Advent Week 1-Hope

Isaiah 40:25-31

Other Passages

Psalm 147:4 He determines the number of the stars and calls them each by name. 5 Great is our Lord and mighty in power; his understanding has no limit. 6 The LORD sustains the humble but casts the wicked to the ground

Exodus 19:4 ‘You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself.

Genesis 18:14 Is anything too hard for the LORD? I will return to you at the appointed time next year, and Sarah will have a son.” 15 Sarah was afraid, so she lied and said, “I did not laugh.” But he said, “Yes, you did laugh.”

Psalm 89:11 The heavens are yours, and yours also the earth; you founded the world and all that is in it.

2 Corinthians1:8 We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about the troubles we experienced in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired of life itself. 9 Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. 10 He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us again. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us

2 Corinthians 4:8 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 10 We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 11 For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body. 12 So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.

2 Corinthians 12:9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Translations

to make (cause) v. — to make or cause to be or to become; in rare cases without pre-existing material.

complain=to say (express) v. — to express in words.

to be hidden (unknowable) v. — to be in a hidden state, and so unknowable to (or perhaps ignored by) certain parties.

perpetuity n. — the property of being perpetual or seemingly ceaseless.

to be weary v. — to be or become weary, tired, or sleepy.

to be tired v. — to be or become depleted of strength or energy.

reasoning n. — thinking that is coherent and logical.

young man (adolescence) n. — a young man, possibly around the time of adolescence.

choice man n. — a young adult male at the height of his strength or ability.

to hope (in someone) v. — to have trust or confidence in someone; especially as regards the future.

Thoughts

Isaiah is asking, “Why are you saying my way and cause are disregarded by You?”

Illustrations

Outline

Message Brief for November 30, 2025 (First Sunday of Advent) Text: Isaiah 40:25-31 (720) Title: First Sunday of Advent: Hope

Introduction: As we move from Thanksgiving into the Christmas season, we begin today with the first Sunday of Advent. Advent means coming- it is the coming of God, in the person of Jesus Christ, to live amongst His creation. Each Sunday represents a different characteristic of the season- the first is Hope

Background to passage: Isaiah has two parts- 1-39 (mostly judgement) 40-66 (Mostly promise of God love and care for the Jewish people)-Chapter 40 is the first part of the promise of God’s intervention and protection of His people. Chapters 1-39 promise the destruction of Jerusalem and the Babylonian captivity- they will feel hopeless.

They were to put their hope in the Lord (31)- not their allies, not their military might, not their leaders, or in their status as chosen.

In whom are they to hope:

I. The powerful creator (25-26) Explanation: You can look at the creation and know that I made it and hold it all together- they had put their hope in their status as God’s people and had forgotten God

Illustration: Landing in Charlotte, Nov 2002

Application: The creation points to Him

II. The Creator who sees all and never grows weary (27-28) Explanation: God is aware of all that takes place and will never be caught napping- they thought God was not noticing their struggle

Illustration: David and Psalm 13

Application: There is hope in God’s awareness of every struggle

III. He gives strength beyond our ability when we trust in who He is (29-31) Explanation: The promise is strength from a supernatural source

Illustration: Iranian woman having fingernails pulled out

Application: When we are weak, He is strong

Conclusion: That is the hope of Advent- it is the intervention of God into history to bring hope into hopelessness. Jesus came to accomplish for humanity what humanity could never do for itself. So, in Advent we celebrate the coming of our deliverer- King Jesus.

Gospel- The story of Bethlehem leads to an empty tomb, for you and me!