Embracing Hope: The Promise of Emmanuel This Advent
Summary
In today's gathering, we explored the profound significance of hope, especially as we enter the Advent season. Advent is a time of anticipation, reflecting on the coming of Christ, both in the past and in our present lives. We are reminded that God is continually showing up in our lives, just as He did in the life of Brooke, a young member of our community whose story exemplifies the transformative power of God's presence. This season is not just about looking back at the birth of Christ but also looking forward to His ultimate return and the fulfillment of His kingdom.
We delved into the teachings of Viktor Frankl, who, through his experiences in a concentration camp, highlighted the essential role of hope in human life. Frankl's insights remind us that the quality of our lives is determined by the quality of our hope. As Christians, our hope is anchored in the promise of Emmanuel, God with us. This hope assures us that our best days are ahead, not because of our circumstances but because of God's enduring presence.
We also reflected on the story of Israel's return from Babylonian captivity, as told in the book of Zechariah. The Israelites longed for the safety of a fortified wall, but God promised them something greater—a city without walls, protected by His presence. This narrative challenges us to reconsider our own desires for safety and comfort. God calls us to a purpose beyond mere security, inviting us to be a blessing to others and to trust in His greater plan.
As we journey through Advent, we are encouraged to embrace the hope of Emmanuel in every aspect of our lives. Whether we face challenges or enjoy times of peace, God's presence is our constant source of strength and purpose. We are called to step out in faith, trusting that God is with us, and to be instruments of His love and hope in the world.
Key Takeaways:
1. The Essence of Advent: Advent is a season of waiting and anticipation, reminding us that God is continually present in our lives. It is not just about remembering Christ's birth but also about expecting His return and recognizing His work in our present circumstances. This anticipation fuels our hope and strengthens our faith. [28:28]
2. Hope as a Foundation: Viktor Frankl's experiences teach us that hope is essential for a meaningful life. As Christians, our hope is rooted in the promise of Emmanuel, God with us. This hope transcends our circumstances, assuring us that our best days are ahead because of God's enduring presence. [31:09]
3. Beyond Safety and Comfort: The story of Israel's return from captivity challenges us to look beyond our desires for safety and comfort. God calls us to a greater purpose, to be a blessing to others, and to trust in His plan, even when it doesn't align with our own timelines or expectations. [39:12]
4. Embracing Risk and Purpose: God invites us to step out in faith, embracing risks and opportunities to be used for His purposes. Our prayers should extend beyond personal safety to seeking how we can be instruments of God's love and hope in the world. [45:10]
5. The Power of Emmanuel: In every circumstance, we are encouraged to call on the name of Emmanuel, God with us. This powerful truth assures us of God's presence in our lives, providing strength and hope in times of uncertainty and guiding us to fulfill His purposes. [50:45]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [28:28] - Advent and the Theme of Hope
- [31:09] - Viktor Frankl and the Power of Hope
- [33:13] - The Quality of Hope
- [35:07] - The Meaning of Christmas
- [36:00] - The Hope in Christmas Hymns
- [38:24] - Israel's Return and the Desire for Safety
- [39:12] - God's Greater Plan Beyond Walls
- [41:04] - Identifying Our Walls
- [42:24] - God's Purpose Beyond Safety
- [43:32] - A City Without Walls
- [45:10] - Embracing Risk and Purpose
- [46:54] - God's Promise of Emmanuel
- [50:45] - Calling on Emmanuel in Crisis
- [54:55] - The Eternal Hope of Emmanuel
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Hope of Advent
Bible Reading:
- Zechariah 2:1-5
- Matthew 1:22-23
- Revelation 21:3
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Observation Questions:
1. In Zechariah 2:1-5, what was the young man with the measuring line intending to do, and how did God's plan differ from his intentions? [41:04]
2. How does the prophecy in Matthew 1:22-23 fulfill the promise made in Zechariah about God being with His people? [47:59]
3. According to Revelation 21:3, what is the ultimate promise of God's presence with His people, and how does this relate to the theme of a "city without walls"? [54:55]
4. What role does hope play in Viktor Frankl's observations about life in a concentration camp, and how does this relate to the Christian understanding of hope? [31:09]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of a "city without walls" in Zechariah challenge our modern understanding of safety and security? What might this mean for our personal lives and faith communities? [42:24]
2. In what ways does the promise of Emmanuel, "God with us," provide a foundation for hope in both the present and future circumstances of life? [48:58]
