12/3 Sermon: Christmas Series, Part 1

Last Sunday at The Family Church here in Gainesville, senior pastor Philip Griffin started his Christmas series of messages, this one titled Irrational Hope. Although you might at first think he's putting down hope that isn't founded in reason, actually the opposite is true...for hope in God, his mercy and his future plans for us is based on faith in Jesus Christ and is not a rationally-based act.  The scripture of focus is Hebrews 6:19, which you can read via Bible Gateway by clicking on it (and other Bible references below)...

Pastor Philip started off by discussing the terrible ordeals that American POWs of the Japanese faced during World War II.  Their conditions were horrendous and they suffered torture, hunger, and disease, many of them dying.  But what seemed to be a major factor dividing the survivors from those perishing was a strong sense of hope about the future...that there would be a day when this would all end and they could pursue their lives and dreams anew.  This is the sort of "irrational hope" that as Christians we also should have.  This hope, as the pastor delineated (and that passage from Hebrews revealed), is an anchor...leading to a confident expectation that the bad things will turn out for good (Romans 5:3-5), the good things will never be taken away (1 Peter 1:3), and the best things are yet to come (Ephesians 1:18).  So with the counsel and empowering of the Holy Spirit, suffering leads to perseverance, perseverance leads to character, and character leads to hope...a hope that is firm and secure...

You can watch Pastor Philip's sermon on the church's YouTube video channel...here is a link to it: [link].  The Family Church, which is located at 2022 SW 122nd Street and whose mission statement is "We exist to help all people discover family in Christ by reaching those far from God and making disciples who build God's kingdom", holds its Sunday morning services at 9:30 and 11...although starting next year this will change to 9 and 10:30.  There's the weekly message, meaningful and uplifting music, prayer and fellowship...oh, and don't forget the coffee. See you there...