Advent reveals the Glory of Christ and brings HOPE to all mankind

We have HOPE because Jesus is the Eternal God (John 1;1-2)

Explanation: Christmas is the observance and the celebration of the birth of Jesus. While much of today’s world ignores Jesus or openly ridicules the things of Christ, the truth that cannot be hidden is that slightly over 2,000 years ago a baby was born of the Virgin Mary in the town of Bethlehem in the country of Israel. Though His physical birth in the Manger marks the beginning of His first Advent, Jesus DID NOT begin His existence at Bethlehem.

As John records in the prologue to his Gospel, Jesus is Eternal in that He has ALWAYS existed. John uses the Greek term “logos” to assist his readers in understanding that Jesus was the One who was in the very beginning with God and that He was in fact WAS God. This is a declaration of Deity for Jesus and this verse underscores and highlights the Eternal Nature of the Jesus as the Second person of the Trinity.

Argument: In our humanity we often become discouraged and lose hope because we cannot see the way through the present difficulty. In HIs Eternality Jesus is outside of time. He sees and knows all things, including the next step of our journey. In His humanity Jesus is no stranger to suffering and He comforts us when we are hurting.

Application: Remember the promises we have been given. IF a person is IN CHRIST, he or she is promised that all things will work together for our good (Rom 8.28)

We have HOPE because Jesus is the Creator God of the Universe (John 1:3)

Explanation: John informs his readers of a startling truth. This same Jesus who was born in a manger in Bethlehem is also the Creator God of the Universe. John declares that Jesus created ALL things and that there is nothing that exists that Jesus did not create. This is another reference to the Deity of Christ. John’s declaration in verse 1 is a parallel statement from Genesis 1:1 where we find the statement that “In the beginning God created the heaven ad the earth.”

Argument: Since Jesus IS the Creator God of the universe that means that all human life was created in the image of God (cf Gen. 1:26-27). All life, therefore, has value as an image-bearer. No matter the circumstances in which a life was brought into this world, it has value. When we fail to teach this truth we lose a sense of hope and purpose. When we tell young people they are simply accidents of an uncaring Kosmos, is it any wonder that they kill each other or their selves?

Example: Freshmen at ACHS who took his own life last week. I dont know what his issues were, but at some point he lost a sense of hope and came to the wrong conclusion that his life wasn’t worth it.

Application: Embrace the truth of the Creator and that humans are created beings who each bear the image of God. Embrace it and teach it to others. Teach your children and your grandchildren that they are valuable and that their true hope is found in Christ

We have HOPE because Jesus is the Source of Real Life (John 1:4-5)

Explanation: Continuing this revelation of the Glory of Christ, John points out that Jesus is the source of Life. As Creator, Jesus is the Agent by which all humans enter this world, but, more importantly, He is the source of genuine life who brings light to men. In His first Advent, the matchless Son of God brought light into the darkness.

Illustrate: Being separated from Darrell and Marty in the cave. Sitting in the darkness waiting for the light

Argument: Left to our own devices mankind is trapped in the darkness of sin. We would not know about the true life who entered the darkness had it not been for His gracious revelation of HImself. But, thanks to the love of God Jesus came into this world to testify of the truth about HImself. Jesus is the One who declared: “I am the light of the world; he that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness but shall have the light of life” (John 8:12)

Close:

We set our hopes on so many things that fail to satisfy. Most of us do not remember what we received at Christmas three years ago. Though many in our world have forgotten, the real meaning of the Advent Season is that the Deliverer came into the world to carry out the plan of Redemption. That truth brings hope to the hurting.

This Christmas season remember that Jesus is the Light=giver who brings Hope.