Anchored in Hope: Christ's Promise and Future Glory

Devotional

Day 1: The Thread of Hope in God's Story

Hope is a central theme throughout the Bible, woven into the stories of creation, fall, and redemption. From the Garden of Eden, where Adam and Eve were given a hopeful mandate to steward creation, to the promise of a Redeemer amidst the fall, hope is a constant thread. This hope is seen in the lives of Abraham, Joseph, and David, who all trusted in God's promises despite long periods of waiting and uncertainty. Their stories remind us of the enduring nature of hope, even when fulfillment seems distant. The hope that God offers is not just a fleeting feeling but a steadfast assurance rooted in His faithfulness. [02:56]

Genesis 12:1-3 (ESV): "Now the Lord said to Abram, 'Go from your country and your kindred and your father's house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.'"

Reflection: Consider a promise from God that you are waiting to see fulfilled. How can you actively trust in His faithfulness today, even when the wait seems long?

Day 2: The Unexpected Fulfillment of Hope

The birth of Jesus fulfilled the long-awaited hope of a Savior. His life, death, and resurrection demonstrate that God's ways are often unexpected, yet they lead to ultimate victory and redemption. The prophecy in Isaiah 9 speaks of a child born to us, a son given, whose government and peace will have no end. This promise sustained God's people through centuries of waiting, as they anticipated the coming of a Savior. The path to glory was unexpected, as the Savior's victory came through His death and resurrection, breaking the chains of sin and opening the way back to God. [09:34]

Isaiah 9:6-7 (ESV): "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this."

Reflection: Reflect on a time when God fulfilled a promise in an unexpected way. How can this experience shape your trust in His plans for your future?

Day 3: Anticipating Future Promises

Hope is not just about remembering past events but looking forward to future promises. As believers, we anticipate Christ's return, where He will establish His eternal kingdom and make all things new. Revelation 5 paints a vivid picture of this future hope, where the Lamb, who was slain, is found worthy to open the scroll and bring about God's final judgment and renewal of creation. This vision assures us that our hope is not in vain, for the Lamb has conquered and will reign forever. [13:59]

Revelation 5:9-10 (ESV): "And they sang a new song, saying, 'Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.'"

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to hold onto the hope of Christ's return? How can this hope influence your actions and decisions today?

Day 4: The Worthiness of the Lamb

Revelation 5 reveals the Lamb who was slain as the only one worthy to open the scroll, symbolizing God's final judgment and renewal. This vision assures us that our hope is secure in Christ's victory. The Lamb's worthiness is not just a future promise but a present reality that empowers us to live with confidence and purpose. As we celebrate this Advent season, let us not only remember the cradle and the cross but also anticipate the crown. Our hope is anchored in the promise of Christ's return, where He will establish His eternal kingdom. [25:17]

Revelation 5:12-13 (ESV): "Saying with a loud voice, 'Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!' And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, 'To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!'"

Reflection: How does the worthiness of the Lamb influence your understanding of your own worth and purpose? What steps can you take to align your life with this truth today?

Day 5: Living with Joyful Anticipation

Our hope should inspire us to live with joy and anticipation, much like children eagerly awaiting Christmas. We are called to build our lives on the promise of Christ's return and the renewal of all creation. This hope should fill us with joy and eagerness, as we look forward to the day when all things will be made new. As we celebrate this Advent season, let us not only remember the cradle and the cross but also anticipate the crown. Our hope is anchored in the promise of Christ's return, where He will establish His eternal kingdom. [28:48]

1 Peter 1:3-5 (ESV): "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time."

Reflection: What is one practical way you can live with joyful anticipation of Christ's return this week? How can this anticipation transform your daily interactions and mindset?

Sermon Summary

Reflecting on the theme of hope, we journey through the scriptures to uncover the profound and abundant hope that God has woven throughout His story. From the very beginning in the Garden of Eden, where Adam and Eve were given a hopeful mandate to steward creation, to the promise of a Redeemer amidst the fall, hope is a constant thread. This hope is seen in the lives of Abraham, Joseph, and David, who all trusted in God's promises despite long periods of waiting and uncertainty. Their stories remind us of the enduring nature of hope, even when fulfillment seems distant.

The prophecy in Isaiah 9 speaks of a child born to us, a son given, whose government and peace will have no end. This promise sustained God's people through centuries of waiting, as they anticipated the coming of a Savior. The birth of Jesus, heralded by angels to shepherds, marked the fulfillment of this hope. Yet, the path to glory was unexpected, as the Savior's victory came through His death and resurrection, breaking the chains of sin and opening the way back to God.

