HOPE (Advent 2021-01)

Matthew 1:22–23 CSB

Now all this took place to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet: See, the virgin will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and they will name him Immanuel, which is translated “God is with us.”

INTRO—

HOPE…Jim, John, & Fred had reached the pinnacle of their careers. They were selected to be “The Team” for their organizations next big project. They undertook months of preparation to accomplish their dream. Finally, the big day came…and their project took off with a bang! So incredibly awesome!…BUT…there was a second bang, and that bang was a problem. In fact team member John and team leader Jim contact the company’s regional headquarters in Texas with the bad news; “Houston we(‘ve) had a problem.” With that iconic phrase, we are drawn back to the historic flight of Apollo 13. What had begun as another trip to the moon full of the anticipation and hope of space exploration and scientific experimentation had been plunged into despair and hopelessness with that second bang...

Thankfully the innovation of NASA and the determination of Jim Lovell, John Swigert, and Fred Haise turned this story into an enduring account of hope and resilience in the face of overwhelming odds (that were definitely not in their favor).

Human ingenuity is one thing. The eternal plan of a holy and mighty God…Well…that’s a whole nother level altogether. For this event, we look to that Most Wonderful Time of the Year—Christmas! Christmas Time (is Here)! Into our sin scarred world God the Father…and Spirit…and Son, bring unfailing, totally secure…HOPE.

So…as we begin our Christmas focus this year…I’d like you to see (with me)—Christmas: The Season of…HOPE.

Let’s start with the first biblical Christmas…and see the hope inspired and strengthened by the words of the Prophets and the fulfillment of the prophecies regarding the Messiah, Savior, Jesus!

Hope, The First Christmas [Selected Scriptures]

[PROPHECIES FULFILLED]…(O Come, O Come, Emmanuel)

Matthew 1.22-23 “Now all this took place to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet: See, the virgin will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and they will name him Immanuel, which is translated “God is with us.””

Isaiah 7.14 “Therefore, the Lord himself will give you a sign: See, the virgin will conceive, have a son, and name him Immanuel.”

Luke 2.25-35 “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. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he saw the Lord’s Messiah. Guided by the Spirit, he entered the temple. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform for him what was customary under the law, Simeon took him up in his arms, praised God, and said, Now, Master, you can dismiss your servant in peace, as you promised. For my eyes have seen your salvation. You have prepared it in the presence of all peoples— a light for revelation to the Gentiles and glory to your people Israel. His father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and told his mother Mary, “Indeed, this child is destined to cause the fall and rise of many in Israel and to be a sign that will be opposed—and a sword will pierce your own soul—that the thoughts of many hear…” [Highlight vv. 28-32 [esp .32]

Isaiah 49.6 “he says, “It is not enough for you to be my servant raising up the tribes of Jacob and restoring the protected ones of Israel. I will also make you a light for the nations, to be my salvation to the ends of the earth.”” (… Isaiah 49.13 “Shout for joy, you heavens! Earth, rejoice! Mountains break into joyful shouts! For the Lord has comforted his people, and will have compassion on his afflicted ones.” )

Matthew 2.5-6 ““In Bethlehem of Judea,” they told him, “because this is what was written by the prophet: And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah: Because out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.””

Micah 5.2 “Bethlehem Ephrathah, you are small among the clans of Judah; one will come from you to be ruler over Israel for me. His origin is from antiquity, from ancient times.”

Hope Springs Eternal! [Selected Scriptures]

[PROMISES MADE & KEPT]

Salvation and a Life of Hope

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.” [underlined = vv. 3-5]

Death of Family & Hope

2 Samuel 12.19-23 “When David saw that his servants were whispering to each other, he guessed that the baby was dead. So he asked his servants, “Is the baby dead?” “He is dead,” they replied. Then David got up from the ground. He washed, anointed himself, changed his clothes, went to the Lord’s house, and worshiped. Then he went home and requested something to eat. So they served him food, and he ate. His servants asked him, “Why have you done this? While the baby was alive, you fasted and wept, but when he died, you got up and ate food.” He answered, “While the baby was alive, I fasted and wept because I thought, ‘Who knows? The Lord may be gracious to me and let him live.’ But now that he is dead, why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I’ll go to him, but he will never return to me.”” [underlined = vv. 22-23]

Persecuted Faith & Hope

Daniel 3.16-18 “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied to the king, “Nebuchadnezzar, we don’t need to give you an answer to this question. If the God we serve exists, then he can rescue us from the furnace of blazing fire, and he can rescue us from the power of you, the king. But even if he does not rescue us, we want you as king to know that we will not serve your gods or worship the gold statue you set up.””

Being Frustrated with the World around Us & Hope

Ecclesiastes 12.9-14 “In addition to the Teacher being a wise man, he constantly taught the people knowledge; he weighed, explored, and arranged many proverbs. The Teacher sought to find delightful sayings and write words of truth accurately. The sayings of the wise are like cattle prods, and those from masters of collections are like firmly embedded nails. The sayings are given by one Shepherd. But beyond these, my son, be warned: there is no end to the making of many books, and much study wearies the body. When all has been heard, the conclusion of the matter is this: fear God and keep his commands, because this is for all humanity. For God will bring every act to judgment, including every hidden thing, whether good or evil.” [underlined = vv. 13-14]

Failure & Hope

John 21.15-19 “When they had eaten breakfast, Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said to him, “you know that I love you.” “Feed my lambs,” he told him. A second time he asked him, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” “Yes, Lord,” he said to him, “you know that I love you.” “Shepherd my sheep,” he told him. He asked him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved that he asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” “Feed my sheep,” Jesus said. “Truly I tell you, when you were younger, you would tie your belt and walk wherever you wanted. But when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands and someone else will tie you and carry you where you don’t want to go.” He said this to indicate by what kind of death Peter would glorify God. After saying this, he told him, “Follow me.”” [Peter; underlined = vv. 18-19; full context = vv. 1-22]

(Exodus 3.11-15 “But Moses asked God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and that I should bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” He answered, “I will certainly be with you, and this will be the sign to you that I am the one who sent you: when you bring the people out of Egypt, you will all worship God at this mountain.” Then Moses asked God, “If I go to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your ancestors has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ what should I tell them?” God replied to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: I AM has sent me to you.” God also said to Moses, “Say this to the Israelites: The Lord, the God of your ancestors, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you. This is my name forever; this is how I am to be remembered in every generation.” [Moses; full context = vv. 1-22])

CONCL—

Hope inspires. Hope strengthens. Hope secures. Essentially...

Romans 5.5 “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.”

…and, despite the awesomeness that was the Odyssey and Aquarius of the Apollo 13 space vehicle…I’ll take this eternal hope—Forever!

Romans 5:5 CSB

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.