ROM 15:13 Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.

>>What greater joy and peace can there be found in the heart of those that believe than that they have been redeemed from the power of sin? TIT 2:11-14 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,

12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

>>What greater joy can fill the hearts of those who truly believe than to see true repentance wrought in the soul by the power of the Holy Spirit? LUK 15:7 I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.

>>As our text says this victory over sin is only obtained "through the power of the Holy Ghost." ROM 9:21 Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?

>>God even raises up sinful men to make His power known in them as we see in ROM 9:17 For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth.

>>God's Word clearly reveals that it is through the power of grace that we gain the mastery over the power of sin as in ROM 5:20-21 Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:

21 That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.

>>Our most positive evidence of God's grace in our hearts is that grace reigns where sin once reigned. ROM 6:4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

>>The first obstacle to our salvation for which we need the Spirit's power to overcome is our spiritual deadness. EPH 2:1-5 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;

>>This spiritual deadness came upon all mankind as the result of our first father's sin. ROM 5:12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

>>This quickening or new birth is a new creation which can only be effected by the same authority of the Word as the first creation. EPH 2:8-10 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

>>This spiritual death is to serve the law of sin in the flesh as we see in ROM 8:5-7 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.

6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

>>The second thing which must be overcome by the power of the Spirit before there can be any real joy in the soul is our antagonism against God by nature. ROM 8:7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.

>>We are told this same principle in 1CO 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

>>Even after our hearts have been renewed and we have come to hunger and thirst after righteousness we can find no real "...joy and peace in believing, [until Satan has been subdued]...through the power of the Holy Ghost." EPH 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

>>This spiritual struggle or warfare between the joy there is in Christ and the power of sin is so blessedly defined in GAL 5:14-17 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

15 But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.

16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

>>The Apostle Paul defines that joy spoken of in our text so well after he had overcome the power of sin by the power of the Holy Spirit 2CO 12:7-9 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.

8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.

9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

>>Every true minister of Jesus Christ must strive against each his own thorn in the flesh to keep them from becoming exalted in the flesh 2CO 4:7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

>>The calling of every New Testament Pastor is so beautifully stated in 2TI 2:24-26 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,

25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;

26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

>>The benediction of our text, "Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost," fills our hearts with praise as we see in COL 1:12-13 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:

13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:

>>The Apostle Paul's greatest joy was to see God's dear children delivered from that power of Satan and sin as he spoke of his calling in ACT 26:18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.

>>This type of ministry is not of man's sending. EPH 3:7-8 Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.

8 Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;

>>You see beloved, grace does not only help or assist us, but it comes into our hearts and actually reigns as sin once reigned. ROM 5:21 That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.

>>If we were only brought to the knowledge of the love of Christ as the way of salvation and then left to our own choice to enter the kingdom of Christ we would read our fate in 2PE 2:20-21 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.

21 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.

>>You must understand they are not referred to as a sheep who have gone astray 2PE 2:22 But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.

>>Why is this? Because while we are spiritually dead we cannot rightly respond to the claims of the gospel; this is only by the grace of God! TIT 2:11-12 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,

12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

>>These things are what God's dear children are called upon to teach and exhort. TIT 3:1-7 Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,

2 To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.

3 For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.

4 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,

5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;

7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

>>As we see our text in its context we understand that one of the graces which the Holy Spirit works powerfully in us is that we are able to admonish and be admonished. ROM 15:13-14 Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.

14 And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another.

>>One of the most grievous judgments God sends upon the rebellious is that they can no longer be admonished. ECC 4:13-14 Better is a poor and a wise child than an old and foolish king, who will no more be admonished.

14 For out of prison he cometh to reign; whereas also he that is born in his kingdom becometh poor.

>>This blessed hope spoken of in our text shall "...fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost," but when shall it reach its fruition? 2TH 1:10-12 When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.

11 Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power:

12 That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

>>Oh the joy there will be when faith is turned to sight and we shall hear Him say, MAT 25:34-40 Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:

35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:

36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.

37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?

38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?

39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?

40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.