Video Transition: Missing Jesus – Skit guys!
Series Christmas: Hope has Come – The promise has been delivered!
Scripture: Isaiah 9:1-7
Isaiah 9 - To Us a Child Is Born is prophesied 700 years before Jesus’ birth:
1Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future, he will honor Galilee of the Gentiles, by the way of the sea, along the Jordan— 2The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned. 3You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as men rejoice when dividing the plunder. 4For as in the day of Midian’s defeat, you have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor. 5Every warrior’s boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood will be destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire.6For us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.
Background on Isaiah:
This verse is a promise of what God will do through Jesus the Messiah – when this promise was given to Israel (To God’s People) things looked dark and hopeless. But God wanted the people to know there was a light coming it would show up about 700 years later – there was hope coming to deliver them out of their darkness and despair. Yes, death was haunting them, and darkness have engulfed them, but God promises a Hope that will snatch them from the darkness, from bondage and from death. They are also promised that joy is coming – it will return – that rejoicing will return to their lives when this promise of the child is fulfilled – when this hope has arrived – with the child will come peace and a Savior! This Hope will deliver them from the oppressor, and He will become known as a Wonderful Counselor – The Mighty God – An Everlasting Father and The Prince of Peace!
How will this all happen? In other words how will Hope come to God’s People? The Lord says it will happen by the zeal of the Lord.
Zeal: Refers to a fervent, righteous passion for something, such as God's honor and justice. An example is when Phinehas' zealous act to defend God's honor was credited to him as righteousness (Numbers 25:11). The Hebrew word for "zeal" is ??????? (qin'ah). When referring to the "zeal of the Lord," the phrase is ??????? ???? (kin'at Adonai). This term encompasses a range of intense, passionate emotions and shows how God will wage war on the darkness to bring Hope to this world through His divine child – The Savior – He will deliver the people from their sin, and from their bondage – the oppressor’s yoke will be broke off the people of God by the awesome power of this Child! This powerful child!
Listen carefully to Isaiah this is the Promise of Hope and Jesus fulfilled this promise to God’s people about 2,025 years ago when he was born as a baby in a manger – in Bethlehem! He literally fulfilled this promise and prophecy when he died on the cross and ascended Heaven see Revelation 5!
The prophet Isaiah and other OT prophets were given amazing revelations from God, and it is hard to know what they must have been thinking when communicating this revelation to the people. Sometimes they warned of judgment for disobedience, and other times proclaimed news of the coming Messiah. This set of verses from Isaiah instilled into the people of God a Divine Hope – that was coming – This Hope would set them free from the darkness!
It's important to note: The prophets like Isaiah were given special and amazing visions that they were to communicate to the people of God what they saw and heard - for example see Isa 6:1-8:
Isaiah’s Cleansing and Call
1It was in the year King Uzziah died that I saw the Lord. He was sitting on a lofty throne, and the train of his robe filled the Temple.
2Attending him were mighty seraphim, each having six wings. With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they flew.
3They were calling out to each other, “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of Heaven’s Armies! The whole earth is filled with his glory!”
4Their voices shook the Temple to its foundations, and the entire building was filled with smoke.
5Then I said, “It’s all over! I am doomed, for I am a sinful man. I have filthy lips, and I live among a people with filthy lips. Yet I have seen the King, the LORD of Heaven’s Armies.”
6Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a burning coal he had taken from the altar with a pair of tongs.
7He touched my lips with it and said, “See, this coal has touched your lips. Now your guilt is removed, and your sins are forgiven.”
8Then I heard the Lord asking, “Whom should I send as a messenger to this people? Who will go for us?” I said, “Here I am. Send me.”
This vision of a glorified Lord and Savor should be compared to John’s vision in Revelation 4-5: It is a pre-vision of Jesus on the throne of Heaven – predating His arrival to Bethlehem but then John gets a vision of the post-death and resurrection of Jesus (The slain Lamb of God at the throne after accomplishing his mission and task for God the Father).