3. How does the sermon suggest that God's timing and plans might differ from our own desires for safety and comfort? What implications does this have for our faith journey? [39:12]
4. How does the story of Israel's return from Babylonian captivity illustrate the tension between human desires for security and God's greater purpose? [43:32]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you prioritized safety and comfort over stepping out in faith. How might embracing the hope of Emmanuel change your approach to similar situations in the future? [45:10]
2. Identify an area in your life where you have built "walls" for protection. How can you begin to trust God to be your "wall of fire" instead? [42:24]
3. How can you actively seek to be a blessing to others, as God called Israel to be, rather than focusing solely on your own security? [43:32]
4. Consider a current challenge or crisis you are facing. How can calling on the name of Emmanuel provide strength and hope in this situation? [50:45]
5. What specific steps can you take this Advent season to slow down and reflect on the presence of God in your life, as suggested in the sermon? [28:28]
6. How can you incorporate the hope of Emmanuel into your daily prayers and interactions with others, especially those who may be struggling? [52:11]
7. Think of a person or situation where you can take a risk to share God's love and hope. What is one action you can take this week to step out in faith? [54:09]
Devotional
Day 1: Advent as a Season of Active Anticipation
Advent is a time of waiting and anticipation, not just for the celebration of Christ's birth, but also for His promised return. This season invites believers to recognize God's ongoing presence in their lives, encouraging them to see beyond the past and into the future with hope. The anticipation of Advent fuels faith, reminding us that God is continually at work in our present circumstances. This active waiting is not passive but involves a deep engagement with the reality of Emmanuel, God with us, in every moment of our lives. [28:28]
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: How can you actively engage in the anticipation of Advent this week, recognizing God's presence in your daily life?
Day 2: Hope as the Anchor of Our Souls
Viktor Frankl's experiences in a concentration camp highlight the essential role of hope in human life. For Christians, this hope is rooted in the promise of Emmanuel, God with us. It transcends circumstances, assuring believers that their best days are ahead because of God's enduring presence. This hope is not dependent on external situations but is anchored in the unchanging nature of God. It provides a foundation for a meaningful life, encouraging believers to look beyond their current challenges and trust in God's promises. [31:09]
Hebrews 6:19 (ESV): "We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain."
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to anchor your hope more firmly in God's promises today?
Day 3: Trusting in God's Greater Plan
The story of Israel's return from Babylonian captivity, as told in the book of Zechariah, challenges believers to look beyond their desires for safety and comfort. God promised the Israelites a city without walls, protected by His presence, inviting them to trust in His greater plan. This narrative encourages believers to reconsider their own desires for security, recognizing that God calls them to a purpose beyond mere comfort. Trusting in God's plan involves stepping out in faith, even when it doesn't align with personal timelines or expectations. [39:12]
Zechariah 2:5 (ESV): "And I will be to her a wall of fire all around, declares the Lord, and I will be the glory in her midst."
Reflection: What is one area where you are seeking comfort over God's greater purpose, and how can you begin to trust His plan today?
Day 4: Embracing Risk for God's Purposes
God invites believers to step out in faith, embracing risks and opportunities to be used for His purposes. This involves moving beyond prayers for personal safety to seeking how they can be instruments of God's love and hope in the world. Embracing risk for God's purposes requires courage and a willingness to be vulnerable, trusting that God is with them in every step. It is an invitation to participate in God's work, allowing His love to flow through them to others. [45:10]
2 Timothy 1:7 (ESV): "For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control."
Reflection: What is one risk you can take this week to be an instrument of God's love and hope in your community?
Day 5: The Assurance of Emmanuel
In every circumstance, believers are encouraged to call on the name of Emmanuel, God with us. This powerful truth assures them of God's presence in their lives, providing strength and hope in times of uncertainty. The assurance of Emmanuel guides believers to fulfill God's purposes, reminding them that they are never alone. This truth is a source of comfort and empowerment, encouraging them to live boldly and confidently in the knowledge of God's enduring presence. [50:45]
Matthew 1:23 (ESV): "Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel (which means, God with us)."
