Embracing Hope: The Advent Journey Through Time
Summary
In today's gathering, we explored the profound concept of time and its relationship with our faith journey, particularly during the Advent season. Advent, a time of anticipation, invites us to reflect on the coming of Christ, both in the past and the future. This season is marked by the lighting of candles, each representing hope, peace, joy, and love, culminating in the Christ candle on Christmas Eve. These symbols remind us of the journey we undertake as a community, celebrating the arrival of Christ in our lives.
We delved into the three modes of time within the Advent journey: anticipation, incarnation, and eschaton. Anticipation began with Adam and the fall, marking humanity's need for a savior. This period is characterized by waiting and longing, a liminal space where hope can take root despite uncertainty. The incarnation celebrates God with us, a 33-year period starting with Christmas. Finally, the eschaton represents the end of time as we know it, where we are united with our Savior beyond the constraints of time.
We examined the prophecy from Jeremiah 33:14-16, which foretells the coming of a righteous branch from David's line, symbolizing hope and restoration. This prophecy speaks to the anticipation of Christ's arrival and the fulfillment of God's promises. Similarly, the Olivet Discourse in the Gospels highlights Jesus' foretelling and forth-telling, addressing both the immediate and future implications of His words. This duality challenges us to balance the literal, historical, and spiritual readings of Scripture, recognizing the cycles of endings and new beginnings in our lives.
As we navigate these cycles, we are faced with a choice: to lean into hope or succumb to fear. The Advent season encourages us to embrace hope, even in the midst of uncertainty and waiting. We are reminded that God's timing is perfect, and our role is to trust in His plan, focusing on the work He has called us to do. This includes living out the Great Commission, making disciples, and sharing the hope of Christ with the world.
Key Takeaways:
- The Liminal Space of Anticipation: Advent invites us into a liminal space of waiting and anticipation, where hope can grow despite uncertainty. This period challenges us to trust in God's timing and embrace the journey rather than rushing to the destination. [08:37]
- The Three Modes of Advent: The Advent journey encompasses anticipation, incarnation, and eschaton, each representing different aspects of Christ's coming. Understanding these modes helps us appreciate the fullness of God's plan and our place within it. [06:39]
- Prophecy and Fulfillment: Jeremiah's prophecy and the Olivet Discourse illustrate the tension between foretelling and forth-telling, urging us to balance literal, historical, and spiritual interpretations of Scripture. This balance helps us navigate the cycles of endings and new beginnings in our lives. [17:56]
- Choosing Hope Over Fear: In times of uncertainty, we are called to choose hope over fear. This choice reflects our faith in God's promises and our commitment to living out the hope of Christ in our daily lives. [24:00]
- Trusting in God's Timing: The Advent season reminds us to trust in God's perfect timing, focusing on the work He has called us to do rather than fixating on the end times. This trust allows us to live with purpose and share the hope of Christ with others. [29:15]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:44] - Community Involvement and Gratitude
[02:05] - The Challenge of Waiting
[03:51] - Measuring Life with Time
[05:40] - Advent and the Hope Candle
[06:39] - Three Modes of Advent
[08:37] - The Liminal Space of Anticipation
[09:46] - Incarnation and Eschaton
[11:32] - Jeremiah's Prophecy
[12:45] - Anticipation in Prophecy
[15:07] - Hope in Anticipation
[16:55] - The Olivet Discourse
[19:11] - Balancing Scripture Interpretations
[21:33] - Cycles of Endings and Beginnings
[24:00] - Choosing Hope Over Fear
[25:36] - Living in Anticipation
[29:15] - Trusting in God's Timing
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Jeremiah 33:14-16
- Luke 21:25-28 (Olivet Discourse)
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Observation Questions:
1. What are the three modes of time discussed in the Advent journey, and how do they relate to the coming of Christ? [06:39]
2. How does the prophecy in Jeremiah 33:14-16 symbolize hope and restoration for the people of Israel? [11:32]
3. In the Olivet Discourse, what dual roles does Jesus take on, and how do they relate to the immediate and future implications of His words? [17:56]
4. How does the Advent wreath and the lighting of candles symbolize the journey of anticipation, incarnation, and eschaton? [05:40]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of anticipation as a "liminal space" challenge believers to trust in God's timing and embrace the journey rather than rushing to the destination? [08:37]
