Week 1 Dawn of Hope
When the storm rages all around sometimes it helps to make sure we are still standing on the Everlasting Foundation of Christ
“The word “hope” I take for faith; and indeed hope is nothing else but the constancy of faith.”
John Calvin
Passage
23Doing wickedness is like sport to a fool, And so is wisdom to a man of understanding.
24What the wicked fears will come upon him, But the desire of the righteous will be granted.
25When the whirlwind passes, the wicked is no more, But the righteous has an everlasting foundation.
Proverbs 10:23–25 (NASB95)
Background
Quote- John Calvin (/ˈkælvɪn/; Middle French: Jehan Cauvin; French: Jean Calvin [ʒɑ̃ kalvɛ̃]; 10 July 1509 – 27 May 1564) was a French theologian, pastor and reformer in Geneva during the Protestant Reformation. He was a principal figure in the development of the system of Christian theology later called Calvinism, including its doctrines of predestination and of God's absolute sovereignty in the salvation of the human soul from death and eternal damnation. Calvinist doctrines were influenced by and elaborated upon the Augustinian and other Christian traditions. Various Congregational, Reformed and Presbyterian churches, which look to Calvin as the chief expositor of their beliefs, have spread throughout the world.
Calvin was a tireless polemicist and apologetic writer who generated much controversy. He also exchanged cordial and supportive letters with many reformers, including Philipp Melanchthon and Heinrich Bullinger. In addition to his seminal Institutes of the Christian Religion, Calvin wrote commentaries on most books of the Bible, confessional documents, and various other theological treatises.
Passage- The genre of Proverbs is mainly “Proverbs” as the name describes, there are also some Parables and Poetry. This book was written mainly by Solomon, the wisest king ever to rule. It was written during Solomon’s reign 970-930 B.C. He asked God for wisdom to rule God’s nation and He granted the request.
The main purpose of this book is to teach wisdom to God’s people. These are things which are typically true, however, not always. They deal with life, principles, good judgment, and perception. They often draw distinctions between a wise man and a foolish man with parable type examples.
Opening Statement
The winds cease, the clouds part, and the light shines down. The light may be there but for a moment but it is still there. We can look at it as the smiling face of the Son of God reaching out to us or as another disaster barreling down upon us. It is all in our perspective.
Ask: Recall a portion of Advent 2022’s scripture which was behind the third quarter lessons and Love, Come to Faith.
Point: Please read the following:
29And He said, “Come!” And Peter got out of the boat, and walked on the water and came toward Jesus.
30But seeing the wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!”
31Immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of him, and said to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?”
32When they got into the boat, the wind stopped.
33And those who were in the boat worshiped Him, saying, “You are certainly God’s Son!”
Matthew 14:29–33 (NASB95)
Ask: How does that passage of scripture end? What is the important factor there for the people “in the boat?”
Point: They recognized the storm was over and they were safe.
Ask: What did they do once they realized they were safe?
Point: They attributed the end of the storm to Jesus’ actions. Please re-read verse 33 of that passage:
33And those who were in the boat worshiped Him, saying, “You are certainly God’s Son!”
Matthew 14:33 (NASB95)
Ask: What happens if we think we are still in the storm?
Point: Peter gives us a model for what to do. Please read the following:
28Peter said to Him, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.”
29And He said, “Come!” And Peter got out of the boat, and walked on the water and came toward Jesus.
Matthew 14:28–29 (NASB95)
Ask: What model does Peter in that scripture present to us if we think we are still in a storm?
Point: Ask God to guide us (command me,) listen to God’s guidance (come,) follow God’s guidance (Peter got out of the boat,) and keep our focus on Jesus (and came toward Jesus.)
Ask: What if we think we are following Peter’s example and still think we are in the midst of the storm?
Point: We might be, but that doesn’t change anything about following Peter’s example.
Ask: Do we have an example of what to do if we think we are doing the right thing and still remain in the storm?
Point: Yes. Hear Jesus’ words to Peter after Peter panicked. Please read the following:
30But seeing the wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!”
31Immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of him, and said to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?”
Matthew 14:30–31 (NASB95)
Ask: We have faith in God, we believe we are following God’s path, and still we think we are in the storm with no “dawn of hope.” What now?
Point: Please read the following:
5Trust in the Lord with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding.
6In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.
7Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and turn away from evil.
8It will be healing to your body And refreshment to your bones.
Proverbs 3:5–8 (NASB95)
Ask: How does all this connect to this week’s passage?
Point: This week’s passage has an evil/good layout showing us both sides. Please re-read the passage for today:
23Doing wickedness is like sport to a fool, And so is wisdom to a man of understanding.
24What the wicked fears will come upon him, But the desire of the righteous will be granted.
25When the whirlwind passes, the wicked is no more, But the righteous has an everlasting foundation.
Proverbs 10:23–25 (NASB95)
Ask: What is a Christian’s “everlasting foundation?”
Point: Please read the following:
Closing Statement
4And coming to Him as to a living stone which has been rejected by men, but is choice and precious in the sight of God,
5you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
6For this is contained in Scripture: “Behold, I lay in Zion a choice stone, a precious corner stone, And he who believes in Him will not be disappointed.”
7This precious value, then, is for you who believe; but for those who disbelieve, “The stone which the builders rejected, This became the very corner stone,”
8and, “A stone of stumbling and a rock of offense”; for they stumble because they are disobedient to the word, and to this doom they were also appointed.
9But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;
10for you once were not a people, but now you are the people of God; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
1 Peter 2:4–10 (NASB95)
Questions for the Week
Question 1 Where do you think you are at the moment; in the storm, out of the storm, walking the path through the storm, abandoned, or accompanied?
Question 2 Consider Peter’s example in light of your answer to Question 1.
Question 3 Does Peter’s example present any new actions, preparations, or next steps based on your considerations in Question 2?
Question 4 Compare today’s passage with the steps presented to us by Peter.
Question 5 Pray and ask the Holy Spirit for guidance concerning your contemplations surrounding Question 4.
Definitions
hope
[ hohp ]
noun
1. the feeling that what is wanted can be had or that events will turn out for the best:to give up hope.
2. a particular instance of this feeling:the hope of winning.
3. grounds for this feeling in a particular instance:There is little or no hope of his recovery.
4. a person or thing in which expectations are centered:The medicine was her last hope.
5. something that is hoped for:Her forgiveness is my constant hope.
verb (used with object),hoped, hop·ing.
6. to look forward to with desire and reasonable confidence.
7. to believe, desire, or trust:I hope that my work will be satisfactory.
verb (used without object),hoped, hop·ing.
8. to feel that something desired may happen:We hope for an early spring.
9. Archaic. to place trust; rely (usually followed by in).
dawn
[ dawn ]
noun
1. the first appearance of daylight in the morning:Dawn broke over the valley.
2. the beginning or rise of anything; advent:the dawn of civilization.
verb (used without object)
3. to begin to grow light in the morning:The day dawned with a cloudless sky.
4. to begin to open or develop.
5. to begin to be perceived (usually followed by on):The idea dawned on him.