Hope Unlimited Church

John 5:19 NLT

“I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself. He does only what he sees the Father doing. Whatever the Father does, the Son also does.

Key #1 - Lock Your FOCUS

Proverbs 4:25-27 NLT

Look straight ahead, and fix your eyes on what lies before you. 26 Mark out a straight path for your feet; stay on the safe path. 27 Don’t get sidetracked; keep your feet from following evil.

Key #2 - Fix the Frame

Hebrews 12:1 NLV

All these many people who have had faith in God are around us like a cloud. Let us put everything out of our lives that keeps us from doing what we should. Let us keep running in the race that God has planned for us.

Key #3 - Let it Develop

Psalm 27:14 NLT

Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.

Key #4 - Whose in the Picture?

Matthew 22:19-21 NLT

Here, show me the coin used for the tax.” When they handed him a Roman coin, 20 he asked, “Whose picture and title are stamped on it?” 21 “Caesar’s,” they replied. “Well, then,” he said, “give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God.”

Luke 10:25-28 NIV

On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” “What is written in the Law?” Jesus replied. “How do you read it?” he answered: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’ and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.”

Luke 10:29 NIV

But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” 

The Greek word “Justify” means; to Become righteous through Your own actions…

Luke 10:30 NIV

In reply Jesus said: “A man a man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead.

#1 The “I can’t be bothered attitude”

Luke 10:31 NIV

A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. 

#2 The “Only if I have too attitude”

Luke 10:32 NIV

So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 

#3 The “When your heart takes the lead attitude” 

Luke 10:33 NIV

But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 

#4 The “I don’t mind the cost” attitude

Luke 10:34 NIV

He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him.

1 Peter 4:9 AMP

Above all, have fervent and unfailing love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins [it overlooks unkindness and unselfishly seeks the best for others.

Luke 10:35 NIV

The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’ 

Luke 10:36-37 PRMS

Jesus then asked the lawyer, “Who was the real neighbor to the man who was stripped, beaten, and left half dead? The expert in the law replied, “The one who gave him grace.” Jesus said, “Do that, and then you will find real life.”

Hebrews 6:19 NIV

"We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure."

Hebrews 12:1-2 NIV

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith."

Don't just “GO” through difficult times, “GROW” through difficult times.

Joseph went from the Pit, to Potiphers House, to Prison to the Palace.

Genesis 45:7-8 NIV

"God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance. So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God."

It's not WHY am I going through this, but WHAT are You wanting me to learn from this?

Practical Steps to Perseverance

#1 - Plant yourself in this house and in the Word of God.

#2 - Have consistent Prayer life.

Philippians 4:6 NIV

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."

#3 - Embrace trials as opportunities for growth.

James 1:2-4 NIV

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."

Jeremiah 29:11 NIV

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Genesis 22:1-18 

1 Some time later God tested Abraham. He said to him, “Abraham!”

“Here I am,” he replied.

2 Then God said, “Take your son, your only son, whom you love—Isaac—and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you.”

#1 - Trust through the Test

3 Early the next morning Abraham got up and loaded his donkey. He took with him two of his servants and his son Isaac. When he had cut enough wood for the burnt offering, he set out for the place God had told him about. 

4 On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance. 5 He said to his servants, “Stay here with the donkey while I and the boy go over there. We will worship and then we will come back to you.”

6 Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and placed it on his son Isaac (on Isaac’s back), and he himself carried the fire and the knife. As the two of them went on together, 

7 Isaac spoke up and said to his father Abraham, “Father?” “Yes, my son?” Abraham replied. “The fire and wood are here,” Isaac said, “but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?”

8 Abraham answered, “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” And the two of them went on together.

9 When they reached the place God had told him about, Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood on it. He bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood.

#2 - Obey through the Obstacles

10 Then he reached out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. 

11 But the angel of the Lord called out to him from heaven, “Abraham! Abraham!” “Here I am,” he replied.

12 “Do not lay a hand on the boy,” he said. “Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son.”

13 Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram[a] caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son. 

14 So Abraham called that place The Lord Will Provide(Jehovah Jireh). And to this day it is said, “On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided.”

#3 - Surrender your Sacrifice

15 The angel of the Lord called to Abraham from heaven a second time 16 and said, “I swear by myself, declares the Lord, that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, 17 I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies, 18 and through your offspring[b] all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me.”

Encounter #1: Gideon, the Mighty Warrior

Judges 6:11-12

The angel of the Lord came and sat down under the oak in Ophrah that belonged to Joash and Abiezrite, where his son Gideon was threshing wheat in a winepress to keep it from the Midianites. 12 When the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, he said, “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior.”

Judges 6:13

So what does Gideon say, 13 “Pardon me, my lord,” Gideon replied, “but if the Lord is with us, why has all this happened to us? Where are all his wonders that our ancestors told us about when they said, ‘Did not the Lord bring us up out of Egypt?’ But now the Lord has abandoned us and given us into the hand of Midian.”

Judges 6:14-17

The Lord turned to him and said, “Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand. Am I not sending you?” 15 “Pardon me, my lord,” Gideon replied, “but how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family.” 16 The Lord answered, “I will be with you, and you will strike down all the Midianites, leaving none alive.” 17 Gideon replied, “If now I have found favor in your eyes, give me a sign that it is really you talking to me. 

