Hope and Trust: Embracing Advent's Promise
Summary
In Isaiah 9:6, we find a profound promise: "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given." This verse encapsulates the essence of hope that Advent brings. Advent, derived from the Latin word meaning "coming," is a season that prepares us for the celebration of Jesus Christ's birth. It reminds us of the trifold meaning of Christ's coming: His birth, His presence with us today, and His promised return. This season is a time to reflect on the hope that Jesus brings into our lives, a hope that is rooted in trust.
Trust is essential for hope to thrive. Without trust, hope becomes a fleeting desire rather than a steadfast expectation. Our trust must be anchored in God, who is faithful and able to fulfill His promises. When our hope is misplaced in things that cannot deliver, we are left disappointed. However, when our hope is in God, we can remain hopeful even in the face of adversity. This is the lesson we learn from Isaiah, who lived in a time of darkness and despair yet held onto hope because he trusted in God's promise.
Isaiah's message to King Ahaz was a call to trust in God rather than forming alliances with unreliable sources. Ahaz's failure to trust led to his downfall, illustrating the dangers of misplaced trust. In our lives, we too face challenges that test our trust in God. We may be tempted to rely on our own understanding or seek security in worldly things, but true hope is found in trusting God, who is our Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace.
The Advent season is a reminder that hope is here because God is with us. Despite the darkness that surrounds us, we are called to place our hope in the character of our King. Jesus is wonderful, offering us love and grace that never fail. He is our counselor, guiding us with wisdom and understanding. He is mighty, able to do exceedingly above all we ask or think. And He is everlasting, a constant presence in our lives. As we journey through Advent, let us hold onto this hope, trusting in the One who is faithful and true.
Key Takeaways:
1. The Trifold Meaning of Advent: Advent reminds us of Jesus' birth, His presence with us today, and His promised return. This season calls us to reflect on the hope that Jesus brings, a hope that is rooted in trust. Trust in God is essential for hope to thrive, as it transforms fleeting desires into steadfast expectations. [03:42]
2. Trust as the Foundation of Hope: Without trust, hope becomes a mere wish. Our trust must be anchored in God, who is faithful and able to fulfill His promises. When our hope is misplaced in unreliable sources, we face disappointment. True hope is found in trusting God, who never fails. [08:11]
3. The Dangers of Misplaced Trust: King Ahaz's failure to trust in God led to his downfall, illustrating the dangers of relying on worldly alliances. In our lives, we face similar challenges that test our trust in God. We must resist the temptation to rely on our own understanding and instead place our hope in God. [20:42]
4. The Character of Our King: Jesus is our Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. His character assures us that we can trust Him with our lives. He offers love, guidance, strength, and eternal presence, providing a solid foundation for our hope. [26:50]
5. Hope in the Midst of Darkness: Despite the darkness that surrounds us, we are called to place our hope in the character of our King. Jesus' love and grace never fail, and His presence is constant. As we journey through Advent, let us hold onto this hope, trusting in the One who is faithful and true. [32:14]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [03:42] - The Essence of Hope
- [08:11] - Trust and Hope
- [11:28] - Trust Exercises
- [15:29] - Faith in Action
- [17:01] - Letting Go and Trusting
- [19:35] - God's Unfailing Support
- [20:42] - Misplaced Trust
- [23:40] - The Test of Trust
- [26:50] - The Character of the King
- [32:14] - Everlasting Father
- [34:24] - Focus on God's Hand
- [35:26] - Healing and Hope
- [36:42] - Closing Remarks
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Isaiah 9:6
Observation Questions:
1. What are the three aspects of Christ's coming that the Advent season reminds us of, according to the sermon? [03:42]
2. How did King Ahaz's decision to form alliances illustrate the dangers of misplaced trust? [20:42]
3. What are the four titles given to Jesus in Isaiah 9:6, and what do they signify about His character? [26:50]
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of trust relate to the hope that Advent brings, as discussed in the sermon? [08:11]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that misplaced trust can lead to disappointment or downfall? [20:42]
3. How does the sermon describe the role of Jesus as a "Wonderful Counselor" and "Mighty God" in our lives today? [26:50]
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you placed your trust in something or someone other than God. What was the outcome, and how might you approach a similar situation differently now? [20:42]
2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of trusting in God's character. How can you actively remind yourself of God's faithfulness in your daily life? [26:50]
3. Consider the areas in your life where you feel hopeless. How can you begin to place your hope in God during this Advent season? [32:14]
4. The sermon mentions that hope is often tied to waiting. How do you handle periods of waiting, and what practices can help you maintain hope during these times? [15:29]
5. How can you demonstrate trust in God through your actions this week, especially in situations where you feel uncertain or afraid? [17:01]
6. Identify one specific way you can share the hope of Advent with someone in your community. What steps will you take to make this happen? [36:42]
7. Reflect on the title "Prince of Peace" given to Jesus. How can you seek and promote peace in your relationships and environment this week? [26:50]
Devotional
Day 1: The Advent of Hope
The Advent season is a time of anticipation and reflection, reminding us of the profound hope that Jesus Christ brings into our lives. This hope is not just about celebrating His birth but also recognizing His presence with us today and His promised return. The essence of Advent is rooted in trust, as it transforms fleeting desires into steadfast expectations. Trust in God is essential for hope to thrive, as it allows us to remain hopeful even in the face of adversity. By anchoring our trust in God, who is faithful and able to fulfill His promises, we can experience a hope that is unwavering and true. [03:42]
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: In what areas of your life do you need to renew your hope and trust in God's promises today?
