Thursday’s Column: Captain’s Blog
Carl Pollard
We have abused this word. We say things like, “I hope there’s some food at the house” or, “I hope the weather is nice tomorrow,” and “I hope my team wins the Super Bowl.” The hope that’s mentioned in scripture has a completely different definition.
The word in Romans 15:13, for example, is the Greek word “elpis. “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” This word is defined as, “Looking forward to something with confidence” (BDAG 319). It is an expectation that we have as Christians. We have hope because we call God our Father.
The world does not have that relationship and because of this they have nothing to hope in. If they look forward to anything it’s pay day, or the weekend, or vacations. Every one of these come to an end and once again they are left with no hope.
Don’t get me wrong, we look forward to these things too. And there’s nothing wrong with that, but this isn’t what we look forward to solely. We know that there is more to life than vacation.
1 Peter 5:10 is an incredible verse that describes the hope we have. It says, “After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you.”
This is true hope. It is the God of the universe Himself that will do this for each one of his children. We may not see it every day, but the world is lost and desperate. We have what they need. They’re desperate for guidance because they’re lost. They’re desperate for purpose because they have none. They’re desperate for Hope because the world offers nothing to those who are struggling.
God has entrusted us with the answers to life, so what are we doing with this knowledge?
The Preacher Pollard Blog 
Hello Neal, Thanks for posting the sermon by brother Bill Burton (1998). Excellent lesson on unity,
I really miss the racial mix at my pervious pulpit – Dahlia St. in Denver. As far as I known it was he most racially diverse congregation in Colorado.
Another note: About 20 years ago I was on vacation in Williamsburg, VA. We looked up the address of a local congregation and worshipped with the (very close to a Rev. War Re-inactment site). Turns out we were (6 of us) one of only two white families in that congregation, and they treated us like long lost family members – precious indeed.
May God bless you and yours! (He is blessing Sandy and I with recovery from Covid 19!!!)
-Ray Wallace
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At Cold Harbor, I had 5 elders at one point (3 white, 2 black). Now, our ministry team here contains three-fourths of the song, “Jesus Loves The Little Children.” I love that! It sends a message to our community that the gospel is for all.