Clergy/Leaders’ Mail-list No. 0-007

by John Rallison

We all need hope. A High School class in Harlem was promised financial help in college if they stayed in school. The normally abysmal graduation rate soared to nearly 90 percent. In many cases the mere fact of having hope makes all the difference.

What do you place your hope in. When things are not looking up for you, how do you finish the sentence, “Well, at least I still have…” If that sentence is finished by anything in this world, you cannot have never-ending hope. Everything in this world will pass away. The Bible tells us that everything will one day be gone (Matthew 24:35) including the wealth that so many Americans put their trust in (1 Timothy 6:17). In fact, the Bible says that our hope for eternal life is so central that if the hope Christ brings to our life is only for this life, we are to be pitied above all other people. (1 Corinthians 15:19-20)

NEVER ENDING HOPE CAN ONLY BE ROOTED IN ETERNAL LIFE

Our hope is not simply for this life (which will pass away) but for the life after death. (Ephesians 1:18-21). Gods greatest hope for you (a hope he never gives up [1 Corinthians 13:7]) is that you know him. Every person needs the forgiveness of sins and new life that God brings in Christ Jesus to those who turn to him.

NEVER ENDING HOPE IS FOUNDATIONAL

The Bible calls the hope of salvation a helmet. (1 Thessalonians 5:8) The helmet is what protects the head, one of the most essential parts of the body. The Bible also says that faith and love spring from hope. (Colossians 1:5)

NEVER ENDING HOPE IS FOUND IN GOD’S WORD

Jesus said that though the world passes away, his words would never pass away. (Matthew 24:35)

NEVER ENDING HOPE IS FOUND IN GOD’S LOVE

The Bible says that unfailing love and full redemptions are found with the Lord (Psalm 130:7) That means that God never stops loving you and completely forgives all your sins for Jesus’ sake.

NEVER ENDING HOPE IN GOD IS WHAT GETS YOU THROUGH

Paul says in Romans 5 that perseverance ends up producing hope, which does not disappoint us because God has poured his love into our hearts.

If you need hope today, you’ll find the only never-ending hope available in God… and you can have that hope right now. Why not quit hoping in other things and place you hope where you can be sure: God’s unfailing love, confirmed by the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ for our complete forgiveness.

<> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <>

This sermon summary can be forwarded freely to others as long as it is forwarded in its entirety (including this information).

John Rallison St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church 2311 East Chapman Avenue Fullerton, CA 92831

SSLC Web Site http://www.flash.net/~sslc Devotions and Sermon Summaries change weekly. To subscribe direct send an e-mail to

<> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <>