2025a Advent - Hope - Grace Revealed
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
As we come together today and look around it is obvious that there is something going on. From now until the end of the year people will do things that they don’t do any other time of the year. The calendars are filled with a ton of special activates. They will almost be as full as our Amazon carts. Carols will be sung and decorations will go up in our homes, in the streets, and even here at church. An outsider may ask “What is the meaning of all of this?” “Why do you do all of this?”
The meaning behind the specific decorations varies from person to person. But in the church and for the Christian, there should be great similarities in what the underlining meaning of many of the adornments that are hung up at this time.
For the church this has become a time of reflection and anticipation. Of what has been and what is yet to come. It is the time of Advent.
Advent means “coming,” “arrival,” or “approach.” It was used to describe the looking forward to someone’s arrival. For Christians it has became a portion of our calendar where we reflect on the arrival of Jesus. The birth of the Christ.
When you sit and ponder the manger. What comes to mind? A good story? A fable? A historical account? For a Christian it is more than just text. It is the proof of the Prophets. It is the only hope for anyone to be saved. When we look to the manger we find the manifestation of God’s promises.
For all time people have lived in light of God’s instruction and promises. Even to the very first man and woman God instructed and commanded what is right and godly. He has spoken truth at all times. But as we have seen through the Letter of Romans, that the sinful man, the man of flesh, rejects both God’s instruction and truth as easily as it is to breath in air. This rejection and rebellion separates men from the one who creates them. Without an act of God, men would die in a state of eternal separation and darkness. Without the birth of Jesus there is no hope to be saved.
Today I would like to turn our minds to Titus 2:11-14 as we examine the Advent of our Lord.
11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, 12 instructing us to deny godlessness and worldly lusts and to live in a sensible, righteous, and godly way in the present age, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. 14 He gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to cleanse for himself a people for his own possession, eager to do good works.
In this passage we see the source of all hope for a Christian. We see the appearance of the grace that all men and women desperately need, the grace the each of us need, that I need. A promised grace that has finally been revealed. A grace that not only appears but one that affects the mind and a heart of a person causing a new life to be walked. A new walk that is patient and eager to do what our God and Savior has instructed us to do.
This is the life of a believer. It is a life of confirmation, application, and anticipation. It is a life of fulfilled promises, continuous work, and future longing.
Grace Appeared
Grace Appeared
11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people,
The Grace of God has appeared. The birth of Jesus was a moment of fulfilled prophesy. He was the one that was foretold in the writings of the Old Testament authors. Many in the church today have much confusion about the old testament and how God uses it for his purposes. One of the things that is lost when the old testament scripture is neglected, is the trust and confidence that God has and will do everything that he says. The old testament is filled with prophesy and promise. When it is studied it brings to light the amazing plan of salvation that came in the form of a little baby boy.
Why does God use angels, the apostles, and other new testament writers point back to the old testament? Why do they use them to defend and argue for the gospel, for the forgiveness of sin, and the resurrection of God’s children? Why do they do this, because they are the foundation of our trust in God and his plan.
When the angel spoke to Mary he pointed her back to the promised birth of the incarnated Son of God.
21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” 22 Now all this took place to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet: 23 See, the virgin will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and they will name him Immanuel, which is translated “God is with us.”
The angel is pointing back to the Prophet Isaiah to comfort Mary.
14 Therefore, the Lord himself will give you a sign: See, the virgin will conceive, have a son, and name him Immanuel.
God with us. This little moment is the one and only moment like it. The moment where God would be physically with his people.
To the church in Philippi Paul wrote
5 Adopt the same attitude as that of Christ Jesus, 6 who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God as something to be exploited. 7 Instead he emptied himself by assuming the form of a servant, taking on the likeness of humanity. And when he had come as a man, 8 he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death— even to death on a cross.
The glorious one emptied himself, taking on the likeness of humanity. Fully obedient to the will of God. This is the moment that Hope is born.
John would say
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
14 The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. We observed his glory, the glory as the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
The author of Hebrews writes
14 Now since the children have flesh and blood in common, Jesus also shared in these, so that through his death he might destroy the one holding the power of death—that is, the devil—15 and free those who were held in slavery all their lives by the fear of death. 16 For it is clear that he does not reach out to help angels, but to help Abraham’s offspring. 17 Therefore, he had to be like his brothers and sisters in every way, so that he could become a merciful and faithful high priest in matters pertaining to God, to make atonement for the sins of the people.
To Galatians
4 When the time came to completion, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.
To Timothy, “He was manifested in the flesh.”
To Colossae, “He is the image of the invisible God.”
And in simple summary
9 For the entire fullness of God’s nature dwells bodily in Christ,
Without this day, without this promise, without this plan, without this little boy there is no hope. Why did people long for this day to arrive?
