Faith for the Now and Hope for the Future

Help Overcoming Perilous Experiences – Faith for the Now and Hope for the Future

Faith pertains to the present ("I trust now"), while hope looks to the future ("I expect this to happen").

Function: Faith is the foundation; it enables us to trust God. Hope builds on that faith, giving us assurance and encouragement for the future.

How They Work Together: Faith enables believers to trust in God's character and promises, while hope gives them confidence and anticipation that God's promises will come to fruition. Together, they provide strength and perseverance in the Christian journey.

Hebrews 11:1 (NKJV) 1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the [b]evidence of things not seen.

Today we will be discussing a man named Abraham holding on to a promise while waiting 25 years for his promised son.

Abraham's Journey

Genesis 12:1- (NLT) 1 The Lord had said to Abram, "Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father's family, and go to the land that I will show you. 2 I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others. 3 I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt. All the families on earth will be blessed through you."

• Age: 75 years old

1st Attempt at Helping God Fulfill the Promise

Genesis 15:2-3 (AMP) 2 Abram said, "Lord God, what reward will You give me, since I am [leaving this world] childless, and he who will be the owner and heir of my house is this [servant] Eliezer from Damascus?" 3 And Abram continued, "Since You have given no child to me, one (a servant) born in my house is my heir."

2nd Attempt at Helping God Fulfill the Promise

Genesis 16:1-2 (AMP) 1 Now Sarai, Abram's wife, had not borne him any children, and she had an Egyptian maid whose name was Hagar. 2 So Sarai said to Abram, "See here, the Lord has prevented me from bearing children. I am asking you to go in to [the bed of] my maid [so that she may bear you a child]; perhaps I will obtain children by her." And Abram listened to Sarai and did as she said.

• Promise fulfilled 25 years later

Genesis 21:5 (AMP) 5 Abraham was a hundred years old when his son Isaac was born.

HOW TO HANDLE THE WAITING ROOM?

Hope begins and is sustained by God

Romans 15:13 (NLT) "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."

Hope is rooted in the promises of God, which are unchanging and eternal.

Main Text: Biblical Examples: Abraham's hope in God's promise

ROMANS 4:16 (AMP)

16 Therefore, [inheriting] the promise depends entirely on faith [that is, confident trust in the unseen God], in order that it may be given as an act of grace [His unmerited favor and mercy], so that the promise will be [legally] guaranteed to all the descendants [of Abraham]—not only for those [Jewish believers] who keep the Law, but also for those [Gentile believers] who share the faith of Abraham, who is the [spiritual] father of us all—

• Faith provides me access to the promises, so without faith I cannot receive

Hebrews 11:6 (AMP) 6 But without faith it is impossible to [walk with God and] please Him, for whoever comes [near] to God must [necessarily] believe that God exists and that He rewards those who [earnestly and diligently] seek Him.

Numbers 23:19 (NLT) 19 God is not a man, so he does not lie. He is not human, so he does not change his mind. Has he ever spoken and failed to act? Has he ever promised and not carried it through?

ROMANS 4:17 (AMP)

17 (as it is written [in Scripture], "I have made you a father of many nations") in the sight of Him in whom he believed, that is, God [a]who gives life to the dead and calls into being that which does not exist.

• God made him a father before he was a father • As soon as God said it, it was already in the works

Isaiah 55:11 (AMP) 11 So will My word be which goes out of My mouth; It will not return to Me void (useless, without result), Without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.

Matthew 8:13 (NKJV) Then Jesus said to the centurion, "Go your way; and as you have believed, so let it be done for you." And his servant was healed that same hour.

• You will receive on the level you believe

Hebrews 11:3 (AMP) 3 By faith [that is, with an inherent trust and enduring confidence in the power, wisdom and goodness of God] we understand that the worlds (universe, ages) were framed and created [formed, put in order, and equipped for their intended purpose] by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible.

ROMANS 4:18 (AMP)

18 In hope against hope Abraham believed that he would become a father of many nations, as he had been promised [by God]: "So [numberless] shall your descendants be."

• In hope against hope-to have a strong hope for something that is unlikely to happen, or to continue to hope even when the odds are against you.

