Hopeful Waiting: Embracing Advent's Promises in Christ

Devotional

Day 1: Trusting in God's Timing

In a world that values instant gratification, waiting can be a profound challenge. The Advent season reminds us that waiting is not just a passive state but an active trust in God's perfect timing. As we anticipate the celebration of Christ's birth, we are called to embrace the waiting period as a time to deepen our faith and reliance on God's promises. This waiting is not about the immediate fulfillment of our desires but about trusting that God's plans are greater than our own. In the waiting, we learn patience and develop a deeper understanding of God's faithfulness. [03:30]

"For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay." (Habakkuk 2:3, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you struggle with impatience? How can you practice trusting in God's timing this week?

Day 2: Hope in Darkness

The story of Israel's exile is a powerful reminder that even in the darkest times, God is present and working. The prophets, like Jeremiah, spoke of a future hope and restoration, encouraging the people to hold onto God's promises despite their circumstances. This hope sustained them through their suffering and can sustain us today as we face our own challenges. In times of uncertainty and difficulty, we are invited to remember that God is faithful and His promises are true. [11:03]

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." (Jeremiah 29:11, ESV)

Reflection: Think of a challenging situation you are currently facing. How can you hold onto hope and trust in God's faithfulness during this time?

Day 3: Jesus, the Fulfillment of Promises

Jesus is the fulfillment of the promises made to Israel, the righteous branch from the line of David who brings justice and righteousness. Our hope is anchored in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, who has already come and will come again to fully establish His kingdom. This assurance gives us confidence to live in hope, knowing that God's promises are true and will be fulfilled in His perfect timing. [17:23]

"And the angel said to her, 'Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High.'" (Luke 1:30-32, ESV)

Reflection: How does the fulfillment of God's promises in Jesus impact your understanding of hope and faith today?

Day 4: Living in Hopeful Anticipation

We live in an "already and not yet" time, where Jesus has come, but His kingdom is not yet fully realized. This calls us to live in hopeful anticipation, actively participating in God's work on earth. Our hope is not passive but a call to action, to be the light and salt in the world. As we wait for the full realization of God's kingdom, we are invited to partner with Him in bringing His love and justice to those around us. [25:20]

"Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ." (1 Peter 1:13, ESV)

Reflection: What is one practical way you can actively participate in God's work in your community this week?

Day 5: A Community Marked by Hope

As a church, we are called to be a community marked by hope, living out the message of Christ's kingdom. In a world that often does not recognize or accept this message, we are to be different, embodying goodness, grace, love, and light. Our hope is a beacon in the darkness, pointing others to the ultimate hope found in Jesus. Together, we can encourage one another to live out this hope and be a testament to God's transformative power. [27:49]

"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." (Hebrews 10:24-25, ESV)

Reflection: How can you contribute to creating a community of hope within your church or small group? What specific actions can you take to encourage others in their faith journey?

Sermon Summary

In this season of Advent, we find ourselves in a time of waiting, a time that can be both challenging and hopeful. As we anticipate Christmas, we are reminded of the promises of God and the hope that only Jesus can bring. This period of waiting is not just about the excitement of gifts and decorations but about the deeper longing for the fulfillment of God's promises. The story of Stretch Armstrong from my childhood serves as a metaphor for our impatience and the human tendency to seek immediate gratification. Yet, the true essence of this season is found in the hope promised through Jesus Christ.

The Old Testament prophets, like Jeremiah, spoke of a future hope during times of darkness and exile. They foretold the coming of a Messiah, a righteous branch from the line of David, who would bring justice and righteousness. This promise was fulfilled in Jesus, who came to transform the world and offer salvation. The people of Israel, despite their suffering and exile, held onto this hope, trusting in God's faithfulness even when the fulfillment seemed distant.

Today, we find ourselves in a similar position of waiting. We live in an "already and not yet" time, where Jesus has come, but His kingdom is not yet fully realized. We are called to live in hope, trusting in God's promises and actively partnering with Him to bring His kingdom to earth. This season, let us not place our hope in humanity but in Jesus, the one who reveals what it truly means to be human. As we wait, let us be a community marked by hope, living out the message of Christ's kingdom in a world that often does not recognize it.

