Hope Has Come

Hope Has ComeLong before it happened, God spoke through His prophets of the coming Messiah who would bring Hope to the world. Jesus is the hope of the world that the prophets spoke of in the Old Testament, and He has come to bring hope to our lives. A hope that produces an abundant life now and a glorious eternal life to come. --- Advent is a time to remember and reflect, but it's also a time of looking forward with hope and anticipation. The word advent itself means “arrival” or “an appearing or coming into place.” Christians celebrate Christ’s “first advent” or coming to earth at Christmastime. Each Christmas, we remember the significance of the arrival of baby Jesus to earth, and we look forward with great anticipation to his coming return, or His “second advent”. But the greatest hope of all is that Jesus is fully present in this world, making Himself known to us, each and every day. Advent is a season of hope in the promises of God. Let’s take time together this Christmas to focus on our personal relationship with Jesus Christ and increase our sense of expectancy to see his promises fulfilled in our everyday lives. Isaiah 9:1-7 NLTNevertheless, that time of darkness and despair will not go on forever. The land of Zebulun and Naphtali will be humbled, but there will be a time in the future when Galilee of the Gentiles, which lies along the road that runs between the Jordan and the sea, will be filled with glory. 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. You will enlarge the nation of Israel, and its people will rejoice. They will rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest and like warriors dividing the plunder. For you will break the yoke of their slavery and lift the heavy burden from their shoulders. You will break the oppressor’s rod, just as you did when you destroyed the army of Midian. The boots of the warrior and the uniforms bloodstained by war will all be burned. They will be fuel for the fire. For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His government and its peace will never end. He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David for all eternity. The passionate commitment of the LORD of Heaven’s Armies will make this happen! • • •Sermon Points:1. Hope accepts God’s plan.<br /> 2. Hope trusts in God’s promises. 3. Hope relies on God’s provisions. • • •Supporting Texts:Matthew 1:18-21aHebrews 11:1Psalm 5:3John 14:6John 10:10Matthew 6:25-34 • • •Challenge: Biblical hope is a sure foundation upon which we base our lives, believing that God always keeps His promises. Hope does not doubt, but is sure confidence of an expected outcome. Hope anticipates the result of something good. A life in Christ should lead to a life of hope based on the promises of God, which looks forward to an abundant life now and an eternal life with God to come.