When All Hope is Gone Pt 2

Sermon Title: When All Hope Is Gone- Pt 2
Sermon Text: 1 Peter 3:15 - vs. 15 - 15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,
Questions to ponder: What do you do when all hope is gone? What do you do when your back is against the wall? Do you have a reason for your hope?

Context: Peter is writing to first century Christians who are being publically and relentlessly persecuted. They are being eaten in the coliseums, burned, and crucified. Caesar is also using the Christians as an excuse for why the economy is bad. Society is looking for a cheap thrill and they are getting them at the expense of the Christians. While the Christians are enduring these things, Peter gives them guidance. The first century Christians are able to apply this information, and subsequently make it through. If they are able to make it through, certainly, we can apply the same information and make it through!

Introduction: Have you ever gotten of information or a story and was shaken? You react to the information you have, only to find that you didn’t have the whole story? You feel embarrassed and want nothing more than to crawl under a carpet and hide. You overreacted and began talking before you thought about the situation. The Bible tells us that, Peter reacted in a similar fashion. He told Jesus that he did not want his feet washed. Later he decided not only did he want his feet washed but his whole body. As Christians, we must pull back and not overreact.

Point 1: Reactionary - Don’t overreact
A. Fear of man will overtake you. Prov. 29:25 - 25 Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is kept safe.
The fear of man will cause you to be immobile and put you in a snare. The root of our fear is rejection. We worry about what others think of us and are concerned about gaining their acceptance. We need to understand that everyone will not accept you.

B. Man can’t do anything that God doesn’t allow. Heb 13:6 - 6 So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?”
God is sovereign. People cannot do anything without the authority of God. Just as he allowed Job to be tested, he allows thing to happen to us. The situation or problem is a tool for the Lord. He will use it to build your Christian character. When He is finished you will be able to step right over the situation and rise up.

C. Fear is a spirit - Rom 8:15 - 15 The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship.[a] And by him we cry, “Abba,[b] Father.”
2 Tim. 1:7KJV - 7For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
Fear is a base and fundamental emotion. We automatically react to a situation with a Flight or Fight stance. In Romans 8:15 we are assured we should not live in fear but call out to our Heavenly Father. Like any loving Father, He will take care of his children. As soon fear takes over, we should call out to God. Say to him, “God you take care of this”. Being the loving father that He is, He will not allow anything to overtake us. Know that God has your back and will always take care of you. We must bind the spirit of fear. When it tries to take over, you should have an “I’m going to tell my Daddy” attitude. If left unbind, a spirit of fear will make you crazy, paranoid, and try to rule your life. 2 Tim 1:7 tells us that we have a sound mind. We don’t have to be fearful of what going to happen to us in the present or the future. As he is not confined to by time, God is already in the future. He knows what awaits us. Being Alpha and Omega he knows what is going to happen next week, next month, and next year. Being assured that God already knows what’s ahead and will take care of us, we don’t have to overact.

Point 2: Respond - don’t let the enemy see you sweat…
When fear comes, your response is important. It can make or break the situation. When responding you must take into consideration three things: your weapon, your words, and your witness. When we respond, we must be sure to do so appropriately

A. Right weapon 2 Cor 10:4 KJV - 4(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
Each battle is different. You must choose the right weapon for YOUR battle. You have to be in tune to God to choose the right weapon. We all have the same armor but we have to make sure that we choose the right weapon. You don’t want to choose a sledge hammer to kill a gnat.
Examples of the right weapon: Prayer - Daniel in the Lion’s Den
Five (5) smooth stones – David in the battle with Goliath


B. Right Word Ps 19:14KJV - 14Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.
The power of life and death is in the mouth. If you say the wrong thing the results can be detrimental. Your words can kill a person, end a marriage, or get you fired. In turn, your words can bring deliverance. When you come to church, your Pastor should speak into your life. Never come to church just to be there. You should come with a posture of expectation. Come to get a Word from the Lord. What is your posture?

C. Right Witness Matt 5:16KJV - 16Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
When people see how you react to your situation, it should be a witness for God. They should want to know your God.

Point 3: Reason - Our Faith is a fact
Heb. 11:1 - 1 Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.
Heb 10:35-39 - 35 So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. 36 You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. 37 For, “In just a little while, he who is coming will come and will not delay.”[a] 38 And, “But my righteous[b] one will live by faith. And I take no pleasure in the one who shrinks back.”[c] 39 But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved.

Our faith is a fact; not superstition. We are intelligent people and our faith is not foolishness. It is grounded in fact. Jesus lived, died, and was raised from the dead. Hebrews 11:1 is a familiar passage. However, it is connected to Hebrews 10: 35-39. When your back is against the wall you must persevere. Remember, God is going to come. Even if you have been in the situation for a while, God is going to come. He has given you the strength to hold out until He arrives. He will not delay! He is closer than he was yesterday, last week, or last year. The longer he takes to come the greater the Christian character he is building in you. When he arrives you will be able to handle the blessing that He brings with him.


Conclusion:
Life is tough but we do not have to be reactionary. Don’t let the fear of man concern you. They cannot do anything to you that God does not allow. We must bind the spirit of fear. God gave us a spirit of power, love and a sound mind. When we respond, let’s remember to choose the right weapon and word so that we may have the right witness….one that leads others to Christ. Our faith is the reason that we are able to do this. Our faith is a fact. Jesus lived, died and was raised from the dead. Remember God is coming and he is bringing blessing. Hold on until he comes!