Living with Certain Hope: The Christmas Promise
Summary
The allure of Hallmark-style movies lies in their predictability and the promise of a happily ever after. These films resonate with us because they reflect a deep-seated desire for certainty and hope in our lives. Just as we know the ending of these movies, the Christmas story offers us a similar assurance. The arrival of the Messiah, prophesied centuries before, is a testament to a hope that is certain and unwavering. This hope is not abstract or wishful thinking; it is a solid foundation upon which we can build our lives.
The Christmas story, much like our lives, is filled with off-script moments. Mary, the mother of Jesus, experienced such a moment when the angel Gabriel announced her divine pregnancy. Her life, like many biblical figures, did not follow a predictable script. Abraham, Joseph, Moses, Ruth, and others all faced unexpected turns. Yet, these off-script moments are not the end of the story. They are part of a larger narrative that leads to a certain hope and a happily ever after.
This hope is not the world's version of hope, which is often a mere wish. Instead, it is a life-shaping certainty about the future. It is the assurance that, despite the ups and downs, our story will end in victory. Jesus, through His life, death, and resurrection, has secured this ending for us. He is the Prince of Peace, bringing ever-increasing peace into our lives.
As followers of Christ, we are called to live with this hope, to be eternal optimists. This hope should permeate every aspect of our lives, influencing how we interact with others and how we face challenges. It is a hope that transforms us and those around us. Our families, our communities, and the world need this hope. We are to be carriers of this hope, reminding ourselves and others that our story ends in a happily ever after.
Key Takeaways:
1. Predictability and Hope: Hallmark-style movies offer a predictable ending, much like the certainty we find in the Christmas story. This predictability reflects our deep desire for a certain hope, a hope that is not abstract but a solid foundation for our lives. [02:18]
2. Off-Script Moments: Life often goes off-script, as seen in the lives of Mary and other biblical figures. These moments are not the end but part of a larger narrative that leads to hope and fulfillment. [16:21]
3. Certain Hope vs. Wishful Thinking: The world's idea of hope is often wishful thinking, but biblical hope is a life-shaping certainty about the future. It is the assurance that our story will end in victory, secured by Jesus. [32:08]
4. Living as Eternal Optimists: As Christians, we are called to live with hope, influencing our interactions and how we face challenges. This hope should transform us and those around us, making us carriers of hope in a world that desperately needs it. [39:40]
5. The End of Our Story: The Christmas story assures us that our story ends in a happily ever after. Jesus, the Alpha and Omega, guarantees this ending, and we are to live with the certainty of this hope every day. [47:56]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [02:18] - The Allure of Hallmark Movies
- [04:31] - Indoor Dating and Movie Recommendations
- [06:16] - Creating Our Own Movie
- [08:39] - Life Goes Off-Script
- [16:21] - Mary's Off-Script Moment
- [18:11] - Biblical Off-Script Moments
- [20:18] - The Pattern of Life
- [21:15] - The Gospel's Certain Hope
- [22:53] - Happily Ever After
- [32:08] - Certain Hope vs. Fool's Hope
- [33:40] - The Impact of Hope
- [35:38] - Living with Hope
- [37:43] - The Certainty of Victory
- [39:40] - Jesus, the Eternal Optimist
- [41:11] - The Role of Hope in Family
- [47:56] - The End of Our Story
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Isaiah 9:6 - "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."
2. Luke 1:26-33 - The announcement of Jesus' birth to Mary by the angel Gabriel.
3. John 11:25-26 - "Jesus said to her, 'I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?'"
Observation Questions:
1. What does Isaiah 9:6 reveal about the nature and roles of the Messiah? How does this connect to the theme of hope in the sermon? [47:56]
2. In Luke 1:26-33, how does Mary initially react to the angel Gabriel's message, and what does this tell us about her character? [16:21]
3. According to John 11:25-26, what promise does Jesus make about life and death? How does this promise relate to the concept of a "certain hope"? [22:53]
4. How do Hallmark-style movies illustrate the idea of predictability and certainty, and how is this similar to the message of the Christmas story? [02:18]
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the prophecy in Isaiah 9:6 provide a foundation for the hope that is central to the Christmas story? What implications does this have for believers today? [47:56]
2. What can we learn from Mary's response to her off-script moment in Luke 1:26-33 about handling unexpected changes in our own lives? [16:21]
3. How does Jesus' statement in John 11:25-26 challenge the world's understanding of hope? What does it mean to have a "life-shaping certainty about the future"? [32:08]
4. The sermon mentions that life often goes off-script. How can believers find assurance and hope in these moments, according to the examples given in the sermon? [18:11]
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when your life went off-script. How did you respond, and what role did your faith play in that situation? How might you respond differently now with the understanding of certain hope? [18:11]
2. The sermon encourages believers to be carriers of hope. Identify one area in your life where you can intentionally bring hope to others this week. What specific actions will you take? [39:40]
3. Consider the concept of "certain hope" versus "wishful thinking." How can you cultivate a mindset of certain hope in your daily life, especially when facing challenges? [32:08]
4. How can the assurance of a happily ever after, as promised in the Christmas story, influence your perspective on current struggles or uncertainties? [22:53]
5. The sermon suggests living as eternal optimists. What practical steps can you take to embody this optimism in your interactions with family, friends, and colleagues? [39:40]
6. How can you use the Christmas story to share the message of hope with someone who is struggling with uncertainty or fear? What approach will you take to ensure the message is received with love and understanding? [41:11]
7. Reflect on the role of hope in your family dynamics. How can you be a source of hope and encouragement to your family members, especially during difficult times? [41:11]
Devotional
Day 1: The Certainty of Hope
The allure of Hallmark-style movies lies in their predictability and the promise of a happily ever after. These films resonate with us because they reflect a deep-seated desire for certainty and hope in our lives. Similarly, the Christmas story offers us a similar assurance. The arrival of the Messiah, prophesied centuries before, is a testament to a hope that is certain and unwavering. This hope is not abstract or wishful thinking; it is a solid foundation upon which we can build our lives. Just as we know the ending of these movies, we can trust in the certainty of the hope that the Christmas story brings. [02:18]
"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: In what areas of your life do you find yourself longing for certainty? How can you remind yourself of the certain hope found in the Christmas story today?
