04/28/19- More Than Me: More Hope- Pastor Adrian Mills

http://bible.com/events/608342 April 28 More Than Me: More Hope John 10:10 (The Message)   We are living in between two tensions: The wonder of ME.... -I am a miracle of God -I am created with gifts, talents & abilities -I am created in the image of God The problem of ME... -Sin separates me from God -Sin prevents me from experiencing God’s best for my life today “You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it rests in you.” Augustine Romans 5:1-5 (NIV) Peace with God.... -The opposite of justification is condemnation -Condemnation is what we deserved because of sin -Justification means we are made righteous Access to God... -We used to depend on what we can do for ourselves -Now we depend on what God can do for us Hope of the glory of God.... -Things I place my hope in... Who I Am (My abilities) What I Do (My accomplishments) My People (My relationships) My Stuff (My finances, possessions, etc) -The reality: ME has no real capacity to hope Our hope is not founded in me Our hope is founded in God’s Glory Peace with God - takes care of the past Access to God - addresses the present Hope of the glory of God - speaks to the future Romans 5:3-4 Suffering -Suffering seems contradictory to hope, but suffering is actually a gateway to HOPE -“Hope itself is like a star – not to be seen in the sunshine of prosperity, and only to be discovered in the night of adversity.” -Charles Spurgeon Perseverance -When you are willing to endure, resistance builds strength Character -Through suffering something beautiful is produced -“Blessed are those who mourn for they will be comforted” Matthew 5:4 Hope -Hope is the product of something else – it doesn’t appear out of nowhere. Suffering Perseverance Character Hope Romans 5:5  The Hope of ME can fail The Hope of God cannot fail