Anchoring Our Hope in Christ This Christmas
Summary
In today's gathering, we explored the theme of hope, particularly in the context of the Christmas season. We began by reflecting on the excitement and expectations that often accompany this time of year, such as the anticipation of gifts and family gatherings. However, these expectations can sometimes lead to disappointment or the "Christmas blues" when they are not met. This is because many of us place our hope in things that are ultimately fleeting or unreliable.
We delved into the concept of false hopes, identifying four common areas where people often misplace their hope: comfort, approval, control, and power. These false hopes can lead to dissatisfaction and stress, as they are based on temporary and often unattainable desires. Instead, we are encouraged to place our hope in something more steadfast and enduring.
Drawing from the Christmas story, we looked at Mary's response to the news of Jesus' birth. Her song, known as the Magnificat, is a powerful reminder of placing hope in what God has already done. Mary did not focus on the uncertainties of her future but celebrated God's past faithfulness and promises. This serves as a model for us to anchor our hope in God's unchanging nature and His fulfilled promises.
Furthermore, we discussed the importance of hoping in what God has promised to do. The birth of Jesus was a fulfillment of God's promise to send a Savior, and this promise extends to us today. We are reminded that God's promises are trustworthy, and we can have confidence in His ability to deliver us from our struggles and bring about ultimate salvation.
As we approach this Christmas season, let us shift our focus from temporary hopes to the eternal hope found in Christ. By doing so, we can experience true joy and peace, knowing that our hope is secure in the One who never fails.
Key Takeaways:
- False Hopes and Their Impact: Many people place their hope in comfort, approval, control, or power, which often leads to dissatisfaction and stress. These false hopes are temporary and unreliable, leaving us unfulfilled. Instead, we should seek a more enduring source of hope. [33:58]
- Mary's Example of Hope: Mary's song, the Magnificat, highlights the importance of placing hope in what God has already done. Her focus on God's past faithfulness serves as a model for us to anchor our hope in His unchanging nature and fulfilled promises. [44:26]
- God's Promises and Our Hope: The birth of Jesus was a fulfillment of God's promise to send a Savior. This promise extends to us today, reminding us that God's promises are trustworthy and that we can have confidence in His ability to deliver us from our struggles. [49:05]
- The Eternal Hope in Christ: As we approach Christmas, we are encouraged to shift our focus from temporary hopes to the eternal hope found in Christ. By doing so, we can experience true joy and peace, knowing that our hope is secure in the One who never fails. [50:59]
- Practical Steps to Anchor Our Hope: We are invited to reflect on what God has done for us and what He has promised to do. By writing these down, we can tangibly anchor our hope in God's faithfulness and promises, helping us to maintain a proper perspective during the Christmas season. [52:52]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[26:43] - Christmas Lists and Secret Desires
[29:13] - The Christmas Blues
[31:01] - False Hopes and Expectations
[32:24] - The Advent Series: Christmas List Hope
[33:58] - False Hope of Comfort
[34:53] - False Hope of Approval
[35:36] - False Hope of Control
[36:56] - False Hope of Power
[38:46] - A Hope That Will Not Let You Down
[40:41] - Hope in What God Has Done
[41:28] - Mary's Magnificat
[44:26] - Anchoring Hope in God's Faithfulness
[49:05] - Hope in God's Promises
[52:52] - Practical Steps to Anchor Our Hope
[57:27] - Invitation to Place Hope in Christ
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Theme of Hope in the Christmas Season
Bible Reading:
1. Luke 1:46-55 (Mary's Magnificat)
2. Lamentations 3:21-23
3. 2 Corinthians 1:10
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Observation Questions:
1. In Mary's Magnificat (Luke 1:46-55), what are some of the specific actions of God that Mary praises? How does she describe God's character?