Revelation 4 reveals this picture for us to see and rejoice over:
Worship in Heaven
1Then as I looked, I saw a door standing open in heaven, and the same voice I had heard before spoke to me like a trumpet blast. The voice said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must happen after this.”
2And instantly I was in the Spirit, and I saw a throne in heaven and someone sitting on it.
3The one sitting on the throne was as brilliant as gemstones—like jasper and carnelian. And the glow of an emerald circled his throne like a rainbow.
4Twenty-four thrones surrounded him, and twenty-four elders sat on them. They were all clothed in white and had gold crowns on their heads.
5From the throne came flashes of lightning and the rumble of thunder. And in front of the throne were seven torches with burning flames. This is the sevenfold Spirit of God.
6In front of the throne was a shiny sea of glass, sparkling like crystal. In the center and around the throne were four living beings, each covered with eyes, front and back.
7The first of these living beings was like a lion; the second was like an ox; the third had a human face; and the fourth was like an eagle in flight.
8Each of these living beings had six wings, and their wings were covered all over with eyes, inside and out. Day after day and night after night they keep on saying, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty— the one who always was, who is, and who is still to come.”
9Whenever the living beings give glory and honor and thanks to the one sitting on the throne (the one who lives forever and ever),
10the twenty-four elders fall down and worship the one sitting on the throne (the one who lives forever and ever). And they lay their crowns before the throne and say,
11 “You are worthy, O Lord our God, to receive glory and honor and power. For you created all things, and they exist because you created what you pleased.”
These visions and revelations should bring you Hope today – they should convince you to believe in Jesus – to embrace The Wonderful Counselor, The Mighty God, The everlasting Father and The Prince of Peace.
These prophets of God were able to describe in great detail the future kingdom fulfilled in Jesus Christ. How because God gave them a glimpse into the future, the present or into the past – to see the throne room of Heaven, the One who sit on it and witness the authority and power of the child – the slain Lamb!
Isaiah was given an incredible glimpse of the throne room of heaven where he saw the pre-incarnate Christ. This is confirmed in John 12:41 where John reveals that the prophet Isaiah actually saw Jesus Christ when he had a vision of the Lord on the throne in heaven—hundreds of years before Jesus was born Isa 6:1-8. Don’t tell me God is not involved in the things of the world – because He is! Isaiah was a man who witnessed our Lord (the pre-incarnate Son) sitting on His throne in all His glory.
When you really have a vision and or a revelation of Jesus – you will be convicted of your sins – Isaiah immediately recognized his own sinfulness in the light of God’s glory, and knew he deserved to die (Isaiah 6:5). I believe revival will only come when the church people repent of their sins because they experience the divine glory of the Lord!
In Isaiah 53, the prophet writes again of the coming Messiah (and once again is quoted in John 12:38) and he gives great detail about Christ’s sacrificial work of atonement. It was obvious Isaiah had visions and revelations of the Coming Messiah and God gave them to him to put down in writing!
But John saw what the slain Lamb of God did for the people of God this child born in the manger is revealed in Revelation setting the world free from darkness and oppression and death. But the key is you must believe in the Child – The slain Lamb – the one who died for us to set us free and who brought light into the darkness!
Listen to what The Lamb did for us! Why we have Hope – why Hope came to this world of sin and darkness!
Revelation 5
The Lamb Opens the Scroll
1Then I saw a scroll in the right hand of the one who was sitting on the throne. There was writing on the inside and the outside of the scroll, and it was sealed with seven seals.
2And I saw a strong angel, who shouted with a loud voice: “Who is worthy to break the seals on this scroll and open it?”
3But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll and read it.
4Then I began to weep bitterly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll and read it.
5But one of the twenty-four elders said to me, “Stop weeping! Look, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the heir to David’s throne, has won the victory. He is worthy to open the scroll and its seven seals.”
6Then I saw a Lamb that looked as if it had been slaughtered, but it was now standing between the throne and the four living beings and among the twenty-four elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which represent the sevenfold Spirit of God that is sent out into every part of the earth.
