The Promise of Advent: Embracing Love and Hope
Summary
During a Sunday service on December 24, 2023, titled "The Promise of Advent: Love," the congregation was led through a sermon that wove together the story of Abraham from the Old Testament with the birth of Jesus, emphasizing the continuity of God's promises throughout the Bible. The speaker began by expressing gratitude to the musicians and welcoming everyone, including visitors, to join in the church community. They noted the importance of walking together in faith and informed the children that they would remain in the service, promising a shorter sermon.
The sermon series leading up to Christmas had been focused on Abraham's story and its connection to Jesus, who is the central figure of the Bible. The speaker acknowledged the significance of communion and the gathering of the congregation, offering a prayer of gratitude for God's Son and the promise of Advent. They encouraged the congregation to be inspired by Jesus' actions and to choose to follow Him daily.
The faith and trust of Mary and Sarah were highlighted, contrasting Mary's acceptance of God's word with Sarah's struggle to believe in the promise of a son. The speaker pointed out that the fulfillment of God's promises relies on Him, not on the individuals involved. Isaac's birth partially fulfilled God's promise to Abraham, but the ultimate fulfillment is found in Jesus, who models trust in God through His life, birth, and obedience to the Father.
The speaker also emphasized the need for rest and peace in a world of strife, describing Jesus as the Prince of Peace and urging the congregation to follow His commandments to love God and others. The promises of Christmas, fulfilled in Jesus, were a central theme, and the speaker invited those who had not accepted Jesus as their Savior to do so.
The prophecy of Isaiah about a child who would bear the world's weight was discussed, with Jesus being the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. The Christmas season serves as a reminder of God's promise and Jesus as the fulfillment of all promises.
The speaker reminded the audience that Jesus is the ultimate answer and hope for every promise, emphasizing that the best gift is Jesus Himself. The purpose of journeying through Abraham's story was to remember that God delivers on His promises, which are not material wealth or worldly success, but salvation through Jesus. The promise of Christmas is eternal life through trust in Jesus, moving from a world where everything dies to a place where everything lives forever.
The fulfillment of the promise in Abraham's story was discussed, with the birth of Isaac being a miracle due to Sarah's advanced age. The speaker shared a personal story about wanting to name a child Isaac and concluded that Christmas promises and miracles can still come true.
Key Takeaways:
- The story of Abraham and the birth of Jesus demonstrate that the Bible's narrative is unified by God's consistent promises, which culminate in the coming of Christ. This continuity shows that God's plan is not an afterthought but a deliberate unfolding of redemption throughout history. [52:07]
- Communion is a weekly reminder of the promise of Advent, where believers not only remember Jesus' sacrifice but also recommit to living a life that honors Him. This act of worship is a personal and communal declaration of faith and dedication. [01:09:18]
- The contrasting responses of Mary and Sarah to God's promises reveal that while human faith may waver, God's faithfulness does not. His plans do not hinge on our ability to believe but on His sovereign power to fulfill His word. [01:00:50]
- Jesus' titles as described by Isaiah—Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace—offer a multifaceted understanding of His character and work. Each title reflects a different aspect of the hope and restoration He brings to our lives. [01:03:47]
- The true gift of Christmas is not found in material possessions but in the person of Jesus Christ. By trusting in Him, we transition from a temporary existence to eternal life, which is the ultimate fulfillment of God's promises to humanity. [53:06]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Genesis 21:1-3: "The Lord visited Sarah as he had said, and the Lord did to Sarah as he had promised. And Sarah conceived and bore Abraham a son in his old age, at the time of which God had spoken to him. Abraham called the name of his son who was born to him, whom Sarah bore him, Isaac."
2. Luke 1:38: "And Mary said, 'Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.' And the angel departed from her."
3. Isaiah 9:6: "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be upon his shoulder. And his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."
