Waiting in Hope: Embracing Heaven's Promise
Summary
In today's message, we explored the profound theme of waiting and hope, particularly in the context of the Advent season. We began by examining the deeper meanings behind what we wait for in life, whether it's a movie, a concert, or a flight. These surface-level waits often mask deeper desires for emotional experiences, excellence, or renewal. This led us to the central question: What are we truly waiting for? For Christians, the answer transcends earthly desires and points to the infinite—our hope in heaven and the return of Jesus.
We delved into the biblical promise of heaven, not as a distant, ethereal place, but as a tangible reality where God dwells among His people. Revelation 21 paints a picture of a new heaven and a new earth, a place of restoration where God wipes away every tear, and death and pain are no more. This vision challenges our often cartoonish perceptions of heaven and invites us to see it as a place of ultimate renewal and joy.
The sermon also highlighted the importance of resurrection, emphasizing that our faith is anchored in the historical event of Jesus' resurrection. This event assures us of our future resurrection and the transformation of our bodies into glorious forms. We are reminded that heaven is not just about individual salvation but the restoration of all creation, a return to the original glory before sin and corruption.
In practical terms, we are called to hold onto hope by looking for, considering, and practicing restoration in our lives. This involves recognizing glimpses of God's renewal in the world around us, contemplating the future glory promised to us, and actively participating in the restoration of our communities and relationships. By doing so, we align ourselves with God's redemptive work and find strength to endure the challenges of the present.
Key Takeaways:
1. The Deeper Meaning of Waiting: Our surface-level waits often reveal deeper hopes and desires. As Christians, we are called to look beyond immediate gratifications and focus on the eternal hope we have in Christ. This perspective shifts our understanding of waiting from mere endurance to a hopeful expectation of God's promises. [38:46]
2. Heaven as Restoration: Heaven is not a distant, boring place but a reality where God dwells with His people, bringing complete restoration. This vision challenges us to rethink our perceptions of heaven and embrace it as a place of ultimate joy and renewal. [49:10]
3. The Assurance of Resurrection: The resurrection of Jesus is the cornerstone of our faith, assuring us of our future resurrection and transformation. This hope empowers us to live with confidence, knowing that our present sufferings are not worth comparing to the glory that awaits us. [53:24]
4. Participating in God's Restoration: We are invited to actively participate in God's work of restoration by looking for signs of renewal, considering the future glory, and practicing restoration in our communities. This involvement aligns us with God's redemptive plan and strengthens our hope. [01:11:20]
5. Holding onto Hope: In times of doubt and despair, we are encouraged to hold onto hope by remembering God's promises and the ultimate restoration He is bringing. This hope is unbreakable and sustains us through life's challenges, allowing us to endure with faith and anticipation. [01:05:26]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [36:59] - Introduction to Advent Series
- [38:46] - The Deeper Meaning of Waiting
- [40:23] - The Cost of Waiting
- [41:06] - What Are We Really Waiting For?
