RESTORING HOPE

1. Hope is a Rope

Joshua 2:21 (NKJV)

Then she said, “According to your words, so be it.” And she sent them away, and they departed. And she bound the scarlet cord [tikvah] in the window.

2. “Hope Floats” – Rich Wilkerson Jr.

Matthew 14:30 (NLT)

But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted.

3. Hope is a Compass

Matthew 14:29b

So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus.

“Any aspect of your life that doesn’t glisten with hope is believing a lie and that lie is a stronghold of the devil!” – Francis Frangipane

“Steve, what do you need to believe to have hope in this area?”

4. Build Hope

We build hope through believing the Word!

A. I need to believe my prayers are working even when I don’t see them working.

1 John 5:14-15 (NKJV)

Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.

B. I need to believe all things are working for good.

Romans 8:28

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

C. I need to believe God is going to complete what He has started in me.

Philippians 1:6

Being confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.

D. I need to believe I will know what to do and will be empowered to do it.

James 1:5a (NLT)

If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and He will give it to you.

E. I need to believe I am a blessed person and everything I do prospers.

Psalm 1:3b

They prosper in all that they do.

F. I need to believe God is faithful.

Hebrews 10:23 (NKJV)

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.

Romans 15:13

Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 12:2

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

5. Restore Hope

A. Identify the lie

B. Repent

C. Replace with the truth (from the Word)

D. Keep declaring the truth

Job 22:28

You will also declare a thing, and it will be established for you; so light will shine on your ways.

Discussion Questions:

1. Share of a time in your life where you have seen the power of hope.

2. Share of an area in your life where you might have hopelessness.

3. What helps keep your hope-meter high?

4. What can pull your hope-meter low?

5. What new beliefs do you need in your life to prevent your hope-meter dips?