7He stepped forward and took the scroll from the right hand of the one sitting on the throne.
8And when he took the scroll, the four living beings and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp, and they held gold bowls filled with incense, which are the prayers of God’s people.
9And they sang a new song with these words: “You are worthy to take the scroll and break its seals and open it. For you were slaughtered, and your blood has ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.
10 And you have caused them to become a Kingdom of priests for our God. And they will reign on the earth.”
11Then I looked again, and I heard the voices of thousands and millions of angels around the throne and of the living beings and the elders.
12And they sang in a mighty chorus: “Worthy is the Lamb who was slaughtered—to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing.”
13And then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea. They sang: “Blessing and honor and glory and power belong to the one sitting on the throne and to the Lamb forever and ever.”
14And the four living beings said, “Amen!” And the twenty-four elders fell down and worshiped the Lamb.
Here again John along with the prophet Isaiah saw the Savior pre-birth and after death (note this scene was echoed by the other prophets) – But in this scene or vision we get the consistent message concerning the coming Savior of Isaiah and the One who came to earth sent by Love.
Isaiah gives us a very detailed account of sin, sacrifice, and Savior. Humanity is lost in sin, having turned to our own way and rejected God in a great act of rebellion, but in the great once-for-all sacrifice, our Savior took on the iniquity of us all.
John gets to see the fulfillment of this prophecy in Revelation 5 and he shares that vision with us today – this Christmas season should infuse us with Hope – if we see Him – We need to see and know that God always fulfills His promises! We just need to believe and embrace His promises – yes you and I need to know the promises of God and embrace the promises of God!
This is the great message of the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is unknown if Isaiah truly understood that the Suffering Servant of Isaiah 53 was the same Person he witnessed on the throne in Isaiah 6. What we do know is that God’s revelation to us through the prophets has made perfect sense in the life and works of Jesus Christ, and these events foretold for hundreds of years have been both consistent and accurate in message. We just need to believe in them and embrace them for us today! God promised and deliver on His promise with The Child who would set us all free and bring light into the darkness! This is the Hope we celebrate today and rejoice in!
Other Scriptures on this Hope:
Romans 15:13: May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
1 Peter - The key "hope" verse is 1 Peter 1:3-5, which speaks of a "living hope" that comes through Jesus Christ's resurrection, resulting in an imperishable inheritance reserved in heaven. Another foundational verse is 1 Peter 3:15, which says believers should "always be prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for the reason for the hope that is in you"
Thesis: With the birth of Jesus, a new hope was infused into the Jewish people of God and in the world as a whole – HOPE had finally arrived to set people free from the bondages of this world! Jesus the child born in the manger showed up on the earth to wage war with the darkness and drive it back from God’s people – yes, that little child was birthed from Love and empowered with zeal of the Lord to set the people free. To set me free and you free! --- It’s because of His “kin'at Adonai” – this all took place!
Introduction:
A message of hope for Christmas centers on the arrival of Jesus Christ as a source of light, peace, and joy that overcomes darkness and despair. This is the key point of Jesus birth and the prophecies which preceded his divine birth. This Hope and light is highlighted by special star and the appearance to the Shepherds in the field and the Angels. It’s apparent in the leading of the wisemen to Jesus as well. This hope and divine light is rooted in God's love and the promise of His continued presence, comfort, and future restoration, (John 3:16) encouraging believers to share kindness with others and find strength in faith, even during difficult times. It’s routed in the truth that God would come with a holy zeal to defeat the enemy of our soul and drive them back into the darkness!
Hope had been promised but now God has delivered this hope!
When the baby Jesus was born, the shepherds saw a bright star. They knew something very special was happening. This new star heralded the birth of the Savior of the world. Its light was a sign of His presence. They had to look up and follow the star to the baby Jesus in Bethlehem. This baby was no ordinary baby, He was Emmanuel, God with us. As long as they looked up, they would find the Messiah. If they would have stayed in the fields because of their fear, they never would have found the Christ King. The Hope of the World!
