Hope that Transforms Us

Sunday, December 1, 2024

Introduction

The season of Advent is a time to receive the arrival of Jesus, which is actually a past event, a future hope, and a present reality. Jesus has come. Jesus will return. Jesus is here right now. In the Advent season, we reflect on what He has already done, we look forward to what He has still promised to do, and we receive what He is doing in and among us right now. In this series on the four Sundays leading up to Christmas Day, we will go through four traditional themes of the Advent season: Hope, Faith, Joy, and Peace.

Core Idea for this Lesson

“Placing our Hope in Jesus will change everything about the way we live and experience life.”

Lesson

On the first Sunday of Advent we think about the Hope we have in Christ

The candle that represents this on the Advent wreath is sometimes called the "Prophecy Candle." It represents the Hope given through the Old Testament Prophets when they spoke about the Messiah that was coming from God.

Today we reflect on the fact that we have seen those prophesies come true in Jesus

Jesus is the one Isaiah prophesied about (Luke 4:18-21)

Isaiah 61:1–3 NLT

1 The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me, for the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted and to proclaim that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed. 2 He has sent me to tell those who mourn that the time of the Lord’s favor has come, and with it, the day of God’s anger against their enemies. 3 To all who mourn in Israel, he will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the Lord has planted for his own glory.

We have been privileged to see what generations of faithful people before us had hoped to see - and by receiving it, we are united with them in their faith and bringing a kind of completion to their efforts.

Hebrews 11:13 NLT

13 All these people died still believing what God had promised them. They did not receive what was promised, but they saw it all from a distance and welcomed it. They agreed that they were foreigners and nomads here on earth.

Hebrews 11:39–40 NLT

39 All these people earned a good reputation because of their faith, yet none of them received all that God had promised. 40 For God had something better in mind for us, so that they would not reach perfection without us.

Now it falls to us to continue to Hope in Christ

We have a legacy of Hope to continue, carrying forward the torch that has been passed to us, until we receive all the promises of God in Christ

Hebrews 12:1–2 NLT

1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. 2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.

Hope is transformational

As you come to understand the implications of Christ’s return and the promises He is going to fulfill to us, it will transform the way you see, the way you think, and the way you live

Titus 2:11–14 NLT

11 For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people. 12 And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God, 13 while we look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed. 14 He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds.

Reflection

Take a moment to Pray:

Let’s ask the Holy Spirit to speak to us from what we have just heard - highlighting any points He wants us to focus on and apply this week.

Discussion and Application

Feel free to add your own question prompts as the teacher, or to create some on the fly as the discussion develops

Let’s talk about the effect that Hoping in Jesus has on our mood, emotions, and thoughts. How does it affect our actions and lifestyle?

What is your take away from this lesson (What is the Holy Spirit prompting in you?) and what will you do with it this week?

Where to Land the Plane

Taking the time regularly to reflect on the Hope we have in Jesus, will transform our lives. When we truly expect Him to return and fulfill every one of His promises, it will give us the confidence to face any uncertainty and the desire to live in a way that we can be proud of when we finally see Him face to face.