Praising God Even If Life Is Falling Apart

The latest message from Griffith First Christian Church in Griffith, Indiana. This message is based on Job 1-2:10 and 42:10-17.

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The Hope That We Have

Paul says that we are eagerly awaiting our full adoption into God’s family as sons and daughters of the King. He said that we groan inwardly as though we are in pain while we wait for Jesus to return. This is our hope! Paul then writes:

For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? 25 But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. – Romans 8:24-25 (NIV)

Our hope is one that is not seen, but unseen. This is where faith and hope intersect. We cannot see what we hope for, but we have faith that it is true and it is real. We cannot see Jesus, but we have faith that He is the Son of God and He can save us from our many sins. We cannot see Heaven, but we have faith that Jesus is there now and will be returning someday soon. In our hearts and in our souls, we believe and we have hope. Now we patiently wait for faith to be made sight and for hope to be revealed.

What’s Coming

One of the questions that is most often asked about faith in God and His Son, Jesus Christ, is about suffering. Why do we have to suffer? Why is there pain in this world? There seem to be so few answers when it comes to the question of suffering. Here’s the thing, the Word of God doesn’t sugarcoat the fact that there’s suffering. Paul wrote:

 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. – Romans 8:18 (NIV)

Paul admits that we suffer. This world is full of suffering and everyone suffers because the world is broken. The good news of faith in Christ is that God’s promises can help us persevere through suffering. That the temporary struggles and sufferings are nothing compared with the future glory that is coming for God’s people. Yes, we are going to suffer hardships, pain, persecution, disease and death. These are temporary. God promises that when we get to Heaven, these things will be no more. Suffering will be done away with when God’s glory is revealed to us, so hold on to His promises today.

Jesus Is The Light Of The World

The latest message from Griffith First Christian Church in Griffith, Indiana. This message is based on John 8:12.

No One Else Like Jesus

Jesus suffered and died on the cross. Why? Why would He endure such a thing as the excruciating pain of crucifixion. The word “excruciating” literally means “out of the cross.” It was a word invented to describe the pain of crucifixion. Why would the perfect Son of God willingly go through the cross? Peter writes:

“He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.” 25 For “you were like sheep going astray,” but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. – 1 Peter 2:24-25 (NIV)

Through the death and subsequent resurrection of Jesus, we are set free from the power of sin. We are healed by His wounds. We are able to return to a right relationship with God. We no longer live for sin, but we live for Jesus. We find rest and hope and joy and peace through Him. We find our true home in Him. We can live the life we long to live through Jesus. No one else is like Him.

Hope And Faith In God

God the Father chose His Son, Jesus, to be the One who would save humanity from our sins. In His infinite knowledge, He knew that Jesus would save us when the time was right. Peter wrote:

He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. 21 Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God. – 1 Peter 1:20-21 (NIV)

God the Father raised the Son from the dead and through Jesus has made faith in God possible. Our faith is based on this incredible event – the Resurrection of Jesus. Our hope is based on the Resurrection. Without it, our faith is futile and our hope is dead. But we have a living hope because we have a risen Savior! He’s alive and we who put our trust in Him for forgiveness will be raised from the dead as well. This is our hope…

Where Is Our Hope?

One of the themes of Peter’s first letter is the theme of hope. Our hope is not in anything in this world. Rather, we should be alert and ready for the return of Jesus Christ. Peter wrote:

Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. – 1 Peter 1:13 (NIV)

By God’s grace, Jesus will return one day to take us to be with Him and live in His presence forever. Instead of getting caught up in the things of this world, we should be alert and ready for Christ’s return. That means that we renounce the sins of this world that pull our focus away from Jesus. It means that we turn away from the cares of this life that make us forget about the greater purpose to our lives. It means that we do not hope for the things of this world. Our hope is found in Jesus. Our hope is the hope of Heaven. Instead of being distracted by what’s down here, let’s be focused on the things of Heaven because that’s where we’re headed.