Hope | BELIEVE | Randy Frazee

Key Question: How do I deal with hardships and struggles in life?

False Hope 

·      False hope in riches 

Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain. (pg. 405; 1 Timothy 6:27) 

·      False hope in people

“Cursed is the one who trusts in man,
    who draws strength from mere flesh…(pg. 405; Jeremiah 17:5)

·      False hope in stuff

“Of what value is an idol carved by a craftsman?” (pg. 406; Habakkuk 2:18)

·      False hope in government

Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help...the Egyptians are mere mortals and not God. (pg. 406; Isaiah 31:1,3) 

2 Causes of Sustainable Hope

·      You believe the Promises

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God[a]; believe also in me.2 My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” (John 14:1-3)

 16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:16-18)

 ·      You believe the One Making the Promises

As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. 3 If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.”

4 This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet:

5 “Say to Daughter Zion,
    ‘See, your king comes to you,
gentle and riding on a donkey,
    and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’”

6 The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. 7 They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on. 8 A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted,

“Hosanna[b] to the Son of David!”

“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”

“Hosanna[d] in the highest heaven!”

10 When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?”

Key Idea: I can cope with the hardships in life because of the hope I have in Jesus Christ?