Jesus Changes Everything: "Jesus Changes Our Hope"- Part 1

Jesus Changes Everything: “Jesus Changes Our Hope” - Part 1    

Matthew 27:11-54         

10-28-18 

 “Hope” - Confident expectation in the Lord.

Steve Jobs  - " …Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart …Death is very likely the single best invention of Life. Sometimes I believe in God, sometimes I don’t…sometimes I think (death is) just like an On/Off switch. Click, and you’re gone. And that’s why I don’t like putting On/Off switches on Apple devices.”

I. The innocent dies for the guilty.  (Matthew 27:11-26)   

2 Corinthians 5:21 -“For our sake (God) made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”

II. The humble dies for the proud. (Matthew 27:27-44)   

Romans 4:4, 6, 16 - “Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due.

David speaks of the blessing of the one to whom God counts righteousness apart from works.…it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace.”

III. The accepted dies for the rejected.(Matthew 27:45-55) 

The daily results of living in our hope:

1. We live confidently in our relationship with God.

Philippians 1:6 - “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” 

2. We confidently approach God at any time.

Ephesians 3:12 -  “…through faith in Christ we may approach God with freedom and confidence.”

3. We confidently proclaim the Gospel.

Romans 1:16 -  ^“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes…”

4. We confidently walk as Jesus walked.

1 John 2:6 - “Whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.”

5. Our children can take refuge in our confidence.

Proverbs 14:26 - “In the fear of the Lord one has strong confidence and his children will have a refuge.”

 Faith Sheet This Week

1. What do you think of when you hear the word sacrifice? What did the word mean to the first-century Jews who saw animals killed constantly at the Temple? 

2. What are some reasons that we may choose something or someone over following Jesus?

3. How do you think Barabbas responded to this turn of events in his favor? How should we respond and live? (Ephesians 2:1-10)

4. Why are human beings so prone to miss Jesus’ glory on the cross?

5. If a non-Christian asked you the question “Why did Jesus die?” - how would you respond?

6. Discuss the section from Sunday about five areas of confidence. How can we assist one another in confident living? Pray for each other.