Transforming Hope | 26 October 2014 | Francois van Niekerk
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Once we have tasted the Lord’s goodness – energising honey from heaven – we can offer the same transforming hope to others.
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Transforming Hope | 26 October 2014 | Francois van Niekerk
- 2. Nations Children & Young people Vulnerable communities Churches & Church leaders Evangelistic ministries TV & YouTube Missionaries Community ministries
- 5. SMS PLEDGE 083 501 1160 NAME + AMOUNT + PM or NAME + AMOUNT + PY
- 6. Pastor Francois van Niekerk
- 10. 1 SAMUEL 14:29 NIV See how my eyes brightened when I tasted a little of this honey.
- 11. HONEY OF HOPE
- 12. PSALM 34:8 NIV
- 14. ROMANS 2:4 NKJV
- 15. Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold. 2 CORINTHIANS 3:12 NIV
- 16. THE REVELATION OF GLORY
- 17. EXODUS 33:18 NIV Then Moses said, “Now show me your glory.”
- 18. EXODUS 33:19a NIV And the LORD said, “I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the LORD, in your presence.”
- 19. HOPE TRANSFORMS
- 20. 2 CORINTHIANS 3:18 NIV And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
- 21. Kind words are like honey ̶ sweet to the soul and healthy for the body. PROVERBS 16:24 NLT
- 22. Feast on the HONEY OF HOPE
Editor's Notes
- Faith Promise 2014
- In 2014 our Faith Promise giving brought hope to the nations, children, young people, churches, church leaders, and vulnerable communities. This hope was given through: missionaries, the Africa pastor’s forum, evangelistic ministries, community ministries, Hatfield’s children’s homes, television and YouTube, and The Christian Network.
- SMS your pledge for hope to: 083 50 111 60 with your NAME + AMOUNT + PM/PY
- Preacher: Pastor Francois van Niekerk
- Theme: Stories of hope
- Sermon: Transforming hope Date: 26 October 2014 – morning service Text: 1 Samuel 14:29b (NIV) ‘See how my eyes brightened when I tasted a little of this honey.’ (Emphasis added)
- Introduction Honey is a gift from God and I love honey, especially when it’s creamed! Honey is famous for its healing properties and natural goodness. The powerful effect of honey is described in an Old Testament account of a very difficult time in the history of Israel. It was a time when they were at war with their long-time enemies, the Philistines. Israel was beaten down and their army weary and tired. King Saul’s son, Jonathan, and his armour bearer dared to step out believing that God can deliver equally by many or by few (1 Samuel 14:6). And so, with God’s guidance, they went up and started to attack the mighty Philistine army. Suddenly, God caused panic amongst the enemy and they started fighting each other in confusion. God also brought about an earthquake that sent the Philistines running in fear! The Israelite army saw the chaos triggered by Jonathan’s brave attack and joined in the fight. In the meantime, the King had ordered that no one should eat until they have won the victory over the Philistines, or be cursed. Jonathan did not know this. He was exhausted from the fight like the rest of the men and later stumbled upon some wild honey in the forest. He dipped his staff in it and ate it – our text for today says it transformed him!
- Text: 1 Samuel 14:29b (NIV) ‘See how my eyes brightened when I tasted a little of this honey.’ (Emphasis added) His eyes brightened as new energy and hope filled him for the fight. When he was told what his father had said, his reply was that if the men had been allowed to eat they would have gained an even greater victory. References to honey in the Bible remind me of the hope of God. God’s hope is made visible to humankind through His goodness. Let’s find out more about this honey of hope from heaven and how it brings transformation.
- Main points Honey of hope Hope is God’s ‘honey’. The Psalmist extends this invitation on God’s behalf:
- ‘Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.’ (Emphasis added) Psalm 34:8 (NIV) You are invited to feast on the sweetness of His goodness – taste and see for yourself. I call this goodness the honey of heaven, the hope of God. I believe an encounter with the sweetness of His goodness brings hope that changes us!
- 2. Honey gives energy (busy bee) In the same way natural honey gives energy to the body, God’s hope energises the heart and soul for change. This divine energy drives positive change. The Bible says it is God’s goodness that leads us to repentance and change.
- ‘Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?’ (Emphasis added) Romans 2:4 (NKJV) God’s hope releases encouragement, boldness and spiritual energy.
- ‘Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold.’ (Emphasis added) 2 Corinthians 3:12 (NIV) The origin of the hope referred to in this scripture comes from the encouraging ministry of the Holy Spirit (Verse 8). The ministry of the Spirit is glorious!
- 3. The revelation of glory I would like to share one of the most powerful revelations in God’s Word – that His glory is revealed in His goodness.
- ‘Then Moses said, “Now show me your glory.”’ Exodus 33:18 (NIV)
- ‘And the Lord said, “I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the Lord, in your presence.”’ Exodus 33:19 a(NIV) God’s glory is shown in His goodness. The honey of God’s hope comes in the form of His goodness and fuels positive change.
- 4. Hope transforms Transformation is another word for change. The honey Jonathan ate transformed him from feeling tired to being energetic. In the same way, the revelation of God’s goodness and glory through Jesus transforms us.
- ‘And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory (goodness), are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.’ (Emphasis added) 2 Corinthians 3:18 (NIV) As we are changed by the hope that His goodness brings, we in turn can bring change in circumstances, the atmosphere and people’s lives. We can expose people to God’s glory through the goodness and kindness we show in His Name. This hope will fuel godly change in them too! People are crying out for transformation and hope. Let’s allow Jesus to answer this call through us by showing goodness and kindness in His Name. It releases hope and brings change. Let them get it from our kind words:
- ‘Kind words are like honey – sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.’ Proverbs 16:24 (NLT) Let them get it from our deeds. May our lives drip with the honey of His hope! Application Maybe you need some heavenly honey. Look to Jesus and allow the ministry of the Spirit to release honey of hope to you. Taste and see that the Lord is good! Once you have tasted the Lord’s goodness – His honey of hope – you can offer the same to others. Release the honey of God’s hope into the lives of those around you. The effect will be the same as that which Jonathan experienced when he ate the honey. Weariness and despair will lift and make room for brightness and light in each soul that feasts on the honey of His hope!
- People are changed by the hope that comes from seeing God’s goodness and glory offered through our lives.