“Bringing Hope in Testing Times” Rob Payne, Watford church of Christ

• Hope matters - 1 Cor 13
• Without hope, faith and love have no purpose. 
• Hope gives meaning to present suffering. 
• “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” (Psa. 23:4 NIV11)
• We are walking through suffering - not living there permanently. 
• Suffering times are part of life, walk through it. 

1. Hope from the Past

Genesis 1.26-28, 31

• Creation very good. 
• We are made in image of God. 
• Dignity and responsibility
• Capacity to think and act like God
• Creates confidence in our values. Rooted in identity. 
• Helps us treat others with dignity and respect. 
• We are created to represent Christ in this fallen world. 
• His ambassadors. 
• Therefore we treat all of creation with dignity - including the environment

Genesis 2

• What went wrong?
• Rebellion
• Blame-shifting
• Disobedience has consequences
• God has a plan for restoration

2. Hope for the future 

• Surprised by hope - Tom Wright
• Is 65.17
• Rev 21-1.4
• 2 Peter .13
• Rev 22.1-5

3. Hope in the present

• Col 1.15-20
• Jesus the perfect revelation of God
• How can we live live our calling to follow Christ in this world?
• Bring the glory of Jesus to people by helping them with areas they are poor  
• Poverty of resources, relationships, identity
• Give material support, friendship and time. 

Thank you for listening to this podcast. You can find more episodes in our feed. Our web site is http://www.watfordchurchofchrist.org. 

 

Join us in our adventure: 10.30 AM on most Sundays at Laurance Haines School, Vicarage Road, Watford, Hertfordshire, WD18 0DD.

 

Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community. 

 

Do you have a question about the Bible or the Christian faith? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send us your questions or suggestions. Here’s the email: thewatfordchurch@gmail.com.

 

Thanks again for listening. Have a super day.

 

God bless,

 

Malcolm

 

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