Embracing Hope: The Power of the Pause
Summary
In today's message, we explored the profound significance of the ellipsis, a punctuation mark that invites us to pause and reflect rather than rush to conclusions or actions. Life often tempts us to use full stops, marking definitive ends to situations, but the ellipsis encourages us to create space between stimulus and response. This pause allows us to gain perspective, understand motivations, and respond with wisdom rather than haste. As we enter the Advent season, this pause becomes even more crucial. Advent, a time of anticipation for the coming of Jesus, invites us to slow down and reflect on the hope He brings into our lives.
The first candle of Advent, the Prophet's Candle, symbolizes hope, reminding us of the Old Testament prophets who awaited the Messiah. This hope is not a mere wish or optimism but a deep-seated assurance in God's presence and promises. Hope is intangible, yet its presence is palpable in a room or a person. It is a belief that God is with us, sustaining us through every season. This hope is not just for us to hold but to share, acting as a light in our lives that we are called to shine before others.
The essence of hope is rooted in the truth that God became flesh and dwelt among us. This divine presence is with us in every moment, offering strength and comfort. We are reminded that we are never alone, no matter the darkness we face. Our God walks with us, and this reality is the foundation of our hope. As we navigate the busyness of the Christmas season, let us pause and reflect on the presence of Jesus, allowing His hope to fill and overflow from our lives into the world around us.
Key Takeaways:
1. The Power of the Pause: Embracing the ellipsis in our lives allows us to pause and reflect before reacting. This intentional space between stimulus and response helps us gain perspective and respond with wisdom, rather than haste. It is in these pauses that we can find clarity and peace. [02:07]
2. Advent as a Season of Hope: Advent invites us to slow down and reflect on the hope that Jesus brings. The Prophet's Candle symbolizes this hope, reminding us of the anticipation of the Messiah. This hope is not just a wish but a deep assurance in God's presence and promises. [08:32]
3. Hope as a Tangible Presence: While hope is intangible, its presence is palpable. It is a belief that God is with us, sustaining us through every season. This hope is not just for us to hold but to share, acting as a light in our lives that we are called to shine before others. [13:08]
4. God With Us: The essence of hope is rooted in the truth that God became flesh and dwelt among us. This divine presence is with us in every moment, offering strength and comfort. We are reminded that we are never alone, no matter the darkness we face. [19:58]
5. Sharing the Light of Hope: As we hold onto the hope of God's presence, we are called to let it shine before others. This hope should be evident in our actions and interactions, inviting others to see the difference in our lives and glorify God. [27:41]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[01:04] - The Question of Punctuation
[02:07] - Embracing the Ellipsis
[03:50] - The Power of the Pause
[04:42] - Creating Space for Reflection
[08:32] - Advent and the Arrival of Hope
[09:28] - The Prophet's Candle
[11:50] - Defining Hope
[13:08] - Hope as a Tangible Presence
[17:57] - The Word Became Flesh
[19:05] - God With Us
[23:29] - The Foundation of Our Hope
[24:19] - Personal Testimony of Hope
[25:11] - Sharing the Light of Hope
[27:41] - Living as Light in the World
[29:17] - Prayer for Renewed Hope
[32:51] - Communion and Reflection
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Isaiah 9:6-7 - "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this." [09:28]
2. John 1:1-14 - "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it... The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth." [17:57]
3. 1 Peter 3:15 - "But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect." [13:08]
#### Observation Questions
1. What does the ellipsis symbolize in the context of the sermon, and how does it relate to our daily lives? [02:07]
2. How is the Prophet's Candle described, and what does it symbolize during the Advent season? [08:32]
3. According to the sermon, how is hope described as both intangible and yet palpable? [13:08]
4. What does John 1:14 reveal about the nature of Jesus and His relationship with humanity? [19:05]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of pausing, as symbolized by the ellipsis, help us gain perspective and respond with wisdom in our lives? [03:50]
2. In what ways does the Advent season encourage believers to reflect on the hope that Jesus brings into the world? [08:32]
3. How does the presence of God, as described in John 1:14, provide a foundation for hope in the lives of believers? [19:05]
