THE GIFT OF HOPE

*FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT - THE GIFT OF HOPE

CONNECT What was it like when Jesus came?

Politically - Greco Roman Empire

Economically - Rich and poor

Socially - Slavery, Immorality

Religiously - Pluralism

Ephesians 2:12–13 (NKJV) that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.

But there was hope in One who was to come, the Messiah. The Jews had longed for Him but were becoming doubtful of His coming.

TENSION

You may feel your world today is like ancient Israel. You may feel oppressed by something out of your control. Your economic future is uncertain. You may feel enslaved by something or immorality is making your life miserable. You may have doubts today as to what to believe because of the plurality of religions surrounding you. You may feel like God is never coming through for you.

SOLUTION

I have good news for you! Now is the perfect time for Jesus to show up and show off in your life!

Galatians 4:4 (NKJV) But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law,

Right now we are longing, even groaning, for deliverance. This is true of all creation.

Romans 8:20–25 (NKJV) For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body. For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.

INSTRUCTION

How do we access this hope?

1. By the Holy Spirit…

Galatians 5:5 (NKJV) For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.

Romans 8:26 (NKJV) Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

2. By faith…

Romans 5:1–2 (NKJV) Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

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

3. By tribulations…

Roman 5:3–5 (NKJV) And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; 4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

4. By the Bible…

Romans 15:4 (NKJV) For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.

4. By Jesus in us…

Colossians 1:27 (NKJV) To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

5. By resurrection power…

1 Peter 1:3 (NKJV) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

ACTION STEPS

Romans 12:12 (NKJV) rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer;

Hebrews 10:23 (NKJV) Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.

INSPIRATION

Hebrews 6:17–20 (NKJV) Thus God, determining to show more abundantly to the heirs of promise the immutability of His counsel, confirmed it by an oath, that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us. This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil, where the forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus, having become High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.

BENEDICTION

Romans 15:13 (NKJV) Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.