1st Advent - Hope

2023.12.03.Sermon Notes. 1st Advent – HOPE

William Akehurst, HSWC

BIG IDEA. As we begin our ADVENT calendar, the 1st Advent is HOPE.

What is hope?

Where do we find hope?

How do we get hope?

What do we hope in?

Who do we put our hope in?

We have something others are looking for – hope.

Share the reason for your hope.

Answer: My HOPE is built on nothing less than JESUS' Blood and Righteousness!

Scriptures: Hebrews 11:1-3, Hebrews 11:6, Hebrews 11:13, Hebrews 12:1-2, Romans 8:24-25, Psalms 42:11, Romans 15:12-13, Isaiah 40:31, Psalms 31:24, Jeremiah 17:7, Acts 2:25-28, 1 Peter 1:3-9, Psalms 119:114, Romans 5:1-5, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, 1 Peter 3:15, Ephesians 1:16-20, Matthew 7:24-27

WHAT IS HOPE? WHERE DOES IT COME FROM? HOW CAN WE FIND IT?

ANSWER: BY FAITH. FAITH IN GOD. THERE IS NO HOPE NOR FAITH APART FROM GOD.

Hebrews 11:1-3,6

1 Now faith is the substance (assurance, confidence, certainty, reality, title, deed, confirmation) of things hoped for (divinely guaranteed), the evidence (proof, conviction, assurance) of things not seen. (the conviction of their reality--faith comprehends as fact what cannot be experienced by the physical senses)

2 For by it (faith) the elders (people of the ancient Hebrew, Old Testament Scriptures) obtained a good testimony.

3 By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.

6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

FAITH AND HOPE IN THE PROMISES OF GOD, EVEN THOUGH THEY NEVER RECEIVED THOSE PROMISES IN THEIR LIFETIME.

Hebrews 11:13 13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.

WHILE THEY LOOKED FORWARD TO THE COMING MESSIAH, WE LOOK BACK SOME 2000+ YEARS TO THE ARRIVAL OF THE MESSIAH THAT IMPACTED OUR WORLD SO MUCH SO, THAT WE COUNT THE DAYS AND YEARS BASED ON HIM!

KEEPING THE FAITH, KEEPING THE HOPE, ENDURING THE RACE OF OUR TIME.

LOOKING UNTO JESUS – JESUS IS OUR HOPE!

Hebrews 12:1-2 1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

SALVATION PACKAGED IN HOPE. HOPE FOR SALVATION. HOPE IN WAITING FOR THE PROMISES TO BE FULFILLED.

Romans 8:24-25 24 For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees?

25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.

A SELF REMINDER WHEN WE ARE DOWN AND DEPRESSED…TO CONTINUE TO HOPE IN GOD AND GIVE HIM PRAISE.

Psalms 42:11 11 Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; For I shall yet praise Him, The help of my countenance and my God.

MESSIAH, PROMISED TO THE JEWS, AND GENTILES.

HOPE AND FAITH IN YOU WITH POWER, THE POWER OF HOLY SPIRIT IN YOU

Romans 15:12-13 12 And again, Isaiah says: “There shall be a root of Jesse; And He who shall rise to reign over the Gentiles, In Him the Gentiles shall hope.”

13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

GOD FILLS YOU WITH HOPE IN CHRIST BY THE POWER OF HIS SPIRIT!

HOPE RENEWS INNER STRENGTH

Isaiah 40:31 But those who hope (wait) on the LORD shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.

HOPE IN GOD STRENGTHENS THE HEART

Psalms 31:24 24 Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart, All you who hope in the LORD.

BLESSINGS COME FROM HOPE

Jeremiah 17:7 “Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, and whose hope is the LORD.

DAVID’S HOPE IN GOD GAVE HIM DIRECTION AND JOY IN THE LORD

Acts 2:25-28 25 For David says concerning Him:

I foresaw the LORD always before my face, For He is at my right hand, that I may not be shaken.