Our mission statement says “Transformed by God to bring hope to others through Christ”

We believe this concise, yet powerful statement gives light and guidance to our purpose as the church and as individual believers.

This teaching series, called Mission in Action, is not just about knowing the mission, but it is challenging us all to engage in the mission more deeply than ever before.

Today we will focus on HOPE, both the invitation to experience it and the call to share it with others.

-The Jews were God's chosen people, and while Paul is reminding the church that God kept His promises, he is also reminding them that the fulfillment of that promise was not just for the Jews as some believed.
-Paul points back to the Old Testament to remind the church of the promises God has already made, and now fulfilled.
-Finally, Paul introduces this concept of hope. This hope is possible because of what Christ has done.

Hope in Him
-Paul is specific about who the source of true hope is (verse 12 says "in Him [Jesus] the Gentiles will hope").
-This is a hope that is available now and forever.

Hope for Forever
-Eternal hope is possible because we have been reconciled to God through the blood of Jesus.
-This is why Paul would write to the church in Phillipi, "For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain" (Philippians 1:21)

Hope for Today
-Paul's words do not just point to a hope one day in the future, but also a hope for right now.
-"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him", meaning as you trust Him now. You fill be filled with hope as you trust God today.

It's not enough to experience this hope. We are called to share this hope with others. This is why Paul points to 'overflowing' hope.

Verses for further study/reflection:
Isaiah 40:31
Jeremiah 29:11
Psalm 39:7
Romans 5:1-5
Romans 8:24-25
Romans 12:12
Colossians 1:24-27