Our Living Hope

The old saying was that as went the Church, so went the Nation. Today it has changed, as the Nation goes, so does the church.

We have lost site of our first love, Jesus Christ. There are very few who have not compromised, and bowed their knees to the god of this world. It is our duty to conform to the will of God, through the word of God, and take that living testimony into the world we live in and show the world who Christ is. We have gotten off mission, and tried to conform the church to the world.

Dr. Tony Evans said this “ The Church is focusing on the wrong assignment. By misunderstanding the nature and purpose of God’s kingdom, we have marginalized the church’s authority and influence both within its walls and outside them.

The church does not solely exist for programs, projects, preaching, and buildings; rather , it exists as the primary vehicle for preparing believers to display God’s glory, impact the culture, restore lives, and advance the kingdom.

The primary purpose of the church , in view of the distinctions of the kingdom, is to reveal the ethical and political aspects of God’s rule in societies. The church is to operate in the world while offering an alternative to the world. “

Romans 12:1-2 "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God."

Our passion should be for a lost and dying world to come to know Jesus Christ as we do, but not to many who call themselves “ Christians” have that passion.  It is easier to live in a secret faith, than an open and outward faith. Most by that I mean 75-85 % never share their faith with others, including their own families.

What a tragedy, every second of every day two people are sent into eternity, due to the fallen nature of our world. By God’s grace we are called out of eternal damnation into a living hope, through Jesus Christ. Without Him there can be no hope.

Titus 2: 11-15 "For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works. Speak these things, exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you."

There can be no compromise, we are bound to the rules and laws of God, not man.

God says He never changes

Malachi 3:1-7 "Behold, I send My messenger, And he will prepare the way before Me. And the Lord, whom you seek, Will suddenly come to His temple, Even the Messenger of the covenant, In whom you delight. Behold, He is coming," Says the LORD of hosts.
"But who can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He appears? For He is like a refiner's fire And like launderers' soap.

He will sit as a refiner and a purifier of silver; He will purify the sons of Levi, And purge them as gold and silver, That they may offer to the LORD An offering in righteousness."Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem Will be pleasant to the LORD, As in the days of old, As in former years. 

And I will come near you for judgment; I will be a swift witness Against sorcerers, Against adulterers, Against perjurers, Against those who exploit wage earners and widows and orphans, And against those who turn away an alien--Because they do not fear Me," Says the LORD of hosts.

"For I am the LORD, I do not change; Therefore you are not consumed, O sons of Jacob.Yet from the days of your fathers You have gone away from My ordinances And have not kept them. Return to Me, and I will return to you," Says the LORD of hosts. "But you said, 'In what way shall we return?'

God says we changed, He does not, we must return to the oracles of God, stand on His laws and precepts, and live as we are called.

Colossians 3:1-17" If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them.

But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him, where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all. Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.

But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him."

One day soon Christ will return to this earth, and take home those who are His, that living hope we have we must share with others, why would we want to decide not to share the gospel truth with those around us?

 Do we hate them? Surely not, do not fear the unknown, trust your LORD to bring you through and share the hope you have with the hopeless, the alternative for the lost is eternal damnation, for rejecting Christ.


1st Peter 1:3-9 "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials,that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ,whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory,receiving the end of your faith--the salvation of your souls."

And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. Colossians 3:17 
In Christ

brian