Hope in the Waiting | Christmas at DC
Christmas at DC
Hope in the Waiting
What is the advent?
Advent is a time of preparation for the birth of Jesus and his second coming.
Advent: comes from the Latin word “adventus”, which means coming. It’s a translation of the Greek word “parousia”, which originally referred to the Second Coming.
SOUL TATTOO: Faith trusts God for today; hope anticipates His promises for tomorrow.
The word advent means “EXPECTATION”. What advent can do for us is create a sense of “HOPE”. Pastor Louie Giglio
Where do you need FAITH and HOPE today?
Faith: (Genesis 12-25, Hebrews 11:8-12)
Hebrews 11:8-12 (ESV) 8 It was by faith that Abraham obeyed when God called him to leave home and go to another land that God would give him as his inheritance. He went without knowing where he was going. 9 And even when he reached the land God promised him, he lived there by faith—for he was like a foreigner, living in tents. And so did Isaac and Jacob, who inherited the same promise. 10 Abraham was confidently looking forward to a city with eternal foundations, a city designed and built by God. 11 It was by faith that even Sarah was able to have a child, though she was barren and was too old. She believed that God would keep his promise. 12 And so a whole nation came from this one man who was as good as dead—a nation with so many people that, like the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore, there is no way to count them.
Why this story? Abraham demonstrates unwavering faith by trusting God’s promise of descendants, even though he and Sarah were old and childless. His belief wasn’t based on visible evidence but on confidence in God’s word.
Genesis 15:6 (NIV) 6Abram believed the Lord, and He credited it to him as righteousness.
Hope: (Luke 2:25-38)
Luke 2:25-38 (NIV) 25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 27 Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, 28 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: 29 “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. 30 For my eyes have seen your salvation, 31which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.” 33 The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, 35 so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.” 36 There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage. 37 and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. 38 Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.
Luke 2:29-30 (NIV) 29Sovereign Lord, as You have promised, You may now dismiss Your servant in peace. 30For my eyes have seen Your salvation.
Where do you need FAITH and HOPE today?
1. Faith: “Confidence in the Present”
Faith: complete trust and confidence in God, His Word, and His promises, often tied to the present and what God is actively doing in our lives.
Hebrews 11:1 (NKJV) 1Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
2. Hope: “Expectation for the Future”
Hope: the confident expectation and anticipation of future good based on God’s promises. It is tied to the future and what God will do.
Romans 8:24 (NIV) 24For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have?
Connection Between Faith and Hope:
The difference between biblical faith and hope lies in their focus and function within the Christian life, though they are deeply connected.
Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV) 11For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
SOUL TATTOO: Faith trusts God for today; hope anticipates His promises for tomorrow.
“Hope is the stubborn, unrelenting determination to not allow the hardships of life to downsize THE BIGNESS OF GOD.” Pastor Kevin Gerald
3 Hope filled thoughts for the Advent:
1. Hope in God’s promises.
Isaiah 9:6-7 (NIV) 6For to us a child is born, to us a son is given… and he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end…
God’s promises are the anchor of our hope.
2. Hope through Christ’s arrival.
Luke 2:11 (NIV) 11Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.
The arrival of Christ transforms hope from a wish into a reality.
3. Hope for the FUTURE.
Romans 8:24-25 (NIV) 24For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? 25But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.”
Advent points us to the greater hope yet to come.
SOUL TATTOO: Faith trusts God for today; hope anticipates His promises for tomorrow.