The Light of Hope
ADVENT: It’s all about getting ready for; then celebrating the birth of Christ [Jesus of nazareth] Advent = Arrival. The Messiah, Jesus Christ has made one arrival…He will make another. The traditional celebration of Advent focuses on the first & second coming of Christ! Advent started in the late 5th century as a series of fasts to prepare for Christmas. Advent liturgy is found in the late 6th century Homilies of Pope Gregory The Great. By the late 8th century the term ‘Advent’ we used and celebrated around Europe. In the 14th century it becomes the custom to celebrate Advent the five weeks before Christmas [not tied to dates] The five weeks correspond to five themes: HOPE / JOY / FAITH / LOVE / PEACE
TODAY WE BEGIN WITH HOPE! Multiple dimensions of Hope! Hope prior to the Advent of the Messiah: The Jews placed their hope in Messiah. Hope Now for a life transformed by Messiah: Christ followers have Hope in HIM! Hope for the return of Messiah and eternity with Him: Our Hope: Eternity With Christ!
We need hope…real hope, not the false hope found in this world [money, politics, career]. Real hope is found in the truth about and a relationship with OUR CREATOR. Part of discovering real hope [JESUS CHRIST] recognizing this world is hopeless, apart from God and the Messiah Jesus Christ! OUR HOPE IS IN A PERSON!
For us it begins with THE PROMISE OF HOPE! That the people of God had through His prophets. God had promised them A Messiah, A Deliverer, A Savior. Our 1st Scripture today is a passage about this future hope. For them and US.
Understanding Biblical Prophecy is challenging; Some parts are for the people then, some are for future readers, some are for both…
Isaiah 9:2-7 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.
- The people who walk in darkness & live in a land of deep dark [can’t avoid it]
- The light is sent for those who inhabit a world where darkness rules [You & me]
- God planned [from the beginning] to shine the light…to oppose the darkness
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. All things were created through Him, and apart from Him not one thing was created that has been created. In Him was life, and that life was the light of men. That light shines in the darkness, and yet the darkness did not overcome it. ~ John 1:1-5 [CSB]
THE HOPE OF LIGHT OVERCOMING DARKNESS
Why was Christmas fixed by the church on December 25th? Around but not on the darkest day of the year…replacing Roman festivities?.. That date was tied to the idea of LIGHT breaking through darkness: it’s a big deal!!! Let’s make the most of these 5 weeks [ADVENT] to prepare our hearts to celebrate!
3 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.
- The Nation of Israel = God’s People
- The Nation of Israel received from God security, purpose, justice, mercy, love
- Somewhat match the themes of advent: Hope, Joy, Faith, Love & Peace
- God is going to include everyone else in the blessing of being HIS
- It is going to be ‘As Good as it Gets’…[Life & Death] Winning @ Harvest & War
4 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.
- Why is everyone going to celebrate full out?
- The destruction of the army of Midian was carried out by Gideon & 300 men
- Gideon, the ultimate underdog
- God delivered all of His People [at the time] with that victory
- There was no way that 300 men could do what happened, ONLY GOD could
- God’s people have hope in the God of Gideon to do what only HE can do
5 The boots of the warrior and the uniforms bloodstained by war will all be burned. They will be fuel for the fire.
- The things of war will no longer have use [future / 2nd coming]
- The fire is God creating a new heaven and a new earth when christ returns
Things present & future we can place our HOPE in…but who can make this happen?
6 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.
- A child…who’s child? A Son…who’s son?
- He will be in total control…because He is God
- The Man of God known as Isaiah tells us about Him, His Place & Name
- Wonderful Counselor: The bringer of all wisdom [Holy Spirit]
- Mighty God: Creator / Ruler of The Universe
- Everlasting Father: Eternal Love, the unconditional love of a parent. [Father]
- Prince of Peace: The bringer of true peace [right relationship with God] [Son]
7 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!
- The never ending part begins with the SECOND ADVENT OF CHRIST
- Christ is full of Grace & Truth = Fairness & Justice
- The continuing of what God showed shadows of thru David [human element]
- This last line is amazing! That is a ‘Power Title’ /
- He can make it happen…He is absolutely committed to making it happen
God made it happen…He sent His only Son [Christ Jesus] Because He has come we have HOPE FOR TODAY! Jesus proclaimed it Himself!
Isiah 61:1 [CJB]
The Spirit of The Lord God is upon me, because The Lord has anointed Me
to announce good news to the poor. He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted; to proclaim freedom to the captives, to let out into light those bound in the dark.
- Christ is both the announcer and enactor of ‘THE GOOD NEWS’ [Messiah]
- HIS Mission: Freedom, Healing & Release from the power of SIN aka Darkness
- Christ came to offers this to YOU… NOW! TODAY!
- He came to release YOU from a dungeon of sin & shame
- He came to heal your broken heart and bring you the good news about eternity
We have Hope for Today… We also have HOPE FOR ETERNITY!
“However, those the Father has given Me will come to Me, and I will never reject them. For I have come down from heaven to do the will of God who sent Me, not to do My own will. And this is the will of God, that I should not lose even one of all those He has given Me, but that I should raise them up at the last day.” ~ Jesus The Christ @ John 6:37-38 [NLT]
“He who sees Me sees the One who sent Me. I have come as Light into the world, so that everyone who believes in Me will not remain in darkness. If anyone hears My sayings and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world.” ~ Jesus The Christ @ John 12:45-47 [NASB]
Jesus Christ wants to give you hope! Hope for this life and eternity!
Make The Most of the Gift of Hope
Hope is a person [Jesus]! Is He fully born in YOU?
Hope is available today! Will YOU let God’s light free & heal YOU?
Hope for eternity is in Christ! Will YOU trust Him for all things?
Doing Advent Right
Put all of your HOPE in Christ
Let the JOY of The Lord flow
Take some real steps of FAITH
Make room in your life for LOVE
Bask in a place of PEACE with God