Day 2: Trust as the Bedrock of Hope
Without trust, hope becomes a mere wish, lacking the foundation needed to sustain it. Our trust must be anchored in God, who is faithful and able to fulfill His promises. When we place our hope in unreliable sources, we are often left disappointed. However, true hope is found in trusting God, who never fails. This trust transforms our hope from a fleeting desire into a steadfast expectation, allowing us to remain hopeful even in challenging times. By placing our trust in God, we can experience a hope that is unwavering and true. [08:11]
Jeremiah 17:7-8 (ESV): "Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit."
Reflection: Identify one area in your life where you have misplaced your trust. How can you begin to shift your trust back to God today?
Day 3: The Perils of Misplaced Trust
King Ahaz's failure to trust in God led to his downfall, illustrating the dangers of relying on worldly alliances. In our lives, we face similar challenges that test our trust in God. We may be tempted to rely on our own understanding or seek security in worldly things, but true hope is found in trusting God. By resisting the temptation to rely on our own understanding and instead placing our hope in God, we can avoid the pitfalls of misplaced trust and experience the peace and security that comes from trusting in Him. [20:42]
Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV): "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."
Reflection: What is one decision you are currently facing where you need to trust God rather than your own understanding?
Day 4: The Character of Our King
Jesus is our Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. His character assures us that we can trust Him with our lives. He offers love, guidance, strength, and eternal presence, providing a solid foundation for our hope. By understanding and embracing the character of our King, we can place our hope in Him, knowing that He is faithful and true. This understanding allows us to experience the peace and security that comes from trusting in Jesus, who is our constant source of hope and strength. [26:50]
Psalm 145:13 (ESV): "Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures throughout all generations. The Lord is faithful in all his words and kind in all his works."
Reflection: How can you actively remind yourself of Jesus' character and promises in your daily life?
Day 5: Hope Amidst Darkness
Despite the darkness that surrounds us, we are called to place our hope in the character of our King. Jesus' love and grace never fail, and His presence is constant. As we journey through Advent, let us hold onto this hope, trusting in the One who is faithful and true. By placing our hope in Jesus, we can experience peace and security even in the midst of darkness. This hope allows us to navigate the challenges of life with confidence, knowing that we are not alone and that our King is with us every step of the way. [32:14]
Lamentations 3:22-23 (ESV): "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."
Reflection: In what ways can you actively seek and recognize God's presence and hope in your life today, even amidst challenges?
Quotes
God's going to put you into trust exercises. And we keep on trying to do things our way by being disobedient. So that it relies a little bit more on our intellect and strength and not on what God is telling us to do. On the count of three. Let go and trust. Let go and trust in the source. One, two, But this is what I love about God. God doesn't give up on you. God doesn't beat you up for being human. On the count of three, God's got you, and so does your church community. He won't let you down. [00:17:31] (125 seconds)
While darkness is all around, Isaiah is telling us to place our hope in the character of the king. Well, somebody asked what is the character of our king? Well, he says it right here: wonderful, he's marvelous, he's delightful. This world will beat you up, but I serve a savior who is wonderful. People will reject you and treat you bad, but I serve a God whose love will never fail. I almost lost my mind on this week, but I made it to church this morning because I have a wonderful savior. [00:27:36] (43 seconds)
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