Anticipating God's Promises: Faith, Hope, and Relationship
Summary
The sermon explores the theme of God's desire for a relationship with humanity and the anticipation of a future where this relationship is fully realized. It begins by emphasizing the importance of looking towards the future that God has promised, which includes a new heaven and new earth where people live in paradise with Him. The speaker encourages the audience to focus on Jesus, the Messiah, and the hope He brings, while not getting distracted by worldly matters.
The sermon acknowledges the distractions and temptations of the world but urges the audience to keep their eyes on heaven for a better perspective on life. It concludes with a prayer for clarity and understanding, reaffirming hope and identity in Jesus. The speaker reminds the congregation of their identity as children of God, called to represent Him in all aspects of life, and to bear His name in the world.
The narrative of God desiring to cohabitate with His people is traced from the Garden of Eden to the promise made to Abraham, the tabernacle, the temple, and ultimately through Jesus' life, death, and resurrection. The church is presented as a place for imperfect humanity to have a relationship with God and with one another, with the hope of Advent signaling Jesus' return to establish a new perfect relationship with His people.
The sermon also emphasizes the responsibility of representing oneself in a way that brings blessings to others, holding onto the responsibility that comes with bearing God's name. The speaker introduces the topic of Advent, focusing on the themes of hope, peace, joy, and love, and invites the congregation to celebrate these in the weeks leading up to Christmas. Abraham's faith and willingness to wait for God's promises are highlighted, as he looked forward to the city of God.
The importance of not aligning with the world's systems and philosophies is discussed, with a call to lay down worldly attitudes and actions and connect to Jesus. The speaker warns against loving the world to the point of losing one's destiny and inheritance, encouraging a focus on Jesus and the better future God has called them to.
Abraham's story is used as a model for obeying God's promises, leaving behind the past, and trusting in God's promises despite delays or current realities. The speaker contrasts God's faithfulness with the common experience of broken promises, particularly by politicians, and emphasizes that God always keeps His promises.
The sermon criticizes the prevalent religion of self-reliance and humanism, using the story of Abraham's call to leave paganism and idolatry to bear God's name in the world. The speaker reminds the audience that friendship with the world is enmity with God.
Finally, the speaker discusses the significance of Abraham in the Bible, his faith, obedience, and anticipation of something greater, relating it to the Advent of Jesus. The Tower of Babel is presented as a symbol of humanism, and the speaker warns against this false belief, emphasizing that only through God coming down to humanity can a relationship be established. The concept of living in the middle of an unfulfilled promise is explored, with the encouragement that God is preparing both the promise and the believer for its fulfillment.
Key Takeaways:
- The anticipation of a new heaven and new earth is a central hope for Christians, serving as a reminder to live with an eternal perspective and to prioritize spiritual matters over worldly distractions. This hope is rooted in the biblical narrative and is meant to shape how believers engage with the world around them. [37:41]
- Representing God in every aspect of life is a profound responsibility for believers. Bearing the name of Jesus means reflecting His character and love in all interactions, whether at work, home, or in the community. This representation is a form of worship and a testament to the transformative power of the Gospel. [39:51]
- The church is not just a gathering place but a community where imperfect people can experience a relationship with God and with one another. This community is a foretaste of the perfect relationship that will be realized when Jesus returns, highlighting the importance of fellowship and unity among believers. [36:22]
- Abraham's example of faith and obedience, leaving behind his past and looking forward to God's promises, serves as a model for Christians today. It challenges believers to trust in God's timing and to live by faith, even when the fulfillment of God's promises seems distant or uncertain. [09:36]
- The sermon warns against the allure of self-reliance and humanism, which are at odds with the Christian faith. True relationship with God is not achieved through human effort but through God's initiative in coming down to humanity, as demonstrated in the story of Advent. This underscores the need for humility and dependence on God. [18:44]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Hebrews 11:8-10 (ESV)
> By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God.
2. Genesis 12:1-4 (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.” So Abram went, as the Lord had told him, and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran.
3. James 4:4 (ESV)
> You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.
