Living with Expectancy: Embracing God's Promises This Advent
Summary
In this Advent season, we are reminded of the profound sense of expectancy that should characterize our lives as followers of Jesus. Just as birdwatchers prepare and wait with anticipation for the appearance of a rare bird, we too are called to live with our eyes open, ready to see where God is moving in our lives and in the world around us. This posture of expectancy is not just for Advent but is a daily invitation to be aware of God's presence and activity.
The story of Abraham in Genesis 12 and 15 is pivotal in understanding God's redemptive plan for humanity. God calls Abraham to leave his tribe and promises to make him the father of a great nation that will bless all other tribes. This was a radical departure from the tribal mindset of self-preservation prevalent in the ancient Near East. God's covenant with Abraham was not just a promise but a revolutionary idea that a tribe could exist to bless others.
In Genesis 15, we see the ritual of covenant-making, where God alone passes through the animal halves, signifying that He will uphold both ends of the covenant. This act foreshadows the coming of Jesus, who fulfills the covenant on behalf of humanity. Jesus, the faithful Israelite, embodies everything Abraham's family was meant to be, and through His death and resurrection, He opens the door for all to become part of Abraham's family.
This Advent, we are invited to remember that God's promises are for everyone. Jesus' birth, life, and sacrifice burst the narrow confines of the old covenant, creating a new humanity where faith, not ethnicity or status, is the marker of belonging. We are called to trust in this generous, kind, and faithful God who invites us into a relationship marked by grace and love.
Key Takeaways:
1. Expectancy in Faith: Just as birdwatchers wait with anticipation, we are called to live expectantly, always looking for God's movement in our lives. This posture of expectancy is a daily invitation to be aware of God's presence and activity. [03:27]
2. The Radical Covenant: God's covenant with Abraham was revolutionary, calling a tribe to exist for the blessing of others. This challenges us to move beyond self-preservation and embrace a larger story of love and service. [10:03]
3. God's Faithfulness: In the covenant ritual, God alone passes through the animal halves, signifying His commitment to uphold both ends of the deal. This foreshadows Jesus' role in fulfilling the covenant on behalf of humanity. [27:03]
4. Jesus, the Fulfillment: Jesus embodies the faithful Israelite, fulfilling the covenant and opening the door for all to become part of Abraham's family. His life and sacrifice create a new humanity marked by faith and love. [33:08]
5. A New Humanity: Through Jesus, God's promises extend to all, creating a new family where faith, not ethnicity or status, is the marker of belonging. This Advent, we are invited to trust in God's generous and faithful love. [36:19]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [01:07] - The Expectancy of Advent
- [03:27] - Living with Expectancy
- [04:39] - Year of Biblical Literacy
- [06:12] - The Promise to Abraham
- [07:21] - Understanding Tribal Culture
- [10:03] - A Tribe for Others
- [12:10] - The Covenant Ritual
- [13:18] - The Test Drive Analogy
- [14:38] - Agreements and Consequences
- [19:17] - The Ancient Covenant
- [20:19] - Cutting a Deal
- [22:16] - The Power of Covenant
- [23:36] - God's Promise to Abraham
- [25:08] - Abraham's Trust
- [27:03] - God's Presence in the Covenant
- [30:10] - Jesus and the Fulfillment of the Covenant
- [33:08] - The Christmas Story
- [35:10] - A New Family in Christ
- [36:19] - The New Humanity
- [38:53] - Trusting in God's Faithfulness
- [40:06] - God's Assurance and Love
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Genesis 12:1-3
- Genesis 15:1-6, 17-18
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Observation Questions:
1. What does God promise to Abraham in Genesis 12:1-3, and how does this promise challenge the tribal mindset of the time? [06:12]
2. In Genesis 15, what is the significance of God alone passing through the animal halves during the covenant ritual? [27:03]
3. How does the analogy of birdwatching relate to the concept of expectancy in faith as discussed in the sermon? [03:27]
4. What role does Jesus play in fulfilling the covenant made with Abraham, according to the sermon? [33:08]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the promise to Abraham in Genesis 12:1-3 redefine the purpose of a tribe, and what implications does this have for understanding God's plan for humanity? [10:03]
2. What does the act of God passing through the animal halves alone in Genesis 15 suggest about His commitment to the covenant, and how does this foreshadow Jesus' role? [27:03]
3. How does the sermon describe the transformation from the old covenant to the new humanity created through Jesus, and what does this mean for believers today? [36:19]
4. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the story of Abraham and the covenant is relevant to the Advent season and the anticipation of Jesus' birth? [33:08]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you lived with a sense of expectancy in your faith. How can you cultivate this posture daily, especially during the Advent season? [03:27]
2. The sermon challenges us to move beyond self-preservation and embrace a larger story of love and service. What practical steps can you take to live out this calling in your community? [10:03]
3. Consider the idea that God's promises are for everyone, creating a new family marked by faith and love. How can you actively participate in welcoming others into this family? [36:19]
4. How does understanding God's faithfulness in upholding the covenant, even when humanity fails, impact your trust in Him? What areas of your life require a deeper trust in God's promises? [27:03]
5. Jesus' life and sacrifice create a new humanity. How can you embody this new identity in your daily interactions and relationships? [33:08]
6. The sermon mentions that faith, not ethnicity or status, is the marker of belonging in God's family. How does this truth challenge or affirm your understanding of your identity in Christ? [36:19]
7. Reflect on the analogy of birdwatching and the idea of being aware of God's presence. What specific practices can you incorporate into your life to remain attentive to where God is moving? [03:27]
Devotional
Day 1: Living with Expectancy
In the Advent season, believers are encouraged to adopt a posture of expectancy, akin to birdwatchers eagerly awaiting the appearance of a rare bird. This anticipation is not limited to a specific time of year but is a daily invitation to be aware of God's presence and activity in our lives. By living with our eyes open, we can discern where God is moving in our personal journeys and in the world around us. This expectancy is a call to be vigilant and hopeful, trusting that God is at work even when we cannot see it. [03:27]
Isaiah 30:21 (ESV): "And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, 'This is the way, walk in it,' when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you can practice being more expectant of God's presence and guidance today?
