Hope: A Rebellious Act of Faith and Love
Summary
In a sermon that weaves together biblical narratives, personal stories, and cultural references, the speaker delves into the concept of hope as an enduring and rebellious act against the brokenness of the world. The sermon begins by highlighting the unshakable nature of God's word and its promise of presence, which stands as a beacon of hope amidst human failures and the exile of the Jewish people. The speaker underscores the importance of a hope that is tangible and present, a "down here God" rather than a distant deity.
The speaker then transitions to the idea of living at Jesus' pace, suggesting that by slowing down and giving of themselves, individuals can bring joy to a weary world. They draw inspiration from Wendell Berry's poem, which portrays hopeful living as a series of rebellious acts, such as loving the unlovable and asking unanswerable questions. The speaker encourages the congregation to embrace this hopeful rebellion during the Christmas season and to practice resurrection in the name of Jesus.
The sermon series on beloved Christmas movies, starting with "Miracle on 34th Street," serves as a backdrop for exploring how these stories reflect the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. The speaker shares a personal experience of a student questioning their worth and love, connecting it to the universal longing for hope, joy, peace, and love. This longing is addressed by the biblical account of the angel announcing the birth of Jesus to the shepherds, offering hope and comfort to all.
The speaker also reflects on the historical context of the Israelites' exile and the laments of the book of Lamentations, which express a desperate need for hope. Isaiah 40 marks a shift towards comfort and hope, not based on the people's merit but on God's resolve. The speaker emphasizes that true hope is found in the gospel of Jesus Christ and his kingdom.
Finally, the speaker challenges the congregation to consider the nature of hope, contrasting blind optimism and self-made promises with Christian hope, which is a joyful anticipation of good. They critique the "Menlo Park cycle" of relentless pursuit of success and offer Christian hope as a compelling alternative. The sermon concludes with a scene from "Miracle on 34th Street," where the character Chris Kringle's belief in the intangible reflects the rebellious nature of true hope.
Key Takeaways:
- True hope is not a fleeting sentiment but a steadfast assurance rooted in the enduring word of God. It is the promise of God's presence that sustains us through trials and tribulations, offering comfort and strength. This hope is not dependent on our circumstances or achievements but on the unchanging character of God, who remains faithful even when we falter. [43:41] [44:45] [45:49]
- Living at Jesus' pace is a radical act of rebellion against the hurried and self-centered norms of society. By embracing a slower, more intentional way of life, we can rediscover the joy of giving and the transformative power of love. This approach to life is a testament to the hope we have in Christ, which compels us to act differently and impact the world around us. [54:21] [55:25]
- The Christmas narrative invites us to participate in a rebellion of hope, challenging us to seek the intangible and live in the hope of Jesus. This rebellion is characterized by acts of kindness, seeing the unseen, and restoring communal practices like family dinners. By doing so, we not only enrich our own lives but also contribute to the healing and restoration of the world. [50:05] [51:09] [52:13] [53:17]
- The biblical story of the Israelites' exile and the subsequent promise of comfort in Isaiah 40 teaches us that hope is not based on our worthiness but on God's decision to offer grace and restoration. This shift from despair to hope is a powerful reminder that God's plans for redemption and comfort are often beyond our understanding but always within our reach. [40:29] [41:33] [42:37]
- Christian hope stands in stark contrast to the world's narratives of blind optimism and the illusion of control. It is a joyful anticipation of good that is yet unseen, a rebellion against the anxiety of our age. This hope is not passive; it calls us to stand against the imposters of true joy and peace, much like the story of Santa Claus in "Miracle on 34th Street" encourages us to believe in the intangible and the real amidst skepticism. [33:47] [34:51] [35:55] [36:59] [38:21] [39:25]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Isaiah 40:1-8 (NIV)
> Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her hard service has been completed, that her sin has been paid for, that she has received from the Lord’s hand double for all her sins. A voice of one calling: “In the wilderness prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain. And the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all people will see it together. For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.” A voice says, “Cry out.” And I said, “What shall I cry?” “All people are like grass, and all their faithfulness is like the flowers of the field. The grass withers and the flowers fall, because the breath of the Lord blows on them. Surely the people are grass. The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever.”
2. 1 Peter 1:3-9 (NIV)
> Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Isaiah 40:1-8 say about the nature of God's comfort and the enduring word of God?
2. According to 1 Peter 1:3-9, what is the source of our "living hope" and how is it described?
3. In the sermon, how does the speaker describe the difference between Christian hope and blind optimism or self-made promises? ([32:19])
4. What historical context does the speaker provide about the Israelites' exile and its significance in understanding hope? ([39:37])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the promise of God's presence in Isaiah 40 provide a foundation for hope, even in times of exile and despair? ([42:37])
2. What does Peter mean by "living hope" in 1 Peter 1:3-9, and how does it contrast with the temporary nature of worldly achievements?
