Preached by Jay Shelbrack, 1/25/2009

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The Shelbracks (left) with the Adams

In his inaugural speech, President Obama needed to balance hard truth and hope. These are crazy times in the US and people are doing crazy things. People’s confidence has been greatly effected and many are putting their hope in this new president with a new perspective. As disciples in a battle to win the world we must also balance hard truth and hope, but our hope is in something much greater.

2 Corinthians 3:7-18 When God gave Moses the law, his face was glowing. He covered it not to hide the radiance, but to hide that it was fading away. There is nothing inspiring about radiance fading away. We can liken this to a ministry that was once thriving, but has become dull and not focused on the things of the Spirit. This scripture teaches that as followers of Jesus we should be constantly becoming more radiant, not dulling over time. How does this happen? By reflecting on God. When our thoughts dwell on God we will be inspired, when we dwell on worldly things we will be dulled.

“Since we have such a hope, we are very bold.” Our hope is not in a president, or a job, or a relationship, or fill in the blank… our hope is in God! If we are not being bold, it means we are not close to God. In the story of Peter and John Before the Sanhedrin in Acts 4, the rulers and elders took note that these ordinary men had been with Jesus. Why? Because of their boldness.

What will keep you bold and radiant?

• Being in the battle – sharing your faith and studying the Bible with non-Christians
• See heaven and hell as real – people are much bolder after facing the reality of death. What does God have to do to wake you up?
• Repentance – sin makes us dull, but true repentance (turning) removes the veil

The question is, what are you going to choose? Hope or Fear? Do we really have hope in God? We need to help each other take the veil off.

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