1.2.2 12.6.2020 In the Bleak Midwinter...Remember the Lord of Hope

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Entice: We are deluded by the powers of the age into thinking that this world is ultimate and that we answer only to one another. This is why things like politics, economics, entertainment and rumor dominate the airwaves-and why so often you cannot tell them apart. A fallen world not only falls into chaos it actively pursues and expands it.

Hopelessness is not a bug in the operating system of modern culture it is a feature.

Advent and the entire Christmas season should remind us that the Eternal Living God has invaded this space. It is His creation not ours. Among His greatest messages addressing the hopeless despair of a collapsing culture:

Hope in the coming Christ

Engage: In the second stanza of In the Bleak Midwinter, Christina Rossetti emphasizes the Imperial, Majestic, Divine nature of Jesus. These truths are often alluded to in our carols and lessons during the Christmas season. Perhaps we should make this emphasis the heart of our message.

Our God, Heaven cannot hold Him Nor earth sustain; Heaven and earth shall flee away When He comes to reign:In the bleak mid-winterA stable-place sufficedThe Lord God Almighty, Jesus Christ.

Expand: The humility of the manger is remarkable for the majesty of its occupant. The enfleshment of God, coming not in power but in poverty, not in splendor but in squalor, not as image of empire but in the image of emptiness. Throughout the NT there are passages which remind us of His divine nature and teach us how incarnation itself is a humble miracle of service.

Excite: The coming of Jesus creates hope because it is

a story of selfless service.

It is

a yarn of sacrificial intervention.

It is

a tale of divine presence.

Explore:

In this bleak midwinter we must find our hope directly in Jesus; God come amongst us.

Explain: Let me remind you of Who our Jesus is.

He is God’s

1. Revelation.

John 1:1–14 ESV

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. 6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. 8 He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light. 9 The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. 11 He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. 12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. 14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

1.1 Word of God.

1.2 Work of God.

He is God’s

2. Reflection.

Colossians 1:15–21 ESV

15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. 19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross. 21 And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds,

2.1 Image

2.2 Preeminent

2.3 Fulness

2.4 Reconcile

2.5 Peace

He exercises God’s

3. Rule

Revelation 19:11–16 ESV

11 Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. 12 His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. 13 He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. 14 And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. 15 From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. 16 On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.

3.1 By divine right.

3.2 By redemptive right.

Shut Down:

None of us feel threatened by that baby in the manger. Maybe we should. Because that same individual who appeared humbly at at His birth will someday appear in all of His divine glory. He reveals God's will in word, through His presence, and in His eternal rule. JESUS IS LORD! The Christian life should be a long process of affirming "long live the King!"

Too often we have it backwards. We think that is His job to emphasize us. No wonder we so often find our lives a hopeless mess! Hope comes from understanding that the Lordship and Majesty of Christ transcend every season. The bleakest of midwinters, the sorriest of summers, the dismalest of autumns can be filled with hope because Our God, Heaven cannot hold Him Nor earth sustain; Heaven and earth shall flee away When He comes to reign. His chosen throne is the heart of His faithful people. In His rule we find redemptive hope.