3. The speaker mentions the "Menlo Park cycle" as a metaphor for societal striving. How does this cycle contrast with living at Jesus' pace? ([33:19])
4. How does the speaker use the story of "Miracle on 34th Street" to illustrate the concept of rebellious hope? ([36:19])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt like you were in a season of exile or lament. How did you find comfort, and how can Isaiah 40:1-8 speak into that experience? ([40:37])
2. Peter talks about a "living hope" that is imperishable. What are some practical ways you can cultivate this kind of hope in your daily life, especially during difficult times? ([47:37])
3. The speaker encourages living at Jesus' pace as a form of rebellion against societal norms. What specific changes can you make in your life to slow down and live more intentionally? ([53:37])
4. Consider the "Menlo Park cycle" described in the sermon. Are there areas in your life where you are caught in a similar cycle of striving? How can you break free from it and embrace a more hopeful, Christ-centered approach? ([33:19])
5. The speaker challenges us to practice acts of hopeful rebellion, such as showing kindness to the unlovable and asking unanswerable questions. What is one act of hopeful rebellion you can commit to this week? ([54:37])
6. How can you incorporate the themes of hope, joy, peace, and love into your family or community life this Christmas season? What specific traditions or practices can you start or revive? ([53:37])
7. The sermon mentions the importance of seeing the unseen and restoring communal practices like family dinners. How can you make time for these practices in your busy schedule? ([53:37])
Devotional
Day 1: Hope Anchored in the Divine Promise
Hope is not a fleeting emotion but a steadfast assurance in God's enduring word. It is a comfort that sustains through trials, not based on human merit but on God's unchanging faithfulness. This hope is a beacon in the darkness, a promise of God's unwavering presence. [43:41]
Lamentations 3:21-23 - "Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."
Reflection: When have you experienced God's faithfulness in a difficult time, and how can that memory serve as a foundation for your current hope?
Day 2: The Rebellion of Living at Jesus' Pace
Embracing a slower, intentional life is a radical act of rebellion against society's hurried norms. It's a rediscovery of joy through giving and loving, reflecting the hope we have in Christ to impact the world. [54:21]
James 1:19-20 - "My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires."
Reflection: How can you intentionally slow down this week to live more at Jesus' pace, and what might that look like in your daily routine?
Day 3: The Intangible Rebellion of Christmas Hope
The Christmas narrative invites us to a rebellion of hope, to seek the unseen and live in the hope of Jesus. It's a call to acts of kindness and restoring communal practices that heal and restore the world. [50:05]
Hebrews 11:1 - "Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see."
Reflection: What is one act of kindness you can perform this week that reflects the intangible hope of Christmas?
Day 4: Grace Beyond Understanding
The story of the Israelites' exile and the promise of comfort in Isaiah 40 reminds us that hope is not based on our worthiness but on God's grace. It's a shift from despair to hope, a reminder of God's redemptive plans. [40:29]
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 recall a time when God's grace was evident in your life in a way you did not expect?
Day 5: Anticipating the Unseen Good
Christian hope is a joyful anticipation of unseen good, a rebellion against the anxiety of our age. It calls us to stand against the imposters of true joy and peace, believing in the intangible and real amidst skepticism. [33:47]
Romans 4:18-20 - "Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, 'So shall your offspring be.' Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead—since he was about a hundred years old—and that Sarah’s womb was also dead."
Reflection: What are some areas in your life where you need to rebel against anxiety and anticipate unseen good? How can you cultivate this anticipation in your daily walk?
Quotes
"To hope in something warm and peaceful and joyful and lovely and ultimately true is one of the most rebellious things we can do." [49:01] (Download)
"Imagine how the bay might actually change if we were committed as a church to living not at the pace of this environment we're in, but to Jesus' pace. He walked everywhere he went. He took his time." [54:21] (Download)
"Thank you that true hope has nothing to do with our striving, but only to do with your passion. God, we ask that you would fill us with hope in this Christmas season so much so that the people in our lives would be confused by the rebellious act we're taking up." [55:25] (Download)
"The hope that we're talking about here, this hope of presence, of a down here God, this is the answer to that funny feeling. It is ultimate comfort through ultimate presence." [46:53] (Download)
"To seek out those lovely intangibles and to live into the hope of Jesus. To make this story, the Christmas story, your story." [52:13] (Download)
"Imagine how the dark parts of your school or workplace might look if you took the time to see the people who are always unseen." [53:17] (Download)
"True hope is rebellious. It's an act of rebellion against the narratives of our age that say that we have to create this impenetrable security in life for ourselves through achievement or accrual of wealth or things and also against sentimentalism and blind optimism." [39:25] (Download)
"The longing for God's presence and the comfort it brings is a longing that can only be satisfied by an imperishable hope." [45:49] (Download)
"The promise of God's presence which endures forever... is the vision of wholeness, the hope that is our true home and that beckons us. This sort of hope is anti-exile. It's homecoming." [43:41] (Download)
"The offer of comfort is not based on the suitability or the qualification of the people but on the resolve of God." [42:37] (Download)
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