What is your hope built upon? Or What is your sweetest Frame? by Pastor Samuel Obafaiye

What is your hope built upon? Or What is your sweetest Frame? by Pastor Samuel Obafaiye

What is hope?- The dictionary defines it as ‘a feeling of expectation and desire for a particular thing to happen. It is the belief that circumstances in the future will be better’. Other definition says, ‘it is an optimistic attitude of the mind based on an expectation of positive outcomes related to events and circumstances in one’s life or the world at large’.

The biblical hope is stronger than this. In the Old Testament, the word hope has its root in a Hebrew word called ‘yachal’ meaning ‘trust’ or ‘towecheleth’ meaning ‘expectation’.

Psalm 39:7: And now, Lord, what wait I for? My hope is in thee.
Proverbs 23:18: For surely there is an end; and thine expectation shall not be cut off.

In the New Testament, hope is derived from the Greek word ‘elpis’ meaning ‘to expect or anticipate with pleasure’.

Romans 5:3-5 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

Everyone in this world exercises some form of hope. Regardless of one’s belief or religion, the word hope is an inherent part of human life. However, whether knowingly or unknowingly, hope has its anchor on something else. It is usually built on something or attached to a frame.

The frame is the image that comes to your mind whenever you are faced with a challenge or difficulty? It is that picture in your mind that calms your fears when you go through storms?

As children of God, our hope is not a wishful thinking or a positive feeling but should be a firm assurance in God of an expected outcome regarding things we go through, even when things are yet unclear and unknown. Knowing fully well that we will not be disappointed.

Romans 8:24-25 – For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.

Our hope should be a confidence that the things we are expecting will happen.

If there is a message that believers should hear more, it is the message of hope. Most of the times, we have faith that God can do what He says, but along the line, we do doubt.

Hope is seeing the substance of those things we already believed in until they manifest. When we face issues that rocks our faith and issues that challenges our love, at such times it is hope that still anchors us in Christ. No wonder David did not wait for a prophet before he always encourages himself.

Psalms 42:5 – Why art thou cast down, O my soul? And why art thou disquieted in me? Hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.

As we are seated here, we all have different hopes or expectations. The question is what is your hope build upon? What is that picture that when you see it, your fears are calmed? Is it really God?

Is your hope built on your riches, money or your bank account?

The bible talks of a man called the rich fool. His sweetest frame was his savings. Unfortunately, he was not able to enjoy it (Lk 12:16-21).

Hear what one of the ever richest men on earth says,

Ecclesiastes 6:1-2 – There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, and it is common among men: A man to whom God hath given riches, wealth, and honour, so that he wanted nothing for his soul of all that he desireth, yet God giveth him not power to eat thereof, but a stranger eateth it: this is vanity, and it is an evil disease.

The G.O talks of an uncle that refused to accept Jesus until all his wealth was gone because of ill health. Riches have wings (Prov. 23:5).

Is your hope built on people? Dad, Mom, uncle, aunt, cousins, pastor, friends, etc.

It is true that the bible says ‘two are better than one’, but he that puts his hope on people, such hope will indeed be dashed.

– King Saul fell a victim of listening to people around him rather than God’s words. He lived the rest of his life a failure.

– Jesus at Gethsemane would have hoped that the disciples would watch out for him, even if they were not praying. But they slept. An angel had to be sent to strengthen Him (Mk 14:35.).

– When Pastor Adeboye became the G.O, his experience with his right hand man.

– My experience as a sentry in Liberia. Other sentries were sleeping putting our lives at risk.

Is your hope built on medicine or physicians?

Medical advancement has helped saved lives. However, there are instances where medicine could not help. They simply say sorry. Moreso, a life saved today will still die tomorrow.

-The woman with the issue of blood was an example. For 12 years she hoped a consultant will find a cure, but there was none. If you are going through any medical issue, may God put an end to it now in Jesus name.

– In recent times, Ebola has become a threat, to the extent that it is care workers getting infected. Is medicine your sweetest frame? It does fails.

Is your hope built on the fact that you are still young? You are estimating that at least you will live for xyz no of years. I pray you do.

– Elijah was staying with the widow of Zarephath and yet her boy died.

– Elisha was a regular lodger with the woman of Shunem and yet her boy died.

– Jairus daughter was a little girl when she died.

– I intended to serve God when I get to 50 years. But suddenly my life appeared to have ended when I was still in my 20s.

Possibly you think that you are very strong and agile. So you think for the next foreseeable future, you will be like this.

– Samson thought so too, he hoped he will just shook himself as before, but he did not know that his Rock had departed.

Is your hope built on hardwork? It is a good virtue, but only hardwork can’t get you to where you should be.

– Jabez was a hardworking man, but was under a curse until he put his hope in The Lord God of Israel (I Chro. 4:9-10).

Jephtath was also very hardworking, but because his mother was not legitimate, he was to become a nobody until he put his hope in The Lord (Judges 11:1).

Is your hope built on your career? It is good to aspire to be great career wise, but that is just an aspect of your life and not the totality. No one takes career to the next life.

– Namaan was successful career wise, but yet a leper. It took a hope in The Lord God of Israel to remove that leprosy (II Kings 5:1-11).

May be your hope is built on self-righteousness. The bible says it’s a filth rag.

The Pharisee and tax collector that went into the temple to pray is a good example. The Pharisee hoped his prayers were answered, but it wasn’t (Lk 18:9-14).

What should our hope be built upon?

1. Jesus blood and His righteousness

2. Jesus name

3. The grace of God

4. God’s oath, His covenant, His promise

Prayers

Proverbs 23:18 – For surely there is an end; and thine expectation shall not be cut off.

Proverbs 10:28 – The hope of the righteous shall be gladness: but the expectation of the wicked shall perish.

Romans 8:25 – But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.

Psalm 119: 49 – Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope.

Father, remember your covenant regarding me today.

Psalm 119:116

Uphold me according unto thy word, that I may live: and let me not be ashamed of my hope.

Titus 1:2

In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;

Father, let the promise of eternal be mine.

What is your hope built upon? Or What is your sweetest Frame?, a sermon delivered by Pastor Samuel Obafaiye on October 26, 2014