4. What does it mean to share the light of hope with others, and how can this be practically demonstrated in our daily interactions? [27:41]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a recent situation where you reacted hastily. How might pausing, as suggested in the sermon, have changed your response? [02:07]
2. As we enter the Advent season, what specific practices can you incorporate into your routine to slow down and reflect on the hope that Jesus brings? [08:32]
3. Think of a person in your life who embodies hope. What qualities do they exhibit, and how can you cultivate similar qualities in your own life? [13:08]
4. How can you make the presence of God more tangible in your life, especially during challenging times? What steps can you take to remind yourself of His constant presence? [19:05]
5. Identify one way you can share the light of hope with someone in your community this week. What specific action will you take to demonstrate this hope? [27:41]
6. Consider a relationship or situation where you need to trust God more fully. What is one barrier that prevents you from doing so, and how can you address it? [32:51]
7. How can you use this Advent season as an opportunity to reconcile relationships and seek forgiveness, knowing that God is with you? [28:32]
Devotional
Day 1: The Power of the Pause
In a world that often demands immediate reactions, the concept of the ellipsis invites us to pause and reflect before responding. This pause is not merely a delay but a sacred space where clarity and peace can be found. By creating intentional space between stimulus and response, we allow ourselves to gain perspective and wisdom. This practice can transform our interactions and decisions, leading to more thoughtful and compassionate outcomes. Embracing the power of the pause can help us navigate life's challenges with grace and understanding. [02:07]
Ecclesiastes 3:7-8 (ESV): "A time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace."
Reflection: Think of a recent situation where you reacted hastily. How might pausing have changed your response, and how can you incorporate this practice into your daily life?
Day 2: Advent as a Season of Hope
Advent is a time of anticipation and reflection, inviting us to slow down and consider the hope that Jesus brings into our lives. The Prophet's Candle, the first candle of Advent, symbolizes this hope, reminding us of the Old Testament prophets who awaited the Messiah. This hope is not a fleeting wish but a deep assurance in God's presence and promises. As we prepare for the coming of Jesus, we are encouraged to reflect on the hope that sustains us through every season, allowing it to fill our hearts and guide our actions. [08:32]
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: As you enter this Advent season, what specific hopes do you hold in your heart? How can you actively nurture these hopes in your daily life?
Day 3: Hope as a Tangible Presence
While hope may seem intangible, its presence can be deeply felt in our lives and the lives of those around us. It is a belief that God is with us, sustaining us through every season. This hope is not just for us to hold but to share, acting as a light in our lives that we are called to shine before others. By embodying hope, we can inspire and uplift those around us, creating a ripple effect of positivity and faith. [13:08]
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: Identify someone in your life who needs hope. How can you be a tangible presence of hope for them today?
Day 4: God With Us
The essence of hope is rooted in the truth that God became flesh and dwelt among us. This divine presence is with us in every moment, offering strength and comfort. We are reminded that we are never alone, no matter the darkness we face. This reality is the foundation of our hope, providing us with the assurance that God walks with us through every trial and triumph. As we reflect on this truth, we are encouraged to draw strength from God's presence and share this hope with others. [19:58]
Zephaniah 3:17 (ESV): "The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing."
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to be reminded of God's presence? How can acknowledging His presence change your perspective and actions today?
Day 5: Sharing the Light of Hope
As we hold onto the hope of God's presence, we are called to let it shine before others. This hope should be evident in our actions and interactions, inviting others to see the difference in our lives and glorify God. By living as beacons of hope, we can inspire others to seek the same light and assurance that we have found in Christ. This calling challenges us to be intentional in our words and deeds, ensuring that the hope we carry is shared with those around us. [27:41]
Matthew 5:16 (ESV): "In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."
Reflection: Consider one way you can intentionally share the hope of Christ with someone this week. What practical steps can you take to let your light shine in your community?
