"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.
Matthew 1:21 (New Living Translation):
"And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins."
This verse underscores the primary purpose of Jesus' birth, which is to bring salvation to humanity.
It serves as a reminder that the true meaning of the Christmas season lies in the redemptive work of Jesus Christ.
Our salvation is the reason for the season.
"Hark the Herald Angels Sing" Verse 3:
"Mild He lays His glory by,
Born that man no more may die;
Born to raise the sons of earth;
Born to give them second birth."
Jesus was born to save us, to restore us to a relationship with Father God, to rescue us from our sins.
In His birth, God declares our worth and His love for us.
IV. Immanuel: God With Us:
The angel told Mary, “You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus.”
Jesus means 'Lord saves' or 'the Salvation of the Lord.'
The incarnation declares God's love for us.
Let’s revisit the words of Max Lucado's insight, hope is indeed a wild, improbable tale with a pinch-me-I'm-dreaming ending.
In Jesus, we find a hope that goes beyond our expectations, a hope that is both wild and wonderful.
V. The Significance of Immanuel:
Matthew 1:23 reminds us, “Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means ‘God is with us.’”
This is the reason we celebrate Christmas — God is not just looking after us; He is with us.
As I draw this sermon to a close, let the hope found in the coming light of Christ be more than a mere sentiment. May it spill over into our actions.
In the complexities of life, let the light within us guide and comfort us.
And as others witness the radiance of our hope, may they be drawn to the source of this unwavering light—Jesus Christ.
As we continue our Advent journey, let our hope be not just an internal flame but a shining beacon, proclaiming the transformative power of the light that has come into the world.
May the hope found in the coming light of Christ not be confined to our hearts but spill over into our actions.
This Christmas, let's be intentional about worshiping God, not just with our words but with our actions.
Share the Good News of Jesus, the Coming King, not just during the Christmas season but every day.
Let's be those lighthouses, shining with the hope of Christ, not just during Advent but throughout the year.
As we celebrate the birth of Jesus, consider Him in your giving.
Just as the Wise Men brought gifts to Jesus, let's offer something special to God's work.
In Hebrews 13:16, we are told, do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.
This Christmas, don’t push Christ out of your celebrations.
Instead, let's make Him the focal point of our worship, share His love with others, and give generously to His work.
In doing so, we embody the true spirit of Christmas—the celebration of the Coming King, Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour.
Communion Reflection: "Partaking in the Light of Christ"
At the beginning of the Advent season, I hope our hearts have been stirred with the message of hope — a hope that is not just an expectation but a wild, improbable tale with a pinch-me-I'm-dreaming ending, as beautifully described by Max Lucado.
In this moment of reflection, remember the challenge from D.L. Moody: "We are told to let our light shine."
The hope we carry, the light within us, is not meant to be hidden or reserved solely for ourselves.
It is a radiant beacon meant to guide others to the source of this unwavering light—Jesus Christ.
As we approach the communion table, let's reflect on the significance of the elements before us.
The bread, symbolises the body of Christ broken for us, and the cup, symbolises the blood shed for the forgiveness of our sins.
The Bread: In the birth of Jesus, we find the embodiment of hope.
He came not as a distant ruler but as Immanuel, God with us.
The bread represents His body, broken for us, a tangible reminder of His incarnation, His willingness to be with us in our humanity.
As we partake, let's remember that in Christ, we are never alone.
The Cup: The cup holds the symbolism of the new covenant, sealed with the blood of Christ.
This covenant is our certain hope, the assurance that we are forgiven and reconciled to God.
As we drink, let's reflect on the significance of this covenant—God's commitment to be with us, to save us, and to offer us eternal life.
In the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season, let this communion be a sacred pause.
A moment to let our light shine not just in words but in the solemn act of partaking in the body and blood of Christ.
As you receive the elements, let the light of hope radiate from you, touching those around you.
May the hope found in the coming light of Christ spill over into our actions, transforming not just our hearts but the world around us.
As we celebrate the birth of the Coming King, let this communion be a profound expression of our worship, a tangible acknowledgement of the transformative power of the light that has come into the world.
We will eat the bread as we receive it,
and then we will drink the cup together to signify our unity, remembering that we are one body in Christ, shining forth His light in a world hungry for hope.
Give thanks for Bread
Give thanks for Cup
Pray.
Amen.
