Active Hope: Engaging with God's Promises

 

Summary

The sermon series "Hopeflix" focuses on the theme of binging on the promises of God, as opposed to worldly distractions. The speaker, Pastor Edward Mun, encourages the congregation to engage in daily devotionals and join the church's WhatsApp group for spiritual support. The sermon draws from biblical narratives, such as the story of Simeon in Luke Chapter 2, who eagerly awaited the Messiah, and the story in Acts chapter 27, where a crew lost hope during a storm at sea. The speaker uses these stories to illustrate the transformative power of hope in lifting others, promoting good mental health, and influencing society.

The speaker also emphasizes the importance of active waiting, aligning actions with God's promises, and maintaining anticipation for their fulfillment. The examples of Anna and Simeon are highlighted, who continued to worship, pray, and believe in the coming of the Messiah. The speaker compares this to a farmer preparing the ground before the rain, suggesting that each moment of waiting brings us closer to the harvest of God's promises.

In the midst of storms and uncertainty, the speaker urges the congregation to trust in God's timing, stating that God's delays are not denials but Divine appointments. The story of Joseph is used to illustrate that despite delays and detours, God's promises will be fulfilled. The speaker also discusses the importance of anticipation, which is not based on a derived feeling of expectation but is an action-driven perspective, driven by the Spirit of God.

The sermon includes practical applications, such as a seven-day devotional to help engage actively in waiting and an invitation to upcoming events like a prayer circle and movie nights. The speaker also leads the congregation in a song of praise and prayer for offerings, highlighting the importance of giving as part of worship.

Key Takeaways:

- Hope is not a passive state but an active engagement with God's promises. It is a confident assurance that is grounded in the unchanging nature of God and serves as an anchor in the face of life's challenges. The examples of Anna and Simeon, who hoped against all odds, teach us that hope shines brightest in the darkest circumstances and that active waiting is an intentional engagement with God's faithfulness. [01:00:43]

- Active waiting is a form of investment in God's perfect plan. It is not a lack of something to do but an opportunity to prepare for the fulfillment of God's promises. Like a farmer preparing the ground before the rain, believers are encouraged to stay active in their waiting, ready to receive what God has in store for them. [01:03:43]

- Anticipation is a promise that carries believers through difficult times. It is not found in calm seasons but in the chaos and waiting. The speaker prays that listeners will find strength and anticipation through active waiting, trusting in God's perfect timing. This anticipation has historically carried many through hardships and will continue to do so. [01:10:31]

- Trusting in God's perfect timing is essential. Every experience in life is woven together by God into a perfect life story, and only He knows the fullness of that story. Just as Jesus was sent at the precise moment in history, our lives unfold according to God's Divine timetable. God's delays are not denials but Divine appointments, as seen in the story of Joseph. [01:07:06]

- Anticipation involves allowing the Spirit of God to open our eyes to His plans and making room for His fulfillment. It leads to action and a willingness to take bold risks by faith. Anticipation is not passive waiting but actively positioning ourselves for God's purposes, an expression of faith in the face of the enemy's attempts to alter God's plan for our lives. [54:05]

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Luke 2:25-38 (The story of Simeon and Anna)
2. Acts 27:20 (Paul and the storm at sea)
3. Galatians 4:4 (God's perfect timing)

#### Observation Questions
1. What was Simeon eagerly waiting for, and how did he respond when he saw Jesus? (Luke 2:25-32)
2. How did Anna spend her time while waiting for the Messiah, and what did she do when she saw Jesus? (Luke 2:36-38)
3. In Acts 27:20, what was the crew's reaction to the storm, and what does this reveal about their state of hope? [36:08]
4. According to Galatians 4:4, what does the phrase "when the fullness of time had come" imply about God's timing?

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the story of Simeon and Anna illustrate the concept of "active waiting"? [50:42]
2. What can we learn from Paul's experience in Acts 27 about maintaining hope in the face of uncertainty? [36:08]
3. How does the idea of God's perfect timing in Galatians 4:4 challenge our understanding of delays and detours in our lives? [07:06]
4. What role does anticipation play in the lives of believers, according to the sermon? [52:45]

#### Application Questions
1. Simeon and Anna demonstrated active waiting through worship and prayer. How can you incorporate these practices into your daily routine to stay hopeful? [50:42]
2. Reflect on a time when you faced a "storm" in your life. How did you maintain or lose hope during that period? What can you do differently next time? [36:08]
3. The sermon emphasized that God's delays are not denials but Divine appointments. How can this perspective change the way you view current challenges or delays in your life? [07:06]
4. How can you actively prepare for the fulfillment of God's promises in your life, similar to how a farmer prepares the ground before the rain? [05:45]
5. The sermon mentioned the importance of anticipation driven by the Spirit of God. What steps can you take to allow the Spirit to guide your actions and decisions this week? [52:45]
6. How can you support others in your community who may be losing hope, similar to how Paul encouraged his shipmates during the storm? [40:48]
7. The sermon series "Hopeflix" encourages binging on God's promises. What specific promises from the Bible can you focus on this week to strengthen your hope and anticipation? [38:48]

