Sermon Tone Analysis

Good morning, welcome, please open your Bibles to Romans 8.

Come Thou Long Expected Jesus by Charles Wesley, written in 1745.

“Come, Thou long-expected Jesus, born to set Thy people free; From our fears and sins release us, let us find our rest in Thee.

Israel’s Strength and Consolation, Hope of all the earth Thou art; Dear Desire of every nation, Joy of every longing heart.”

The perfect song for advent.

Considering the incarnation in v. 1, considering the return of Christ in v. 2.

This is where we find ourselves.

Think of the timeline of salvation history- Man created in right relationship with God, the relationship is broken (spiritual death) and must be fixed.

Many lived before the coming of a Messiah.

Their groaning took place because they needed a Savior.

We find ourselves at a peculiar point in salvation history.

Jesus has come.

And Jesus will return.

Adventus- Latin for coming.

For us, Advent looks both back and forward.

We remember and celebrate the incarnation of God in the flesh, the birth of Jesus.

But we also look forward, awaiting the return of Jesus, setting all things right.

This is where Wesley puts us in this incredible Advent hymn.

Highlighting the plight of all human existence.

Hope of all the earth Thou art, Dear desire of every nation, Joy of every longing heart.

Assumes much, does it not?

Jesus is the hope of the earth, He is the desire of every nation, he is the joy of every heart that longs.

Is it true?

Read Romans 8:18-25- For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.

For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God.

For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God.

For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now.

And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.

For in this hope we were saved.

Now hope that is seen is not hope.

For who hopes for what he sees?