New Sermon Series: RESURRECTION = "HOPE"Sermon Notes for Sunday AM Corporate Worship (March 1, 2015)I love you all more than ever!Resurrection = “hope” (part 1)1 Kings 16:29–17:24 [NIV]1. The “hope” of the resurrection means…“a new low” brings “a new” opportunity in JESUS! a. v. 18: What does “a new low” feel like?i. Is even GOD against me? A fresh wound takes away the great memories of the past! Pain removes “hope!” 1. Just when I thought my past was way behind me.... Did JESUS come to “remind me of my sin?” ii. “remind me of my sin” = “remember” 1 Kings 17:18 [***New American Standard Bible]So she said to Elijah, "What do I have to do with you, O man of God? You have come to me to bring my iniquity [“depravity”] to remembrance and to put my son to death!" iii. “We do not mean by total depravity that an unregenerate person is totally insensitive in matters of conscience, of right and wrong. …total depravity does not mean that the sinful person is as sinful as possible.” Romans 2:15 [***NIV]They show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts sometimes accusing them and at other times even defending them.)1. There is a difference between actions that “are in conformity with GOD’s will and law [that] are pleasing to GOD” and actions that give us merit. a. Illus: Me getting suspended from HS and the rest of the day behaving.Genesis 6:5 [***New American Standard Bible]Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.2. There is no end to or break from our sin…. “It takes us further than we want to go!” (unknown)Ephesians 4:18–19 [***New American Standard Bible; emphasis mine]18 They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. 19 Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more.3. Before the moment of salvation (regeneration and justification)…we should feel conviction4. “The whole point of the cross [we] are going to fail and [we] are going to stumble, feel dirty and feel awkward. The whole point of the cross is HIS mighty picture of love.” (Matt Chandler) a. After salvation (i.e., regeneration and justification) we should feel freedom and “hope!”iv. “the widow” thought her sins would bring judgment, but in Elijah was the presence of “hope” because the HOLY SPIRIT was in HIM!1. “the widow[‘s]” “son” was her only “hope,” and he was taken from her! 2. When family rejects us it is one of the deepest pains we can feel!Luke 4:17–30 [***NIV]b. How do we “fight for faith?” How do we “fight” the hopelessness? How we believe there is “a new” opportunity? (only in JESUS!)i. First, we must be reminded of the sovereignty of GOD1 Kings 16:29–17:1 ii. Second, we must “Give” JESUS our hopelessness! (v. 19) “set” 1. JESUS is the only one who “carried” = “to go up…ascend”Psalm 24:3–5 [***NIV]3 Who may ascend the hill of the LORD? Who may stand in his holy place? 4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear by what is false. 5 He will receive blessing from the LORD and vindication [“righteousness”] from God his Savior. 2. “vindication” / “righteousness” = “justice”1 John 2:1 [***NASB]1 My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous;3. v. 20: “cried out to the Lord” = “proclaim” Romans 8:26, 34 [***NIV]26 In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words;34 Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died--more than that, who was raised to life--is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.2. Application: “Hallelujah!” “You have one the victory! “Hallelujah!” You have won it all for me. Death could not hold you down. You are the risen KING. Seated in Majesty! You are risen KING!” (Planetshakers, “The Anthem”)