Lesson: Rom 12:12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;

Theme: Rejoicing in Hope

Intro: A vein of cheerful optimism runs through each of Paul’s letters, in spite of all his trials.

I. This was not a temporary , fleeting thing
A. When all circumstances pointed toward certain defeat, his faith shined through.

1. When the ship was about to sink:
Acts 27:23 For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve,
24 Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee.
25 Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me.

2. While his back was still bleeding from the scourging, hear his hymns of praise!
Acts 16:23 And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely:
24 Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.
25 And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.

B. As he stood before rulers in chains, they became prisoners of his love and trembled at his words.
Acts 24:25 And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.

C. He had no doubt as to the ultimate outcome of all issues
1. We are always confident -__
II Cor 5:6 Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord:

Phil 1:3 I thank my God upon every remembrance of you,

4 Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy,5 For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now;

6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

2. More than conquerors - -
Rom 8:37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

3. God gives victory - - -
I Cor 15:57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

II The source of his assurance
A. It did NOT stem from a sluggish spirit or idle thinking
II Tim 1:12 For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.

B. Not from the observation of fleshly things.
Rom 1:21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,

23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.
24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:

25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:

27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was meet.
28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;

29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,
30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,

31 Without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:
32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

How could Paul consider such wickedness and remain so buoyant in spirit? He is NOT ignorant of sin!

C. He knew from experience and observation the power and reality of the redemptive work of Christ
Rom 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

1. He never made a move apart from this redemptive power
Gal 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

2. A man’s manner will always reflect the surroundings of his life. (formal, informal, etc.) If we live in the presence of the Lord, our manner of life will show it!

3. He lived in REVERENCE of the person, presence and power of the Son of God and therefore could never doubt him.

4. He EXPECTED God to keep his promises and so - - -

5. He experienced God’s present blessings. But NOW- - -
Rom 3:21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;

Rom 5:9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.
11 And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.

Rom 6:22 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.

Rom 7:6 But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.

Rom 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Rom 16:26 But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:

I Cor 12:20 But now are they many members, yet but one body.

Eph 2:13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;

Eph 5:8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:

II Tim 1:10 But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:

D. Christ was the center and completeness of his life:
Phil 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Gal 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

Col 1:27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:

III A Christ-centered life HAS to be a happy life

I Pet 4:14 If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.

A. He WILL save souls and even heaven rejoices

II Pet 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

Lu 15:7 I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.

B. He WILL answer prayer, and His people rejoice!

Mat 7:11 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?

C. He will give you victory in all things! REJOICE!!
Rom 8:37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.