Hope in Questions He Asked

FINDING HOPE IN THE WONDERFUL COUNSELOR

Introduction1. Consider the different ways to

define hope:hope = the anxious anticipation of

good (biblical perspective)hope = an uncertainty of the

outcome (world’s perspective)

2. The definition you hold to will be based on the SOURCE of your hope!

* There is only one TRUE source of hope . . . and that is God!

Psalm 115:3 But our God is in the heavens; He does whatever He pleases.

Psalm 135:6 Whatever the LORD pleases, He does, in heaven and in earth, in the seas and in all deeps.

Input: What other attributes of God give us hope?

I. Hope: Because of Who the Wonderful Counselor Is!

A. Jesus is the Wonderful Counselor!

Isaiah 9:6 For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; and the government will rest on His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.

‘Wonderful’ = marvelous, extraordinary, hard to comprehend

Judges 13:18 The angel of the Lord said, to him, “Why do you ask my name, seeing it is wonderful?”

Point: Jesus would be a Counselor that was greater than we could begin to comprehend. ‘Counselor = to advise, consult, give counsellit. – a Marvel of a Counselor

* Jesus Christ is abundantly qualified to guide and direct our lives!

B. Jesus is God! John 10:30 30 "I and the Father are one.“

John 14:9-10 Jesus said to him, "Have I been so long with you, and yet you have not come to know Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; how can you say, 'Show us the Father '? 10 "Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father is in Me?

C. What kind of hope does the Wonderful Counselor Give?

1. Hope for salvation Acts 4:12 "And there is

salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.”

John 14:6 “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and no one comes to the Father except through Me!”

2. Hope for sanctification (to be set apart) Prepatory Sanctification Positional Sanctification Progressive Sanctification Prospective Sanctification

II. Hope: In the Questions He AsksA. The purpose of His questions

1. What the purpose is NOT: He didn’t know the answer!

2. What the purpose IS:

1. INTERACTION – Responding to the question of others (Mark 8:4-5)

Q: How many loaves do you have?

* Hope: He loves us enough to help us when we don’t get it!

2. INFORMATION – Gathering Data (Mark 8:5, 19-21)

Q: What is your name? Proverbs 18:13 He who gives an answer before he hears, it is folly and shame to him.

* Hope: He doesn’t need the facts, but He wants us to admit the truth and be honest!

3. INSTRUCTION Making Statements Mark 8:12)

Q: Why does this generation seek for a sign?

Luke 24:26: "Was it not necessary for the Christ to suffer these things and to enter into His glory?"

* Hope: God’s truth can help us, if we will listen!

4. COMMUNICATION Conveying a Message (Mark 8:17-18)

Q: Series of questions asked! Matthew 15:15-17 Q: Do you not understand that everything that goes into the mouth passes into the stomach, and is eliminated?

Matthew 15:18 "But the things that proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and those defile the man. 19 "For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, slanders. 20 These are the things which defile the man.”

* Hope: God communicates with us! [full disclosure!]

5. CORRECTION Pointing Out a Problem (Mark 10:18)

“Questions convict the conscience; accusations harden the heart!”

Q: Why do you call Me good? * Hope: God demonstrates patience in spite of our spiritual condition!

6. APPLICATION Personal Relationship (Mark 8:27-29)

Q: Who do people say I am? Q: Who do you say that I am? * Hope: God wants to apply truth to our personal life!

7. EVALUATION Personal Examination

– Mark 8:36-37

Q: For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul?

For what will a man give in exchange for his soul?

Q: You do not want to go away also, do you? (John 6:66-67)

* Hope: God wants us to honestly evaluate our heart and grow!

8. REVELATION – Reveal our heart (true character)

Q: Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?

Q: Do you love me? (John 21:15-17)

* Hope: God’s truth reveals the true heart of man!

Conclusion:

Q: What question is God asking you?

Q: Are you going to respond or ignore the questions?

Q: Are you willing to grow and change?