my school days due to pressures surrounding desegregation and one-way busing of students. No generation has a premium on sin and fighting. Despite the conflicts, I received an excellent education at my public high school because my parents expected nothing less. Also, teachers teach well when they are able to focus on teaching.
As believers in Christ and people of faith, we must also recognize that God's light is also present in these schools. God is present because His people are present. On one level, this is a struggle of light vs. darkness, in which darkness seeks to dispel the light and move our entire focus to "what's wrong" rather than focusing on God's power to change hearts and lives. On another level there are matters that involve policy, academic objectives, administrative responsibilities, and more.
No amount of idealism or attempting to "spiritualize" the situation will make a real difference. God's solutions are both practical and powerful! While we cannot promise the success of the school system through our efforts, we can certainly offer the promise of success for individuals who are willing to know Christ and serve God. Students, faculty and staff, as persons for whom Christ died and rose, can find success at every level, spiritually and academically. When people do better, the system will be better.
Despite the conditions, I see light in God's light. If we can persuade enough people of faith to have faith, against all odds, we will see the lives and behaviors of many young people change for the better.
These are the kinds of challenges that Jesus' Church and Kingdom of God are tailor-made to address.
Light will always be greater than darkness!
We had glorious and insight-filled meetings last Saturday/Sunday during Weekend for Winners! Dr. Earl D. Johnson ministered from his 49 years of experience of preaching the Gospel and serving God's kingdom. He ministered along the lines of our theme, "Run to Win" in both power and in a manner that kept us joyful and focused.
We had a good turnout of guests and pastors from several churches, including Pastor Julius Stephens, Pastor Johnson Beaven, Pastor Rodney Williams, Pastor Clary Butler, and Bishop Kenneth Sullivan, Sr. All sessions were well attended.
I commend Jordan and Tiara for their excellent ministry in dance, including a powerful interpretation of a song I requested, "You Hold My World," by Israel Houghton. Rob White blessed on the sax, and we heard many testimonies of God's grace, mercy and the transforming power of His Word! I even showed a Marines recruiting video to illustrate the mindset of an overcomer and winner.
Thanks to our Hospitality Team for serving up great refreshments on Saturday morning, including Lady Patricia's "World Famous" chicken salad! Thanks to Jonathan for doing audio, video and playing some guitar for the praise team! And thanks to our anointed praise team under the direction of Shawn Carter and Aaron Chandler! Aaron ministered on Saturday/Sunday even while dealing with a very grievous situation in his life. God used Min. Paula in a great way as well.
It seems like much more happened in two days and three meetings than one might expect who did not understand what Jesus would do among us.
Whether you were unable to attend Weekend for Winners, or decided not to come, I recommend that you receive the Word that went forth! Use the link below to visit the media resource page to order the messages.
http://www.newcovenant.org/NCC/WFW_Store.html
Messages by Earl D. Johnson:
Saturday AM, October 9, 2010 | "Winners' Workshop"
(Includes illustration of Biblical Headship)
Saturday PM, October 9, 2010 | "What Does It Take to Win?"
Sunday AM, October 10, 2010 | "We Win With Vision"
Now, let's look forward to "running to win" towards the great things that God has in store for us! Stir yourself and see yourself running with our Lord Jesus Christ, reaching souls, reclaiming lost sheep, and edifying one another!
God is Good...All the Time!
Pastor Bryan Hudson
