Hope for the Hopeless Psalm 33:17-22

17 A horse is a vain hope for safety; Neither shall it deliver any by its great strength. 18 Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear Him, On those who hope in His mercy, 19 To deliver their soul from death, And to keep them alive in famine. 20 Our soul waits for the LORD; He is our help and our shield. 21 For our heart shall rejoice in Him, Because we have trusted in His holy name. 22 Let Your mercy, O LORD, be upon us, Just as we hope in You. Psalm 33:17-22

This Year’s Theme: At His Cross September Theme: I Find Hope

Understanding Hope Salvation is based on hope—Rom. 8:24 Hope is the anchor of our souls—Heb. 6:19 Hope extends beyond this life—1 Cor. 15:19 Hope is far more than “longing and wishing” Today’s lesson—Hope for the Hopeless

People Without Hope at the Cross The men on the road to Emmaus Peter following his denial of Jesus Mary Magdalene at the tomb

People Without Hope at the Cross The men on the road to Emmaus They were filled with despair “We had hoped”

17 And He said to them, "What kind of conversation is this that you have with one another as you walk and are sad?" 18 Then the one whose name was Cleopas answered and said to Him, "Are You the only stranger in Jerusalem, and have You not known the things which happened there in these days?" 19 And He said to them, "What things?" So they said to Him, "The things concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a Prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, 20 and how the chief priests and our rulers delivered Him to be condemned to death, and crucified Him. 21 But we were hoping that it was He who was going to redeem Israel. Indeed, besides all this, today is the third day since these things happened. Luke 24:17-21

People Without Hope at the Cross The men on the road to Emmaus They were filled with despair “We had hoped” They were hopeless, there was no anchor

People Without Hope at the Cross The men on the road to Emmaus Peter following his denial of Jesus Even if I have to die, I will not deny You--Matt. 26:35 After third denial, Jesus looked at him--Luke 22:61 Disciples filled with fear on that Sunday evening Peter’s words, “I am going fishing”—John 21:3 “Go tell His disciples AND PETER”—Mark 16:7 Hope makes the worst day, the best day

People Without Hope at the Cross The men on the road to Emmaus Peter following his denial of Jesus Mary Magdalene at the tomb Had been afflicted with seven demons Became a follower of Jesus From the cross to the tomb From the tomb to city From the city to the tomb The importance of the role of the women Seeing Jesus at the tomb, not recognizing Him His first appearance was to a woman without hope

Hope for the Hopeless Think of verses which give you hope Hope is not based on our self-worth Self-sufficient do not need hope! Hope is based on His promise—Heb. 6:18-20 Hope is based on the fact God cannot lie Two immutable truths become our anchor!

Anchoring Your Soul in Him Added to His church, His body, His kingdom Believe John 3:16 Repent Acts 17:30 Confess Faith Acts 8:36-37 Be Baptized Into Him Gal. 3:27 Added to His church, His body, His kingdom Be Faithful until death Rev. 2:10