For without it there is only eternal darkness.
14 This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: 15 Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, along the road by the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles. 16 The people who live in darkness have seen a great light, and for those living in the land of the shadow of death, a light has dawned.
A quote of the prophesy of Isaiah 9. The light that people need comes from God himself. As Jesus is the true light of the world.
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 All things were created through him, and apart from him not one thing was created that has been created. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of men. 5 That light shines in the darkness, and yet the darkness did not overcome it. 6 There was a man sent from God whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify about the light, so that all might believe through him. 8 He was not the light, but he came to testify about the light. 9 The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was created through him, and yet the world did not recognize him.
The light that casts out the darkness of the mind was promised to come in the form of a child.
6 For a child will be born for us, a son will be given to us, and the government will be on his shoulders. He will be named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. 7 The dominion will be vast, and its prosperity will never end. He will reign on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish and sustain it with justice and righteousness from now on and forever. The zeal of the Lord of Armies will accomplish this.
This child will be given to God’s people. The light revealed so that salvation may brought to the people.
68 Blessed is the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has visited and provided redemption for his people. 69 He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David, 70 just as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets in ancient times;
The promise of Isaiah as he spoke in ancient times is here. Salvation has come. Testified by the prophets for the forgiveness of sins.
43 All the prophets testify about him that through his name everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins.”
He came and did all of this in a way that fulfilled the prophesies. (Isaiah 41:1-4)
17 so that what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: 18 Here is my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will proclaim justice to the nations. 19 He will not argue or shout, and no one will hear his voice in the streets. 20 He will not break a bruised reed, and he will not put out a smoldering wick, until he has led justice to victory. 21 The nations will put their hope in his name.
He took the foretold place of honor as the Shepherd King. (Mic 5:2)
5 “In Bethlehem of Judea,” they told him, “because this is what was written by the prophet: 6 And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah: Because out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.”
Why did people long for the child to be born? There would be no forgiveness of sin, no salvation, no hope. All would die in their lost rebellious state. Groping in the darkness, ignorant of the state they are in.
Each and every past promise fulfilled in Jesus is a foundational brick to the strength of our faith and our trust in the Lord. As we read the old testament scriptures we see them fulfilled in the new testament. Promise after promise. Brick by brick we see our faith strengthened. By looking back at the grace revealed we are built up for today. For the grace that they waited for is the grace that instructs our minds for this present age.
Grace for the Mind
Grace for the Mind
11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, 12 instructing us to deny godlessness and worldly lusts and to live in a sensible, righteous, and godly way in the present age,
“The grace of God which saves us also trains us. If it does not make us deny ungodliness, it is not the grace of God we have received.” Charles Spurgeon
When this grace is investigated and contemplated what is found is that appearance of Jesus brings the instruction that ungodly men and women must have in order to live right in this time. For God spokes now through the Son.
1 Long ago God spoke to our ancestors by the prophets at different times and in different ways. 2 In these last days, he has spoken to us by his Son. God has appointed him heir of all things and made the universe through him.
The mind of men is filled with all sorts of corruption and darkness. People walk in darkness and ignorance that they live this way.
17 Therefore, I say this and testify in the Lord: You should no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thoughts. 18 They are darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them and because of the hardness of their hearts.
Paul calls the saints to take off this old way of life.
22 to take off your former way of life, the old self that is corrupted by deceitful desires,
There is a way that we must treat the word. The way to do this is to be like the noble Berean’s
11 The people here were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, since they received the word with eagerness and examined the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.
Timothy is told to study to show himself approved.
15 Be diligent to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who doesn’t need to be ashamed, correctly teaching the word of truth.
The people in the old testament were told to do the same thing.
8 This book of instruction must not depart from your mouth; you are to meditate on it day and night so that you may carefully observe everything written in it. For then you will prosper and succeed in whatever you do.
2 Instead, his delight is in the Lord’s instruction, and he meditates on it day and night. 3 He is like a tree planted beside flowing streams that bears its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.
1 My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, 2 listening closely to wisdom and directing your heart to understanding; 3 furthermore, if you call out to insight and lift your voice to understanding, 4 if you seek it like silver and search for it like hidden treasure, 5 then you will understand the fear of the Lord and discover the knowledge of God.
Why did they seek the scriptures? When Jesus had not been born. They were told to seek so that they may find the treasure of the promise that he would come.
10 Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who prophesied about the grace that would come to you, searched and carefully investigated. 11 They inquired into what time or what circumstances the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating when he testified in advance to the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow. 12 It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you. These things have now been announced to you through those who preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—angels long to catch a glimpse of these things.
The word became flesh. The one filled with grace and truth. The early church devoted themselves to four things with the first as the teaching of the apostles.
42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayer.
