LEARNING TO LOVE: HOPE

LEARNING TO LOVE: HOPE
Luke 15:11-32

I. The Prodigal Son’s Father- A Lesson in Hope
a. Three remain together- Faith, Hope, and Love
i. Faith is concerned with the past and the present.
ii. Hope is concerned with the future. Faith in the future.
1. Romans 8- But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? 25But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.
iii. Love is what we are and what we do.
b. The father would obviously be hurt by his son’s request and his subsequent actions. The hurt could be manifested in shame and/or anger.
c. The father’s actions in this story demonstrate how love and hope and tied together.
i. Losing hope destroys relationships and communities.
ii. John Maxwell, Maine, Hydro-electric plant, relocation, “Where there is no faith in the future, there is no power in the present.”
II. The Father’s Hope (1 Corinthians 13)
a. 20So he got up and went to his father. "But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.
b. How did the father do it?
i. 1 Thessalonians 1:3- 3We continually 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.
ii. The Father put his hope in God, not in man or possessions.
1. Psalm 42:11- Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.
c. The Father was bold to believe that God would return his son to him.
i. 2 Corinthians 3:12- 12Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold.
ii. Bold in believing that he would turn the situation into something that would bring him glory.
1. Romans 5- And we[b] rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. 3Not only so, but we[c] also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.
2. Romans 8:28- 28And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him,[a] who[b] have been called according to his purpose.
iii. The Father’s hope was an anchor!
III. While the Father watches…Qualities of Hope in Love
a. Love keeps no records of wrongs—it is continually looking forward
i. Colossians 3- 12Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
ii. Hebrews 12- 1Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
b. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
i. The Scriptures as a basis of our enduring hope.
1. Colossians 1- 23if you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.
ii. Prayer is an expression of our hope
1. Romans 12:12- 12Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
2. Philippians 1:19-21- Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, 19for I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.[a] 20I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. 21For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.
c. Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth!
i. The father threw a party. The other son rejected the party and was bitter.
ii. Hebrews 10:22-24- 22let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. 23Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.
iii. Philippians 4- 4Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.