Hope Amidst Darkness: Trusting God's Promises
Summary
In the sermon titled "Ray of Hope" by Mike Woods, delivered on December 3, 2023, the central theme revolves around the concept of hope in the midst of a heavy and often dark world. Mike Woods draws parallels between the prophecies of Jeremiah and the song of Zechariah, emphasizing that the fulfillment of God's salvation is intended for all nations, not just Israel. He highlights the anticipation of Christ's second coming and the complete fulfillment of Jeremiah's prophecy, urging the congregation to place their hope in God's promises rather than in worldly offerings.
Mike Woods discusses the difficulty of finding hope in a broken world, using the plight of Israel during Jeremiah's time as an example. Despite the Babylonian conquest of Jerusalem, God promised a new start under a righteous ruler. The sermon explores this promise through four movements: waiting for fulfillment, the death of hope, finding hope in God, and reflecting on where hope is found or lost.
The narrative of Zechariah and Elizabeth is used to illustrate the nature of hope and the challenge of waiting for God's timing. Despite their righteousness and adherence to the Torah, their hope for a child wanes with age. Mike Woods acknowledges the struggle of living in hope for God's second coming and the full establishment of His kingdom, offering a prayer for strength and perseverance in God's true promises.
Zechariah's disbelief when an angel announces the birth of his son, John, is highlighted as a moment of reflection and rekindling of hope. Despite his initial disdain, Zechariah's hope is restored through God's message and the physical signs of Elizabeth's pregnancy, culminating in praise for God's redemption upon the birth of his son.
The sermon also examines the various groups in Zechariah's time, including the aristocratic Priestly families, the Essenes, the Zealots, and the Pharisees. Each group had different hopes and methods for achieving their vision of fulfillment, from maintaining the status quo to violent resistance.
Mike Woods delves into the historical context of Zechariah's era, from the rule of Persia to the conquests of Alexander the Great and the subsequent foreign occupations of Israel. He challenges the audience to consider their own willingness to wait in hope for God's promises.
The angel Gabriel's appearance to Zechariah and the announcement of John's birth is described as a moment of joy and the fulfillment of a long-awaited prayer. John is not only a long-desired child but also the herald of the Messiah.
Finally, the sermon covers the period between Jeremiah and Zechariah, spanning 600 years of history, including the Babylonian exile, the rebuilding of the Temple, and the continued wait for a righteous King from David's line.
Key Takeaways:
- The fulfillment of God's promises is an inclusive act, extending beyond Israel to all nations. This inclusivity reflects God's universal love and the global impact of His salvation plan. As believers, we are reminded that the hope we have in Christ is not just for ourselves but for the entire world, and we are called to share this hope with others. [38:59]
- Hope can be challenging to maintain, especially when circumstances seem bleak. The story of Israel during Jeremiah's time serves as a reminder that even in the darkest periods, God's promises stand firm. As Christians, we are encouraged to hold onto hope, trusting that God will bring about a new beginning under His righteous rule. [00:52]
- The narrative of Zechariah and Elizabeth teaches us about the virtue of patience and the danger of allowing our hope to fade. Their story is a testament to God's faithfulness, even when our faith wavers. We learn that God's timing is perfect, and His promises are worth the wait, no matter how long it takes. [21:08]
- The diversity of hopes and methods among the groups in Zechariah's time, such as the Priestly families, Essenes, Zealots, and Pharisees, illustrates the complexity of human attempts to fulfill divine promises. This serves as a cautionary tale against placing our hope in human institutions or actions, reminding us that God's plans cannot be rushed or forced by human hands. [16:44] [17:27]
- The anticipation of God's promises, as seen in the long wait between Jeremiah and Zechariah, challenges us to consider the depth of our own patience and faith. The sermon encourages us to reflect on our willingness to wait for God's timing and to remain steadfast in hope, even when the fulfillment of His promises seems distant. [09:01]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide: "Ray of Hope"
#### Bible Reading
1. Jeremiah 23:5-6 - "The days are coming," declares the Lord, "when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, a King who will reign wisely and do what is just and right in the land. In his days Judah will be saved and Israel will live in safety. This is the name by which he will be called: The Lord Our Righteous Savior."