Luke 2: 8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
Have you discovered the Hope of the world? His Hope is all around us at this time of the year – have you seen it – heard it and embraced it?
1. Key messages of hope at Christmas Time
a. Symbols of Christmas hope
i. Many traditional Christmas symbols reflect the theme of hope.
1. The Advent wreath: The first candle, lit on the first Sunday of Advent, represents hope. The evergreen branches of the wreath symbolize eternal life, pointing to the hope that Jesus brought.
2. The evergreen tree: The enduring green of the tree, even in the cold of winter, has long been a symbol of life and hope, reminding ancient peoples and Christians alike that new life will come again.
3. Christmas lights and candles: Lights shining in the dark winter months are a powerful symbol of Jesus, the "light of the world," bringing hope to a dark world.
a. Light in the darkness: The birth of Jesus brought a "great light" to a world in darkness, symbolizing hope that can shine even in the most challenging moments of our lives.
b. We have used lights as symbols of this divine light for centuries to remind us of this light of hope. The first to put lights (candles) on a tree was Martin Luther who used candles – so lights at Christmas have been used since the 1600’s.
c. The practice of putting candles on Christmas trees is most commonly attributed to Martin Luther, a 16th-century German Protestant reformer. Legend says he was inspired by the sight of stars twinkling through the branches of a fir tree on a winter evening, so he brought a tree home and lit candles on it to recreate the scene for his family. While the legend of Martin Luther is popular, the custom of decorating trees with candles likely originated in Germany and became widespread among German Lutherans by the 18th century.
d. Jesus said he was the light of the world and we celebrate that at Christmas with all the Christmas lights on trees, houses, and other objects.
e. A Light of Hope: There is a story about how the caverns north of Yellowstone National Park were discovered. As the story goes, one of the original explorers was walking along the top of that mountain and fell through a hole, and he dropped down several hundred feet into this cavern and was stuck in almost total darkness for over a week, no food, no water. He cried out every day, “Help me!” hoping that somebody would hear his voice and figure out that he was down there. Sure enough a guy came along and heard this faint sound and looked around and found the hole. They dug him out and that’s how they found this giant cavern. They asked him, “How did you hold on to hope day after day after day in the dark without giving up?” He said, “There was one little pinhole ray of light that was coming through and I just kept focused on that ray of light.” Many around us in this nation today are like that man down in the cave. They are in darkness looking for a way ”ut. Jesus is the light of the world. He Is still shining ”oday’ Let us do everything we can to help people to take hold of Him. Wouldn’t it be great if, next Christmas, there was a new local person sitting here with us? (From a sermon by Stephen Sheane “Christmas Past, Present and Future” 12/21/2008)
ii. The songs of the season sing of Hope – just like the Angels Sang of Hope - Poet: Catherine Pulsifer
• In a manger in Bethlehem, a miracle occurred,
• A child was born, with love assured.
• Angels sang of hope and love so bright,
• Guiding shepherds through the silent night.
• A star shone brightly, reflecting the Lord's grace,
• Bringing joy to all in that sacred place.
• May this gift from God forever inspire,
• And fill our hearts with hope, a gift never to expire.
a. Christmas hope is a profound theme rooted in the Christian faith, representing the arrival of a Savior to a weary world. It is a powerful message that contrasts with the temporary joys of the holiday season by offering a confident, enduring expectation that is not dependent on circumstances.
b. Divine comfort and peace is what infuses Hope in us: God is with us, offering comfort, peace, and a sense of never being truly alone, especially through his presence in our hearts through faith. This should infuse us with Hope!
i. We know peace is also a common theme at Christmas time but it is rooted in divine peace - The theme of Christmas peace originates from the biblical account of Jesus's birth in Luke 2:14, with the angelic proclamation of "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men"
1. It became famous in Dickens story of “A Christmas Carol.”
c. A future-oriented hope: Christmas reminds us that God's plan of hope includes the promise of his return to make all things new, providing a powerful reason to live with purpose now.
