Embracing Anticipation: Awaiting God's Work in Our Lives
Summary
The sermon explores the theme of anticipation in the context of the arrival of the Messiah and its relevance to our daily lives. It begins by discussing the sense of anticipation that various individuals and groups, such as Simeon, Anna, and the Israelites, had for the coming of the Messiah. This anticipation was not only limited to humanity but extended to all of creation and the heavenly realms. The speaker notes that despite the brokenness in the world, there is a universal longing for God's mercy and redemption.
The importance of being open to God's work in our lives is emphasized, contrasting the closed-off attitudes of some religious-minded people with Mary's willingness to embrace God's will. The speaker reflects on personal experiences of becoming aware of God's work only in times of desperation and challenges the audience to be people of anticipation in every moment.
The sermon also touches on the difficulty of believing that God can work through our disarrayed lives, using the story of a man who desired to be used by God but was unwilling to wait and anticipate God's timing. The speaker encourages selflessness and compassion during seasons of waiting, using Mary as an example of someone centered on God's will.
The speaker greets the congregation and introduces the Advent Series "Overjoyed," emphasizing the importance of capturing joy during the holiday season, which can often be unjoyous. They acknowledge the dichotomy of the holiday season, filled with both joy and pain, and encourage the congregation to approach Advent with anticipation for God's new work.
The speaker prays for the Holy Spirit to guide their words and create a need within the listeners to make room for God in their lives. They encourage the congregation to anticipate and wait on God, drawing inspiration from the disciples who waited for the Spirit to empower them.
The sermon concludes with a call to approach the Advent season with hope and anticipation, so that when God shows up, we will be convinced that He is doing more than we could have imagined. The speaker reflects on the presence of God with Mary throughout her journey and the challenges she faced, suggesting that those open to anticipation would be more receptive to God's work.
The speaker emphasizes the importance of not engaging in empty religious behavior but focusing on the work of God, living with anticipation, and trusting that God's word will never fail. They reflect on childhood memories of Christmas and the anticipation felt by Mary, Joseph, and Elizabeth during the first Christmas.
The sermon challenges the audience to be people of anticipation, actively participating and expecting the fulfillment of God's promises. The speaker acknowledges the brokenness and doubts people may have and invites God to move into their space. They conclude by encouraging the congregation to be people of grace to the world around them.
Key Takeaways:
- Anticipation for the Messiah was a profound aspect of the lives of individuals like Simeon and Anna, as well as the collective longing of Israel and all creation. This anticipation reflects a deep-seated desire for redemption and the restoration of brokenness, which is a universal human experience. The sermon suggests that this anticipation is a model for how we should eagerly await God's work in our lives today. [35:08]
- The sermon highlights the importance of openness to God's will, as exemplified by Mary's response to the angel's message. It contrasts the missed opportunities to experience God's work due to preconceived notions with the blessings that come from surrendering to God's plan. This teaches us that anticipation involves a willingness to let go of our expectations and trust in God's greater purpose. [50:28]
- Waiting and anticipation can be transformative, leading to increased selflessness and compassion. The sermon uses Mary's life as an example of someone whose anticipation for God's work made her more attuned to the needs of others. This insight encourages us to view seasons of waiting as opportunities to grow in grace and service to those around us. [57:38]
- The sermon calls for a spirit of anticipation during the Advent season, urging us to expect God's new work in our lives rather than succumbing to sadness or grief. This perspective transforms how we approach not only the holiday season but also our daily walk with God, fostering a deeper sense of hope and readiness for His movement in our lives. [01:00:52]
- The presence of God in our lives is a constant, even amidst challenges and waiting. The sermon underscores that God's grace and favor are preparations for the difficult seasons we face. By anticipating God's work and aligning with His plans, we respond with trust and surrender, much like Mary did when faced with the angel's message. This takeaway encourages us to maintain faith and openness to God's guidance, regardless of our circumstances. [47:06]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Luke 1:26-38 (NLT)
- This passage describes the angel Gabriel's visit to Mary, announcing that she will conceive and give birth to Jesus, the Son of the Most High.
2. Romans 8:19-21 (NIV)
- "For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God."
3. Isaiah 40:31 (NIV)
- "But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."