Day 2: A Tribe for Others
God's covenant with Abraham was a revolutionary call for a tribe to exist not for self-preservation but to bless others. This was a radical departure from the tribal mindset of the ancient Near East, where survival often depended on insularity and self-interest. Abraham's call challenges us to move beyond our own self-preservation and embrace a larger story of love and service. As followers of Jesus, we are invited to be part of a community that exists to bless others, reflecting God's love and generosity to the world. [10:03]
1 Peter 2:9 (ESV): "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light."
Reflection: How can you and your community be a blessing to others this week, moving beyond self-preservation to serve those around you?
Day 3: God's Faithfulness in the Covenant
In the covenant ritual with Abraham, God alone passes through the animal halves, signifying His commitment to uphold both ends of the covenant. This act foreshadows Jesus' role in fulfilling the covenant on behalf of humanity. God's faithfulness is demonstrated in His willingness to bear the full weight of the covenant, ensuring its fulfillment despite human shortcomings. This assurance of God's faithfulness invites us to trust in His promises and rely on His steadfast love, knowing that He is committed to His covenant with us. [27:03]
Hebrews 6:17-18 (ESV): "So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he guaranteed it with an oath, so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us."
Reflection: In what ways can you remind yourself of God's faithfulness today, especially in areas where you struggle to trust His promises?
Day 4: Jesus, the Fulfillment of the Covenant
Jesus embodies the faithful Israelite, fulfilling the covenant and opening the door for all to become part of Abraham's family. Through His life, death, and resurrection, Jesus creates a new humanity marked by faith and love, transcending the boundaries of ethnicity and status. This fulfillment of the covenant invites us to embrace our identity as part of this new family, living out the values of faith, love, and inclusion that Jesus exemplified. [33:08]
Ephesians 2:14-16 (ESV): "For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility."
Reflection: How can you actively live out your identity as part of this new humanity in Christ, breaking down barriers and fostering unity in your community?
Day 5: Trusting in God's Generous Love
Through Jesus, God's promises extend to all, creating a new family where faith, not ethnicity or status, is the marker of belonging. This Advent, we are invited to trust in God's generous and faithful love, which transcends human divisions and offers a place for everyone in His family. This trust calls us to embrace a relationship with God marked by grace and love, allowing His promises to shape our lives and interactions with others. [36:19]
Galatians 3:28-29 (ESV): "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise."
Reflection: What steps can you take today to deepen your trust in God's generous love and extend that love to those around you, regardless of their background or status?
Quotes
"We are in a year-long journey, a year-long series that's been broken up into these mini-series. And this year-long thing we're doing, we're calling just simply the year of biblical literacy. That we're always studying the Bible, walking through the Bible, exegeting the Scriptures, teaching through it as we go. But there is something that we are noticing in our world, and specifically in our church, in our region. Greg shared about this a bit a couple weeks ago. Is that we want to raise the bar of our understanding of our literacy when it comes to reading the Scriptures." [00:04:47] (32 seconds)
"In the ancient Near East, tribes were everything. You could argue tribes are still everything. The internet has reminded us of this. Your identity, your family, your protection, your survival, everyone belonged to a tribe. And the goal was simple. Preserve the tribe at all costs. Tribes fought battles. Tribes accumulated wealth. They formed alliances. Everything is about self-preservation. Your actions weren't just personal. That's why it's sometimes really hard to understand things like covenants that we're going to get into today." [00:07:21]
"This is why this passage that we just read, if you're just looking at the Bible, and we obviously don't do this as Christians, but if you're just looking at the Bible from a straight like sociological, anthropological, historical lens this story is wild and brand freaking new. A tribe that exists for other tribes. It's a new idea if you were to come at it, again, from the outside in. God promises Abram that he will lead a tribe not just for self-preservation but to bless all the other ones." [00:09:40] (38 seconds)
"So in this world, and at this time, that we read this story, and we're going to jump around a bit in Genesis 12 to 15 we read the story of a man called to be the father of a brand new nation, of a brand new tribe, and one that would exist to bless all of the other ones. And the more we read the story and the more we make sense of it, and where it fits, we realize this is and always is God's game plan. He begins with a person. God, the God of love, looking to woo creation back, and woo the nations back." [00:10:28] (38 seconds)
"These classic pictures of God's presence, of his consuming fire, couldn't find one scholar that does not point to and reference this is this unbelievable moment where God, in this dream and in this moment, we never hear of Abraham going through the halves, but of God's presence going through. Even if Abraham fails to do his part, which he will, this God will be faithful. Abraham is being invited to trust God, to believe that God's good, to believe that God has his best interests in mind." [00:29:48] (62 seconds)
"Jesus brings Jews and Gentiles together under one roof and he makes it so that anyone, anyone who trusts him becomes a child of Abraham, a member of the family, somebody who shares in the promise. This is God creating what Paul calls a new human. A new humanity where the blessings promised to in that moment, I may want to look back up for a minute if you will stand with me. Look back up at those stars, put yourself out there with Abraham." [00:36:19] (37 seconds)
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