Can There Be Any Hope For Me?
Introduction
We all fight a daily battle against temptation and sin. Sometimes the
battles we fight leave us scarred and wounded. We have all felt the grief &
guilt created by sin. Sometimes, we may wonder if we’ll ever make it to
heaven. We know we want to go
there more than anything. But in the midst of guilt and shame, we may wonder if
there is any chance for us to make it to heaven. Is there any hope for me?
I. Spiritual Supermen???
A.
Sometimes we compare
ourselves to others. The fact that some Christians appear to be strong
outwardly.
B.
Sometimes forget that everyone struggles with sin. No one is immune.
C.
Rom. 3:23; 1 John 1:8,10
B.
Bible Heroes: Paul and Peter.
1.
Paul: 1 Cor. 11:23-28 – stood through stonings, persecution,
trials, shipwrecks,
2.
Peter – Acts 5:29-32; 12:1-
– almost killed at this point for the sake of the gospel.
C.
Yet look at what these men had to say…
1.
Paul in 1 Cor. 2:1-5 - Paul struggled w/things too.
2.
Peter in 1 Peter 5:6-9…
II. Jesus Christ Died For Someone Like
Me!!!
A.
Matthew 26:56 – all disciples forsook Jesus & Fled. Forgiven.
B.
Matthew 26:69-74 – Peter denied Jesus 3 times. Forgiven.
C.
Matthew 27:29-44 – These people were forgiven.
1.
Does this give us an excuse to be careless? Romans 6:1-2; 12:1-2
B.
Some good passages in Hebrews to consider:
1.
Hebrews 7:24-25 - no one
that Jesus can’t save, if they will only realize they need to come to Him1
2.
Hebrews 2:14-18
3.
Matthew 26:41 – the spirit
is willing, but the flesh is weak. Jesus understands the weakness of the
human flesh!
C.
2 Peter 3:9, 14-15 –
God is patient!
D.
Philippians 2:7-8Jesus gave up heaven to save us!
1.
Jesus did not do this for nothing. Did this for you and me.
E.
1 Peter 1:3-9 - Peter lived with confidence, so can we.
Conclusion
A.
We have a merciful, loving, savior who desires each and every one of us
to go home to heaven.
B.
We are totally dependent upon the love & mercy of Christ.