Sermon Notes

The Weary World Rejoices

The Thrill of Hope // 2 Corinthians 4:16-18



 “…Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners...” -1 Timothy 1:15

O Holy Night:

O holy night, the stars are brightly shining

It is the night of our dear Savior's birth



Long lay the world in sin and error pining

Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth



A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices

For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn



Fall on your knees, oh, hear the angel voices

O night divine, O night when Christ was born

Weary:

Physically or mentally tired; having one's patience worn out





What is hope?



Biblical Hope:

Confident expectation of a guaranteed result



“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead…” -1 Peter 1:3





2 Corinthians 4:16-18

“So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.”



 ^“So we do not lose heart…” -2 Corinthians 4:16a



“Since we have the same spirit of faith according to what has been written, ‘I believed, and so I spoke,’ we also believe, and so we also speak, knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence. For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people, it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God.” -2 Corinthians 4:13-15



“So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.” -2 Corinthians 4:16





Two reasons why do we not lose heart:

1. Because of what we’re experiencing now internally



“Did Christ finish His work for us? Then there can be no doubt that He will also finish His work in us.” -John Flavel





Two reasons why do we not lose heart:



1. Because of what we’re experiencing now internally

2. Because of what we will experience eternally



“For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison…” -2 Corinthians 4:17





Imprisoned --- Beaten --- Stoned --- Shipwrecked --- Robbed --- Perils of various kinds --- Exhausted --- Sleepless --- Hungry and thirsty --- Suffered in cold and nakedness



“God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains.” -C.S. Lewis



“…we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.” -2 Corinthians 4:18



“…Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners...” -1 Timothy 1:15





1. What have you placed your hope in?

2. Can what you’ve placed your hope in hold the weight of your expectations?





“…Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners...” -1 Timothy 1:15



“Hope is faith in the future tense.” -Adrian Rogers

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