Are You Losing Hope? | Stephen Prado

Pastor Stephen Prado opens by declaring that God intends to do something new in the lives of believers, ushering in new chapters, blessings, and breakthroughs. He encourages listeners not to wait for a new year or week to start anew, citing Isaiah 43:19: 'Behold, I am doing a new thing; do you not perceive it?' He cautions against being too focused on past solutions or challenges, reminding everyone that God is always working in the present, even amidst difficult circumstances like an ECQ period.

The speaker advises against investing too much in the past and too little in the present. He highlights that while it's important to remember God's past blessings, an excessive focus on past successes can prevent us from recognizing new blessings and breakthroughs God is developing. He tells listeners to 'wake up' and 'open up our eyes' to see the miraculous and supernatural events happening around them, emphasizing that God uses the past to transform the future.

Pastor Prado recounts the story of Lazarus from John chapter 11. Mary and Martha sent for Jesus when their brother Lazarus was sick, but Jesus delayed, and Lazarus died. Upon Jesus' arrival, Martha expressed disappointment, saying, 'Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.' Jesus responded, 'I am the Resurrection and the life.' The speaker points out that while the story is often seen as the resurrection of Lazarus, it also represents the 'resurrection of Martha's hope.' He stresses that even death is not a 'dead end' for God, and Satan often tries to convince us that God is incompetent or incapable.

The message emphasizes that hopelessness is a powerful emotion, and hope is a necessary 'weapon,' especially in challenging times. Pastor Prado warns against living a hopeless life as a Christian, drawing on the example of the disciples on the road to Emmaus who had lost hope. He argues that hopelessness leads to feeling empty, alienated, abandoned, lonely, uninspired, and powerless. He urges listeners to fight for their hope, even if situations seem unchanging, because God is in control of the future and can do the impossible.

Pastor Prado distinguishes between faith and hope. He explains that faith is believing God can do something, while hope is expecting God will do it. He encourages listeners to move beyond just believing to actively expecting God's intervention, healing, and provision. He cites Hebrews 10:23, encouraging holding fast to the confession of hope without wavering, because God who promised is faithful. This steadfast hope, he explains, is rooted in God's unchanging character and faithfulness.

He clarifies that biblical hope (elpis in Greek) is not based on calculated risks or mere desires, but on a confident expectation that something good will happen. Unlike worldly hope, biblical hope is certain and not dependent on human possibility or logic. He references Psalm 42:5, 'Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God,' to underscore the importance of placing unwavering hope in God, who is our refuge and shelter.

The sermon presents historical figures like Abraham and the woman with an issue of blood as examples of unwavering hope. Abraham, despite his old age and Sarah's infertility, 'never wavered in believing God's promise,' growing stronger in faith and giving glory to God (Romans 4:20-21). Similarly, the woman who had bled for 12 years, after trying everything else, found healing by crawling to Jesus. These stories serve as an encouragement not to give up hope, even when faced with seemingly impossible or prolonged difficulties.

In conclusion, Pastor Prado urges listeners to refuse defeat, drag themselves to God if necessary, and continually fight for their hope. He reassures them that God desires better things for their lives and that they are entering a new chapter. He quotes 1 Peter 5:10: 'After you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace... will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.' He closes with a powerful declaration of hope in Jesus Christ, who has taken care of the past and guarantees a future of resurrection and eternity.