Key Takeaways

1. The Challenge of Waiting: Waiting is a universal struggle, often filled with impatience and uncertainty. Yet, it is in the waiting that we learn to trust in God's timing and promises. Our hope is not in the immediate fulfillment of our desires but in the assurance that God is faithful and His promises will come to pass. [03:30]
2. Hope in the Midst of Exile: The story of Israel's exile teaches us that even in the darkest times, God is present and working. The prophets, like Jeremiah, reminded the people of God's faithfulness and the promise of restoration. This hope sustained them through their suffering and can sustain us today as we face our own challenges. [11:03]
3. The Fulfillment of God's Promises: Jesus is the fulfillment of the promises made to Israel. He is the righteous branch from the line of David, bringing justice and righteousness. Our hope is anchored in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, who has already come and will come again to fully establish His kingdom. [17:23]
4. Living in the "Already and Not Yet": We live in a time where Jesus has come, but His kingdom is not yet fully realized. This calls us to live in hopeful anticipation, actively participating in God's work on earth. Our hope is not passive but a call to action, to be the light and salt in the world. [25:20]
5. A Community of Hope: As a church, we are called to be a community marked by hope, living out the message of Christ's kingdom. In a world that often does not recognize or accept this message, we are to be different, embodying goodness, grace, love, and light. Our hope is a beacon in the darkness, pointing others to the ultimate hope found in Jesus. [27:49]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:10] - Childhood Memories and Impatience
[02:08] - The Anticipation of Christmas
[03:30] - The Challenge of Waiting
[07:02] - Prophetic Promises of Hope
[09:16] - Jeremiah's Message of Hope
[11:03] - Israel's Exile and Identity Crisis
[13:56] - God's Faithfulness in Exile
[17:23] - Fulfillment in Jesus
[18:47] - Trusting in God's Promises
[19:55] - The Reality of a Blue Christmas
[21:10] - The Source of Our Hope
[23:36] - Jesus: The Reason for the Season
[25:20] - Living in the "Already and Not Yet"
[27:49] - A Community of Hope

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What does Jeremiah 33:14-16 promise about the future of Israel and Judah? How is this promise described in terms of justice and righteousness?
In the sermon, how does the story of Stretch Armstrong illustrate the human tendency towards impatience? [01:10]
What were the circumstances in which Jeremiah delivered his message of hope to the people of Israel? [09:16]
How does the sermon describe the "already and not yet" nature of Jesus' kingdom? [25:20]

Interpretation Questions

How might the promise of a "righteous branch" from David's line have provided hope to the Israelites during their exile? [09:16]
What does the sermon suggest about the role of waiting in the Christian life, and how does it relate to trusting in God's promises? [03:30]
How does the concept of living in the "already and not yet" challenge believers to actively participate in God's work on earth? [25:20]
In what ways does the sermon encourage believers to place their hope in Jesus rather than in humanity? [25:20]

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you struggled with waiting for something important. How did you handle the impatience, and what might you do differently now in light of the sermon? [03:30]
The sermon mentions the idea of a "blue Christmas" for those who find the season difficult. How can you support someone in your community who might be experiencing this? [19:55]
Consider the "already and not yet" aspect of Jesus' kingdom. What is one practical way you can actively participate in bringing God's kingdom to earth in your daily life? [25:20]
How can you ensure that your hope is anchored in Jesus, especially during challenging times? What practices or habits might help reinforce this focus? [25:20]
The sermon calls for the church to be a community marked by hope. What specific actions can your small group take to embody this hope in your local community? [27:49]
Think about a promise from God that you are currently holding onto. How can you remind yourself of God's faithfulness as you wait for its fulfillment? [18:47]
How can you cultivate a spirit of generosity and kindness beyond the Christmas season, ensuring it becomes a year-round practice? [23:36]

Sermon Clips

I know that this season, this time of year, is about waiting. Waiting is hard. It's not easy. And I know one of the things that we're waiting for, and some of us perhaps a little more than others of us, is we are waiting for Christmas. And we're waiting for some presents that will hopefully show up under a tree. [00:02:08] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

These are promises and hopes that only can come from God. And no matter who you are or where you're coming from, or even what you're hoping for, you can experience, you can know this life-changing joy and peace and hope that comes from a relationship with Jesus Christ, the Messiah. [00:06:36] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

God continued to send the prophets, like Jeremiah, who spoke of God's faithfulness and a future restoration. Their lives were shattered, yet they held on to the hope that God was going to fulfill his ultimate promises for this people. [00:14:02] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

Trust God with your present right now as we're waiting, but also trust Him with your future because this is the God who fulfills His promises. [00:23:16] (13 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

One thing that we need to remember, those of us in the church, is to not place your hope in humanity, but to place your hope in the human one. The one who came to show us, to reveal to us what it means to be human. Jesus the Messiah. [00:25:20] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

Lord, forgive us when we've taken our eyes off of you and just paid attention to the brokenness that's in us and in those around us and in the world. We don't want to be like that. We don't want to be just like the world. We want to be different. We want to be people of goodness and grace, people of love and light, people of hope. [00:27:58] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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