Celebrate Jesus!Sample

Celebrate Jesus: HOPE OF THE WORLD

“And his name will be the hope of all the world.”” Matthew 12:21 NLT

In verse 17 leading up to this verse it says, “This fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah concerning him” (Jesus) and then went on to share from Isaiah 42:1-4

Hope = elpizo

One definition of hope is to wait for salvation with joy and full confidence.

To expect or confide, to trust

It’s also the same word used in Hebrews 11:1 and I Corinthians 13:7.

“Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see.” Hebrews 11:1 NLT

“Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.” 1 Corinthians 13:7 NLT

On July 2, 2009 I got the phone call no one ever wants to get. I was working at the physical therapy clinic and found out my dad was in the hospital. Later, we learned that he had been assaulted and was in a coma in ICU. The doctors didn’t even know if he would make it through the night. 

Depending on how you define it, he was in a coma 6-8 weeks. It was during that time that I needed hope the most. 

To process my emotions, I journaled every day and my entries eventually became a book titled, “Finding Hope in the Midst of Tragedy.”

Finding hope.

I don’t have time to share the full story today but I will tell you that my dad is a walking miracle. He does have permanent brain damage, but in spite of it all, he is able to live alone, is walking, talking, driving, and even has a couple of part-time jobs. 

They say human beings can live for forty days without food, four days without water, and four minutes without air. But we cannot live for four seconds without hope.

Where are you placing your hope today? In a strong economy? In a political leader? In a relationship? In your job? Or in Jesus?

Everything else will disappoint except for Jesus. 

“And his name will be the hope of all the world.”” Matthew 12:21 NLT

Prayer: 

"Jesus, I confess that I have placed my trust in things on this earth. Each of those things has left me empty. You alone are the hope of a lost and dying world. Thank you for filling me with your hope, even as I wait patiently for your return. Amen"