The mind is a dangerous place left to come up with its own schemes and ideas. We are called to seek the scriptures, to see our Lord, his grace, his plan, his life, lived out so that we may believe and live.
14 Do everything without grumbling and arguing, 15 so that you may be blameless and pure, children of God who are faultless in a crooked and perverted generation, among whom you shine like stars in the world, 16 by holding firm to the word of life. Then I can boast in the day of Christ that I didn’t run or labor for nothing.
We still live in a wicked and perverted generation but we are to shine like stars while we are here. How by holding on to the word of life. The word that speaks of all things being created through Jesus for Jesus, as he sustains all things, and redeems men and women who have turned to all sorts of wickedness back to God. We live here today in light of the promises that have not been fulfilled.
Grace for the Future
Grace for the Future
13 while we wait for the blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.
We wait still today for the time where the blessed hope will appear. Where our God and savior will appear in his great glory. When Jesus will return.
27 And just as it is appointed for people to die once—and after this, judgment—28 so also Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.
All who have faith and have been credited with righteousness will receive the blessed hope of the Lord coming to take them home, to bring them through death into eternal life, into salvation. And in that time all that believe will appear with him in glory.
4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
To be glorified is the final state of the Christian. It is the final demonstration of the saving grace that has been revealed.
29 For those he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, so that he would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. 30 And those he predestined, he also called; and those he called, he also justified; and those he justified, he also glorified.
This is no a glory and honor that we bring upon ourselves. It is the work done in us and through us by God that demonstrates his great power and the saving of souls brings much glory to God. For it is only God who could make such a plan. On God that could work such a plan. Only God who could fulfill such a plan. It is a great mystery why he would join us into himself and transform us in the final state as we enter into the place of our citizenship.
20 Our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly wait for a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ. 21 He will transform the body of our humble condition into the likeness of his glorious body, by the power that enables him to subject everything to himself.
The Christian waits with great anticipation for this day. But while he waits he works.
A Grace to Live
A Grace to Live
14 He gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to cleanse for himself a people for his own possession, eager to do good works.
From manger to grave Jesus gave his life to redeem us from our iniquity and to cleanse us for himself. The Christian has been purchased at such a great cost. The cost was his life. To be the atoning sacrifice.
28 Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as overseers, to shepherd the church of God, which he purchased with his own blood.
Jesus not only purchased the church in his own blood but specifically each and every one of those that are saved.
19 Don’t you know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, 20 for you were bought at a price. So glorify God with your body.
You were bought for a price so that you may part take in the promises to Abraham and to be promised the great reward in the end. The birth of Jesus and the great price he paid so that people will be saved will create in a person the desire and eagerness to do good works.
10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time for us to do.
These works are not out of obligation or spite. They are not legalistic obedience to the rules. They are a heartfelt response from a person who has received the grace of righteousness, not on their own merit but because justified them freely by his grace.
21 But now, apart from the law, the righteousness of God has been revealed, attested by the Law and the Prophets. 22 The righteousness of God is through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe, since there is no distinction. 23 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God; 24 they are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.
The people of God are a working people. They are an enduring people. But all that they do is motivated not by personal ambition or gain but they are motivated in response to what God has done on their own life. Their work is unique for each and every person but always builds up the church.
11 And he himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, to build up the body of Christ, 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of God’s Son, growing into maturity with a stature measured by Christ’s fullness. 14 Then we will no longer be little children, tossed by the waves and blown around by every wind of teaching, by human cunning with cleverness in the techniques of deceit. 15 But speaking the truth in love, let us grow in every way into him who is the head—Christ. 16 From him the whole body, fitted and knit together by every supporting ligament, promotes the growth of the body for building itself up in love by the proper working of each individual part.
Conclusion
Conclusion
When we slow down and ponder the divine plan of God who was born in a humble manger. When we slow down and start to really see clearly what God has planned we will find that the promises of God are what we must put our trust in .
We seek to know the old testament so that we see God’s hand fulfilling the promises in the new testament. Become a student of the whole bible and you see your faith strengthened brick by brick.
Be like those in scripture that diligently seek the word. Dividing it rightly. Carefully examining it. Finding the wonderful instruction that God has given to us to understand his will for our lives.
1 Therefore, brothers and sisters, in view of the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your true worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.
Knowing the will of God from his scripture will point your mind and heart to the blessed hope of the arrival of Jesus again. This will change the way we live, effect how we treat one another. It will create an eagerness to do the work he has given us today.
The manger is such a small thing in overall creation and history of the world, but all of our hope lies there swaddled tightly in his mother’s arms. The grace that has been revealed. For without the birth there is no hope.
Let us pray.
Let us pray.
Blessing/Benediction
5 Now may the God who gives endurance and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another, according to Christ Jesus, 6 so that you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ with one mind and one voice.
