The Goal of Christian Hope: The Glory of God in the Face of Jesus Christ

Romans 5:1-2
"Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God."

"The goal or the object of our hope is at the end of verse 2: “Werejoicein hope of the glory of God.” The ultimate hope of the human heart is not forgiveness or justification or heaven or freedom from disease. The ultimate hope of every heart is the glory of God. You were made to see and savor the glory of God. Christmas happened, Good Friday happened, Easter happened so that sinners might not be incinerated by the beauty of God but might see it and savor it with ever-increasing joy. Romans 12:12 says, “Rejoice in hope.” Romans 5:2 completes the thought, “Rejoice in hope of the glory of God.”
This is the ultimate experience that will wipe away every tear. This will rectify every wrong. This will make you say that it was all worth it, no matter what you suffered. Listen to the way Paul put it in 2 Corinthians 4:17, “This slight momentary affliction [=all this life’s afflictions] is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison.” This was the hope that sustained Paul’s joy in affliction. He preached to himself (and we must): this affliction is not meaningless, it is not absurd, it is not cruel, it is not pointless. No, it is working for me an experience of the glory of God that will outweigh every moment and every degree of suffering in this life.
That is our hope. Its ground is the blood and righteousness of Christ by which we are justified through faith. Its goal or object is the glory of God that one day we will experience in the face of Jesus Christ."

John Piper. © Desiring God. Website: www.desiringGod.org. Email: mail@desiringGod.org. Toll Free: 1.888.346.4700.

Taking the Gospel to Honduras

I found this picture on the Honduras Outreach Inc. website. I thought it would be a good visual for us as we pray for Cary in Honduras. We all know what it is like going to a foriegn country with the message of Jesus. It can feel like the task is insurmountable. That is why i think pictures like this one are helpful. They assist us in remembering that God cares about individuals and that He knows the heart of each one. If these three girls were the only lives that Cary was able to touch with the love of Jesus the trip would still have been worth every bit of trouble and time and money. Here is what Cary had to say about the trip before he left...

"I am leaving February 3rd to go to Honduras on a mission trip through Honduras Outreach, Inc. in Decatur, GA. I am joining a team from Tabernacle and First Baptist in Newnan, GA. We will be working in the village of Mal Pais. Our work will consist of building latrines, roofing, pouring concrete, vacation Bible school, and medical clinics. I am excited about this trip. it will be my first organized mission trip since college. I pray that the Lord will use me and that I will be sensitive to His spirit and "seize the day" when the opportunities arise. I want to work hard and share the gospel of Christ at every chance. This is a ministry of building relationships and through the love of Christ drawing people to Him. For they will know that you are Christians by your love. I will be returning late Saturday the 10th. Please pray for the 24 missionaries that are going. Talk to you later."

Cary, thanks for serving bro. We love you. Amanda thanks for the info and thanks for supporting Cary in this effort. I hope you have a great week with your madre.