- [42:10] - Waiting for the Infinite
- [43:28] - The Promise of Heaven
- [44:47] - Misconceptions About Heaven
- [46:46] - The Wedding Analogy
- [48:18] - Revelation 21: A Vision of Restoration
- [49:10] - The Renewal of All Things
- [51:19] - Creation's Restoration
- [52:04] - The Importance of Resurrection
- [53:24] - The Assurance of Resurrection
- [54:47] - What a Resurrected Body Looks Like
- [55:53] - Reunion with Loved Ones
- [56:37] - Seeing God Face to Face
- [57:24] - The Mystery Revealed
- [58:32] - Holding onto Hope
- [01:00:41] - Borrowing Future Hope
- [01:01:59] - The Crisis of Hope
- [01:03:16] - John the Baptist's Doubt
- [01:04:27] - Jesus' Assurance
- [01:05:26] - Holding onto Hope
- [01:06:43] - Looking for Restoration
- [01:07:48] - The Restoration of Notre Dame
- [01:08:58] - Experiencing Creation's Beauty
- [01:10:20] - Considering Restoration
- [01:11:20] - Practicing Restoration
- [01:12:16] - Community Restoration
- [01:13:15] - Randy's Story of Hope
- [01:15:18] - Being Part of a Bigger Story
- [01:16:06] - Encouraging One Another
- [01:17:43] - Communion and Closing Remarks
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Revelation 21:2-4
2. John 14:2-3
3. 1 Corinthians 15:20-22
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Observation Questions:
1. According to Revelation 21, what is the vision of the new heaven and new earth, and how does it differ from common perceptions of heaven? [49:10]
2. In John 14:2-3, what promise does Jesus make to His disciples about heaven, and how does this relate to the theme of waiting and hope? [46:46]
3. How does 1 Corinthians 15:20-22 describe the significance of Jesus' resurrection for believers? [53:24]
4. What are some examples given in the sermon of how our surface-level waits reveal deeper hopes and desires? [38:46]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the biblical promise of heaven as a place of restoration challenge our current understanding of heaven? [49:10]
2. What does the analogy of Jesus preparing a place for us in John 14:2-3 suggest about the nature of our relationship with Him? [46:46]
3. How does the assurance of resurrection in 1 Corinthians 15:20-22 empower believers to live with hope and confidence? [53:24]
4. In what ways does the sermon suggest that Christians can actively participate in God's work of restoration in their communities? [01:11:20]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you were waiting for something significant. How did that experience reveal your deeper hopes and desires? How can you shift your focus to the eternal hope in Christ? [38:46]
2. How can you challenge your current perceptions of heaven and embrace it as a place of ultimate joy and renewal? What steps can you take to deepen your understanding of heaven? [49:10]
3. In what ways can the assurance of resurrection influence your daily life and decisions? How can this hope help you endure present challenges? [53:24]
4. Identify a specific area in your community or relationships where you can practice restoration. What practical steps can you take to align with God's redemptive work? [01:11:20]
5. When faced with doubt or despair, what are some practical ways you can hold onto hope by remembering God's promises? How can you remind yourself of the ultimate restoration He is bringing? [01:05:26]
6. Consider the concept of "borrowing future hope" to endure present difficulties. How can you apply this idea in your life, and what specific situations might benefit from this perspective? [01:00:41]
7. How can you encourage others in your community to hold onto hope and participate in the restoration of all things? What role can you play in fostering a supportive and hopeful environment? [01:17:43]
Devotional
Day 1: Waiting with Eternal Perspective
In life, we often find ourselves waiting for various things, from mundane events like a movie or concert to significant life changes. These waits, while seemingly trivial, often mask deeper desires for fulfillment, excellence, or renewal. For Christians, the act of waiting takes on a profound dimension as it points beyond immediate gratifications to the eternal hope found in Christ. This perspective transforms waiting from a mere act of endurance to a hopeful expectation of God's promises. By focusing on the eternal, we are reminded that our true hope lies not in the temporary pleasures of this world but in the infinite joy and fulfillment that await us in heaven. [38:46]
"For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience." (Romans 8:24-25, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area in your life where you find yourself impatiently waiting? How can you shift your focus from immediate gratification to the eternal hope you have in Christ today?
Day 2: Heaven as a Place of Restoration
Heaven is often misunderstood as a distant, ethereal place, but the biblical vision presents it as a tangible reality where God dwells among His people. Revelation 21 offers a vivid picture of a new heaven and a new earth, a place of complete restoration where God wipes away every tear, and death and pain are no more. This challenges our often simplistic perceptions of heaven and invites us to embrace it as a place of ultimate joy and renewal. By reimagining heaven in this way, we are encouraged to live with a sense of anticipation and hope, knowing that God's promise of restoration is not just for individuals but for all of creation. [49:10]
"And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, 'Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God.'" (Revelation 21:3, ESV)
Reflection: How does your current understanding of heaven influence the way you live your life today? What changes can you make to align your life more closely with the vision of heaven as a place of restoration?
Day 3: The Assurance of Resurrection
The resurrection of Jesus is the cornerstone of Christian faith, providing assurance of our future resurrection and transformation. This historical event is not just a promise of individual salvation but a guarantee of the restoration of all creation. It empowers believers to live with confidence, knowing that present sufferings are temporary and incomparable to the glory that awaits. The hope of resurrection encourages us to endure life's challenges with faith, as we anticipate the transformation of our bodies into glorious forms and the ultimate renewal of all things. [53:24]
"But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead." (1 Corinthians 15:20-21, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways does the assurance of resurrection impact your daily life and decisions? How can you live more confidently in light of this promise today?
