Be Hope(ful) - 2025 Vision Message

HOPE - Be Hopeful                     (Romans 15:1-13)                        Eastview Vision 2025 Theme Verse: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13, NIV)   Big Idea: Hope isn’t just something we wish for—it’s something we live out daily! Let’s embrace 2025 with hope that overflows from our hearts to the world around us by living out these five powerful and instructive “Be’s.” Let’s BE HOPEFUL this year!   1. Be Unapologetically in Love with Jesus Christ and His Message of Redemption Key Verse: “Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up.” (Romans 15:2)Teaching Point: Loving Jesus means loving like Jesus—showing His grace to those around us.Practical Application: Share one story this week about how Jesus has changed your life. Look for one person you can “build up” through words or actions and show them Jesus' love. Find a need, fill a need!   2. Be Faithfully Bound to the Word of God and Its Direction Over Our Lives Key Verse: “For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.”(Romans 15:4)Teaching Point: The Bible is our anchor in the storm. It teaches us endurance and gives us hope!Practical Application: Start a 2025 Scripture journey—read one chapter of the New Testament every day and read the entire NT in just 260 days. Or a chapter a day each weekday this year to read the NT. Memorize Romans 15:4 with a friend to remind yourself of the hope found in God’s Word.   3. Be Encouraged and Wholly Supportive of One Another Key Verse: “May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had.” (Romans 15:5)Teaching Point: A church united in love and encouragement is unstoppable!Practical Application: Commit to encouraging at least three people this week—through a kind word, a note, or a prayer. Ask someone how you can pray for them and do it then and there. Look for ways to support someone in your church family, like helping with a need or showing up for their big moment.   4. Be Committed to Raising Up the Next Generation of Christ-Followers Key Verse: “Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.”(Romans 15:7)Teaching Point: The next generation needs our acceptance, mentorship, and example of faith.Practical Application: Volunteer with the kids' or youth ministry for one week this year, ask how you can help! SHARE your story of faith with a young person and LISTEN to theirs.   5. Be Vigilant in Taking the Gospel to All Nations, Starting Locally Key Verse: “Again, Isaiah says, ‘The Root of Jesse will spring up, one who will arise to rule over the nations; in him the Gentiles will hope.’” (Romans 15:12)Teaching Point: Sharing the Gospel starts with a heart for your community and a vision for the world.Practical Application: Invite one person from your neighborhood to church or a small group. Support global missions by praying, giving, or being involved in a short-term mission trip in 2025 (think VBS or Community block party this Summer).   Conclusion: Overflow with Hope! Key Verse: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13)Final Call to Action: Let’s live out these five “Be’s” together as a church. Commit to a year of HOPE that’s not just felt but shared—so our lives and our church will shine brightly for Jesus! Challenge: Write down one “Be” you’ll start practicing today and share it with someone in your church family.