“When Hope Stands in Front of You” (2)

INTRODUCTION — ADVENT BEGINS WITH HOPE

Today we enter the Advent season—a season of expectation, preparation, and reflection. The word Advent means “coming” or “arrival.”

It is a time where we look back at the first coming of Jesus Christ, and we look forward in hope toward His second coming.

But Advent also confronts us with a sobering truth:

God gives hope—yet people often miss it.

Israel missed it in the Old Testament. Israel missed it again in the New Testament. And today, many are still missing the hope right in front of them.

This sermon traces one theme:

Hope given. Hope abused. Hope missed. Hope returning.

And the question for us is:

Are we ready for the Second Coming, or are we too distracted to notice the God in front of us?

I. GOD GAVE ISRAEL HOPE IN THE OLD TESTAMENT—AND THEY MISSED IT

God’s entire relationship with Israel was built on hope—hope rooted in promise, covenant, and faithfulness.

A. God Gave Israel Tangible Hope

God:

Delivered them from Egypt  Exodus 14:31 — “Israel saw the great power that the LORD used… so the people feared the LORD.”

Fed them in the wilderness  Exodus 16:4 — “I will rain bread from heaven for you.”

Led them by cloud and fire  Exodus 13:21 — “The LORD went before them…”

Gave them victory over their enemies  Deuteronomy 20:4 — “The LORD your God goes with you… to give you victory.”

Gave them the Promised Land  Joshua 21:45 — “Not one word of all the good promises… had failed.”

God gave hope in every possible way.

B. Israel Abused the Hope God Gave

Despite God’s goodness, Israel repeatedly:

rebelled

complained

rejected His law

dishonored His worship

followed idols

hardened their hearts

Psalm 106:43 says:

“Many times he delivered them, but they were rebellious in their purposes…”

They weren’t satisfied with God. They wanted God their way.

II. GOD’S INDICTMENT AGAINST ISRAEL IN MALACHI

Malachi is the final Old Testament word before 400 years of silence. It is God saying, “Enough.”

Below are the charges God brings—His indictment.

A. Their Worship Was Empty and Disrespectful

Malachi 1:6–8

“You offer blind animals in sacrifice… and offer those that are lame or sick…”

They gave God leftovers, not reverence.

B. The Priests Were Corrupt

Malachi 2:7–8

“The lips of a priest should guard knowledge… but you have turned aside from the way.”

Leadership failed morally and spiritually.

C. They Broke Their Marriage Covenants

Malachi 2:14

“The LORD was witness between you and the wife of your youth… whom you have dealt with treacherously.”

Marriage—God’s covenant—was treated casually.

Today many go online, pay a small fee, become “ordained” and then go officiate a “wedding”

They never invest in the relationship, never prepare them for a marriage of longevity. To them marriage is but a legal document, not taken seriously, does that sound familiar?

D. They Profaned the Covenant With Idolatry

Malachi 2:11

“Judah has profaned the sanctuary of the LORD… and has married the daughter of a foreign god.”

They blended pagan worship with Yahweh.

God was not good enough, they wanted God plus something.

E. They Robbed God

Malachi 3:8–10

“Will a man rob God? Yet you are robbing me… in tithes and offerings.”

They refused to honor God with their resources.

F. They Spoke Against God

Malachi 3:13–14

“Your words have been hard against me… ‘It is vain to serve God.’”

They complained that obedience wasn’t “worth it.”

G. God Responds With Silence

After giving them chance after chance, God went silent:

No prophet

No message

No new revelation

No voice from heaven

For 400 years.

This was judgment—

but also preparation.

Because silence creates hunger. Silence makes people long for hope.

III. ISRAEL LONGED FOR HOPE AGAIN (INTERTESTAMENT PERIOD)

During the silent years Israel grew desperate:

desperate to hear God again

desperate for a Savior

desperate for forgiveness

desperate for redemption

A. They Longed for the Voice of God

Amos 8:11 had predicted this day:

“A famine… of hearing the words of the LORD.”

By the time Jesus was born, Israel longed to hear God again.

B. They Longed for the Messiah

Luke 2:25 — “Simeon… waiting for the consolation of Israel.” Luke 2:38 — Anna spoke to “all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.”

They longed for hope.

