War in the Middle East, drug overdoses and alcoholism on the rise, pornography everywhere …..certainly our world is in a state of perplexity. Mankind is looking for answers.
Is there any hope for mankind? The Bible says that there is. 1 Timothy 1:1 tells us that Jesus Christ is our hope. In fact, Ephesians 2:12 plainly states that if anyone is living without Christ, he is living without God and has no hope. I’ve often imagined someone drowning, able to see land, and yet with no one to rescue them. That’s what the world is like without Jesus: drowning in hopelessness. They are very close to fitting the prophet Isaiah’s words in Chapter 19, verse 14: “like a drunken man staggers in his vomit.”
Maybe today you feel like there is no hope for you, no reason to live. Perhaps you’ve been an abused or ignored child. Maybe you’ve been a victim of rape or some form of brutality. Some of you may be living under the crushing blows of rejection because your spouse has been unfaithful.
I’m here to tell you today that there is Someone who loves you and cares about you dearly, and His name is Jesus Christ. He promises to give you hope. In fact, “the hope of the gospel” is that when you believe the gospel of Jesus Christ and receive Him into your heart, He will prepare a place for you in heaven and give you a brand new start here on earth.
The Scriptures declare that a Christian can be “rejoicing in hope”. Indeed, the purpose of the Bible is to give you patience, comfort, and hope. Without Jesus, mankind merely exists. God created us for a deeper purpose than mere hopeless, uncertain existence. You have been created to fellowship with God. He gives life purpose. He gives death purpose. This “good hope” I’m talking about comes to you from Jesus and the Father through grace to “comfort your heart and establish you in every good word and work.”
Don’t despair or seek to end your life. Give Jesus a chance. He loves you just the way you are. He died on the cross for your sins so that you may be forgiven and not only go to heaven, but have new life here on earth as well.
Jesus is only a prayer away. Answer the door … He’s knocking.