Devotional

Day 1: Hope as Active Engagement
Hope is a dynamic force, a confident assurance that anchors one in the tumult of life. It shines brightest when circumstances are most challenging, and it is through active waiting—worship, prayer, and belief—that hope's transformative power is most evident. This engagement with God's faithfulness is a beacon in the darkness, guiding one towards the fulfillment of His promises. [01:00:43]

Hebrews 6:19 - "We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain."
Reflection: How can you actively engage with hope in your current circumstances, and what practical steps can you take to anchor your soul in God's promises?

Day 2: Investment in God's Plan
Active waiting is not a passive state but an investment in the fruition of God's perfect plan. It is a time to prepare, to till the soil of one's heart, and to ready oneself for the coming harvest of blessings. Like a farmer before the rain, believers are called to be proactive in their faith, trusting that their labor in the Lord is not in vain. [01:03:43]

James 5:7-8 - "Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and late rains. You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand."
Reflection: In what ways can you prepare your heart and actions for the fulfillment of God's promises while you wait?

Day 3: Anticipation Through Chaos
Anticipation is a steadfast promise that carries one through the storms of life. It is not a feeling that arises in tranquility but a Spirit-driven perspective that emerges in the midst of chaos and waiting. This anticipation is a source of strength, guiding believers to trust in God's perfect timing and to find joy in the journey towards His promises. [01:10:31]

Romans 5:3-4 - "Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope."
Reflection: How can you cultivate a spirit of anticipation in your current trials, and what does it mean to find joy in the journey?

Day 4: Trusting in Divine Timing
Every moment in life is intricately woven by God into a perfect narrative, with His timing being impeccable and purposeful. Trusting in this Divine timing means understanding that delays are not denials but appointments set by God. This trust is essential for navigating life's journey, recognizing that the fullness of one's story is known only to the Creator. [01:07:06]

Ecclesiastes 3:11 - "He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end."
Reflection: Can you recall a time when a delay turned out to be a Divine appointment? How can this perspective change the way you view current waiting periods in your life?

Day 5: Anticipation as Faith in Action
Anticipation is not a passive state but an active positioning of oneself for the fulfillment of God's purposes. It is a faith-driven willingness to take bold risks, to make room for God's plans, and to stand firm against any attempt to alter the Divine trajectory of one's life. This anticipation is an expression of faith that opens one's eyes to the possibilities that God has laid out. [54:05]

Habakkuk 2:3 - "For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay."
Reflection: What bold step of faith can you take today to position yourself for the fulfillment of God's promises in your life?

Quotes

"We have to binge on Hope and so this sermon series hopeles binging on the Promises of God that's what we'll be doing." [39:30] (Download)

"Hope is the only light that pushes out the darkness of the Soul." [40:48] (Download)

"Give them hope because it causes them to begin to rise, to begin to believe again and to begin to trust again." [40:48] (Download)

"I am saying to us, it is time to binge on hope. We are calling this sermon series Hope Flick because we are saying that, in instead of binging on Netflix, it's time to binge on God's promises, the things that God has promised us in His word." [38:48] (Download)

"In the Journey of life, every second, every minute, every experience, and every encounter is woven together by God into the perfect life story, and the fullness of that story is only known by God, the author and perfector of our faith, the master Weaver." [01:07:06] (Download)

"God's delays are not denials but Divine appointments. Consider the story of Joseph in the Old Testament; his journey from the pit to the Palace was marked by delays and detours, yet each twist in that plot served a greater purpose in God's perfect plan." [01:09:13] (Download)

"Our hope is not a passive wish but a robust living expectation that is grounded in the unchanging nature of God. It's an anchor that keeps us steady in the face of financial storms, political turbulence, personal trials, and challenges." [01:00:43] (Download)

"Active waiting involves intentional engagement with God. It is not sitting back but an active trust, an active anticipation, going back to God's promises that He will never leave us, that He is our Helper." [01:03:01] (Download)

"Waiting is not wasted time; it's invested time in God's perfect plan. It's a purposeful tending to the soil of our hearts, preparing for the harvest that we know for sure is coming because God keeps His word." [01:04:22] (Download)

"The promise of anticipation is not born in the calm but in the chaos, the promise of anticipation is not born in the seasons of things happening, it's in the waiting and holding on to God and trusting God even when we don't see or feel it." [01:11:14] (Download)

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Transcript
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