Lesson 6 The Cross of Jesus Gives Gospel Hope
Question 6 and 7
All Scripture is given to point to Jesus' death and resurrection because only in His sacrifice is God's wrath satisfied. The more we look for Christ and His gospel in the Scriptures, the more Jesus is revealed, and the truth of His importance above all things is clarified. We learn to wash and be cleansed in the fountain of the cross (Zechariah 13:1-2), and to do so daily.
It’s the finding of Jesus in His word that gives us hope! The purpose of the Scriptures, and Paul is referring to the Old Testament Scriptures here (“everything written in the past”), is that “we might have hope.”
The gospel of Jesus Christ is so powerful that it can entirely remove the dark cloud of depression off of anyone, even as it washes their sin away. It is so glorious that it can pick up one who is fallen, lift up the hands of the weary and strengthen the feeble knees of those who can’t walk anymore. Just to think: Jesus hands were nailed to the cross to lift our weary hands up, Jesus feet were nailed to the cross, immobilized, so that we could rise from our bed of sin and begin walking and leaping and praising God.
Notice how the gospel affects those under Law; those who were continually failing because of guilt, feeling as though they don’t measure up, like their life is one big missing the mark. The gospel tells them their guilt was placed on Jesus, and is therefore entirely removed from them. It tells them their sin was removed from them, that it was nailed to a tree and buried in a tomb. Now, through faith in Jesus Christ they have perfectly hit the mark of holiness and righteousness. They measure up! They meet the requirements! This fills us with hope!
Yes, it is gospel hope that we want to give to our students: “so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope” (Romans 15:4b NIV). Question 6. As you have studied Romans 15:1-5 NIV, how does the cross of Jesus Christ give you hope right at this moment? Please share your thoughts:
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Dear friend, if the gospel gives you hope then you should be confident that as you share it with students, it will fill some of them with hope, also. Maybe not right away, remember that God has given us hundreds of gospel stories and much clear teaching on it. The gospel needs to be heard continually and consistently in order to be believed and embraced ongoingly. But oh when we see Jesus and embrace Him, the hope rushes in and fills us to the brim!
This gospel hope has a tremendously uplifting and purifying effect in the hearts of believers. “And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure” (1 John 3:3). This is how gospel hope can free men and women from pornography and sexual impurity, how it cleanses us from gluttony and laziness, how it sets us completely free from substance abuse, how it inspires us to love and live the gospel in front of a sinning spouse and how it loves our hearts and sets us free. 1 Peter 1:3 NIV Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, Question 7. How does 1 Peter 1:3 NIV connect to the gospel and give you hope?
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