The local church: Hope for the future!

John 19:30 "When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost."

That is the hope that we have and want to pass on to a desperate world. Jesus has accomplished it all!

What is accomplished ? At the cross Jesus exchanged three things:

- our sins against His righteousness. Romans 3:21-24 " But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; 22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: 23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus..."

- our poverty against His prosperity. 2 Corinthians 8:9 "For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich."

- our diseases against His health. 1Peter 2:24 "Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed."

Faith starts with hope. The local church is potential the most influential power on earth. The church is God given to be a place of redemption, libaration, healing and restoration ... a place where people can love one another despite their shortcomings and can be really happy. Our God is a God of hope ... for Him NOTHING is impossible!