2. “But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way.” 1 Cor. 12:31 “Hopes all things”

3. Description of Love 4. Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; 5. does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; 6. does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 7. bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 8. Love never fails.

4. Description of Love 1.Patience 2.Kindness 3.Generosity 4.Humility 5.Courtesy 6.Unselfishness 7.Good temper 8.Guilelessness Dealing with our fellow man

5. Description of Love 1.Patience 2.Kindness 3.Generosity 4.Humility 5.Courtesy 6.Unselfishness 7.Good temper 8.Guilelessness 9.Sincerity Deals with our relationship with God

6. Description of Love 1.Patience 2.Kindness 3.Generosity 4.Humility 5.Courtesy 6.Unselfishness 7.Good temper 8.Guilelessness 9.Sincerity 10.Spiritual strength 11.Open-Mindedness 12.Optimism 13.Faithfulness 14.Loverly Self

7. What is Optimism ? Latin word = “best” “excellent” Optimism means an inclination to put the most favorable construction upon actions and happenings or to anticipate the best possible outcome.

8. Optimism is the tendency to look on the bright side of things, a belief that everything will turn out for the best.

9. “Hopes all things” To desire with expectation of fulfillment - - - - - to expect with desire A feeling that what one desires will happen Greek = “Opening of the eyes and mouth” An expectant forelook

13. What is Christian Optimism ? Christian optimism is that which begins with a desire of the best and regardless of the circumstances, confidently expects to receive the desire. “Love Lifted Me” Song # 453 “...and for an helmet, the hope of salvation...” I Thessalonians 5:8

15. “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” II Timothy 1:7

16. What is Christian Optimism ? Different than philosophies of the world More good than bad Eventually good will overcome the bad Christian optimism is confident that every single thing will work together for our good.

17. A verse that teaches Optimism “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” Rom. 8:28 LOVE GOD  Jn.14:15 “If you love me, ….”  Jn.14:21 “it is he who loves me”  1 Jn.5:3 “For this is the love of God..” Keep My Commandments

18. A verse that teaches Optimism “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” Rom. 8:28 CALLED ACCORDING TO HIS PURPOSE  God sent His Son to save the world  Called by the gospel – 2 Thes. 2:14

19. A verse that teaches Optimism “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” Rom. 8:28 WE KNOW  Paul did not say: “I think that all things will work out”  There is no doubt; no room for chance

20. A verse that teaches Optimism “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” Rom. 8:28 ALL THINGS  Will work out for our best  Not in a miraculous way  Not just a few, but all

21. A verse that teaches Optimism “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” Rom. 8:28 WORK TOGETHER FOR GOOD  This is the providence of God  Joseph - sold to Ishmaelites  Gen. 50:20 “But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass as it is this day, ….”

22. As long as we are in harmony with God’s purposes, then all things will work out for us!  Christians called out of world by Gospel  Be sure we are in harmony with God’s will  If we take care of this …….  Then God will take care of everything else. Rom. 8:24 “for we are saved by hope” Hope: Desire Reasonable expectation

23. An Example of Optimism Gen. 12:1-7 God called Abram “through his seed all nations of the earth would be blessed.” Gen. 18:9-14 God renewed the promise Abraham was 99 Sarah was 89

24. An Example of Optimism Rom. 4:17-21 - speaking of Abraham v. 18 “against hope, he believed in hope” v. 19 “he considered not his own body now dead” v. 21 “And being fully persuaded ”

25. Do You Expect the best to happen ? Regardless of circumstances God is able to work it all for the good of our soul Love Makes us optimistic in our outlook !

26. Christian Optimism is that full persuasion that God will rule over and over rule all things for our good as long as we are obedient to Him.

27. “But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way.” 1 Cor. 12:31 “Hopes all things”

28. Description of Love 1.Patience 2.Kindness 3.Generosity 4.Humility 5.Courtesy 6.Unselfishness 7.Good temper 8.Guilelessness 9.Sincerity 10.Spiritual strength 11.Open-Mindedness 12.Optimism 13.Faithfulness 14.Loverly

30. Sermon by Arthur Pigman Evans Church of Christ 515 Gibbs Road Evans, Ga. 30809 706-855-1249evanscoc@bellsouth.netwww.evansgachurchofchrist.org Sunday Evening November 3, 2013