Day 4: Participating in God's Restoration
Believers are invited to actively participate in God's work of restoration by recognizing signs of renewal, contemplating future glory, and practicing restoration in their communities. This involvement aligns us with God's redemptive plan and strengthens our hope. By engaging in acts of restoration, whether through mending relationships, serving others, or caring for creation, we become co-laborers with God in His mission to restore all things. This active participation not only brings glimpses of God's kingdom into the present but also deepens our connection to His eternal purposes. [01:11:20]
"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2:10, ESV)
Reflection: What is one specific way you can participate in God's work of restoration in your community this week? How can you be intentional about seeking opportunities to bring renewal and hope to those around you?
Day 5: Holding onto Hope
In times of doubt and despair, believers are encouraged to hold onto hope by remembering God's promises and the ultimate restoration He is bringing. This hope is unbreakable and sustains us through life's challenges, allowing us to endure with faith and anticipation. By focusing on the certainty of God's promises, we find strength to navigate difficult circumstances and remain steadfast in our faith. Holding onto hope is not passive but an active choice to trust in God's faithfulness and the future glory that awaits. [01:05:26]
"Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful." (Hebrews 10:23, ESV)
Reflection: When faced with challenges, what practical steps can you take to remind yourself of God's promises and hold onto hope? How can you encourage others in your community to do the same?
Quotes
What we're waiting for reveals what we're hoping for. That is the world that we want to explore today. And something I've learned, and my friend Russell over there, he's an economist, there's always an opportunity cost with waiting. There's always a cost with waiting. There's always pain. There's something you could be doing except waiting. [00:39:43] (25 seconds)
He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain for the old order of things has passed away. And he who is seated on the throne said, I am making all things new. You can clap. This should be the most exciting thing we could ever think about. [00:49:34] (32 seconds)
It's a day of restoration, not annihilation. It says a new heaven and a new earth. All the environmentalists, please say, amen. It's in us. That's why when we see the earth scarred and marred and blight, it bugs us so much because it's in us. We want to see the earth renewed to its original glory. [00:50:47] (25 seconds)
Restoration miracles. Curing blind, curing sickness, curing sickness. Curing the lame. They're restoration miracles. He's showing us in advance a preview of what's to come. So implications. The first and probably most important to us is resurrection. Resurrection. The resurrection is the most important thing. [00:52:53] (24 seconds)
Paul said our citizenship is in heaven. We eagerly await a savior from there, who by his power enables him to bring everything under his control. We'll transform our lowly bodies so that we will be like his glorious body. I don't know what that means, but imagine. Bodies restored before they were corrupted. [00:54:47] (21 seconds)
The next chapter, Revelation 21, says we will, or 22, we will see him face to face. Now, that's a pretty big deal. If you look throughout the Bible, nobody could look at God in the face. You couldn't even approach him. If you did it wrong, you would die. His face was covered so that his hand covered Moses and the cleft of the rock and all that. [00:56:50] (21 seconds)
And the word hope is the word tikvah. And tikvah is also used to mean hold on. It's like holding onto a rope. How do we tikvah? How do we hold on to that hope when it starts to wane? Because we hold on to that hope, it allows us to endure. We can borrow future hope to allow us endure the pain of today. [01:00:41] (27 seconds)
Jesus is doing what the prophet said he would be doing. And I'm looking forward to that. I mean, I'm looking forward to the political thing when there's no more corruption and peace in the world and the Middle East and Ukraine and Russia and my homeowner's association. I am looking forward to, I'm looking, I'm looking forward to no more corruption. [01:05:35] (20 seconds)
The restoration of all things. There's hints and there's clues out there. Look, we get to live. In Southern California, one of the most beautiful places on earth. Right now, you are within 10 to 15 minutes of some of the most glorious coastline ever. Make it a spiritual formation practice. [01:08:16] (20 seconds)
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