2. In what ways does the prophecy from Jeremiah and the Olivet Discourse encourage believers to balance literal, historical, and spiritual interpretations of Scripture? [21:33]
3. How does the Advent season's focus on hope over fear reflect a believer's faith in God's promises and their commitment to living out the hope of Christ? [24:00]
4. What does it mean to trust in God's perfect timing, and how does this trust influence a believer's purpose and mission in life? [29:15]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you were in a "liminal space" of waiting. How did you respond, and what can you learn from that experience to apply during this Advent season? [08:37]
2. How can you incorporate the themes of anticipation, incarnation, and eschaton into your personal Advent journey this year? What specific actions can you take to deepen your understanding of these modes? [06:39]
3. In what ways can you actively choose hope over fear in your daily life, especially during uncertain times? Identify one area where you can make this choice today. [24:00]
4. How can you balance the different interpretations of Scripture in your personal study and discussions with others? What steps can you take to ensure a well-rounded understanding of biblical texts? [21:33]
5. Consider the Great Commission and your role in it. How can you share the hope of Christ with someone in your life this Advent season? Identify one person and plan a specific way to engage them. [29:15]
6. What are some practical ways you can trust in God's timing in your current life situation? How can this trust change your perspective and actions? [29:15]
7. Reflect on the symbolism of the Advent candles. How can you embody hope, peace, joy, and love in your interactions with others this season? [05:40]
Devotional
I'm ready to provide the 5-day devotional based on the steps outlined. Here it is:
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Day 1: Embracing the Liminal Space of Waiting
In the Advent season, we are invited into a liminal space—a threshold between what has been and what is yet to come. This period of anticipation is not merely about waiting but about allowing hope to take root in the midst of uncertainty. It challenges us to trust in God's timing and to embrace the journey rather than rushing to the destination. In this space, we learn to cultivate patience and faith, recognizing that the waiting itself is a vital part of our spiritual growth. [08:37]
Isaiah 40:31 (ESV): "But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find it difficult to wait on God's timing? How can you begin to embrace this waiting period as a time for growth and hope?
Day 2: Understanding the Three Modes of Advent
The Advent journey is marked by three distinct modes: anticipation, incarnation, and eschaton. Each mode represents a unique aspect of Christ's coming and offers us a deeper understanding of God's plan. Anticipation reflects our longing for a savior, incarnation celebrates God with us, and eschaton points to the ultimate fulfillment of God's promises. By exploring these modes, we gain insight into the fullness of God's redemptive work and our place within it. This understanding helps us appreciate the continuity of God's presence throughout history and in our lives today. [06:39]
Hebrews 13:8 (ESV): "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever."
Reflection: How do you see the three modes of Advent—anticipation, incarnation, and eschaton—playing out in your own spiritual journey? Which mode resonates most with you right now, and why?
Day 3: Balancing Prophecy and Fulfillment
The prophecy from Jeremiah and the Olivet Discourse in the Gospels highlight the tension between foretelling and forth-telling. This duality urges us to balance literal, historical, and spiritual interpretations of Scripture. By doing so, we can navigate the cycles of endings and new beginnings in our lives with greater clarity and faith. Understanding prophecy and fulfillment helps us see God's hand in both the past and the future, encouraging us to trust in His promises and remain steadfast in our faith. [17:56]
2 Peter 1:19 (ESV): "And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts."
Reflection: Think of a prophecy or promise from Scripture that has been significant in your life. How has it shaped your understanding of God's work in your past and future?
Day 4: Choosing Hope Over Fear
In times of uncertainty, we are faced with a choice: to lean into hope or succumb to fear. The Advent season encourages us to choose hope, reflecting our faith in God's promises and our commitment to living out the hope of Christ in our daily lives. This choice is not always easy, but it is a testament to our trust in God's goodness and His perfect plan. By choosing hope, we align ourselves with the light of Christ, allowing it to guide us through the darkness and into a future filled with promise. [24:00]
Romans 15:13 (ESV): "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope."