2. According to the sermon, what are the four common areas where people often misplace their hope? [32:54]
3. How does the pastor describe the "Christmas blues," and what are some symptoms mentioned? [30:12]
4. What does the pastor suggest is the relationship between where we place our hope and the joy we experience? [31:01]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. Why might Mary have chosen to focus on God's past actions and character in her song rather than her current situation or future expectations? [44:26]
2. How does the pastor's discussion of false hopes (comfort, approval, control, power) challenge common cultural expectations during the Christmas season? [32:54]
3. In what ways does the pastor suggest that God's promises provide a more reliable source of hope compared to the false hopes mentioned? [49:05]
4. How does the pastor use the example of Mary's response to her situation to encourage the congregation to shift their focus during the Christmas season? [47:19]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on the four false hopes mentioned in the sermon: comfort, approval, control, and power. Which of these do you find yourself most tempted to rely on, and how can you begin to shift your hope to something more enduring? [32:54]
2. Consider the symptoms of the "Christmas blues" discussed in the sermon. Have you experienced any of these feelings during past holiday seasons? How might shifting your focus to God's promises help alleviate these feelings? [30:12]
3. Mary's song focuses on what God has already done. What are some specific ways you can remind yourself of God's past faithfulness in your life this Christmas season? [44:26]
4. The pastor encourages us to hope in what God has promised to do. What is one promise of God that you can hold onto this season, and how can it impact your daily life? [49:05]
5. How can you practically anchor your hope in God's faithfulness and promises during the Christmas season? Consider writing down specific instances of God's faithfulness in your life as suggested in the sermon. [52:52]
6. The pastor mentioned the importance of placing hope in Christ for true joy and peace. What steps can you take to ensure that your focus remains on Christ amidst the busyness of the holiday season? [50:59]
7. How can you share the message of eternal hope in Christ with someone who might be struggling with false hopes or the "Christmas blues" this season? [57:27]
Devotional
Day 1: The Illusion of False Hopes
Many people find themselves placing hope in areas such as comfort, approval, control, or power, which are ultimately unreliable and temporary. These false hopes often lead to dissatisfaction and stress because they are based on fleeting desires that cannot provide lasting fulfillment. Instead of anchoring our lives on these unstable foundations, we are encouraged to seek a more enduring source of hope. By recognizing the transient nature of these false hopes, we can begin to shift our focus towards something more steadfast and reliable. [33:58]
Jeremiah 17:5-6 (ESV): "Thus says the Lord: 'Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the Lord. He is like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see any good come. He shall dwell in the parched places of the wilderness, in an uninhabited salt land.'"
Reflection: Identify one area in your life where you have placed your hope in something temporary. How can you begin to shift your focus towards a more enduring source of hope today?
Day 2: Mary's Model of Hope
Mary's response to the news of Jesus' birth, as captured in the Magnificat, serves as a profound example of where to place our hope. Instead of dwelling on the uncertainties of her future, Mary celebrated God's past faithfulness and promises. Her song is a testament to the importance of anchoring our hope in what God has already done. By focusing on God's unchanging nature and fulfilled promises, we can find a stable foundation for our hope, even amidst life's uncertainties. [44:26]
Luke 1:46-49 (ESV): "And Mary said, 'My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name.'"
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you experienced God's faithfulness in your life. How can this memory help you anchor your hope in Him today?
Day 3: Trusting in God's Promises
The birth of Jesus was a fulfillment of God's promise to send a Savior, a promise that extends to us today. This reminder of God's trustworthiness encourages us to place our hope in His promises, knowing that He is capable of delivering us from our struggles. By focusing on what God has promised to do, we can find assurance and confidence in His ability to bring about ultimate salvation. This perspective allows us to navigate life's challenges with a sense of peace and hope. [49:05]
2 Peter 1:4 (ESV): "By which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire."
Reflection: What is one promise of God that you find difficult to trust in? How can you remind yourself of His faithfulness in this area today?