i. 1 Pete highlights this throughout the letter.
ii. Hope for his return! A living hope is Peter’s key phrase in 1 Peter 1:3. 3Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead
d. Hope through action: The message of hope is also a call to action to embody Christ's love by extending kindness, sharing with those in need, and being there for others, fulfilling the law of Christ.
i. Christmas time ignites people to give to others – to bless others – to instill Hope in them!
e. Hope is a gift: This hope is not something to be earned but is a gift of grace that can bring warmth and comfort, a gift that transforms us and can be reflected to others.
i. Jesus was gift to us from the Father!
1. A Christmas prayer for hope: "Lord, as we enter this season of hope, fill our hearts with Your peace. Let Your light shine in our homes, your love guides our words, and Your grace bring comfort to every weary spirit."
f. HOPE FOR A CHANGE did come with The Child Jesus - In the Peanuts comic strip, we find Snoopy thinking to himself: "Yesterday I was a dog. Today I’m a dog. Tomorrow I’ll probably still be a dog. Ohh...there’s so little hope for advancement." Well, there is hope for those who have a dog’s life, but the change will require them to make a choice. Regardless of why our life is the way it is today, where it goes from here is primarily up to us. We can wake up tomorrow to another dog’s day, or we can ask the Lord to help us make some changes, both inside and out. (From a sermon by Mark Opperman, "A Dog’s Life No More!" 1/12/2009)
i. Many can testify to how God has changed them – with Hope – with Jesus we can change for the good!
2. The spiritual implication of Christmas Hope seems to infuse hope in others
a. This time of the year many step out of their comfort zones in faith to help others and inspire others.
b. At its core, Christmas hope is a spiritual anchor derived from the birth of Jesus Christ, which promised redemption, comfort, and restoration.
i. The fulfillment of prophecy: For centuries, the people of Israel waited for the promised Messiah to bring deliverance. The Christmas story is the fulfillment of that prophecy, bringing the dawn of everlasting light to those living in darkness. This Light brings with it Hope!
ii. A "living hope": Unlike wishful thinking, biblical hope is a "confident expectation" that God is faithful and will fulfill his promises. This concept is especially important during Advent, the season of waiting and preparation that precedes Christmas.
iii. Hope is an anchor for the soul: The apostle Paul wrote that for those who trust in Jesus, the hope is "an anchor for the soul, firm and secure" (Hebrews 6:19). This means that even in times of despair or grief, hope is a constant presence and a unwavering presence.
c. Christmas Hope It’s celebrated year after year - Bringing hope to others being the way to pass this on to others.
i. The spirit of giving at Christmas is an opportunity to share hope with those who need it most.
1. Acts of kindness: Sharing stories of kindness and selflessness, like those collected on sites such as HowStuffWorks and ChristmasStories.org, can inspire others.
2. Volunteering: Many charities and religious organizations host events like "Christmas shopping malls," where volunteers can purchase and wrap gifts for children and families in need, sharing the gift of hope.
3. Comforting the grieving: For those experiencing holiday grief, finding hope can be particularly difficult. Churches and counselors offer resources that focus on acknowledging pain, finding comfort in faith, and creating new traditions to honor a loved one's memory.
d. Christmas hope in popular culture
i. The theme of Christmas hope is also found in a variety of popular works.
ii. The Christmas Hope (book and movie): Author Donna VanLiere's novel, and the 2009 film based on it, tell the story of a couple who find healing and renewed connection when they foster a young orphan following a family tragedy.
iii. Christmas carols: Many traditional Christmas carols express the idea of hope, such as "O Little Town of Bethlehem" ("Yet in thy dark streets shineth / The everlasting light; The hopes and fears of all the years / Are met in thee tonight") and "O Holy Night" ("A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices").
iv. The Christmas Movies! A Christmas Carol and many others!
1. “We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope.” — Martin Luther King, Jr.
