Finding Hope in the Wonderful Counselor

Introduction  hope = the anxious anticipation of good

 Romans 8:24 For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it.

Finding Hope in Giving Hope

I.The Process of Giving Hope A. Reviewing the foundational principles

1. You have to ask the right questions  Proverbs 18:13 He who gives an answer before he hears, it is folly and shame to him.

2. You have to define the problem  progressive sanctification = the process of a person growing and changing to THINK more like Christ and then ACT more like Christ for the glory of God!

3. You have to build relationships with people!  Key Verse: Matthew 12:21 "AND IN HIS NAME THE GENTILES WILL HOPE."

B. Realizing the NEED for hope!  Everybody needs hope! Q: Do you agree with this statement? Q: Why or why not?

 "Ephesians 2:11 Therefore remember that formerly you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called "Uncircumcision " by the so-called "Circumcision," which is performed in the flesh by human hands remember that you were at that time separate from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.

Input: What are some situations where people need hope? What specific ‘hope’ do they need?

Situation Unsaved New Believer Marriage Problems Families Salvation Growth Communication Solve Problems Role of the Husband/wife Parenting Principles Salvation

Situation Trials Depressed Physical Problem EVERYONE God’s grace / sovereignty / mercy / wisdom, etc. Principles of God’s Word (not feelings to control you) God can heal Glories of heaven HOPE is AVAILABLE! Salvation

 John 15:5 "I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.”

C. Source of Hope: God’s Word!  Romans 15:4 For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

 Sufficiency of the Scripture = God’s Word is all we need to know about life and godliness.

 2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; 17 so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.

 2 Peter 1:3 seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.  The Bible is a book of ANSWERS, not a book of PROBLEMS!

II.The Practice of Giving Hope! A. He modeled hope by His life and His words!  Matthew 16:27 "For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and WILL THEN REPAY EVERY MAN ACCORDING TO HIS DEEDS.”

 Matthew 25:34 "Then the King will say to those on His right, 'Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.’”

Lesson: * You can only give hope if you have hope!

B. Examples of the Wonderful Counselor giving Hope 1. Woman at the well – John 4  John 4:10 Jesus answered and said to her, "If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, 'Give Me a drink,' you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water."

 John 4:13 Jesus answered and said to her, "Everyone who drinks of this water will thirst again; 14 but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life."

 Hope of eternal life!

2. Royal Officer whose son was sick – John 4  John 4:50 Jesus said to him, "Go; your son lives." The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and started off.

 Hope of physical healing!

3. Adulterous Woman – John 8  John 8:10 Straightening up, Jesus said to her, "Woman, where are they? Did no one condemn you?" 11 She said, "No one, Lord." And Jesus said, "I do not condemn you, either. Go. From now on sin no more."

 Hope of no condemnation (i.e. forgiveness)!  Romans 8:1 Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

4. Thief on the cross – Luke 23:39-43  Hope for the future!

4. Peter – who denied Christ 3 times! – Luke 22  Hope in restoration!

 Luke 22:32 “but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned again, strengthen your brothers."

Input: What other examples come to your mind in which Jesus gave people hope?

III.The Potential of Giving Hope: A Changed Life! A. Woman at the well – she believed AND others believed!

 John 4:41 Many more believed because of His word; 42 and they were saying to the woman, "It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves and know that this One is indeed the Savior of the world."

B. Royal officer – Son was healed, he believed, and his family believed!  John 4:53 So the father knew that it was at that hour in which Jesus said to him, "Your son lives"; and he himself believed and his whole household.

C. Adulterous Woman – moral purity

D. Thief on the cross – eternity with God!

E. Peter – effective service for the Lord

Conclusion: Q: Are you willing to GIVE HOPE to others the way Jesus gave hope? Q: Are you thankful for the hope He has given you (body of Christ)? Q: What needs to change in order for you to be more like the Wonderful Counselor?