Encounter #2: Mary, the mother of Jesus

Luke 1:26

In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin's name was Mary. 28 And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!”

Luke 1:29-30

But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. 30 And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.

Luke 1:31-33

And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”

Luke 1:34

And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?”

Luke 1:35-37

And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God. 36 And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. 37 For nothing will be impossible with God.”

Luke 1:38 in KJV

And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.

Encounter #3 Me: A Child of God

Hebrews 12:28 NLT

Since we are receiving a Kingdom that is unshakable, let us be thankful and please God by worshiping him with holy fear and awe.

Key #1 - Whenever there is Shaking, God is Protecting

Psalm 18:2 NLT

The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior;

    my God is my rock, in whom I find protection.

1 Samuel 14:13-15 NLT

So they climbed up using both hands and feet, and the Philistines fell before Jonathan, and his armor bearer killed those who came behind them. 14 They killed some twenty men in all, and their bodies were scattered over about half an acre.

15 Suddenly, panic broke out in the Philistine army, both in the camp and in the field, including even the outposts and raiding parties. And just then an earthquake struck, and everyone was terrified.

Key #2 - Whenever there is Shaking, God is Speaking

Hebrews 12:26-27 NLT

When God spoke from Mount Sinai his voice shook the earth, but now he makes another promise: “Once again I will shake not only the earth but the heavens also.” 27 This means that all of creation will be shaken and removed, so that only unshakable things will remain.

Key #3 - Whenever there is Shaking, There’s a Revealing

The CROSS

Matthew 27:51 NLT

At that moment the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. The earth shook, rocks split apart

THE TOMB

Matthew 28:2 NLT

Suddenly there was a great earthquake! For an angel of the Lord came down from heaven, rolled aside the stone, and sat on it.

THE UPPER ROOM

Acts 2:1-2 NLT

When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting.

Proverbs 24:16

The godly may trip seven times, but they will get up again.

Key #1 - Even when you're Tired

Psalm 105:4

Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always.

Key #2 - With what you got

1 Kings 17:13-14 NIV

Elijah said to her, “Don’t be afraid. Go home and do as you have said. But first make a small loaf of bread for me from what you have and bring it to me, and then make something for yourself and your son. 14 For this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the Lord sends rain on the land.’”

Key #3 - IN SPITE of your Circumstances

2 Kings 6:15-17 NLT

When the servant of the man of God got up early the next morning and went outside, there were troops, horses, and chariots everywhere. “Oh, sir, what will we do now?” the young man cried to Elisha.

16 “Don’t be afraid!” Elisha told him. “For there are more on our side than on theirs!” 17 Then Elisha prayed, “O Lord, open his eyes and let him see!” The Lord opened the young man’s eyes, and when he looked up, he saw that the hillside around Elisha was filled with horses and chariots of fire.

Key #4 - Full of Love & GRACE

John 13:35 NLT

Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples

Key #5 - Despite what it MAY COST

Matthew 10:39 NLT

If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for me, you will find it.

Josh 6:1-2

Now Jericho was tightly shut up because of the Israelites. No one went out and no one came in. Then the LORD said to Joshua, "See, I have delivered Jericho into your hands, along with its king and its fighting men.  

Josh 6:3 NIV

March around the city once with all the armed men. Do this for six days.

Josh 6:4 NIV

Have seven priests carry trumpets of rams' horns in front of the ark. On the seventh day, march around the city seven times, with the priests blowing the trumpets.

Josh 6:5 NIV

When you hear them sound a long blast on the trumpets, have all the people give a loud shout; then the wall of the city will collapse and the people will go up, every man straight in."

Josh 6:10 NIV

But Joshua had commanded the people, "Do not give a war cry, do not raise your voices, do not say a word until the day I tell you to shout. Then shout!"

Josh 6:12-14 NIV

Joshua got up early the next morning and the priests took up the ark of the LORD. The seven priests carrying the seven trumpets went forward, marching before the ark of the LORD and blowing the trumpets. The armed men went ahead of them and the rear guard followed the ark of the LORD, while the trumpets kept sounding. So on the second day they marched around the city once and returned to the camp. They did this for six days.

Josh 6:15-16 NIV

On the seventh day, they got up at daybreak and marched around the city seven times in the same manner, except that on that day they circled the city seven times. The seventh time around, when the priests sounded the trumpet blast, Joshua commanded the people, "Shout! For the LORD has given you the city!

Josh 6:20 NIV

When the trumpets sounded, the people shouted, and at the sound of the trumpet, when the people gave a loud shout, the wall collapsed; so every man charged straight in, and they took the city.

Ephesians 3:20 NLT

Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think

Key #1 - Ask with God-Given Authority

Psalm 2:7-8

The king proclaims the Lord’s decree:

“The Lord said to me, ‘You are my son.

    Today I have become your Father.

Only ask, and I will give you the nations as your inheritance,

    the whole earth as your possession.

Key #2 - Ask with Kingdom Purpose

1 John 5:14-15

And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. 15 And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him.

James 4:2-3

You want what you don’t have, so you scheme and kill to get it. You are jealous of what others have, but you can’t get it, so you fight and wage war to take it away from them. Yet you don’t have what you want because you don’t ask God for it. And even when you ask, you don’t get it because your motives are all wrong—you want only what will give you pleasure.

John 15:7-8

But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father.

Key #3 - Ask with unending persistence

Luke 11:9-10

“And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.