Quotes
"Too often in life, we want to resonate with a full stop or an exclamation mark where we reach this point. I'm sure you know it well. It's like, I've arrived at this moment and this is the way it is. Full stop. Or we can say, you know, I was going for that job, but Bill got it instead. Full stop. That's it." [00:01:29]
"I think in life, sometimes we resonate with these punctuation marks, these definite hard endings, and we can't do anything. And I think in life, sometimes we resonate with these punctuation marks, these definite hard endings, and we can't do anything. So I've decided to pause. Like examples such as, you know, I've got this email or this person knows me, so I've typed out this email and I'm about to hit send." [00:02:16]
"Let it sit overnight and read it again in the morning and realize it wasn't that big a deal. And if I hadn't hit send, there could have been a lot more tension that came out because of that. So we pause. Well, that one time, I was sitting at home. I was sitting at home. I was sitting at home. I was sitting at home. They were all eating out, and for a long time, you're meant to catch up with a friend." [00:02:41]
"I remember listening to a comedian who was talking about US gun laws and saying it made a lot of sense when they were muskets and it takes time to load a gun and it takes time to put the gunpowder in and prep it and do all that. But too often in life, we don't slow down and we just want to fire the gun straight away. The pause. See, when we pause, it gives a moment to think." [00:03:21]
"Because when we do this pause, when we slow down, it's a space that we create, an intentional space between a stimulus and a response. When something happens and we slow down before we do it, we slow down before we respond. It helps us calm down. It slows down our parasympathetic nervous system. It slows down our parasympathetic nervous system. It slows down our parasympathetic nervous system. It slows down our parasympathetic nervous system." [00:04:42]
"There's no room for the pause so as we jump into December the 1st of December today and we launch into this Christmas season things get busy as we approach this Christmas rush we want to create a space for us to pause in Advent it's this it's this this moment of anticipation Advent means the coming the coming of the coming of Jesus in our context and what Jesus brings into this world it's in this Advent season we want to pause to reflect on who Jesus is and how that impacts who we are so today we're going to start each each of the next few weeks over December we're going to light a candle it's part of the Advent wreath and each one of these reflects an element of who Jesus is and what that means for us so this week we're going to celebrate Advent with the arrival of hope how Jesus brings hope in you" [00:07:18]
"Hope can be defined as a personal thing that may help or save someone, like optimism. Like, oh, we're just going to focus on the good thing. Like, we want to see the best thing happen. Maybe this person will help make it better. This optimistic thought or hope can be defined as the grounds for believing that something good will happen, like is in faith." [00:13:08]
"No, for each of them, they had this presence about them. They had this aura about them. And it was a deep belief and hope that whatever came their way, they were reassured of the presence and the love of their God and that he was the hope for them for all seasons. That their God was with them. And it gave them a perspective that..." [00:13:53]
"Yet to all who received him, to those who believe in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or husband's will, but born of God. The word Jesus became flesh and made his dwelling among us. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son who came from the Father, full of grace and truth." [00:18:07]
"Now, I don't know about you, but a lot of people I talk to focus really hard on trying to create a list of why God would almost begrudgingly want to connect with them. Like God's in a relationship, he's like, oh, I need to see that person. Again, we create this list of all these things that we feel like God will be upset or trying to push us away with or remove himself from us." [00:20:55]
"That just as we receive hope so we receive it we pass it on what would this Christmas season look like if we took seriously the arrival of hope if we took this Christmas season as a reminder to stop to pause to reflect on the presence and person of Jesus and what that means for us it's not get caught up in the busyness of it all but that we pause and remember that this season is about Jesus it's about him and he's the hope that is breaking into our world what would happen if we took a challenge this Christmas to be the ones that carry hope into the rooms in which we walk that in the conversations we're a part of we're a part of that we speak hope and life into those conversations to shine hope into the craziness and the chaoticness that can be a Christmas season what if we took the opportunity to respond to others over these next four weeks with a renewed hope that we sought forgiveness reconciled relationships and because we've we can do this because we have the confidence that our God is with us and if he's with us then we can carry him to the places and to the people that we meet it's our prayer for us as a community that the God of hope will fill you with all joy and peace so that it may overflow with the hope by the power of the Holy Spirit this season let's pray" [00:29:17]
"Father, we come before you. Come before you now and ask that you would renew our hope. That you remind us of what your presence with us means. That it will be the source of our strength. It will be the thing that informs our responses. There will be the mark of our lives. It will be your presence with us. And the hope that brings to the circumstances we face." [00:31:18]
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