God’s Hope in You ~ Romans 2:3-5, Colossians 1:21-28
Pastor John Opferman
11:00 AM
October 13, 2024
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Main Topics Discussed
Introduction
Setting the stage: Two texts to focus on—Colossians 1 and Romans 2.
Key passages: Romans 2:3-5 and Colossians 1:21-28.
The theme of the message: Understanding God’s hope for us through His love and long-suffering.
Romans 2: The Goodness of God Leads to Repentance
Verse 3: God’s judgment is inescapable.
Verse 4: God's goodness, forbearance, and long-suffering lead us to repentance.
God’s love is patient, enduring much with hope for repentance.
The riches of God’s goodness are often overlooked but should inspire gratitude.
Verse 5: Warning of a hardened and unrepentant heart.
Those who reject God's goodness treasure up wrath for themselves.
Even though God knows who will not repent, He still extends hope because of His love.
Colossians 1: Christ in Us—The Hope of Glory
Verse 21: We were once alienated and enemies of God by our wicked works.
A reminder of our former state, separated from God.
Verses 22-23: Christ reconciled us through His death, presenting us holy and blameless.
God's love and hope are shown in His plan of reconciliation.
Continuation in faith is key to remaining grounded in the hope of the gospel.
Verses 24-28: Paul's ministry as an example of suffering for the sake of Christ’s body, the Church.
The "mystery" revealed: Christ in us, the hope of glory.
God’s hope is that Christ in us will be perfected, leading us to share the gospel and grow in faith.
Understanding God’s Hope
Love and Hope Are Connected:
God’s love is not passive—it is hopeful.
1 Corinthians 13: Love "hopes all things."
Even though God is omniscient, He hopes because of His love.
God’s love for us means He endures with patience, always hoping for our repentance and growth.
God's Hope in Our Repentance:
God desires that none should perish but all should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9).
Though God knows the future, His love compels Him to offer hope to all.
God’s Hope in Christ's Work in Us:
Once we are saved, God’s hope for us continues in our sanctification.
Colossians 1:27: "Christ in you, the hope of glory."
God’s hope is that Christ in us will shine forth to the world.
As Christ is perfected in us, we become God’s instruments of hope to the world.
Practical Application: Fulfilling God's Hope
Preaching and Teaching:
God’s hope is fulfilled through the preaching of the Word and the growth of believers.
Verse 28: Paul’s mission was to present every believer "perfect in Christ."
Living Out Christ’s Hope:
We must allow Christ in us to grow and be perfected.
This process involves continual spiritual growth, sharing the gospel, and living as Christ’s representatives.
God’s Dependence on Us:
God’s hope for the world is found in the believers carrying Christ to the lost.
As believers, we are the hope for those who have not yet heard the gospel.
Conclusion
God’s hope in us is twofold:
That we would repent and trust in Christ.
That Christ in us would be perfected and revealed to the world.
Just as we hope in God’s promises, He hopes in our transformation and the work we do in His name.
Let us not defer God’s hope, but be a "tree of life" that brings joy to God by fulfilling His hopes for us.
Closing Prayer
Thankfulness for God’s patience and hope in us.
Prayer for strength to fulfill God’s hope in our lives through repentance and growth in Christ.
Invitation for those who have not yet repented to come to faith in Christ.
Biblical References
Romans 2:3-5
God's judgment is unavoidable for those who judge others while committing the same sins. His goodness, patience, and longsuffering lead us to repentance, but a hardened and unrepentant heart accumulates wrath for the day of judgment.
Colossians 1:21-28
We were once alienated from God by wicked deeds, but now are reconciled through Christ's death, to be presented holy and blameless. The mystery revealed is Christ in us, the hope of glory. This hope is proclaimed to make every believer mature and perfect in Christ.
1 Corinthians 13:4-7
Love is described as patient and kind, not envious or boastful, and not easily provoked. Love endures all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and bears all things—mirroring God's love for us.
John 3:16
God's immense love for the world is demonstrated in giving His only Son, so that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.
Psalm 139:1-4, 14-16
God knows us completely, even before we were formed. He understands our thoughts, our actions, and our innermost being, intricately involved in every detail of our creation.
2 Peter 3:9
God is not slow in keeping His promises but is patient, not wanting anyone to perish. His desire is that all should come to repentance.
Proverbs 13:12
Hope that is delayed makes the heart weary, but when fulfilled, it brings life and joy, like a tree of life.
Reflection Questions
In Romans 2:4, we are reminded that God’s goodness and patience lead us to repentance. How do you experience God’s patience in your life, and how does it inspire you to change?
Colossians 1:23 speaks of being "grounded and settled" in faith. In what areas of your faith do you feel settled, and where do you feel challenged to remain grounded?
Colossians 1:27 mentions "Christ in you, the hope of glory." How can you live in such a way that others see the hope of Christ in you?
Reflecting on 1 Corinthians 13:7, which says love "hopes all things," how can you align your love for others with God’s enduring and hopeful love?
In what ways can you better respond to God’s love and patience, as described in Psalm 139, knowing that He knows everything about you and still has hope for your growth in Christ?
Daily Activities
Reflecting on God's Patience
Activity: Reflect on God's patience in your life.
Application: Set aside 10 minutes daily this week to reflect on areas where God has shown you patience and longsuffering. Journal about how His goodness has led you closer to repentance and growth in your faith.
Meditating on Christ in You
Activity: Memorize and meditate on Colossians 1:27, "Christ in you, the hope of glory."
Application: Recite this verse each morning and ask yourself how Christ’s presence in you can shine more brightly to those around you. Look for opportunities during the day to live out this hope in interactions with others.
Sharing the Gospel
Activity: Share the message of the gospel with someone in your life.
Application: Identify one person in your circle who may need to hear the gospel. This week, make it a point to share the message of Christ’s love and salvation, trusting that Christ in you is the hope they need.
Evaluating Spiritual Growth
Activity: Evaluate your spiritual growth.
Application: Spend time in prayer asking God to show you areas of your life where Christ in you needs to grow or be perfected. Write down one or two specific actions you can take to nurture that growth, such as increasing time in the Word or serving in a new capacity.
Acts of Love and Hope
Activity: Engage in acts of love and hope.
Application: Following 1 Corinthians 13:7, perform a small act of kindness each day this week that reflects God’s love and hope. Whether through a kind word, offering help, or praying for someone, let your actions bear witness to the hope you have in Christ.