And then…

IV. HOPE CAME AGAIN IN JESUS—AND THEY MISSED HIM AGAIN

When Jesus came, hope returned.

A. Jesus Was God in the Flesh

John 1:14

“The Word became flesh and dwelt among us…”

Matthew 1:23

“They shall call his name Immanuel (which means, God with us).”

God broke the silence by stepping into humanity.

B. But Israel Missed Him Again

John 1:11

“He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him.”

Hope stood in front of them— and they denied Him. They were spiritually blind, distracted, self-focused.

Just like many today.

V. MARY & MARTHA — A PICTURE OF MISSING THE GOD IN THE ROOM

To understand how Israel missed Jesus, we look to Luke 10:38–42

Luke 10:38–42 ESV

38 Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. 39 And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. 40 But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” 41 But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, 42 but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”

A. Martha Was Distracted

Luke 10:40

“Martha was distracted with much serving…”

Distracted by good things— while missing the best thing.

God was in her living room— and she didn’t recognize it.

B. Mary Chose the “Good Portion”

Luke 10:42

“Mary has chosen the good portion…”

Mary sat at His feet. She listened. She recognized His presence.

This is the warning for us:

It is possible to have Jesus in the room and completely miss Him.

Israel missed Him. Martha missed Him. And today—people still miss Him.

VI. EIGHT PARALLELS BETWEEN ISRAEL THEN AND US NOW

We are not far from their condition.

1. God Gave Hope — We Get Distracted

Israel rejected hope. Today we drown in distraction, hurry, and noise.

2. God Spoke Clearly — We Don’t Listen

Israel ignored the prophets. Today many ignore Scripture.

3. Both Generations Struggled With Apathy

Routine replaced relationship in Israel. Busyness replaces devotion today.

4. Both Desired Rescue From the Wrong Enemy

Israel wanted deliverance from Rome. We want rescue from culture—not sin.

5. Both Rejected Truth That Was Uncomfortable

Repentance offended Israel. It offends modern people too.

6. Both Had a Faithful Remnant

Simeon, Anna, Zacharias, the faithful few. There is still a remnant today watching for His return.

7. Both Focused on Signs but Missed the Savior

Israel studied prophecy but rejected Jesus. Many today track “end-times news” but ignore their spiritual condition.

8. Both Are Called to Live With Urgency, Not Fear

Israel’s remnant waited in hope. We wait for Christ’s return with expectation.

VII. ADVENT REMINDS US: JESUS IS COMING AGAIN

The first Advent was missed by many. The second will be missed by many too.

Revelation 22:12

“Behold, I am coming soon…”

Advent is a wake-up call:

Slow down. Look up. Prepare your heart. Jesus is coming again.

VIII. FINAL QUESTION — ARE WE READY, OR DISTRACTED?

We stand on the edge of eternity.

Like Israel:

Are we too busy?

Too selfish?

Too distracted?

Too hard-hearted?

Too spiritually numb?

Martha had Jesus in her home— and almost missed Him.

Israel had Jesus in their nation— and rejected Him.

Will we miss Him at His return?

CONCLUSION — HOPE MISSED, HOPE GIVEN, HOPE COMING AGAIN

God gave Israel hope in the Old Testament— They rebelled.

God gave Israel hope in the New Testament— They rejected it.

God gives us hope today— Are we ready?

Advent proclaims:

Hope has come. Hope is here. Hope is coming again.

SCRIPTURES PROMISING THE RETURN OF JESUS CHRIST

1. John 14:3

“And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.”

2. Acts 1:11

“This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”

3. Revelation 22:12

“Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done.”

4. Revelation 1:7

“Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him…”

5. 1 Thessalonians 4:16–17

“For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command… And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive… will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord…”

6. 2 Timothy 4:8

“There is laid up for me the crown of righteousness… for all who have loved his appearing.”

7. Titus 2:13

“Waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.”

8. Matthew 24:30–31

“…they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call…”

9. Hebrews 9:28

“…Christ… will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.”

10. Philippians 3:20–21

“Our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ…”

Closing Summary Verse

Revelation 22:20

“He who testifies to these things says, ‘Surely I am coming soon.’

Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.”

His name is Jesus. Be ready. Don’t miss Him.

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