Abounding in Hope
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Sermon
Pastor Beau Waldrep, May 25th, 2025
Part of the Anchored in Hope series, preached at a Sunday Online service
Romans 15:1-14
1 We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. 2 Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. 3 For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me.” 4 For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. 5 May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, 6 that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 7 Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.
Christ the Hope of Jews and Gentiles
8 For I tell you that Christ became a servant to the circumcised to show God’s truthfulness, in order to confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, 9 and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written,
“Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles,
and sing to your name.”
10 And again it is said,
“Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people.”
11 And again,
“Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles,
and let all the peoples extol him.”
12 And again Isaiah says,
“The root of Jesse will come,
even he who arises to rule the Gentiles;
in him will the Gentiles hope.”
13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
Paul the Minister to the Gentiles
14 I myself am satisfied about you, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able to instruct one another.
Sermon Notes
Hope abounds when we are filled with joy and peace from the Holy Spirit.
Filled with Great Joy v. 1-7
When we recognize our strengths, we are empowered to serve others joyfully.
Scripture is the key to our encouragement as we endure difficult seasons.
Unity is essential for the people of God to share the hope of Christ.
Paul’s prayer is that the church would be filled with Christ-centered harmony and love, instead of quarreling and division, so that God may be glorified. Paul knows this kind of unity requires prayer and the unifying work of the Spirit. In order for the church to have unity that transcends preferences and differences of opinions and disputed matters, we need more than a pep talk. We need God to intervene. Tony Merida, Exalting Jesus in Romans
Filled with Supernatural Peace v. 8-12
Christ brings unlikely people together to accomplish His purposes.
Empowered by the Holy Spirit v. 13
Our experience of overflowing hope is made possible by the power of the Holy Spirit. Clearly, the Christian life is God’s empowering presence in the midst of life’s uncertainties. It is not up to us to conjure up hope or any other spiritual quality. Our only access to empowerment is to believe. Then God steps in and does the rest. The Christian life is a supernatural life in the fullest sense of that term: “Christ in you, the hope of glory” Robert H. Mounce, The New American Commentary
A heart full of joy and peace from Christ is powerful and brings hope everywhere it goes.