However, our hope does not rest solely in past events. Hope is inherently future-oriented, and as believers, we look forward to the return of Christ, the King who will make all things new. Revelation 5 paints a vivid picture of this future hope, where the Lamb, who was slain, is found worthy to open the scroll and bring about God's final judgment and renewal of creation. This vision assures us that our hope is not in vain, for the Lamb has conquered and will reign forever.

As we celebrate this Advent season, let us not only remember the cradle and the cross but also anticipate the crown. Our hope is anchored in the promise of Christ's return, where He will establish His eternal kingdom. This hope should fill us with joy and eagerness, much like children anticipating Christmas morning. Let us build our lives on this sure and steady promise, looking forward to the day when all things will be made new.

Key Takeaways

1. awaited hope of a Savior. His life, death, and resurrection demonstrate that God's ways are often unexpected, yet they lead to ultimate victory and redemption. [09:34]
3. Future-Oriented Hope: Hope is not just about remembering past events but looking forward to future promises. As believers, we anticipate Christ's return, where He will establish His eternal kingdom and make all things new.

4. The Worthy Lamb: Revelation 5 reveals the Lamb who was slain as the only one worthy to open the scroll, symbolizing God's final judgment and renewal. This vision assures us that our hope is secure in Christ's victory.

5. Living in Hope: Our hope should inspire us to live with joy and anticipation, much like children eagerly awaiting Christmas. We are called to build our lives on the promise of Christ's return and the renewal of all creation.

** [09:34]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:01] - The Abundance of Hope in Scripture
[01:56] - Hope from the Garden to the Fall
[02:56] - Abraham's Story of Hope
[04:34] - David's Hopeful Journey
[05:37] - Prophecies of Hope
[06:39] - The Long Wait for the Savior
[08:17] - The Fulfillment of Hope in Christ
[09:34] - Creation's Longing for Redemption
[10:25] - The Unexpected Path to Victory
[11:29] - The Empty Tomb and Renewed Hope
[12:21] - The Importance of Repeating the Gospel
[13:20] - Hope as a Future Emotion
[14:34] - Revelation 5: A Vision of Future Hope
[15:21] - The Worthy Lamb and the Scroll
[18:09] - The Heavenly Worship of God
[19:47] - The Search for Worthiness
[20:45] - John's Weeping and the Elder's Assurance
[23:03] - The Lamb with Total Authority
[25:17] - The Lamb's Worthiness and New Creation
[26:54] - A New Song in Heaven
[27:50] - Our Hope in Future Promises
[28:48] - Living with Joyful Anticipation
[30:06] - Closing Prayer and Reflection

Sermon Clips

"From the beginning in the Garden of Eden, where Adam and Eve are given this beautiful, hopeful mandate from their creator to steward the earth. To be fruitful and to multiply. To glory in their creator and his created work. What a beautiful, hopeful beginning to God's story." [00:02:19] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"Joseph, at the end of his life, had hope that God would bring his people out of the land of Egypt, to the land of their inheritance. He had such complete hope and trust in God that he made his sons promise to bring his bones up with them when they left the land of his affliction." [00:03:44] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"How incredible is it that if God is a promise-keeping God, as he has shown himself to be over and over again throughout the generations of history, then this would be the type of promise that could sustain a people through generations of doubt and darkness and silence? And it did." [00:06:46] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"The angel said to them, Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day, in the city of David, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord." [00:09:16] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"Repeating the gospel to one another is one of the best ways I know to maintain our hope today amidst these crazy and all too often dark and tragic world we live in." [00:12:52] (15 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"See, hope is an emotion of the future. It is a longing for and a desire to see something happen in the future. And I think there is still a great and assured hope waiting for us who are believers in this gospel." [00:14:03] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"And John writes, Then I saw in the right hand of him who was seated on the throne a scroll written within and on the back, sealed with seven seals. And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the scroll and to break its seals?" [00:15:11] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"The lion of the tribe of Judah, the root of David, has conquered so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals. John, dry your tears. Someone is worthy after all. Someone, you know very well. Someone who has paid a steep price for this position." [00:22:40] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"New things happen in heaven and ultimately new things will happen across all of God's creation. That's what the book of Revelation is about. That's why it is such a hopeful, beautiful book. It is a book about how God's King has come to make all things right across every inch of his creation." [00:26:23] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"Allow yourself to reflect on and revel in the coming promises of God, looking forward and speaking to one another like a people hoping for a greater kingdom. We should look forward like we have a greater home coming." [00:28:59] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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