#### Observation Questions
1. What was Mary’s initial reaction to the angel Gabriel’s message, and how did she respond ultimately? (Luke 1:29-38)
2. According to the sermon, who were some of the individuals and groups that anticipated the coming of the Messiah? [34:48]
3. How does the sermon describe the dichotomy of the holiday season? [31:48]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the role of anticipation in the lives of Simeon and Anna? [35:18]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does Mary’s response to Gabriel’s message reflect her anticipation and readiness for God’s work in her life? [47:32]
2. What does the sermon imply about the importance of being open to God’s will, using Mary as an example? [50:12]
3. How can the concept of anticipation transform our understanding of waiting and the challenges we face in life? [46:32]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the relationship between anticipation and selflessness, using Mary’s life as an example? [57:26]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt a deep sense of anticipation for something in your life. How did that anticipation affect your actions and mindset? How can you apply that same sense of anticipation to your spiritual life? [37:52]
2. Mary was open to God’s will despite the unexpected and challenging nature of Gabriel’s message. Are there areas in your life where you struggle to be open to God’s will? How can you work on surrendering those areas to Him? [50:42]
3. The sermon highlights the importance of waiting with anticipation. How do you typically handle seasons of waiting? What practical steps can you take to cultivate a spirit of anticipation during these times? [53:56]
4. The sermon suggests that anticipation can lead to increased selflessness and compassion. Can you identify a current situation where you can practice selflessness and compassion while waiting on God? [57:56]
5. The holiday season can be a mix of joy and pain. How can you intentionally capture joy and maintain a hopeful anticipation for God’s work during this season? [31:17]
6. The sermon challenges us to be people of grace to the world around us. What specific actions can you take this week to extend grace to someone in your life? [01:11:29]
7. Reflect on the idea that God waits with us in our challenges. How does this perspective change the way you view your current struggles? How can you remind yourself of God’s presence in your daily life? [46:02]
Devotional
Day 1: Longing for Divine Restoration
Anticipation for the Messiah was deeply rooted in the hearts of those like Simeon and Anna, reflecting a universal yearning for redemption and the mending of what is broken. This longing is not just a historical sentiment but a present-day guide for how to eagerly await God's work in our lives. [35:08]
Romans 8:22-23 - "We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies."
Reflection: In what ways do you find yourself longing for God's restoration in your life, and how can you actively wait for His redemptive work?
Day 2: Embracing God's Will with Openness
Openness to God's will is crucial, as demonstrated by Mary's acceptance of the angel's message. This openness allows one to experience the fullness of God's work, moving beyond preconceived notions to a place of surrender and trust in His greater purpose. [50:28]
Isaiah 55:8-9 - "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."
Reflection: Can you identify an area in your life where you need to let go of your expectations and trust in God's plan? How can you practice surrendering to His will today?
Day 3: Transformative Power of Anticipation
Anticipation and waiting can lead to a deeper sense of selflessness and compassion, as seen in Mary's life. These seasons of waiting are not idle times but opportunities to grow in grace and serve those around us with the love of Christ. [57:38]
Galatians 5:22-23 - "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law."
Reflection: How can you use your current season of waiting to cultivate the fruits of the Spirit and show compassion to others?
Day 4: Anticipating God's New Work
The Advent season calls for a spirit of anticipation, urging us to expect God's new work in our lives. This perspective transforms our approach to the holiday season and our daily walk with God, fostering hope and readiness for His movement. [01:00:52]
Lamentations 3:25-26 - "The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD."
Reflection: What does anticipating God's new work in your life look like this Advent season? How can you prepare your heart to receive what He has in store?
Day 5: Trusting in God's Constant Presence
God's presence is a constant in our lives, offering grace and preparation for the challenges we face. By anticipating God's work and aligning with His plans, we respond with trust and surrender, much like Mary did. This encourages us to maintain faith and openness to God's guidance. [47:06]
Psalm 130:5-6 - "I wait for the LORD, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope. I wait for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning, more than watchmen wait for the morning."
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you experienced God's presence during a challenge. How can you cultivate a similar sense of trust and anticipation for God's work in your current circumstances?
Quotes
"Living with anticipation allows us to wait because we know God is with us. And when we know this, we know that God will never fail us." [59:14] (Download)
"May your anticipation illuminate Jesus in your life in a more powerful and real way. And may God's Spirit be as close to you as ever as you wait on God to do what only he can do." [01:10:14] (Download)
"In our brokenness and in our doubts, in our questions, move in. Move into our space. We'll create space for you, Lord." [01:11:42] (Download)
"Anticipating God's future Glory to come in your life, you can choose to dread this season or you can choose to anticipate God's new work, God's good new work in your life." [01:00:52] (Download)
"God longs for us to be his people who want to have a higher and deeper sense of hope and anticipation in our lives, so that when he shows up, we will be convinced he's doing immeasurably more than we could have ever imagined." [01:01:26] (Download)
"God is in the mess, He's in the challenges, He is in the waiting. God is waiting with you, And standing with you during unmet expectations." [47:06] (Download)
"Many religious minded people have missed out on God's work because they weren't living with the spirit of anticipation." [49:56] (Download)
"It's in these seasons of anticipation that we all have the opportunity to become centered on the movement of God." [58:10] (Download)
"We could be living in one of the Greatest moments of human history Right now We could be a generation of people Who will experience the outpouring of God in ways That humanity has never seen before." [38:30] (Download)
"Unless we were people of anticipation, hungry for the work of God always, we would not receive well the stories that challenge our understanding, like Mary's." [46:02] (Download)
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