MAKE ROOM FOR HOPE

SETUP

WE MADE IT - DECEMBER - THE LAST MONTH OF 2020

In video games, the levels get the hardest as you approach the end

This has been an incredibly difficult year

For many, it has been the worst year ever

But… I believe that this can be the best Christmas ever!

SHOW VIDEO

Psalm 30:5 (NLT) Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning.

SCRIPTURE

MAKE ROOM FOR HOPE

While this is the start of our Christmas series, it is really a continuation of the messages over the last couple of weeks

The scene in Bethlehem 2000 years ago is eerily similar to what we see today...

Political unrest. Social upheaval. Economic uncertainty. Uncertainty for the future.

No known pandemic but the average life expectancy was around 40 years of age with 1/3 of all people dying within 12 months of birth

For the people of Israel specifically they had endured unbelievable turmoil over the preceding decades and centuries, and were truly living in what had to have felt like a hopeless time in their history

400 years of silence from all God

Roman occupation

Difficult living conditions

Luke 2:1–7 NKJV

1 And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. 3 So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city. 4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. 6 So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

There was no room for them in the inn...

Spaces are limited by a capacity of how much they can hold.

The worst thing that 2020/present difficulties could possibly do to you is to rob you of hope for tomorrow…

Hope comes to us the same way Jesus did 2000 years ago - small, unassuming, and innocent.

But when we welcome that hope, nurture it, and allow it to grow - it changes everything!

Make Room For Hope

Romans 15:13 NLT

13 I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.

May you be so filled with God’s hope, joy, and peace, that you would overflow into a world that is desperate for hope, joy, and peace.

Anxiety would be replaced with peace

Anger would be replaced with joy

Fear would be replaced with faith

Bitterness would be replaced with love

Lack would be replaced with abundance

Poverty would be replaced with prosperity

Despair would be replaced with hope

SUBSTANCE

- MAKE ROOM FOR HOPE -

“Hope is a word of optimism and expectation that looks forward to a promising future, yet multitudes of people have lost their hope. Some feel hopeless about specific areas such as their marriage, children, health, finances, or job. But for others, this emotion permeates their entire lives. They exist but have no hopes, dreams, or goals. This is not the way God intends for us to live. He created us to live with purpose, working toward goals with a sense of anticipation for things to come.”

RECEIVE HOPE

John 10:10 NIV

10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

Satan has a HOPE for your life…

Steal your joy

Kill your hope

Destroy your peace

Jesus has a HOPE for your life...

A life overflowing with joy in all circumstances.

A life filled with hope for each season.

A life marked by peace in every situation.

John 10:10 TPT

10 A thief has only one thing in mind—he wants to steal, slaughter, and destroy. But I have come to give you everything in abundance, more than you expect—life in its fullness until you overflow!

A life full of LIFE!

Romans 8:28 NLT

28 And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.

What this verse doesn’t say:

Everything is going to be awesome, wonderful, and easy.

What this verse does say:

Life will happen – don’t lose hope – God has a plan and purpose.

How do I receive hope?

Make the choice to trust in God’s...

Love – You are loved and highly valued

When you know you are loved it gives you the ability to rest in someones care… like a child completely at peace in the arms of a loving parent.

Power – He is strong enough

When you know He’s able, you know you can trust Him no matter how hard the situation is

Plan – He’s smart enough

When you know He’s working all things together for good, it gives you the ability to continue moving forward even when you can’t see the next step

Isaiah 9:2 NLT

2  The people who walk in darkness will see a great light. For those who live in a land of deep darkness, a light will shine.

700 years before Jesus was born in a manger, He was prophesied by the prophet Isaiah as the one who would come and bring hope to the entire world!

GIVE HOPE

As we have received hope from God, let it overflow out of your life…

Matthew 5:14–16 NLT

14 “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. 15 No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.

Jesus calls us “the light of the world…”

John 1:4 NLT

4 The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone.

He’s talking to us

The ones with messy lives

The ones who mess up and fall short often

The ones who don’t always know how we are going to make ends meet

The ones with that awful boss or job

The ones with that dysfunctional family

The ones who when we look at ourselves we wonder how God could ever use me!

How can we give hope?

We are able to give it because we have received it! - Make Room!

Through our love, compassion, time, and energy!

We even give it through sharing out of our pain and mistakes!

If you need hope today, know that perfection is not a requirement for receiving it – just Jesus! JUST RECEIVE!

I’m here today because different people throughout my life chose to give me hope!

The brother Brett, the Mr. Gary, the Mrs. Howell, the Dr. Doolittle, the Pastor Randy

How can you tell if someone needs some hope and encouragement..?

If they’re breathing!

Everyone is hungry for hope (for love, for purpose, true joy, and peace)

CHOOSE HOPE

You find what you look for…

If you want to see the negative, you’ll find it.

If you want to see hope, you’ll find it.

The circumstances are irrelevant.

Philippians 4:8 NLT

8 And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.

Remember his audience – 1st century Christians who could be executed at any moment for their faith

Their focus could be on:

Corrupt government

Religious oppression

Social discrimination

The loses they had endured

SHUTDOWN

MAKE ROOM FOR HOPE

You can receive hope because God loves you

You can give hope because God lives in you

You can choose hope because God is in control

PRAYER

Romans 15:13 NLT

13 I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Do you need HOPE today?

Make room for Jesus - He is HOPE

Because of Jesus - This really can be the best Christmas ever!