Church of the Nazarene- Harrisonburg
As we conclude our series, Anatomy of a Storm, we are going to talk about one unexpected gift this season has given us: the opportunity for hope.
Romans 5:1-5 NIV
Paul is highlighting two aspects of hope for those who put their faith in Christ:
Hope THROUGH the storm- the promise we have that God will get glory on the other side of the storm ( “And we boast in the hope of the glory of God")
Hope IN the storm- the realization that God can produce hope in us even while the storm is raging ("we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope")
Two things to remember about hope:
Hope comes from God
-Hope is not something we catch, not something we produce, not something we can source
-The reason hope doesn’t put us to shame (Romans 5:5) Is because the Holy Spirit is pouring it out in our hearts. Hope is sourced by His Spirit at work in us
Hope grows
-Paul highlights that hope grows through a process (Romans 5:3-4)
-Hope does not just begin and end with me, but continues to grow and even overflow (Romans 15:13)
-People with hope can’t contain it.They are determined to spread it.They refuse to let hopelessness have any ground in their lives or in others
Romans 15:13 NIV
Other Scriptures for study/reflection:
Romans 5:1-5 MSG
The ministry of healing continues throughout the New Testament:
James 5:13-15 NIV
In the midst of this, there is an obvious question: why isn’t everyone healed?
John 5:1-8 NIV
It’s never enough from God’s perspective, to just heal you physically
-Jesus desires to strengthen the man’s faith
-Jesus desires to challenge the man’s willingness and desire for healing
-Jesus desires to minister to the spiritual needs in addition to the physical needs
The bottom line:
My healing is up to God. My trust is up to me.
James 5:13-18 NIV
Other texts for study/reflection:
Nazarene Article of Faith: Divine Healing:
https://2017.manual.nazarene.org/section/divine-healing/
Jeremiah 17:14 NIV
1 Peter 2:24 NIV