Hopeful Expectation
Through | Week 2
Dave Brown continues our Through series by looking at Matthew 7:24-27.
MESSAGE NOTES
Hopeful Expectation
Through • October 22, 2023
Teacher: Dave Brown
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Matthew 7:24-27 NIV
“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”
Matthew 7:25 NIV
The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house.
1. Storms
A storm is anything that puts us in physical, emotional, or spiritual disorientation or trauma.
Give Ourselves the freedom to feel what we feel
Pray the Lament Psalms
Identify Community
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 NIV
Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor:
If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
2. Deconstruction
Matthew 7:24 NIV
“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.”
A lot of American Christianity is not based in the gospel, so it doesn’t stand up in the storm.
Acts 12:1 NIV
It was about this time that King Herod arrested some who belonged to the church, intending to persecute them. He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword.
3. Reconstruction
Crack the door to hope.
What is our hope?
Revelation 21:3-5 NIV
And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”
Remember back to when you felt God’s presence.
Psalm 77:6b-12 NIV
My heart meditated and my spirit asked: “Will the Lord reject forever? Will he never show his favor again? Has his unfailing love vanished forever? Has his promise failed for all time? Has God forgotten to be merciful? Has he in anger withheld his compassion?” Then I thought, “To this I will appeal: the years when the Most High stretched out his right hand. I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. I will consider all your works and meditate on all your mighty deeds.”