'Blessed Are The Hopeful" | Jeremiah 17:7-8

Intro and Welcome

Welcome both our online and in-person worshipers on this snowing Sunday.

This week service is about the power and promises of God to those who rely on Him at all times . The writer of Psalm one talks about such people who delight is in the Law of the Lord.

The gospel of Luke 6:17-26 also speaks of hope not in oneself but hope that looks beyond your capacity and human capabilities but to a hidden support (God)

For today, I want to draw your attention to:

Jeremiah 17:7–8 CSB

“The person who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence indeed is the Lord, is blessed. He will be like a tree planted by water: it sends its roots out toward a stream, it doesn’t fear when heat comes, and its foliage remains green. It will not worry in a year of drought or cease producing fruit.”

ILLUSTRATION STORY:

300 Illustrations for Preachers Haiti Earthquake Survivor Hoped He Would Be Found

Hope is powerful. Perhaps the most powerful thing we have. Sometimes, it is all we have.

The 7.0 magnitude earthquake that struck the island of Haiti in January 2010 destroyed buildings and killed or maimed tens of thousands of people. As hope for victims began to fade, the discovery of a survivor in the wreckage of a hotel grocery store renewed the resolve of many. Rescuers pulled Wismond Exantus from the rubble 11 days after the earthquake. Exantus told reporters from his hospital bed that the first thing he wanted to do was find a church to give thanks. He said he spent the time praying, reciting psalms, and sleeping. He summed up his experience saying, “I wasn’t afraid because I knew they were searching and would come for me.” —Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

QUESTIONS:

What will you do when you’re under a pile a rubble? - whatever situation that poses danger to your life? Will you have faith that you will be rescue? God knows were you’re at all times and blessed are you because your trust in God.

PLANTED TREE

In order for the readers Yesterday and today to comprehend the privileged of hoping in God, verses the fertility of trusting in oneself or in another person, the Prophet Jeremiah presents a mental image that takes his readers outdoor to observe the unique characteristics of a particular plant that is purposefully planted.

The plant is planted- established or settle- specific place (Psalm 1:3 riverbank)

By a stream | river or what the Bible sometime call “Brook” - an ancient source of water

Deep “roots” that reaches into the water -source of nourishment and support - Jesus is the root of salvation and the source of Life. John 15:1 Jesus describe himself as the Vine and his followers as the branches.

The Prophet continue to describe this tree or a person(s) who hope in the Lord; They are not bothered by “Heat” or worried by the long months of drought- meaning seasons of life. The highs and lows of life. Representative of the distresses of life that affect nations, families and communities. In year 2020 the world distress with a global pandemic.

But there’s a difference b/w those who hope and trust in God and those who rely on their skills, connections or success.

The hopeful in God stay green- indicative of life and

Second, the person or persons never stop producing “fruit”

-Fruit is a figurative Biblical language - the result or benefit of an action. As an example: The Bible talks about the fruit of righteousness, Fruit of the Spirit and fruit of the womb.

CONCLUSION

Let me close by encouraging each and everyone of us to HOPE in the Lord regardless of the seasons we are in. Our season of less resources to do ministry. Season of fear about the future of this congregation let us keep our focus on Jesus Christ our source of Life and the builder of the Church. Let us avoid thinking like, behaving like, the wicked who look to themselves or rely on their abilities. Let us continue CENTERED IN CHRIST. Blessed are the hopeful in God. He will come through for us.