Easter Hope 

“For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” [Rom 15:4]

The hope of faith…is a concrete personal expectation. Despite the “not yet” of the realization of salvation, it looks forward confidently though not without tension. However, Yahweh, for whom it waits, is not like men. Since he knows, promises, and brings to pass what the future holds for his people, hope attains unparalleled assurance in the realm of revelation. Despite everything which at present runs counter to the promise , the one who hopes, trusts God for his faithfulness’ sake not to disappoint the hope he has awakened through his word . [A definition of hope from The New International Dictionary of the New Testament Theology]

Problems and the Glory of God

"You will call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me." Ps 50:15

Why is it that God doesn't just take us to heaven when we receive the gift of salvation? Being lifted from a fallen, sinful and painful world the moment we are saved seems so right. To be removed from the world of temptation to immediately reach our ultimate destiny seems so reasonable and divine, doesn't it? But maybe, just maybe, going to heaven is not our ultimate destiny. Maybe we were created for something far more awesome and satisfying than a place. Maybe our ultimate destiny is not to just arrive at a glorious place but to discover and delight in a glorious Person.

You Give Them Something to Eat.

 When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns.  When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick.  As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, "This is a remote place, and it's already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food."  Jesus replied, "They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat."  "We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish," they answered. "Bring them here to me," he said. Matt 14:13-18

The feeding of the five thousand is a very important event. All of the gospel writers record it. All of them use it to reveal important things about the person of Jesus Christ. The story begins with Jesus leaving the public setting and taking his disciples with him to a remote place. The crowds seek him out because he is the one who meets their needs. Jesus sees the crowds and has compassion on them. He heals many.

  FOUNDATIONS FOR BUILDING A GOD-HONORING, SOUL-SATISFYING LIFE 

Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.  But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash. Matthew 7:24-27 

PURPOSE: We are created to glorify God by enjoying Him forever.  

(Ephesians 1:3-6; Psalms 34:8-9, 36:8, 37:4, 106:7-8; Isaiah 43:6-7; Romans 11:33-36, 15:7-11; 1 Corinthians 10:31; Colossians 1:9-10; 1 Peter 2:9-12, 4:11)  

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us  in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will - to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.  Ephesians 1:3-6