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“ONE SURE HOPE”

Rev. Matthew Harrison
LCMS World Relief and Human Care
SID Convention Essay February 2009 - Outline
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"# INTRODUCTION – CAN THERE BE HOPE? FOR US? TODAY?

A. Look At The Times!

1. The context: a world gone insane…
2. And what about the church?
B. Significance: New Testament

3
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!

WHY?

According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through
the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4to an inheritance that is imperishable,
undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5who by God’s power are being guarded
through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
(I Peter 1:3-5)

C. Credibility: What Gave Courage? I Have Traveled The World And Seen It. I Have
Read About It In Paul, Luther, Walther, Wyneken. Where Does It Come From?
D. The Future Is Hopeless, If We Are The Ones To Save The World. There Is ONE
SURE HOPE.
E. Ludwig Ingwer Nommensen (B. 1834 – D. 1918), The Apostle To The Bataks.

""# WE HAVE ONE SURE HOPE - JESUS’ RESURRECTION

A. Hope Has A Future Because Of The Resurrection

1. What the Resurrection of Christ is.
2. Now note how objective 1 Peter 1:3-5 is!
“… through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.”
3. What the Resurrection (Justification!) of Christ means for the Christian. It
is outside of us (extra nos), and holds good quite despite us!
a. Romans 4:25 (extra nos); “If Christ be not raised you are still in your
sins!” (1 Corinthians 15:17)
b. Redemption acquired.
“He bore our sins” (Isaiah 53:11) Therefore we teach with
Luther – “Christ became the greatest of all sinners!”
c. Redemption Reckoned! (See Romans 3:21-25)
 d. Forgiveness in Christ is complete! “The Blood of Jesus… cleanses us
from ALL sin!” (1 John 1:7. Apology IV) Justification is the
approval of the entire person.
e. Not by works of the law! That would render it unsure. (Ephesians
2:8-9.)
f. Transition: So how does what happened 2,000 years ago, and 8,000
miles away, come to us today? We must be “born again into a living
hope.”
B. Church/Repentance/Hope
1. What’s church? Or: “Dear God I’ve got an empty sack!”
a. Word of hope! (Lazarus)
b. Baptism! The resurrection comes home! (1 Peter 1:3; Romans 6)
c. Lord’s Supper! The guarantee of our resurrection (John 6;
1 Corinthians 15:19-20). Luther: “Head” and “Body”
“One toenail!”
2. What’s faith? “Abraham believed…” (Romans 4)
3. But there must be death!
a. Death of Luther: We are Beggars This is True!
b. Struggles of Walther and Wyneken.
c. The freedom of a death already died.
d. One sure hope is born of death and affliction!
C. The Future Of “One Sure Hope” — Hope Gives Courage.
1. Luther on courage:
a. Repentance: “Path to a clear conscience”
b. Word: “Unless I can be convinced by scripture…”
c. Vocation: “I wouldn’t trade my doctor’s cap…”
2. Courage and the Missouri Synod – “A joyful daring!” (Luther)
a. Repentance – “passing rain shower”
b. Word
c. Vocation
d. “Take heart” – !"#$%&'% (John 16:33)
D. The Future Of Hope In A Dark World: Mercy
1. Mark 1
2. $()*+,-" (splanchna) and Jesus
a. Being (1 John 3)
b. Mercy to one another
3. Encouragement – !"#$%&'%

"""# CONCLUSION
A. Review: Comments By Pfotenhauer To Challenged Workers
B. Questions/Comments
C. Final Statement