Finding Hope in the Wonderful

Counselor

Introductionhope = the anxious anticipation of

goodRomans 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.

#1: Find Hope in the Questions He Asked

#2: Find Hope in Defining Problems#3: Find Hope in the Relationships He

Built #4: Find Hope in Giving Hope #5: Find Hope in the Instruction He

Gave

Finding Hope in the Expectations He Gave

I. Consider the Rationale Behind Jesus’ Expectations

A. God is a God of action!Q.What are some examples of

God demonstrating that He is a God of action?

1) Creation - Gen. 2Genesis 2:1 Thus the heavens and the earth were completed, and all their hosts. 2 By the seventh day God completed His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done.

2) Flood 3) The Exodus from Egypt

B. Jesus is the perfect model of action!

Genesis 3:15 “And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed; He shall bruise you on the head, and you shall bruise him on the heel.’’

John 4:34 Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to accomplish His work.”

C. The Holy Spirit is active!John 15:26 “When the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, that is the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify about Me.”

D. Responses reveals the heart (character)Example: Rich Young Ruler –

Matt. 19

II. What Resources Do We Have that Can Help Us DO What Jesus Expects?

A. The Power of God’s Word

Isaiah 55:6 Seek the LORD while He may be found; Call upon Him while He is near. 7 Let the wicked forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him return to the LORD, and He will have compassion on him, and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon. 8 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD.

9 “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways And My thoughts than your thoughts. 10 For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return there without watering the earth and making it bear and sprout, and furnishing seed to the sower and bread to the eater;

11 So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; it will not return to Me empty, without accomplishing what I desire, and without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.”

Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13 And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.

Input: Other passages about the Word of God that give you hope?

B. The Power of God’s grace– John 1:14,16-17

Luke 2:40 The Child continued to grow and become strong, increasing in wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him.

John 1:14 And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.

John 1:16 For of His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace. 17 For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ.

2 Corinthians 12:9 And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.”

C. The Person of the Holy SpiritJohn 14:26 “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.”

John 16:7-14 “But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come.”

D. The role of the local church Input: How can the local church

help us to grow and do what the Wonderful Counselor tells us to do?

III. The RESPONSE to Jesus’ Expectation

A. Jesus gave 2 ‘homework’ assignments:

#1: To wash one another’s feet (be a servant)

#2: To love one another . . . “even as I have love you”

B. We have to make a choice: Obedience – choosing to DO what

God expects us to do Disobedience – rejecting what God

expects you to do!

Q. What would cause a person to openly reject God’s word and disobey?

IV. The RESULTS of Obedience to Jesus’ Expectations

Answer: John 13:17 = blessings!John 13:17 “If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them.”

If you know = assumed as trueIf you do = assumed as possible

“Both conditions with the one conclusion coming in between, “you are happy (blessed)” – just knowing does not bring happiness nor just occasional doing.”

Conclusion:Q. Are you willing to DO whatever God

asks you do?

Q. What needs to CHANGE in order for you to obedient to Him?

Q. Do you tend to want the benefits of Christianity (or a good marriage/family) without taking on the responsibility of Christianity (which is OBEDIENCE to your Master!)