Reflection: What fears are currently overshadowing your hope? How can you actively choose to embrace hope in these areas today?
Day 5: Trusting in God's Perfect Timing
The Advent season is a reminder to trust in God's perfect timing, focusing on the work He has called us to do rather than fixating on the end times. This trust allows us to live with purpose and share the hope of Christ with others. By surrendering our timelines to God, we open ourselves to His divine plan, which is always for our good and His glory. Trusting in His timing requires faith and patience, but it ultimately leads to a life of greater fulfillment and impact. [29:15]
Ecclesiastes 3:11 (ESV): "He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man's heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end."
Reflection: In what ways have you struggled with trusting God's timing in your life? What steps can you take to surrender your plans and embrace His perfect timing today?
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Quotes
Have you ever noticed that with time, that we tend to measure God against that? The God who created time, sits outside of time, we like to put him into our box of time. God, I need you to answer my prayer like this by three o'clock. That would be fantastic. But we also use time in every other aspect of our lives. We use time to understand music. We use time to measure the value of our work. We use time to contemplate our existence. How many years do I have left? How long is it going to take before my life is optimal? Over the next month, we will use time to try to understand our past. [00:03:21] (70 seconds)
And this whole concept of Advent has really been taking shape since the fourth century. Originally started as kind of like a time of holiness preparation, much like Lent, but originally ending in Epiphany. And we have so many of these little pieces that we use in our homes now, and even the Advent wreath that we get to celebrate with here as a church. Again, let me point out, Pastor Charles made that. And I think it's just beautiful. He would love to come to your home and make you Christmas decorations for free. Because he ran out of yard space. Yeah. [00:05:00] (56 seconds)
There are three kind of modes or dispensations of time, if that's the language you like, where we talk about the arrival of Christ inside of the Advent journey. The first one we talk about is going to be this time of anticipation. Can you put up the slide with the three things? Yeah. So I have given him kind of out-of-order slides, so I'm going to ask him for things, but it's not because he's messing up, it's because I'm messing up. The first one is anticipation. The second, then the incarnation, and then the eschaton. [00:06:39] (45 seconds)
Anticipation really began with the first Christ, with Adam. The fall, the sin that, entered the world and immediately needing a savior. Anticipation began. And there's this progression of both God speaking and great sin, great war, and instability that kind of builds through the anticipation phases. And there's a word that I think best describes anticipation, and that's liminality, that time where you're waiting. You're constantly sitting in this piece of time where you're being told, in just a few moments, in just a few moments. [00:08:05] (58 seconds)
Jeremiah is known as the weeping prophet. He is often gloomy and grief-ridden. Now, in the 9th century, the Jewish nation was divided into two pieces. We have the north and we have the south. Judah was the south, and Israel was the north. 300 years later, Jeremiah comes with this prophecy that we just read, where he prophesies a restoration of the soul. A split that would center around Jerusalem. [00:12:08] (37 seconds)
There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on the earth, distress among the nations. Confused by the roaring of the sea and the waves, people will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world. For the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with the power and great glory. Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads because your redemption is drawing near. [00:16:16] (36 seconds)
Now in the book of Matthew, when the Olivet Discourse is being delivered, it's very specific on where Jesus is speaking. Jesus is at the temple. He speaks before this in Matthew about how the temple will be destroyed while sitting at the temple. And then goes into these speeches, these pieces of prophecy, saying, in just a few moments. In just a few moments. Forty years later, Jerusalem would be destroyed. Completely. The temple would be destroyed, just as Jesus said to his believers and to his followers here. [00:19:20] (56 seconds)
Please don't ignore the patterns in scripture. God's story is for all of us. No matter what the hopelessness is, there is an end to it. I know some of your stories and what people are walking through in this room right now. and if the rest of you knew you would be heartbroken but know with that hopelessness it will come to an end because hope is always just a few moments away we can embrace anticipation and waiting and letting hope properly grow inside of us instead of racing off to what comes next [00:25:53] (61 seconds)
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