Donnels Creek Church of the Brethren
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Donnels Creek Church of the Brethren
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Senior Pastor
Tad Hobert
North Hampton, OH 45349 |
Hobert's Homily Hope for the New Year Pastor Tad Hobert "For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory," 2 Corinthians 4:17. If you have ever had to practice basketball or football twice a day, endure nine weeks of military basic training, or live with nausea for six weeks of chemotherapy, you were likely told, "Hang in there. You can do anything for a short period of time." The difference between "temporary" and "permanent" can seem like the difference between life and death. The apostle Paul knew the difference between the two. There were many occasions in his Christian life where he felt terrible, but he never lost heart (2 Corinthians 4:16). In fact, his favorite phrase was "but not": Hard pressed, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed (verses 8-9). Paul knew that every difficulty was temporary. Even if it lasted his whole life, he still saw it as temporary compared to the hope of eternity. If he ever lost hope, it was only for the moment. His permanent perspective was eternal hope in the goodness and purpose of God. Have you learned to separate the temporary for the permanent in your life? That distinction is evidence that hope is alive and well. Adoniram Judson put it this way, "The future is as bright as the promises of God." Looking to Jesus we read, "He too shared in their humanity so that by His death He might destroy him who holds the power of death...and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death, (Hebrews 2:14-15). Monday night football is played mid-afternoon in Hawaii due to the time zone, so the local TV station delays its telecast until 6:30 p.m. Native Hawaiian, Lyle Akaki, admits that when his favorite team is playing, he is too excited to wait for the delayed airing and listens to it on the radio in real time. Then he watches it on television later on that night. If his team won, it influences how he watches the game: fumbles or interceptions aren't a problem because he thinks to himself, "That's bad, but it's okay. In the end we'll win." As Christians, we have no reason to fear death. The game has been played, the Lord has won, and the Bible promises us that "we will certainly also be united with Him in His resurrection" (Romans 6:5). We worship a God Who went to battle with death and emerged victorious. As a result, we have a hope that extends beyond this life and promises an eternity spent with our loving Savior. Billy Graham said, "I've read the last page of the Bible. It's going to turn out all right." "Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as He who called you is Holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: "Be holy, because I am Holy.... Through Him you believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and glorified Him, and so your faith and hope are in God," (1 Peter 1:13-16, 21) Have a happy and hope-filled new year! |
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