A Word of Hope in a World of Hurt

The other Sunday I had the privilege of preaching at First Baptist in Hurt, Virginia. I really appreciate Pastor Sam Knaus inviting me. It is always a blessing to worship with God’s people and see how he is at work through His churches. That Sunday as I pulled into the parking lot, I was struck by the site of the town water tower. Obviously, I have seen a water tower before. What got my attention was the town name boldly proclaiming that I was in Hurt, Virginia.

Hurt, Virginia is a town of approximately 1,300 people next to Altavista, about thirty miles south of Lynchburg. The town bears the last name of early resident Colonel John R. Hurt. I looked it up because I was curious about naming a place, “Hurt.” But that Sunday morning it once again occurred to me that those folks are not the only ones who live in Hurt. As I got up to preach, I decided to point out to this dear church that I was glad there is a church in the middle of Hurt. The fact is, we live in a world of hurt. Praise the Lord there are churches in this world of hurt. Praise our Lord Jesus Christ for coming into a world of hurt, for living a perfect life, dying a sacrificial death, being resurrected, and empowering his missionary church to proclaim His Gospel of hope in this world of hurt!

Even right now, SBCV churches are cooperating to advance the Gospel of hope in a world of hurt. SBCV churches have disaster relief volunteers ministering hope on the Gulf Coast and in our own backyard as Southwest Virginia deals with flooding. SBCV churches are cooperating to minister to the hungry and hopeless in a world of hurt. SBCV churches are cooperating to equip another generation of ministers and missionaries through seminary education and on the job experience. SBCV churches are cooperating to plant and revitalize churches so there are more churches in the middle of places where there is hurt. Thank you, Lord, that I was reminded that You minister to the world of hurt and call us to serve right in the middle of it!

Words of Hope for the Church as We Serve in a World of Hurt from Romans 8:18–30

1. We have hope because – Suffering Is Only Temporary. [18] For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.

2. We have hope because – Jesus Is Coming Back. [19] For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. [20] For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope [21] that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God.

3. We have hope because – Heaven Will Be Wonderful. [22] For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. [23] And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. [24] For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? [25] But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.

4. We have hope because – The Holy Spirit Can Help Us. [26] Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. [27] And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

5. We have hope because – God Has a Purpose. [28] And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. [29] For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. [30] And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.

You are not alone!

Your brother in Christ,

BRIAN AUTRY
Executive Director • SBC of Virginia