Quoting Romans 12:12-15, Pastor Nicky Joya talked about our motivation in service - God's blessed assurance that we will inherit His kingdom and live eternally with Jesus Christ our Lord.

It our hope for eternal life, which God promises in the future, that keeps us going in our service.  This is what makes us different from other people who do not have Jesus in their life. 

The loneliest people on earth are those who have lost all hope. Halford E. Luccock, in his book Unfinished Business, once said: "Where there is no faith in the future, there is no power in the present."

"Where there is hope, there is smile on the face." Our hope in Jesus Christ gives us smiles of joy even amidst persecution and hardship at present.  We are happy because we know in our hearts that God will wipe away every tear from our eyes in the future.

Revelation 7:16-17 reads: "Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat upon them, nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; He will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."

A. Hope causes us to have a positive disposition in the midst of affliction. 
¹²Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

B. Hope turns our focus from self to others.
¹³Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

When we know that there is Heaven waiting for us in the future, how could we think much of pleasing ourselves today?

C. Hope causes us to respond supernaturally to oppressors.
¹⁴Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.

1. Do not act naturally - Do not curse!
2. Act supernaturally - Bless! (Matthew 5:38-48)

D. Hope causes us to empathize with the experiences of humanity and reach out to them in service.
¹⁵Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.

"We can become so caught up in our sufferings that we become isolated from our fellow men. If we would demonstrate the grace of God toward others, we must not sink in the mire of our own suffering and pain.  We must identify with others and share their sorrows and joys. This empathy is vitally important for the unity of the body of Christ.  It is also essential for ministry to unbelievers." - Robert Deffinbaugh

Previous Articles