SSS4 : Epistle to the Romans : Lesson 78

Text: Romans 5: 1 – 5
21 October 2018

FAITH AND HOPE

1. Inseparable

2. Hope is faith not yet realised

3. Faith allows us to have

a. Peace with God (Romans 5: 1)
b. Access to God (Romans 5: 2)
c. The grace of God availed to us (Romans 5: 2)

4. Faith applied brings about hope (Romans 5: 2)

THE OPERATION OF HOPE IN OUR LIFE

1. Our hope

a. “The glory of God” (Romans 5: 2)
b. Changed to reflect the glory of God (in our lives)
c. Entry into the glory of God (in heaven)

2. Hope changes our perspective of tribulations

a. We can glory (boast) in tribulation (Romans 5: 3)
b. How tribulation works (“katergazomai”) (Romans 5: 3)
i. It works according to a pattern (“kata”)
ii. It works within us (“ergazomai”)

3. Hope that perseverance and character will be produced in us

a. Perseverance (Romans 5: 3 – 4)
i. Under pressure
ii. Yet we remain
b. Character (Romans 5: 3 – 4)
i. Tested
ii. Proven

4. Hope that does not disappoint (Romans 5: 5)

a. Because of the love of God
i. Love underlies hope
ii. Love fuels hope
iii. Love drives hope
b. The love of God
i. Has been poured out
ii. Into our hearts
iii. By the Holy Spirit

THE EXAMPLE OF JOB

1. His faith and life

a. Blameless and upright (Job 1: 1)
b. Feared God and shunned evil (Job 1: 1)
c. Offered burnt offerings on behalf of his children (Job 1: 5)

2. The tribulation he faced

a. Loss of possessions (Job 1: 13 – 17)
b. Loss of children (Job 13: 18 – 19)
c. Loss of health (Job 2: 7 – 8)

3. His struggles with hope

a. Nearly losing hope (Job 17: 11 – 16)
b. Glimmers of hope (Job 13: 5, Job 19: 25 – 26)
c. Holding on to hope (Job 23: 10)

4. Perseverance and character developed

a. Confession (Job 42: 3)
b. Repentance (Job 42: 5 – 6)
c. Change

5. His hope realised at the end

a. The LORD restored (Job 42: 10)
b. The LORD gave Job twice as much as before (Job 42: 10)
c. The LORD blessed (Job 42: 12)

CHALLENGE TO SSS4

1. Find hope

2. Let hope shape your perspective of life

a. Tribulations in your life
b. Challenges as you enter the next phase of life

3. Let this hope drive you

a. To persevere
b. To grow even further
c. To find significance in your life