Reflection: How can the assurance of God's presence through Emmanuel empower you to face a current challenge with confidence and hope?
Quotes
"The quality of your life right now is not determined by your bank account, the size of your family. The quality of your life is determined by the quality of your hope. And if you believe at any level, any age, that your best days are behind you, it diminishes your inner liberty. It diminishes your joy. And for all of us as the people of God, our great hope is that our best days are in front of us. Are you with me? The power of this story is that our best days, because of the manger, are in front of us. God with us now, but God always with us forever and ultimately in the end." [00:33:01] (38 seconds)
"Christmas means that if God really showed up in this world, if God really is with us, it means that no matter what happens to you in this life, it is not random. It is not on accident. And God is somehow in the mountaintops and in the valleys, in the pit of pain with you. He's doing something. He's always at work and your best days are always in front of you. And life isn't random. And that's the great hope of our faith, that God shows up again and again." [00:33:43] (25 seconds)
"And how many of us, you often get frustrated with God, like I get frustrated with God, because God's timing and your timing are very, very different. Anybody right now, you're like, God, I'm going to pray about this, but I got 48 hours. I got to figure this out. I don't have time for like, well, you know, the prophet Isaiah said, and you know, 700 years later, there's Jesus. No, we're not doing that, God. I got 48 hours." [00:39:35] (31 seconds)
"And so the whole time they're going, we want a wall, we want safety, we want a wall, we want safety. And this is the prophecy that he brings to them. He answered, I'm trying to measure Jerusalem. Verse three, while the angel who was saved was speaking to me, was leaving, another angel came to me. And so a lot of angels going on here and said to him, run and tell that young man, Jerusalem will be what? A city without walls." [00:42:40] (26 seconds)
"And realizing even when the pain has come in your life, it's all part of a purpose God is working out. And his ultimate goal for you, like it was for Israel, was to refine you and them into a tool in his hand that he can use to expand his kingdom. And so the whole time they're going, we want a wall, we want safety, we want a wall, we want safety." [00:42:44] (21 seconds)
"And somehow, maybe this is the Christmas where the wall has been knocked down, and you're in a moment where the thing that was insulating you and the thing that kept you safe is gone. And somehow, this is how our God works. God will use the lack of it to refine you. And to create you and mold you into somebody who now has a bigger purpose than safety, and it's a purpose to be used by God." [00:45:53] (26 seconds)
"And you call on him now. You this week, maybe you're on your way to a meeting and you're going, I don't know how this is going to go. I'm not even so sure I'm going to live through this meeting. Anybody got a meeting like that on the books? And you can just be on the way to the meeting going, Emmanuel, God. Emmanuel, God with us. You sit in the meeting and you're going, Emmanuel. And your boss is like, what, that's not my name. You're going, I know, but I'm just calling on the name of Emmanuel because Emmanuel is more powerful than you and I need something more powerful than you right now. And so I'm calling on the name of Emmanuel. Emmanuel, God with us." [00:50:32] (32 seconds)
"Some of us this year, everything in your life is great. You are a fortified city. You've got a fortified bank account. You've got fortified kids. They go to a fortified school. Everything is insulated and happy and it couldn't be any better. And you're going, man, the blessing tree has come. Everything's just fantastic. Is it possible God has a bigger purpose and plan for you than safety?" [00:51:28] (28 seconds)
"Revelation gives us a picture of how the story ends. That means as a Christ follower, any moment you step into, you step into a conversation, you step into a conversation, you step into a conversation, I don't know how this is going to go. You're in chapter two, but you already know what happens in chapter 10. You're in this moment, but you already know the ultimate moment. You know the end of the story. As a Christian, you always know how the story is going to end. And that's our great hope. No matter what circumstances, no matter what happens in life, no matter what works out, what doesn't work out, the hope is Emmanuel, God with us. He's with us now and he will be with us for all of eternity." [00:57:37] (37 seconds)
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