2. Luke 1:5-25 - The story of Zechariah and Elizabeth, including the angel Gabriel's announcement of John's birth.
3. Luke 1:67-79 - Zechariah's song of praise upon the birth of his son, John.
#### Observation Questions
1. What promise did God make through Jeremiah, and how does it relate to the coming of Jesus? ([01:53])
2. Describe the situation Zechariah and Elizabeth were in before the angel Gabriel appeared to Zechariah. ([22:45])
3. How did Zechariah initially react to the angel's message, and what was the consequence of his reaction? ([33:01])
4. What are the different groups mentioned in the sermon that had various hopes and methods for achieving their vision of fulfillment? ([13:32])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the promise of a righteous ruler in Jeremiah 23:5-6 provide hope to the people of Israel during their time of despair? ([01:53])
2. What does Zechariah's initial disbelief and subsequent silence teach us about the nature of faith and hope? ([33:01])
3. How do the different groups in Zechariah's time (Pharisees, Sadducees, Essenes, Zealots) reflect the various ways people today might try to fulfill God's promises through human efforts? ([13:32])
4. In what ways does Zechariah's song in Luke 1:67-79 reflect a renewed hope and trust in God's promises? ([35:40])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt hopeless. How did you find hope again, and what role did your faith play in that process? ([01:53])
2. Zechariah and Elizabeth waited many years for their prayer to be answered. Is there a long-standing prayer or hope in your life that you are still waiting for? How can you remain steadfast in your faith during this waiting period? ([12:39])
3. The sermon mentioned the danger of placing hope in human institutions or actions. Are there areas in your life where you might be relying more on human efforts than on God's promises? ([15:59])
4. How can you actively share the hope you have in Christ with others, especially those who might be struggling to find hope in their own lives? ([38:07])
5. Zechariah's hope was rekindled through God's message and the physical signs of Elizabeth's pregnancy. What are some "signs" or reminders in your life that help you hold onto hope in God's promises? ([35:40])
6. The sermon encourages us to reflect on our willingness to wait for God's timing. How can you cultivate patience and trust in God's perfect timing in your daily life? ([09:01])
7. Zechariah's song praises God for His redemption and the fulfillment of His promises. How can you incorporate praise and gratitude into your daily routine, even when you are still waiting for God's promises to be fulfilled? ([35:40])
Devotional
Day 1: Hope's Inclusive Embrace
God's promises of hope extend to all nations, inviting everyone into His redemptive plan. This inclusivity is a testament to His universal love and the global reach of His salvation. It is a call to believers to not only cherish this hope but to actively share it with others, recognizing that the hope found in Christ is not exclusive but is meant for every person on earth. [38:59]
Isaiah 49:6 - "He says: 'It is too small a thing for you to be my servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept. I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.'"
Reflection: How can you actively participate in sharing the inclusive hope of Christ with someone from a different cultural or national background this week?
Day 2: Hope Amidst Despair
Even when the world seems at its darkest, hope in God's promises remains unshaken. The story of Israel's darkest hour under Babylonian conquest is a powerful reminder that God's word stands firm and that a new beginning under His righteous rule is assured. This hope is not based on current circumstances but on the unwavering character of God. [00:52]
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: What situation in your life feels hopeless right now, and how can you reaffirm your hope in God's promises despite the circumstances?
Day 3: Patience in God's Timing
The virtue of patience is exemplified in the narrative of Zechariah and Elizabeth, who waited faithfully for God's timing. Their story teaches that God's faithfulness is constant, even when our faith wavers. It is a reminder that God's timing is perfect, and His promises are worth the wait, no matter how long it takes. [21:08]
Habakkuk 2:3 - "For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay."
Reflection: Can you think of a time when you had to wait for something significant? How did the outcome reflect the perfection of God's timing?
Day 4: Human Efforts vs. Divine Promises
The diverse hopes and methods of the groups in Zechariah's time serve as a caution against placing our hope in human institutions or actions. This historical reflection reminds us that God's plans are sovereign and cannot be rushed or manipulated by human efforts. It challenges us to trust in God's ultimate fulfillment rather than our own designs. [16:44] [17:27]
Psalm 33:10-11 - "The Lord foils the plans of the nations; he thwarts the purposes of the peoples. But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations."
Reflection: In what ways have you been tempted to rely on human efforts rather than God's promises, and how can you shift your trust back to Him?
Day 5: Steadfastness in the Wait
The anticipation of God's promises, as seen in the long wait between Jeremiah and Zechariah, calls for a deep reflection on our own patience and faith. It encourages steadfastness in hope, even when the fulfillment of His promises seems distant. This period of waiting is an opportunity to grow in trust and to remain anchored in the assurance of God's faithfulness. [09:01]
Micah 7:7 - "But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me."
Reflection: What promises of God are you waiting for, and how can you cultivate a steadfast heart during this period of anticipation?
Quotes
"In that darkening Gloom, God brings this Ray of Hope through his Prophet, the promise of a new start under a righteous ruler, a promise of justice and safety." [02:46] (Download)
"Mark reminded us last week that this is a dark world and we are broken people. It can be hard sometimes for us to find Hope." [01:53] (Download)
"The Ray of Hope that has burst into Zechariah's life, the long promised fulfillment of the Messiah to come, that Ray of Hope of God's salvation is not just for Israel but it is for the Nations." [38:07] (Download)
"We are still a people who are in Hope of that fulfillment and so like Zechariah, we should place our hope not in our strength or in abilities, not in our own righteousness, not in social programs and institutions, not in all that this world has to offer; we should Place Our Hope in God and his sure promises." [39:49] (Download)
"Slowly but surely, God's message and the physical swelling of Elizabeth's body rekindled Zechariah's hope not just for a child but for God's promised Redemption." [35:40] (Download)
"By the time we come to Zechariah, Israel has been waiting nearly 600 years for that promise made through Jeremiah, and so the question I want us to reflect on is how long will you wait in hope for a promise that God has made?" [12:39] (Download)
"Hope has faded; at the start of our story, Luke tells us that they are very old." [24:25] (Download)
"Zechariah's hopes for a child have faded, so have his hopes in God's promises also faded. He serves diligently, but it seems maybe without the heart that he once had." [26:06] (Download)
"Here is Zechariah, standing in one of the holiest places in the temple, somewhere that God has promised he will be present in a very special way, burning incense symbolic of the prayers of God's people ascending to Heaven." [27:40] (Download)
"Like every good Jew, Zechariah would have prayed, would have hoped that God would bless them with a son who would be used to bring about his kingdom and it is that prayer said a lifetime ago by a young man full of hopes and dreams that has been heard." [32:04] (Download)
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