#### Observation Questions
1. What did God ask Abraham to leave behind in Genesis 12:1-4?
2. According to Hebrews 11:8-10, what was Abraham looking forward to, and how did he live in the land of promise?
3. How does James 4:4 describe the relationship between friendship with the world and enmity with God? ([21:17])
4. What are the four themes of Advent mentioned in the sermon, and how do they build on each other? ([01:07])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think God asked Abraham to leave his country, kindred, and father's house? What might this signify about Abraham's faith and obedience? ([09:36])
2. How does the concept of living in the middle of an unfulfilled promise, as Abraham did, apply to our lives today? ([25:07])
3. What does it mean to bear God's name in the world, and how is this a form of worship according to the sermon? ([39:51])
4. How does the sermon describe the dangers of self-reliance and humanism, and why is it important to depend on God instead? ([18:44])
#### Application Questions
1. Abraham left behind his past to follow God's call. Is there something in your life that God might be asking you to leave behind? How can you take a step of faith in this area? ([09:36])
2. Living in the middle of an unfulfilled promise can be challenging. How can you maintain hope and faith while waiting for God's promises to be fulfilled in your life? ([25:07])
3. Bearing God's name means representing Him in all aspects of life. Think of a recent interaction at work, home, or in your community. How did you reflect (or fail to reflect) God's character and love in that situation? ([39:51])
4. The sermon warns against the allure of self-reliance and humanism. Are there areas in your life where you rely more on your own strength than on God? How can you shift your dependence to Him? ([18:44])
5. The anticipation of a new heaven and new earth is a central hope for Christians. How can you keep an eternal perspective in your daily life, especially when faced with worldly distractions? ([37:41])
6. Abraham's story is a model of faith and obedience. What is one specific way you can demonstrate obedience to God's call in your life this week, even if the outcome is uncertain? ([09:36])
7. The sermon emphasizes the importance of fellowship and unity among believers. How can you contribute to building a stronger sense of community within your church or small group? ([36:22])
Devotional
Day 1: Living with Eternal Perspective
Eternal hope shapes life's priorities, encouraging believers to rise above the transient and focus on the everlasting promises of God. This perspective fosters resilience against worldly distractions and anchors one's life in the anticipation of a new heaven and earth. [37:41]
Hebrews 13:14 - "For here we do not have an enduring city, but we are looking for the city that is to come."
Reflection: How can you adjust your daily priorities to better reflect the eternal hope you have in Christ?
Day 2: Reflecting Christ in All Things
Bearing Jesus' name involves a daily commitment to embody His love and character, transforming every interaction into an opportunity to witness the Gospel's power. This responsibility extends to all areas of life, serving as a living testament to God's grace. [39:51]
1 Peter 2:12 - "Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us."
Reflection: In what ways can you more intentionally reflect Christ's character in your personal and professional relationships?
Day 3: Embracing Community and Fellowship
The church is a sanctuary for imperfect people to connect with God and each other, previewing the perfect communion to come. This fellowship is vital for spiritual growth and unity, offering a glimpse of heaven on earth. [36:22]
Ephesians 4:2-3 - "Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace."
Reflection: How can you contribute to the unity and growth of your church community this week?
Day 4: Faithful Obedience to God's Timing
Like Abraham, believers are called to trust in God's promises and timing, even when the path is unclear. This trust requires leaving behind past comforts and stepping forward in faith, knowing that God's plans are worth the wait. [09:36]
Hebrews 11:8-9 - "By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to exercise more faith and patience in God's promises?
Day 5: Rejecting Self-Reliance for Divine Dependence
The Christian journey is marked by a rejection of self-reliance and humanism, embracing instead a humble dependence on God's initiative. This reliance is exemplified in the Advent story, where God reaches down to humanity. [18:44]
James 4:6 - "But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: 'God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.'"
Reflection: How can you practice humility and reliance on God in a situation where you typically depend on your own strength?
Quotes
"When people interact with you, they should be blessed by that interaction because of the name that you bear. That's a big responsibility but it's an important one to hold on to." [40:25] (Download)
"Worldliness is when our attitudes and our actions leave God out of the equation. When we do things according to our own wisdom, according to our own strength, when God is not factored in—that's worldliness." [22:33] (Download)
"Do not love the world so much that you're willing to lose your destiny, your inheritance, your promise because you've become too comfortable here. Keep your eyes on Jesus, recognize that what we are experiencing now is not your forever place." [23:51] (Download)
"If you learn to look at Heaven, you will live better on Earth. If you learn to have your eyes on what God is doing and what God desires for your future, you will live better here on Earth." [38:22] (Download)
"The promises of God are faithful; we would place our hope and identity in the one who makes promises that he keeps, and not look to the systems of this world and its faulty promises." [39:06] (Download)
"As we leave here today, remember that you are a child of God, that you represent Him at work, in your home, and in your neighborhood." [39:51] (Download)
"Aren't you glad that God is not a candidate who's running for office? If God makes a promise, God is faithful to fulfill his word. That's the character of our God." [06:45] (Download)
"God is looking for a people who desire not to build their own name but rather to carry my name into all the Earth." [20:35] (Download)
"This idea where God is looking to cohabitate with his people is a theme that weaves all the way through the scriptures, you recognize this all the way through the scriptures from the very beginning." [34:45] (Download)
"The only way for humans to be with God is if God comes down to us. There is no amount of effort, strength, wisdom, science, power, or money that we can accumulate by which we will ever achieve access to God." [18:00] (Download)
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