Date: 07/10/2023

Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and to Him be the Glory, Power, and Dominion forever and ever and to the Holy Ghost that is yet abiding in the body. This month’s key word is HOPE. This week message discusses three key reasons for hope and what hope does for mankind.

Key Reasons for Hope:

1. Christ’s personal presence: There will come a day when we will be face to face with Christ and dwell in His presence. 1 Thessalonians 2:19 reads, “For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming”?
2. Redemption from our sinful nature: When Christ returns the battle with sin will be completely won. There will be no more sin. Hebrews 10:17 tells us, “And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more”.
3. Restoration of creation: The promise of God is that there will be a new heaven and a new earth. This means that God will make all things new and the entire world will be redeemed. Isaiah 65:17, reads, “For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind”.

What Hope Does For Mankind:

1. Hope shines brightest when the hour is darkest: John 1:5.
2. Hope motivates when discouragement comes: Galatians 6:9
3. Hope energizes when the body is tired: Isaiah 40:31.
4. Hope sweetens while bitterness bites: Acts 8:23-25.
5. Hope sings when all melodies are gone: Ephesians 5:19.
6. Hope believes when evidence is eliminated: Hebrews 11:1.
7. Hope listens for answers when no one is talking: Isaiah 65:24
8. Hope climbs over obstacles when no one is helping: 1 Peter 2:21.
9. Hope endures hardship when no one is caring: Romans 5:3-5.
10. Hope smiles confidently when no one is laughing: Proverbs 15:13.
11. Hope reaches for answers when no one is asking: Isaiah 65:24
12. Hope presses toward victory when no one is encouraging: Isaiah 40:31.
13. Hope dares to give when no one is sharing: James 2:14.
14. Hope brings the victory when no one is winning: 1 Corinthians 15:57.

In closing, our hope is completed through Jesus’ return. In Titus 2:13, Paul gives proper divinity to Jesus: “our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ”, and declares that Jesus existed in the “form of God” prior to His incarnation in Philippians 2:5-8. Then Paul proclaims the certainty of our hope with the fact that Jesus is God.  “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus”  1 Timothy 2:5. My brothers and sisters, hope is one thing that we cannot do without! Until next week, remember, “… with God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26).

In His Service,

Bishop Dr. Calvin Worthem

General Chief Overseer/Senior Bishop