ADVENT: Hope (2)

Luke 2:25 CSB

There was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, looking forward to Israel’s consolation, and the Holy Spirit was on him.

INTRO—

ADVENT 2025…

Galatians 4:4–6 “When the time came to completion, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba, Father!””

Isaiah 7:14 “Therefore, the Lord himself will give you a sign: See, the virgin will conceive, have a son, and name him Immanuel.” [ = “God with us;” Matt 1.23]

((He has arrived. He is here.))

Advent — a time for important reminders.

…especially at Christmastime—I am thankful for the familiar traditions ( = comfort, security…these truths, as all of Scripture, remain the same).

[[…& great Christmas songs — like “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel”…and Skillet’s new rendition (which is growing on me; definitely hard-rock style).]]

Christmas Hope [Luke 2.25-26]

SIMEON [context: about 40 days (6 weeks) after ‘Christmas Day’ (Lk 2.22 — after the ‘days of their purification’)]

Luke 2:25 “There was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, looking forward to Israel’s consolation, and the Holy Spirit was on him.”

Israel’s consolation = The accomplishment of salvation according to God’s word (Scriptures make you wise to salvation; prophecy of the Messiah…)

Luke 2:26 “It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he saw the Lord’s Messiah.”

Seeing the Messiah DIDN’T mean — “Oh great, now I’m gonna die.” … It meant — Luke 2:29–30 “Now, Master, you can dismiss your servant in peace, as you promised. For my eyes have seen your salvation.”

Simeon was…

SUSTAINED BY HOPE!

Continuing Hope [1 Peter 1.3-5, 13]

CHRISTIAN EXILES…US. (Message 01/19/2025; Those exiles were the ones scattered from Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, [to] Bithynia)

This hope has not ‘run out.’ ((like a car & fuel; like a battery’s charge…))

1 Peter 1:3 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead”

Living hope = continual; …present & everlasting

1 Peter 1:4–5 “and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you. You are being guarded by God’s power through faith for a salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.” [Inheritance…imperishable, undefiled, & unfading]

1 Peter 1:13 “Therefore, with your minds ready for action, be sober-minded and set your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”

Set your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you = motivating, activating (includes…your minds ready for action)

1 Peter 1:7–9 “so that the proven character of your faith—more valuable than gold which, though perishable, is refined by fire—may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen him, you love him; though not seeing him now, you believe in him, and you rejoice with inexpressible and glorious joy, because you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.” [proven character of your faith; Jesus Christ—you love…believe in…rejoice over…HIM.]

Those exiles were…

EMBOLDENED BY HOPE!

CONCL—

This hope ((doesn’t just not run out, it also doesn’t disappoint))…

Romans 5:1–5 “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. We have also obtained access through him by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we boast in the hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also boast in our afflictions, because we know that affliction produces endurance, endurance produces proven character, and proven character produces hope. This hope will not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”

V. 2 — Emboldened (boast, rejoice); V. 5 — Sustained (not disappoint, proven character produces hope)

INVITATION:

Salvation

Hope [Sustaining; Emboldening]

1 Peter 1:13 CSB

Therefore, with your minds ready for action, be sober-minded and set your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.