Hope and Joy
Review: The Gospel (Good News)
For something to be resurrected it had to be dead.
What does resurrection means for us?
• Hope: expectation with certainty
• Joy: great gladness, happiness, and delight
Hope and joy in money, economy, job, position, possessions, health, strength, people, self, leaders…
Resurrected hope and joy!
Romans 15:13 (NIV): May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so
that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
A life of resurrected hope and joy.
Matthew 13:44 (NIV): “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.
When I don’t feel hope or joy I have to crawl back to what I know is true.
Romans 15:1–4 (NIV): We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. 2 Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up. 3 For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: “The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.” 4 For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.
A perspective shaped by resurrected hope and joy.
Hebrews 12:2 (ESV): looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
James 1:2–3 (NIV): Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.
A life sustained by resurrected hope and joy.
1 Thessalonians 1:2–3 (NIV): We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers. 3 We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Thessalonians 2:19–20 (NIV): For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you? 20 Indeed, you are our glory and joy.
1 Timothy 4:10 (NIV): That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe.
Praise and thanks to God for a resurrected hope and joy!
1 Peter 1:3–4 (NIV): 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, 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade.
Life Group Questions:
Passages to consider: Ephesians 1:17-19; 1 Peter 1:8-9; Colossians 3:1-2, Philippians 4:8
Ice Breaker: What posters did you have in your room when you were young?
Sermon Reflection – What passage or statement was significant to you from the sermon?
Questions to discuss:
1. When you think of hope and joy how do you typically define them?
2. Take a look at Ephesians 1:17-19 & 1 Peter 1:8-9. Or choose a significant passage from the sermon. What do they tell you about hope and joy?
3. Where are you at with hope and joy today? How has relationship with Jesus brought joy and/or hope into your life?
4. What can be joy stealers or distort hope and bring worry? (What is it for you at this season?)
5. Look at Colossians 3:1-2 & Philippians 4:8. How do you return to joy when hard things happen? What helps you have a confident hope in the midst of uncertain times?
6. In what area of your life do you need to experience some resurrected joy or hope?
7. What relationships, truth, and actions contribute to building hope and joy in your life? How can your family, friendships, work place and neighborhood be impacted as you nurture joy and hope?
Note: There are no easy answers for deep hurts, traumatic experiences, and clinical depression. Be considerate for what your fellow group members may be experiencing.