Advent And Hope In The Coming King Series

"Advent and Hope in the Coming King"

As we gather on this First Sunday of Advent, our hearts are tuned to the theme of hope. Today, let's explore the profound hope found in the coming light of Christ.

My sermon is titled "Advent and Hope in the Coming King."

What is Hope?

As Max Lucado beautifully puts it, “Hope is not what you expect; it is what you would never dream. It is a wild, improbable tale with a pinch-me-I'm-dreaming ending."

Listen to Romans 15:13 (New Living Translation):

"I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit."

This verse emphasises that our hope comes from God, and when we trust in Him, we are filled with joy, peace, and confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.

It's a beautiful reminder of the source and nature of our hope in Christ.

In a world that often feels lost in darkness, hope becomes a powerful beacon.

It's not a mere expectation; it's an extraordinary narrative, a story of redemption that surpasses our wildest dreams.

In this season, as we navigate life's complexities, may the hope found in the coming light of Christ not be confined to our hearts but spill over into our actions.

The author and preacher D.L. Moody challenges us with these words, "We are told to let our light shine, and if it does, we won't need to tell anybody it does. Lighthouses don't fire cannons to call attention to their shining—they just shine."

In a world desperate for hope, we are called to be Beacons and lighthouses.

Our hope in Christ is not meant to be hidden; it is a light that shines in the darkness, guiding and comforting us as we navigate life's complexities.

But it's not just for us; it's for others to witness. As they see the radiance of our hope, may they be drawn to the source of this unwavering light—Jesus Christ.

As we embark on this Advent journey, let our hope be not just an internal flame but a shining beacon.

Let’s delve into the heart of the Christmas story, where the clue is in the name - Christmas is meant to be a celebration of the coming of Christ.

I. The Distractions of Christmas:

In the hustle and bustle of the season, it's easy to get distracted.

The modern world conditions us to focus more on what we want to do at Christmas than what we are actually supposed to be doing.

The preparation, decorating, presents, and feasts can often overshadow the real reason for the season.

"Hark! the herald angels sing,

'Glory to the newborn King;

Peace on earth, and mercy mild,

God and sinners reconciled!'"

Amidst the distractions, let's not forget to make time to Worship Jesus, the Coming King — the one who came to save us from our sin.

II. The True Celebration of Christmas:

A Bible verse that captures the essence of the true celebration of Christmas is Luke 2:10-11 (New Living Translation): "But the angel reassured them. 'Don’t be afraid!' he said. 'I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Saviour—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!'"

This verse reminds us that the true celebration of Christmas is centred around the birth of Jesus Christ, the Saviour and Messiah.

It's a joyous occasion that brings good news to all people and highlights the significance of Christ's birth in fulfilling God's plan for salvation.

The world may push Christ out of Christmas, but for us, Christ must be the central part of our celebrations.

I hope all of you are planning to come to our Christmas Morning Service at Ashingdon.

Or, if that’s a little too much effort for Christmas morning, there are many local churches here in Rayleigh that you could visit.

On Christmas Day, don’t forget to worship our Saviour, don’t forget the one who was born to die in your place, the one who paid the price for your sin, so that you could be forgiven and receive the free gift of salvation.

"Hark the Herald Angels Sing" Verse 2:

"Joyful, all ye nations, rise,

Join the triumph of the skies;

With angelic hosts proclaim,

'Christ is born in Bethlehem!'"

Wise men worshipped Jesus long ago, and today, wise people still worship Him.

Our celebration is not just about the birth of a baby, but about the birth of our Saviour, the Coming King.

III. The Reason for the Season:

Christmas is about God's plan to save us.

It's about the birth of Jesus, the arrival of the coming King, the incarnation of our Lord and Saviour.