“Hope Does Not Disappoint” The Rev. Dr. Tara W. Bulger

romans 5:1-5

Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand; and we boast in our hope of sharing the glory of God.And not only that, but we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.

When Hannon was about 2 or 3, she began to assert her independence. During those years, this was a common refrain in our house, "I do it, MYSEFF!" Offering to help her put on shoes or get her coat was often met with "I do it, MYSEFF!"

Today's passage, which comes from Paul writing to the church in Rome, is written to a community of people who might be tempted to go it alone, to "do it, themselves" as it were. Paul confronts, in this passage, the human tendency to suffer alone and not share one another's burdens.

The church in Rome is facing religious persecution, but more than that, Paul knows this fundamental human truth: all people suffer at one time or another. Paul also knows that suffering can bring about good. It can lead to growth in character and hope. To have suffered and survived builds hope, and Paul wants us to remember that. But underlying any suffering we might do is the fundamental truth that we belong to Jesus Christ, and nothing can change that.

But remember that Paul is writing this passage to a church, a community of people united in Jesus Christ. Paul does not suggest that one boasts in suffering alone, but rather that a community should boast in suffering done if community. Suffering with others produces endurance and leads to all the beautiful things Paul describes. Suffering and endurance lead to character and hope, and hope does not disappoint. Make no mistake--Paul writes that all this should be done in a caring community, like the church.

This is what many mothers and fathers do so well, isn't it? Sit with us in our suffering; share in our burdens. We don't have to go it alone. It's also what the church does.

I have a friend who saw the very best of the church several years ago. He had just graduated college and was making very little money, and because he was in a new city, he also had just joined a church there. Within a few weeks of being in that new place, his sister became very ill and fell into a coma. She was in Mexico at the time. My friend had no money to fly to Mexico and be with his sister. But a friend from church found out what had happened and raised the money he needed to fly out immediately and be with his family. They also raised enough money to fly his father there. They checked on him through the whole ordeal and loved on him when he returned. They suffered with him, helped him endure, and his character and hope grew. This is what fellow believers in Jesus Christ do for one another.

This Senior Sunday, I want to remind all the graduates today that we are going with you to your schools. Our love and care for you do not end this day; it just expands. We hope you find a church community in your college communities, too, because the same word of hope Paul offers to the church in Rome is the same for you: there will be suffering in your life. Let the church share in that with you and support you. Let yourself be wrapped in the love of a congregation--both at school and here when you are home. And may your hope in Christ continue to grow because hope does not disappoint.