GOT HOPE?

Do you need hope . . . real hope?  Everyone needs it, but few have it.  The Bible tells where to find hope in a world without hope.

1 Peter 1:3-4  “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade-- kept in heaven for you.”

Our hope in God is not just wishful thinking on our part but living hope guaranteed by God.  God gives us the sure hope of eternal life.  This life he gives can change our lives now in wonderful ways.  Interested?  Read on.

There is a problem that must be dealt with.  You are separated from real hope and from any relationship with God because of your sin. 

Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”

We are all guilty of sin.  No one can deny that they have often done things that cause them shame and guilt.

The consequence of your sin is death, not just physical but spiritual and eternal also.  As a sinner you are dead to God and face eternal judgment in hell. 

Romans 6:23  “For the wages of sin is death.”

There is nothing you can do to pay for your sins or earn forgiveness.  Being good, doing good things, going to church, being baptized, giving to charities … none of these things will get you into heaven, they can’t earn you forgiveness.

There is good news.  God has provided a way to deal with the guilt of your sin.

Eph 2:8-9 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-- and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--not by works, so that no one can boast.

Although God hates your sin he still loves you and wants to help you, he wants to give you hope.

Romans 5:8  “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this:  While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

God requires that sin be judged and the judgment he has passed on sin is death.  Jesus Christ paid the penalty of death for your sin by dying on the cross as a perfect sacrifice. God accepts Jesus’ death as a substitute for yours.  Jesus work was good enough to satisfy God because he was sinless.  But his forgiveness doesn’t come automatically.

If you want hope, if you want life, if you want to be cleansed from your sin, then commit your life to Jesus Christ. He will not only forgive you of your sin and save you from hell, he will give you eternal life and an abundant life.  Jesus offers you a life with hope and purpose today.

John 3:16  “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

John 10:10  “I came that they might have life, and might have it abundantly.” 

We can have this eternal and abundant life when we commit ourselves to Jesus. The commitment involves two things:

1) Repentance – You must agree to turn from your sinful ways to follow God’s way for your life.  You don’t change yourself and then ask God to save you.  Rather, you come to him as you are but eager to change to leave the sin and the misery it has caused.  Then God gives you the power to change.  But if deep in your heart you know you will keep on living the sinful life then don’t expect God to forgive you.

2 Corinthians 7:10  “Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.”

2)  Believe – You must believe that Jesus died on the cross, as your substitute, so you can be forgiven and changed. You must believe that Jesus rose from the dead to give you eternal life. 

Romans 10:9 “That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”

To make this commitment simply tell God in your own words:

*  God I confess that I am a sinner.

*  I believe that Jesus died for me, so I can be forgiven.

*  Please forgive me of all my sins.                   

*  Thank you for saving me.

*  I now commit my life to loving and serving you.

Jesus does not intend for us to live the Christian life alone, he wants us to be involved in a church. 

If you made this commitment, or you would like to talk to someone about making this commitment then please contact our pastor, Dan Taylor, at Hope4Missoula@aol.com.

He would also be glad to talk with you about any other questions you have about life or the church.