#### Observation Questions
1. What was the promise given to Abraham and Sarah, and how was it fulfilled? (Genesis 21:1-3)
2. How did Mary respond to the angel's message about the birth of Jesus? (Luke 1:38)
3. What titles are given to Jesus in Isaiah 9:6, and what do they signify?
4. According to the sermon, what is the ultimate fulfillment of God's promises? [52:49]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the birth of Isaac serve as a partial fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham, and how is this promise ultimately fulfilled in Jesus? [01:01:48]
2. What can we learn from the contrasting responses of Sarah and Mary to God's promises? [01:00:02]
3. How do the titles given to Jesus in Isaiah 9:6 reflect different aspects of His character and work? [01:03:43]
4. Why is it significant that all of God's promises find their "yes" in Jesus, according to 2 Corinthians 1:20? [52:49]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you struggled to believe in a promise from God. How did you respond, and what was the outcome? How can Sarah's and Mary's stories inspire you in similar situations? [01:00:02]
2. The sermon emphasized that God's promises are not about material wealth or worldly success but about salvation through Jesus. How does this perspective change your understanding of God's promises in your life? [54:39]
3. Jesus is described as the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. Which of these titles resonates most with you right now, and why? [01:03:43]
4. The speaker mentioned the importance of rest and peace in a world of strife. What practical steps can you take to experience the peace that Jesus offers in your daily life? [01:06:19]
5. How can you incorporate the practice of communion as a weekly reminder of Jesus' sacrifice and a recommitment to living a life that honors Him? [01:09:18]
6. The sermon invited those who have not accepted Jesus as their Savior to do so. If you have not made this decision, what questions or concerns do you have about taking this step? If you have, how can you support others in their journey towards faith? [01:07:59]
7. The speaker shared a personal story about wanting to name a child Isaac, symbolizing the fulfillment of God's promises. Can you think of a personal story or experience where you saw God's promise fulfilled in your life? How did it impact your faith? [56:47]
Devotional
Day 1: God's Unfolding Plan of Redemption
God's promises are a deliberate unfolding of redemption, culminating in Christ's coming. The Bible's narrative, from Abraham to Jesus, reveals a consistent divine plan, assuring believers that history is not random but purposeful. [52:07]
Hebrews 11:8-10 - "By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God."
Reflection: How does understanding God's consistent plan throughout history affect your trust in His promises for your life?
Day 2: Recommitment Through Communion
Communion is a personal and communal act of recommitment to Christ. It serves as a weekly reminder of Jesus' sacrifice and our ongoing dedication to live a life that honors Him. [01:09:18]
1 Corinthians 11:25-26 - "In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, 'This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.' For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes."
Reflection: How can your participation in communion this week be a deeper act of personal recommitment to Christ?
Day 3: God's Faithfulness Surpasses Human Doubt
God's faithfulness is unwavering, independent of human belief. The contrasting responses of Mary and Sarah to God's promises illustrate that His plans are fulfilled by His power, not our faith. [01:00:50]
2 Timothy 2:13 - "If we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot disown himself."
Reflection: Can you recall a time when God's faithfulness became evident in your life despite your own doubts or struggles to believe?
Day 4: The Multifaceted Hope in Christ
Jesus embodies hope and restoration through His titles—Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Each title reflects a unique aspect of the salvation He offers. [01:03:47]
Isaiah 9:6-7 - "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. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end."
Reflection: Which of Jesus' titles speaks most to your current circumstances, and how can it bring you comfort and guidance today?
Day 5: Eternal Life: The Ultimate Christmas Gift
The true gift of Christmas is eternal life through Jesus. Trusting in Him transitions us from temporary existence to eternal life, fulfilling God's ultimate promise. [53:06]
1 John 5:11-12 - "And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life."
Reflection: How does the promise of eternal life through Jesus influence your perspective on the material and temporary aspects of the Christmas season?
Quotes
"This Advent season, during the weeks leading up to Christmas, we've been looking at preparation for Christmas through the story of Abraham in the Old Testament, taking a roundabout kind of backwards view into the Christmas season." [51:09] (Download)
"And Jesus actually wants you to be able to rest with him. His desire is that you would be at peace with him. And so he comes as the Prince of Peace." [01:06:34] (Download)
"Praise God, Jesus is a Wonderful Counselor. He meets us where we are. He meets us where we're hurting. He comforts us in our trials. Far better than any therapist we could go to here on earth." [01:04:44] (Download)
"The plan and the promises of God are not dependent upon the person who is involved, but on the one who makes the promise. And Christmastime is about God making promises that are ultimately fulfilled in his son, Jesus." [01:01:45] (Download)
"All of God's promises find their yes in Jesus. The promise to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, David, and Israel is fulfilled in Jesus. This is what we gather to celebrate at Christmastime, the ultimate fulfillment in Jesus." [01:02:45] (Download)
"All the promises of God find their yes in Jesus. And so anytime God speaks and makes a promise, the ultimate answer to that promise is going to be Jesus. The ultimate hope of that promise is going to be Jesus." [53:06] (Download)
"God delivers on his promises. His promise is salvation for those who believe in his Son, Jesus. It's a promise that because Jesus conquered death, that if we trust in Jesus, we can live forever." [54:02] (Download)
"The promise of Christmas is that if we trust in Jesus, the one who came at Christmastime, we will one day be able to leave the land of the dying to be forever with him in the land of the living." [54:58] (Download)
"The one promise that Abraham wanted to be fulfilled more than any of the other ones, was that he would have a son, that he would have an heir, someone who came after him." [55:41] (Download)
"Isaac, Abraham's son, a son whose name means one who laughs, because Sarah, his mom, laughed when she found out that she was going to have a baby, because she was 90 years old." [57:23] (Download)
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