2. “A whole stack of memories never equal one little hope.” — ...
3. “Hope is a waking dream.” — ...
e. Jeremiah 29:11 ~ For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and hope.
3. The power of hope seems to rise up at Christmas time!
a. The power of hope lies in its ability to act as a powerful motivator and coping mechanism, driving resilience and a belief in positive outcomes even amidst adversity.
i. It provides the strength to set and achieve goals, improves mental and emotional well-being by reducing stress and anxiety, and can even lead to better physical health outcomes.
ii. From a psychological perspective, hope is a goal-directed thinking process that enhances problem-solving skills and a proactive mindset, and research shows it can make a significant difference in recovery from trauma and depression.
b. How hope empowers individuals is a work of the Spirit of the Lord.
i. Increases resilience: Hope helps people cope with stress, anxiety, and adversity by providing a positive outlook and reinforcing determination to keep going despite difficulties.
ii. Improves mental and emotional well-being: It is linked to lower levels of stress, anxiety, and depression. The belief that things can improve helps alleviate feelings of helplessness and enhances coping mechanisms.
iii. Boosts physical health: Research indicates that hopeful individuals tend to have better physical health, are more likely to engage in healthy behaviors, and can experience better outcomes during medical treatment.
iv. Enhances problem-solving and goal achievement: Hope encourages a proactive mindset and better problem-solving abilities. It motivates people to set ambitious goals and increases their likelihood of realizing them.
v. Motivates positive action: Hope isn't just passive wishing; it fuels action by creating a belief that one's efforts can have a positive impact and that goals are achievable.
4. Hope vs. despair (Hopelessness) is a topic we should address at this time of the year!
a. Hope:
i. A guiding light that pierces through darkness, inspiring a focus on how good the world could be. It is a trust in future possibilities and a driver for forward movement.
ii. Hope is a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen, while hopelessness is the complete loss or absence of hope. The contrast can be seen in a person who believes things will get better despite difficulties versus one who believes there is no possibility of improvement. The former finds strength in faith and a belief in positive future outcomes, whereas the latter feels trapped and powerless.
iii. Hope - Definition: A feeling of expectation and desire for a certain outcome. The Biblical perspective: Described as a "settled confidence in the promises of God" and an assurance of a positive future, even while awaiting fulfillment.
1. Example: In the face of hardship, a person with hope might pray for strength and look for a way through, based on faith that there is a better future ahead.
b. Hopelessness
i. Definition: The complete loss or absence of hope.
ii. Despair: A force that drains joy, kills ambition, and can feel like a downward spiral. Hope is its direct opposite and the strongest weapon against it.
iii. Behavioral and emotional impact: Can manifest as apathy, despair, and the belief that one's situation is unchangeable.
1. Example: In a classic psychology experiment, dogs that were initially exposed to a negative stimulus (shock) and found no way to escape, would later give up and not even try to escape when a solution was made available. This is known as "learned helplessness," which is a form of hopelessness, as described in this YouTube video.
c. How to move from hopelessness to hope
i. Recognize the presence of hope: Even in the midst of suffering, hope can be found in God's promises, peace, and strength.
ii. Pray for hope: You can pray for hope to fill you, asking to be filled with joy and peace.
iii. Act with faith: Actions can eventually align with faith as you believe God's promises and seek a way forward, as described in this Facebook post.
iv. Find strength in God: God is described as a "strong fortress" and a source of strength, particularly for those who are weary.
v. Don't give up: Hope is a form of enduring confidence in God's promises, and even in times of trouble, you can trust that God is working and will provide a future and a hope.
Conclusion:
Comparison of a Star and in the sky when Jesus was born and The Northern Lights:
Imagine standing beneath a sky so alive, so vibrant, that it feels as if heaven itself has opened up to display God’s glory.
If you are in the right place at the right time, you might get a chance to witness one of nature’s most awe-inspiring spectacles, the northern lights, or aurora borealis.
