King of Hope

Even though this is the season to be jolly, maybe you are struggling with a feeling of despair and cynicism. Your prayers haven’t been answered. Your loved one died. Your marriage is on the rocks. Your health is broken. Your country is in turmoil and deeply divided. Well God’s power to revive hope is seen best in the story of the resurrection of Jesus from the grave. Let’s look at the people who experienced God’s hope.

I. Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus who

hope.

A. They prepared Jesus’ body for

.

B. In every church, there are some unsung

like Joseph and Nicodemus who provide

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for others.

II. A group of women who

hope.

A. They had faithfully

Jesus for most of his ministry.

B. When they arrived, they discovered something very

had happened.

C. If you are having trouble believing in the hope of the

, you would do well to follow the example of these women.

1. They went to the most likely place where belief would be
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   .
2. They confronted their
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   .
3. They listened to the credible
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   of others.
4. They
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   the words of Jesus.
5. They
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   to believe the evidence.
6. They
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   on the faith they had.

III. The disciples who

hope.

A. They didn’t believe the

of the resurrection.

B. Maybe you are like the disciples—your hopes are

.

1. Maybe there’s a
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   that is dead.
2. Maybe you have a
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   who is spiritually dead.
3. Maybe you have died to personal
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   .
4. Maybe your hopes for a
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   are dead.
5. Maybe you have circumstances that have left you
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   dead.
6. Maybe you have recently
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   a loved one and lost hope.

C. Remember the same God who raised Jesus from the dead can restore hope to your life.