Advent 2023: Why Advent?
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
Open to Romans 8, 18-27
As we get into advent we need to think about why we are here
Its what we do right? Its just that time of the year
But what does it mean to be a people who regulate their worship by the word?
If someone asked you, can you show me why we take 4 weeks to celibate advent at the end of the ear from the bible, could you answer that question.
We cannot get into all or even most the reasons this evening but, we can start to answer this question.
There are many, many reasons
Its hard to say one reason to celibate the birth of Christ and his emanate return is more important any another. But there is one reality that we
The now and not yet, this is where we live.
It pertains to everything.
Hope, The apostle Paul will use the word Hope, SIX time between verse 18 and 25.
“For in this hope we were saved.” (Ro 8:24, ESV)
Peter makes a similar point “And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts” (2 Peter 1:19, ESV)
What is the word fulfilled? Jesus,
We have been through this over and over
Let’s read
18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. 19 For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope 21 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. 22 For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. 23 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. 24 For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. 26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. 27 And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
May God Bless the Reading of His Holy, Infallible, and Sufficient Word
Let’s Pray
Transition
Transition
Hope, is the theme here and we
Body
Body
The Present and the Waiting
The Present and the Waiting
Romans 8:18–21 (ESV)
18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. 19 For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope 21 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.
I want to start by drawing your attrition to the tenses used in verses 18 and 19
Now we wait, now we suffer and all of creation is in this state.
What do we suffer?
“futility”
Slave to Warrior
No longer salve to sin
War with Sin
Simal justes et precetor
The word the Apostle uses, bondage
The freedom of the “Glory”
The testimony to that coming glory is his glory that began with a virgin birth
Transition
Transition
Having this hope set a Christ apart from the world in character. One of the reason the Christian message is so slow to take root in the west is the idea of death is very removed. To the Christ death is a finish line, its a goal, not a fear. Obviously there is a right and a wrong way to process this as a christian, and there are really battles with mental illness that lead to people desiring death for the wrong reason. The balance comes with Paul’s words, to live is Christ and gain. What gain is there? Look at verses 22-25.
A New Hope Old Hope
A New Hope Old Hope
22 For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. 23 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. 24 For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.
We groan now, all of creation
Worldview questions (whats wrong with the world)
But that groaning is not without fruit, (child birth)
As i mention just a minute ago the idea of death is removed from western culture
Child death rate in the past.
“we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.”
Verse 24-25, Hope used 5 times (el-pees)
The hope
Now Hope
Not hope
We hope
Hope is not what is seen,
Remember the words from the Author of Hebrews “Now in putting everything in subjection to him, he left nothing outside his control. At present, we do not yet see everything in subjection to him. 9 But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. (Heb 2:8–9, ESV)
With Patients
Transition
Transition
But what happens when we lack patients, what happens when we are weak and unable to hope as we should. I have been there, looking at this world and saying, its hopeless, no one will change, the gospel only falls on deaf ear. It is in that moment that “the Spirit helps us in our weakness.” (Ro 8:26, ESV) Look at verse 26-27
The Holy Spirit Communicates this Hope Through the Word
The Holy Spirit Communicates this Hope Through the Word
26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. 27 And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
helps us in our weakness
the Spirit himself intercedes, groanings too deep for words.
according to the will of God.
Conclusion
Conclusion
We are in this now and not yet moment, the moment between the first and second advent, by meditating on the first advent,
We have a more sure word
We have hope because we can see him
We are strengthened by the Sririt to be conformed to the image of the son.
You should continue reading in Romans 8, the very next verse makes our hope iron clad.
“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.” (Ro 8:28–30, ESV)
We say it every week, come Lord Jesus come.
Come brothers and sisters let our love for the King rise to white hot adoration as we meditate on his birth for the next 4 weeks.
Benediction
Benediction
11 Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. 12 Greet one another with a holy kiss. 13 All the saints greet you. 14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
