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.
26 Therefore my heart rejoiced, and my tongue was glad; Moreover my flesh also will rest in hope.
27 For You will not leave my soul in Hades, Nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption.
28 You have made known to me the ways of life; You will make me full of joy in Your presence.’
WE HAVE A LIVING HOPE. JESUS DIED AND ROSE AGAIN
AN PURE INHERITANCE IN HEAVEN.
WE ARE KEPT BY GOD’S POWER THROUGH FAITH AND HOPE, FOR HIS SALVATION.
WE REJOICE IN OUR HOPE, WHILE WE MAY BE TESTED IN THIS LIFE.
REMEMBER THE PSALMIST’S WORDS…HOPE IN GOD!
1 Peter 1:3-9 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, 8 whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, 9 receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls.
HOPE AND STAND ON THE PROMISES OF GOD’S WORD. THE WORD = JESUS
Psalms 119:114 You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in Your word.
REJOICE IN HOPE, AS IT BECOMES MORE DEFINED IN OUR LIVES OVER TIME.
HOPE COMES FROM GOD’S LOVE POURED INTO OUR HEARTS – HIS SPIRIT IN US.
Romans 5:1-5 1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; 4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
HOPE THAT SETS US APART FROM THE WORLD WITHOUT HOPE
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 (NKJV)
13 But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.
15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.
AS A BELIEVER, YOU CARRY THE HOPE OF THE WORLD.
THE ONE TRUE HOPE THAT THE WHOLE WORLD NEEDS TO KNOW.
HOPE THAT SETS YOU APART AS DIFFERENT FROM THE WORLD.
HOPE THAT COMES THROUGH FAITH AND BELIEVING IN THE CREATOR OF THE UNIVERSE.
HOPE THAT COMES THROUGH BELIEVING IN GOD.
HOPE THAT COMES FROM THE WORD OF GOD.
HOPE THAT COMES FROM CHRIST ON THE CROSS, HIS DEATH, BURIAL, RESURRECTION AND ASCENSION AND SOON COMING RETURN!
HOPE THAT COMES FROM PROPHECY FULFILLED AND PROPHECY YET TO BE.
ALWAYS BE READY TO ANSWER THOSE WHO ASK YOU THE REASON FOR YOUR HOPE.
1 Peter 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense (answer) to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;
PRAYER TO UNDERSTAND THIS CONFIDENT HOPE THAT GOD HAS GIVEN TO YOU.
BENEDICTION
Ephesians 1:16-20 (NLT)
16 I have not stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly, 17 asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God. 18 I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance.
19 I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power 20 that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms.
Amen.
Be blessed and be a blessing!
Bill
SONG: THE SOLID ROCK, (Matthew 7:24-27)
1. My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.
Refrain:
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand,
All other ground is sinking sand.
2. When darkness veils His lovely face,
I rest on His unchanging grace;
In every high and stormy gale,
My anchor holds within the veil.
3. His oath, His covenant, His blood
Support me in the whelming flood;
When all around my soul gives way,
He then is all my hope and stay.
4. When He shall come with trumpet sound,
Oh, may I then in Him be found;
Dressed in His righteousness alone,
Faultless to stand before the throne.