Day 2: Embracing Off-Script Moments
Life often goes off-script, as seen in the lives of Mary and other biblical figures. Mary, the mother of Jesus, experienced such a moment when the angel Gabriel announced her divine pregnancy. Her life, like many biblical figures, did not follow a predictable script. Abraham, Joseph, Moses, Ruth, and others all faced unexpected turns. Yet, these off-script moments are not the end of the story. They are part of a larger narrative that leads to a certain hope and a happily ever after. Embracing these moments can lead us to a deeper understanding of God's plan for our lives. [16:21]
"The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps." (Proverbs 16:9, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a recent off-script moment in your life. How can you see God's hand at work in that situation, and how might it be part of a larger narrative?
Day 3: The Assurance of Certain Hope
The world's idea of hope is often wishful thinking, but biblical hope is a life-shaping certainty about the future. It is the assurance that, despite the ups and downs, our story will end in victory. Jesus, through His life, death, and resurrection, has secured this ending for us. He is the Prince of Peace, bringing ever-increasing peace into our lives. This hope is not just a comforting thought but a transformative reality that shapes how we live and interact with the world. [32:08]
"Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." (Hebrews 11:1, ESV)
Reflection: How does the assurance of certain hope influence your daily decisions and interactions with others? What changes can you make to live more fully in this hope?
Day 4: Living as Eternal Optimists
As followers of Christ, we are called to live with hope, influencing our interactions and how we face challenges. This hope should transform us and those around us, making us carriers of hope in a world that desperately needs it. Our families, our communities, and the world need this hope. We are to be carriers of this hope, reminding ourselves and others that our story ends in a happily ever after. Living as eternal optimists means allowing this hope to permeate every aspect of our lives. [39:40]
"But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect." (1 Peter 3:15, ESV)
Reflection: Who in your life needs to see the hope of Christ through you today? How can you intentionally share this hope with them in a practical way?
Day 5: The Promise of a Happily Ever After
The Christmas story assures us that our story ends in a happily ever after. Jesus, the Alpha and Omega, guarantees this ending, and we are to live with the certainty of this hope every day. This promise is not just for the future but impacts how we live in the present. It gives us the courage to face challenges and the strength to persevere, knowing that our ultimate victory is secure. Embracing this promise allows us to live with joy and purpose, even in the midst of life's uncertainties. [47:56]
"And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ." (Philippians 1:6, ESV)
Reflection: How does the promise of a happily ever after change your perspective on current struggles? What steps can you take to live more fully in this promise today?
Quotes
"Because the Christmas story is a story of hope, not abstract hope, not squishy hope, but a solid hope that you can base your entire life on. Let's pray before we go any further. God, I'm asking that you would do that for all of us, that you would give us the gift of hope, the gift of laughter, the gift of fun, that we'd walk out with our hope tank filled up because of you." [00:02:33] (20 seconds)
"Think about it for just a second. Abraham. Abraham's a successful business owner. He's growing his business. He's growing his flocks. He's getting more wealth. And then God out of nowhere shows up in a dream and says, Abraham, I want you to leave everything you've ever known, and I want you to head out the door, and I'm not going to tell you where you're going until you start moving. That's an off-script moment." [00:18:11] (21 seconds)
"No, no, that's not the kind of hope the Bible talks about. That's a fool's hope. That's wildly different. By the way, wives, a fool's hope is what you have if you want your husband to get you the thing you want and you haven't told him exactly what it is. And I cannot stress the word exactly enough. I mean, exactly." [00:31:51] (20 seconds)
"He wasn't promising that every moment and every scene of your entire life would go just perfect on script. He did not promise that at all. John 16, he said, Truly I say to you, you will weep and lament, and the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy. He says, yeah, you'll have some scenes you don't like, but it's not the end." [00:40:47] (24 seconds)
"I don't know where you are in your life. I don't know what scene's currently playing out for you. I don't know whether it's one where it looks like things are going to be hopeful. I don't know whether it's one where it looks like everything's just falling apart again. I don't know. But I know this, unless it's Jesus standing up with his arms spread over your life and saying, I'm making all of this new, good news. It's not the end." [00:49:20] (24 seconds)
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