ROMANS 4:19 (AMP)

19 Without becoming weak in faith he considered his own body, now as good as dead [for producing children] since he was about a hundred years old, and [he considered] the deadness of Sarah's womb.

• If I was to consider my equipment it would be no hope

• I'm not going to focus on what I don't have, I'm going to focus on who has me

• So, the question becomes how I not become weak in my faith

• You have to remind yourself

Romans 10:17 (NKJV) 17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

1 Samuel 30:6 (NKJV) 6 Now David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and his daughters. But David strengthened himself in the Lord his God.

Philippians 4:13 (AMP) 13 I can do all things [which He has called me to do] through Him who strengthens and empowers me [to fulfill His purpose—I am self-sufficient in Christ's sufficiency; I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses me with inner strength and confident peace.]

Psalm 37:25 (AMP) 25 I have been young and now I am old, Yet I have not seen the righteous (those in right standing with God) abandoned Or his descendants pleading for bread.

Genesis 18:14 (NLT) 14 Is anything too hard for the Lord?

Ephesians 3:20 (NKJV) 20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,

1 Corinthians 2:9 (NKJV) 9 But as it is written: "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him."

Psalm 23:4 (NKJV) 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

Isaiah 40:31 (AMP) 31 But those who wait for the Lord [who expect, look for, and hope in Him] Will gain new strength and renew their power; They will lift up their wings [and rise up close to God] like eagles [rising toward the sun]; They will run and not become weary, They will walk and not grow tired.

Galatians 6:9 (AMP) 9 Let us not grow weary or become discouraged in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap, if we do not give in.

ROMANS 4:20-21 (AMP)

20 But he did not doubt or waver in unbelief concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong and empowered by faith, giving glory to God, 21 being fully convinced that God had the power to do what He had promised.

Joshua 1:6-9 (AMP) 6 Be strong and confident and courageous, for you will give this people as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers (ancestors) to give them. 7 Only be strong and very courageous; be careful to do [everything] in accordance with the entire law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may prosper and be successful wherever you go. 8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall read [and meditate on] it day and night, so that you may be careful to do [everything] in accordance with all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will be successful. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not be terrified or dismayed (intimidated), for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."

• Story of Josiah coming home with a cup of dirt, I saw a cup of dirt, Josiah saw a flower. I picked the cup up to throw it away. He said thank you dad for putting it in the son. I knew it wasn't done, it just needed to be put in the presence of the son. I talking to some people today who have been discouraged by life, today the son is here and the word of God tells us that in his presence is the fullness of joy

Psalms 16:11 (NLT) In your presence is fullness of joy, in your right hand there are pleasures forevermore

Discussion Questions

1. The notes distinguish between faith (present trust) and hope (future expectation). How do these two work together in your daily walk with God? Can you have one without the other?
2. Abraham waited 25 years for God's promise to be fulfilled. What does his story teach us about God's timing versus our timing? How can we remain faithful during long seasons of waiting?
3. Abraham made two attempts to "help" God fulfill His promise (suggesting Eliezer as heir, and having a child with Hagar). When have you been tempted to help God fulfill His promises in your own way? What were the consequences?
4. Romans 4:17 says God "calls into being that which does not exist." What does this teach us about speaking God's promises over our lives even before we see them manifest?
5. The phrase "hope against hope" means hoping when it seems impossible. What situation in your life requires you to have "hope against hope" right now?
6. Romans 4:19 says Abraham considered his body "as good as dead" but didn't become weak in faith. How do we acknowledge difficult realities without letting them weaken our faith in God's promises?
7. The notes say "faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" (Romans 10:17). What practical steps can you take to keep your faith strong during seasons of waiting?
8. David "strengthened himself in the Lord" (1 Samuel 30:6) when everyone around him was discouraged. What does it look like to strengthen yourself in the Lord when external circumstances are overwhelming?
9. The story of Josiah and the cup of dirt illustrates seeing potential where others see nothing. How can we train ourselves to see with eyes of faith rather than natural sight?
10. Romans 4:20-21 says Abraham was "fully convinced that God had the power to do what He had promised." What promises has God spoken over your life, and how can you grow in conviction that He will fulfill them?

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