The Seeds Of Abraham, by Minister Victor Olajubu

The Seeds Of Abraham, by Minister Victor Olajubu

HEBREWS 11:1 – OUR HERITAGE

In the phrase “faith is the substance of things hoped for,” Paul is not really defining what faith is, but rather he is showing what faith does in an operative sense: Faith undergirds what we hope for. Substance means “that which stands under.” Faith is the foundation for what we hope, the foundation for our relationship with God and everything that it implies within His purpose.

A clear understanding of faith in Hebrews 11 largely depends on how we perceive the word “substance” in verse 1. In Greek, it is hypostasis, literally “a standing under.” A more complex definition is “that which underlies what is apparent.” Amplified a bit further, it is that which, though unseen, exists beneath what is visible. It, then, has the sense of a foundation. Even as the foundation of a building is unseen, but the building above ground is apparent, the foundation, the hypostasis, is nonetheless real, supporting the building. Hypostasis is the unseen support of what is standing in clear view.

What is the definition for hope?

A strong feeling of wanting to have something or wishing for something to happen.

aspiration, desire, wish, expectation, ambition, aim, plan, dream, daydream, pipe dream; Morelonging, yearning, craving, hankering. wish, want;

What Happens when people lose hope?

People give up, drop out, cry, shattered, disappointed, discouraged, sad, angry, livid, and sometimes people commit suicide. People reach a point where they think there can be no remedy and they have to end it all. Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life – Pro 13:12

So when do we need hope?

  • In hardship, in difficulties, in discomfort, when the situation is precarious, very dicey, tricky and fluid. The time you need something to hang unto.
  • When failure is imminent and the handwritten for a potential failure is on the wall
  • When time is not on our side
  • When deadlines are closing up on us
  • When the odds are stacked against us
  • When the statistics are very daunting
  • When you crack the numbers and the outcome is not favourable

There were 3 important things in the life of Abraham: 1). your country; 2) your family; 3). Your Father’s house. Note the use personal possessive pronouns YOUR. Abraham lost his country, his father’s house, and his family but given the chance to become a great nation himself, to be made a great name, to be blessed immensely and offered the chance for all families on earth to be blessed through him.

THE EQUATION

Abraham (minus) – (his country + his father’s house + his family) < GOD + Abraham + {great nation + the blessings + great name + curse on those who curse Abraham + in Abraham shall all the families of the earth be blessed}

Conclusion: Abraham did not have any DECISION to make – the choice was an easy one for him – A no brainer? There was a motivation behind Abraham’s choice i.e. the PROMISES. Abraham did not hope in isolation, the foundation/substance to his hope was built on the promises GOD made to him.

The Seeds Of Abraham, by Minister Victor Olajubu was delievered on March 8th, 2015