If There Was Hope for Them, Then There Is Hope for Us!

Key Text: Romans 15:4; 1 Corinthians 10:11
Supporting Texts: Genesis 13; Genesis 19; Joshua 2; Hebrews 11:31; 2 Samuel 11; 1 Kings 2; Acts 7–9; Romans 3; Ephesians 1–2

Introduction: A World That Feels Hopeless

Many people live with fear of tomorrow and no hope for today.

• Some are crushed by depression.
• Some are haunted by their past.
• Some built their life on money, things, or success—and when it collapsed, so did they.
• Some reach the point where they say, “I have no reason to live.”

That should never be the final word for a child of God.
And yet, even Christians sometimes feel overwhelmed, exhausted, and hopeless.

The Bible does not hide this reality. Instead, it shows us people who fell hard—and yet God was not finished with them.

“For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” (Romans 15:4, NASB 1995)

“Now these things happened to them as an example, and they were written for our instruction…” (1 Corinthians 10:11)

So today we ask:
If there was hope for them… is there hope for us?

I. Lot — Hope for a Compromised Man

Lot had much going for him. He chose land that looked prosperous (Genesis 13). But he pitched his tent toward Sodom—and then moved into Sodom.

Sodom and Gomorrah became so corrupt that God determined to destroy them (Genesis 19).

• A mob of perverts surrounded Lot’s house.
• In moral failure and panic, Lot offered his daughters.
• His sons-in-law refused to leave and died in the destruction.
• His wife looked back and became a pillar of salt.
• Later, his daughters committed incest with him.

By any human standard, Lot looks like a moral wreck.

And yet…

“...and if He rescued righteous Lot, oppressed by the sensual conduct of unprincipled men... for that righteous man, while living among them, felt his righteous soul tormented day after day by their lawless deeds…” (2 Peter 2:7–8)

Lot is called righteous—not because he was perfect, but because sin still tormented him. He was not comfortable in evil.

Lesson: If God did not give up on Lot, there is hope for people who are trapped, compromised, and struggling.

II. Rahab — Hope for a Prostitute and a Liar

Rahab is introduced in Joshua 2 as a harlot.
She also lied to protect the spies.

By human standards, she was:

• Sexually immoral
• Dishonest
• Living in a pagan city doomed for destruction

And yet…

“By faith Rahab the harlot did not perish along with those who were disobedient…” (Hebrews 11:31)

Even more shocking: Rahab is in the genealogy of Jesus (Matthew 1).

Why?
Because she believed what she heard about God and acted in faith.

Lesson: If there was hope for Rahab, there is hope for people with stained pasts and broken reputations.

III. David — Hope for an Adulterer, a Murderer, and a Hypocrite

David is called “a man after God’s own heart” (1 Samuel 13:14).
But the Bible also tells the truth about him:

• He committed adultery with Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11).
• He arranged the murder of her husband, Uriah.
• Later, he broke his own sworn promise by ordering Solomon to deal with Shimei (1 Kings 2).

David sinned deeply and publicly.

And yet—when confronted, he repented.

God did not erase the consequences, but God did not erase David.

Lesson: If God could restore David, there is hope for people who have failed badly—even after knowing better.

IV. Paul — Hope for a Violent Enemy of the Church

Before he was Paul, he was Saul:

• He approved of Stephen’s murder (Acts 7:58).
• He hunted Christians (Acts 8–9).
• He admitted he voted for their deaths (Acts 26:10).

He wasn’t just misguided. He was violent and ruthless.

But Jesus stopped him.
The gospel changed him.
He was baptized.
He was forgiven.
He became a servant of Christ.

Lesson: If there was hope for Paul, there is hope for people who fought against God and His people.

V. The Real Problem: All of Us Are Sinners

“There is none righteous, not even one.” (Romans 3:10)
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23)

You and I are not Lot, Rahab, David, or Paul.

We are us.

And we are sinners who cannot save ourselves.

VI. Real Hope Is Found Only in Christ

Biblical hope is not wishful thinking.
It is confident assurance based on God’s promise.

“In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses…” (Ephesians 1:7)

Outside of Christ:

“...separate from Christ… having no hope and without God in the world.” (Ephesians 2:12)

Inside Christ:

“...you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.” (Ephesians 2:13)

Hope is not in your past.
Hope is not in your performance.
Hope is in Christ.

VII. The Invitation: Hope Is Still Available

If there was hope for:

• Lot the compromised,
• Rahab the prostitute,
• David the adulterer and murderer,
• Paul the persecutor,

Then there is hope for you.

That hope is found in Christ through:

• Faith in Jesus as the Son of God,
• Repentance from sin,
• Confession of His name,
• Baptism for the forgiveness of sins.

Conclusion

The Bible does not hide broken people.
It shows what God can do with broken people.

If there was hope for them, there is hope for us.

Today, that hope is still in Christ.

Slide Deck (12 Slides)

Slide 1 — Title

If There Was Hope for Them, Then There Is Hope for Us!
Romans 15:4

Slide 2 — A World Without Hope

• Fear of tomorrow
• Haunted by the past
• Crushed by loss or failure

Slide 3 — Why the Old Testament Matters

• Written for our instruction
• Written to give us hope
  (Romans 15:4; 1 Corinthians 10:11)

Slide 4 — Lot: A Compromised Man

• Chose Sodom
• Lived in corruption
• Still called “righteous”
  (2 Peter 2:7–8)

Slide 5 — Rahab: A Prostitute and a Liar

• Lived in sin
• Acted by faith
• Listed among heroes of faith
  (Hebrews 11:31)

Slide 6 — David: A Fallen King

• Adultery
• Murder
• Broken promises
• Yet forgiven after repentance

Slide 7 — Paul: An Enemy of the Church

• Approved murder
• Persecuted Christians
• Forgiven and transformed
  (Acts 7–9)

Slide 8 — The Real Truth About Us

• None righteous
• All have sinned
  (Romans 3:10, 23)

Slide 9 — Where Real Hope Is Found

• In Christ
• Through His blood
  (Ephesians 1:7)

Slide 10 — Life Without Christ

• No hope
• No God
  (Ephesians 2:12)

Slide 11 — Life In Christ

• Brought near
• Forgiven
• At peace with God
  (Ephesians 2:13)

Slide 12 — The Invitation

If there was hope for them…
There is hope for you.
Come to Christ.

[Scripture](Romans 15:4, 1 Corinthians 10:11, Genesis 13:1-13, Genesis 19:1-38, 2 Peter 2:7-8, Joshua 2:1-14, Hebrews 11:31, 2 Samuel 11:1-27, 1 Kings 2:8-9, Acts 7:58, Acts 8:1-3, Acts 9:1-18, Acts 26:10, Romans 3:10, Romans 3:23, Ephesians 1:7, Ephesians 2:12-13)