The sheer beauty of this phenomenon is breathtaking. Swirling waves of green, purple, and sometimes even red and blue, paint the sky like a celestial masterpiece.
But what makes it truly remarkable isn’t just the colors or the lights themselves. It’s what they represent—God’s infinite creativity and majesty.
When we look up and see the northern lights, we’re not just seeing pretty lights in the sky. We’re witnessing God’s handiwork in action, His power displayed in a way that reminds us of how small we are and how magnificent He is the northern lights in its full display with a text overlay that says The Northern Lights: A Glimpse of God's Majestic Power
The Science Behind the Northern Lights
The northern lights happen when charged particles from the sun collide with atoms in Earth’s atmosphere. These collisions produce flashes of light, which then swirl and shift due to Earth’s magnetic field. Scientists call it a geomagnetic storm when it’s strong, like what’s expected tonight. And while this explanation is fascinating, I can’t help but feel that even the most detailed science can’t fully capture the awe these lights evoke. Think about it—how these lights are set into motion by forces beyond our control, far above our heads, in a realm we rarely consider. It’s easy to get lost in the noise of daily life and forget about the grandeur of the universe. But when the northern lights appear, it’s as if God is whispering, “Look up. I am here. I am powerful. I am in control.”
What do we need to know from this message?
Answer: The zeal of the Lord (kin - Adonai) has put in motion your deliverance from darkness and sin. But you must get a vision of this child – you must get a vision of this child in the throne room of Heaven – your must see that this child has brought light into darkness and has set you free – it’s no longer a promise that is coming but it is a promise that has been delivered by God – But you have to see Him in His glory and see Him in the manger and connect the dots and be set free – He want you free – He wants you holy – He wants you in his family – He wants you to know – that the best thing you can do this Christmas is to Believe!
Why do they need to know this?
Answer: Why – they need to know that they do not have to suffer in the darkness or stay oppressed in this world. There is a way to experience the divine light of Jesus our Savior. Yes, their is a way out of the darkness – it’s found in the manger child and the slain lamb of God – do you see him before the throne – is it impacting you?
What do they need to do?
Answer: Can I suggest you start reading the promises of God this December and see Jesus through he promises – I understand there are 7, 485 promises – so start reading them and experiencing them – start going after the Promise! Peace is here for you to grab ahold of – light is here to lead you out of the darkness!
Why do they need to do this?
Answer: If you embrace the promises and the Child – the slain lamb you will be freed from the oppressor’s yoke – do you want to be free!
25 Promises of God:
God always keeps His promises (Num. 23:19, Ps. 146:6)
God created us and knows us (Ps. 139)
God chose us (Ps. 33:12, 2 Pet. 2:9)
God is always with us (Deut. 31:8)
God never forgets us (Is. 49:15-16)
God watches over our lives and keeps us from harm (Ps. 121)
God has plans to prosper us and give us hope (Jer. 29:11-13)
God strengthens us and helps us (Is. 41:10)
God fights for us (Ex. 14:14, Deut. 1:30, Deut. 3:22, Neh. 4:20, 2 Cor. 10:4-5)
God rewards us when we love our enemies (Lk. 6:35)
God is kind and cares for us (Ex. 34:6-7)
God always teaches and guides us (Ps. 32:8)
God is our hiding place and refuge (Ps. 32:7, Ps. 46:1)
God keeps us safe while we sleep (Ps. 4:8)
God protects us from the Evil One (2 Thess. 3:3)
God provides a way out of temptation (1 Cor. 10:13)
God comforts us (Is. 66:13, 2 Cor. 1:3-4)
God keeps us in peace (Is. 26:3, 12)
God exalts the humble (Jam. 4:10)
God meets all our needs (Phil. 4:19)
God gives us rest (Mat. 11:28)
God always forgives us when we confess to Him (1 John 1:9)
God give us eternal life (John 3:16-17)
God gives us victory over death (1 Corin. 15:3-4, 54-57)
Jesus is “yes” to all of God’s promises (2 Corin. 1:20-22)
Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:1-7)
