In Need of Hope

Some of you may already know that I am a pretty big fan of the Star Wars Universe. There is a lot to love about Star Wars, but if I were to have to pick just one thing it would be the message of hope. From the very first film, hope was the primary message. It was hope to overcome an evil empire. Hope that someone, anyone would rise up to bring balance back to the universe.

In the first movie, a princess battling evil sends an urgent message asking for help from a man named Obiwan Kinobi. She requests that he comes immediately because she believes he is their only hope. Unfortunately this hero dies before anything can happen and the burden falls on a new hero, a young farm boy named Luke Skywalker. Luke did indeed become a hero, but the most significant thing he did was to show other people that victory over evil was possible. What we learn about hope in the Star Wars Universe is that hope did not rest primary on his shoulders. As a matter of fact he was only part of the story of hope. There would be other people and future generations that would rise up to defeat the forces of evil.

Our story of hope is very similar. We face evil everyday and we have a savior that has shown us that victory over evil is not only possible but that it has already begun. John 14 is one of my favorite passages of the Bible. In this passage Jesus comforts the disciples saying that peace and victory over evil is theirs. Although he would be leaving them, his presence through the Holy Spirit would always be there.

25 “All this I have spoken while still with you. 26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

We like the early disciples must continue the message of hope. We must stand up to forces of evil and become the presence of hope in our world. This Sunday we will begin a new worship series called Hope Epidemic. In this worship series, we will discuss how we can be part of a movement that brings hope to our church, our community, and our world. It begins with us! Join us this Sunday, September 6th, online at 8:30 a.m. (traditional) and in-person at 10:45 a.m. (outdoor, contemporary).

In God’s grip,

Pastor Chuck