Redemption Ministries Weekly Bible Study 14 July 2021
REDEMPTION MINISTRIES
CHURCH OF THE FIRSTBORN
WEEKLY BIBLE STUDY
July 6 & 13, 2021
TOPIC: LIVING OUT OF HOPE (1)
TEXT: PS 31:24; 33:18-22; PROV. 10:28; 19:18; 1 COR. 15:13-26; EPH. 2:11-13.
Redemption Ministries Weekly Bible Study 14 July 2021
That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. Eph. 2:12-13.
The word HOPE is defined as the general feeling that some desire will be fulfilled. It is mostly used in the christiandom to mean to wait expectantly on God, live with a settled assurance of what the future holds and dispel any notion that contradicts the demands of the scriptures. It is one of the three christian virtues stated in 1Cor. 13:13.
Living out of Hope is a painful moment in an individual’s or people’s live where faith in God’s ability has been squashed, and there appear to be no confidence nor illumination in the slightest degree of what the future holds. You have simply surrendered to chance, activities of traditional rituals or at best comfort yourself with the saying that whatever will be will be after all man die man go.
Life is not predicated on chance or luck but on the confidence (hope) one upholds in God. King Saul came to this point in his life when he had to swallow his pride, disguised himself and condescended to consult a prominent witch. Terrible indeed! How are the mighty fallen? They fall when they live out of hope.
Redemption Ministries Weekly Bible Study 14th July 2021
THE TALE OF TWO WOMEN: Ruth 1:8-16.
Confidence bestowed on who God is and what He can do is the only hope one needs to survive the storms of life.
1. The story of Ruth and Orpah is a classic demonstration of two individuals who were encompassed with Life’s challenges under the same atmosphere and prevailing circumstances such as
2. They were both Moabites. A nation cursed by God and forbidden to enter into the congregation of the Lord to the tenth generation.
3. They married from BethlehemJudah and their husbands died in Moab without any child.
4. Naomi, her mother in law discouraged them from following her to BethlehemJudah.
5. Ruth determined against all odds to follow and Orpah considered the realities as dissected by her mother in law and opted out.
ORPAH’S DECISION: A DANGEROUS TREND IN LIVING OUT OF HOPE. Ruth 1:6-16; Rom.8:35-39
Very often we walk by sight, our senses and feelings push us beyond expectation and consequently we embark on decisions that will surely end in jeopardy. Naomi’s presentation was obvious from the human perspective that the future was bleak, dark and gloomy. These characteristics so appealed to Orpah that she bowed in humble submission, gave Naomi the last kiss and waved her off her mind and Ruth determined to follow.
Orpah was never heard nor spoken of after this remarkable separation.
What is the basis on which you hinge your decision? Is it on what people say, will say and think? Subject it to God’s word.
DISCUSSION
1. Was Naomi’s presentation to Ruth and Orpah motherly enough for them to make a wise decision?
2. If you were in Naomi’s position would your presentation be different from hers?
3. Have you had any occasion in which your decision was based on the physical consideration and not spiritual?
HYMN 280 – I’D RATHER HAVE JESUS
Redemption Ministries Weekly Bible Study 14 July 2021
CHURCH OF THE FIRSTBORN
WEEKLY BIBLE STUDY
July 13, 2021
TOPIC: LIVING OUT OF HOPE (2)
TEXT: GEN. 16:1-9; 1 SAM. 17:1-11, 23-24; 2 KINGS 6:8-20.
As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were. Who AGAINST HOPE BELIEVED IN HOPE, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, SO SHALL THY SEED BE. Rom. 4:17-18.
CONFIDENCE CONCEIVED IN GOD IN THE MIDST OF DARKNESS: 1 Sam 17:32-37, 43-50.
Many people are trapped in the dreary sea and miry clay of terrible life experiences that seem to suggest that there is no hope for the future. Moments like this generates unguided decisions that will certainly backfire in the long run. It is a common business principle that you do not let the present circumstances determine how you sow or plough.
The Bible states that Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint (Prov. 25:19).
Such critical times call for faith, trust and hope in God who alone has the sole Licence to life. Israel was at a crossroad under Saul’s regime. Fear had taken over the entire atmosphere subjecting the citizens to talk in hush tunes. Will the enemy have his way? What will become of our nation Israel? These and many other questions plagued them as hopes diminished with time.
Goliath was physically well built, equipped, trained and empowered with assorted weapons of war. His intimidating height and size was equally of added advantage.
David though physically disadvantaged from a comparative perspective was spiritually fortified and built up like an atomic bomb awaiting detonation and ready to vent God’s fury on whoever wants to make him a prey . Amazingly, he was never ruffled, intimidated nor frightened by Goliath’s CV in war strategies. Rather, he was overwhelmingly assured and certain of victory in God who is the original man of battle. At last Israel found time to smile again. Don’t die before your appointed day. There is hope for you to bounce back.
HOW TO DEVELOP YOUR HOPE IN GOD
1. In every situation, know that God is ever faithful, perfectly in control and will not fail even in the worst case scenario. Gen. Gen. 21:9-19; Num 23:19-23; Deut 7:9.
2. Trust in His infinite, vastness and limitless ability. Ps 18:2-6, 14-17, 30; Prov. 28:26; Isa.26:4-5.
3. Look away from your weakness, strength, human evaluation and assessment. He is the captain of our salvation. 1Sam. 2:9-10; 2 Cor. 12:8-9; see Gen. 18:12-14.
4. Don’t ever allow your darkest moment to either write what becomes of you or control your next line of action. Many join cult, commit suicide, seek for solutions at the wrong place with terrible consequences, etc. at such an hour. While the prison is generally considered as the last bus stop that puts an end to hope, Paul and Silas found it to be the starting point for hope. Acts 16:25-31.
5. Reflect on God’s previous mercies and project on such; giving no chance for the devil to take advantage of the moment to minister otherwise to you. Ps 107:1-2; Phil. 4:8.
HYMN – IT IS NO SECRET WHAT GOD CAN DO
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