Day 4: The Eternal Hope in Christ
As we approach the Christmas season, we are encouraged to shift our focus from temporary hopes to the eternal hope found in Christ. This shift allows us to experience true joy and peace, knowing that our hope is secure in the One who never fails. By anchoring our lives in the eternal hope of Christ, we can navigate the ups and downs of life with a sense of stability and assurance. This perspective transforms our approach to the Christmas season, allowing us to celebrate with a deeper sense of meaning and purpose. [50:59]
Hebrews 6:19-20 (ESV): "We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek."
Reflection: How can you intentionally focus on the eternal hope in Christ during this Christmas season? What practical steps can you take to keep this hope at the forefront of your mind?
Day 5: Anchoring Our Hope in God's Faithfulness
We are invited to reflect on what God has done for us and what He has promised to do. By writing these down, we can tangibly anchor our hope in God's faithfulness and promises, helping us maintain a proper perspective during the Christmas season. This practice not only strengthens our faith but also provides a source of encouragement and hope as we navigate life's challenges. By keeping a record of God's faithfulness, we can remind ourselves of His unchanging nature and the reliability of His promises. [52:52]
Psalm 77:11-12 (ESV): "I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your wonders of old. I will ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds."
Reflection: Take a moment to write down three specific ways God has been faithful to you in the past. How can these reminders help you anchor your hope in Him today?
Quotes
There we go. Good morning, church. These are some of our favorite Sundays where we get to dedicate children to the Lord, just like Jesus was dedicated, and their commitment to raise them up to know the Lord. How many of you woke up today surprised it was the Lord? Anybody? [00:25:43] (19 seconds)
Oftentimes we have a false hope. A false hope of comfort. Where what we're seeking is eventual comfort. Where I want easy. Many of us are hoping for things to be easy. The endless search for efficiency so that I don't have to struggle. Or the avoidance of difficult. Because that's the antithesis of comfort. [00:33:58] (22 seconds)
We were made to produce. We were made to bear fruit. We were made to do hard things that matter. We were made for purpose. That's why you're more fulfilled when you get a big project done that you're, you know, you've been trying to complete than you are fulfilled at the end of a vacation. Because we were made to do. [00:34:53] (17 seconds)
Maybe you have a false hope of control where if I can just manage things I'll be good and this is a big one at Christmas because you work tirelessly at traditions so that you can be the good mom be the good dad or place settings or maybe massaging relationships so that cousin so and so doesn't sit by the cousin that they don't like so that we can have that good family dinner. [00:36:56] (25 seconds)
I want to tell you on the first day of the month, there is a hope that will not let you down. Before you get to the Christmas blues, before you start to level up on these things and place your hope in them, I want you to know there is a hope that will not let you down and you need to decide it today rather than December 26th. [00:38:46] (22 seconds)
You want to get your hope right this Christmas and not have those false hopes? Don't hope in the future. Hope in what God has already done. See, there's something that happens in the Christmas story that never gets talked about. [00:40:41] (11 seconds)
Mary's joy and hope were not based in some future event. Her hope was not in something that, some expectation or whatever, something that might happen on December 24th or 5th or 6th. Her hope was first anchored in what she had already seen God do. [00:44:26] (18 seconds)
Mary placed her hope in the track record that God has and his faithfulness. And I want you to know that you can hope, not because of something we don't know about in the future, but you can hope because we know a God who's never changed. [00:47:43] (13 seconds)
See, if we look at the Christmas story, Jesus' coming had clear intentions for what God was planning to do. Here was the kind of the promise he made right there at that first Christmas. Here's what he said. [00:48:55] (11 seconds)
And as we've already said, the evidence of what he has done gives us hope in his continued promise that he will save to the uttermost, those who place their faith in him. [00:50:59] (12 seconds)
So rather than placing your hope today, December 1st, in comfort or in approval or control or in power, I want to tangibly help you today get your hope right this Christmas. [00:52:52] (16 seconds)
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