Advent 2021 | Christ Brings Hope
Christ Brings an Assured Hope | Advent part 1
This week we begin the season of Advent. It is a time that looks behind and looks forward. We look behind to Christ’s First Advent, but it also reminds us that He is coming again. Each week has a particular theme, and this week is about hope. Christ brings us an assured hope.
I use the word ‘assured’ because the type of hope Christ brings is not like the hope we hear about everyday. Students may hope to pass a test…even if they haven’t studied. Some hope to make it rich…even though they haven’t worked for it. Some hope their football team wins…well, that just depends on the year, doesn’t it? But Jesus brings us a different kind of hope. It is a hope based on who He is and what He has already accomplished. It’s the kind of hope that says, “I may not see the evidence yet, but I know it’s coming.”
This hope began at the start of humanity and continued through the ages. God sent prophets to Israel many times throughout history to tell them about the Messiah who would come and restore peace between God and humanity. Jesus fulfilled these prophecies because He was and is the Messiah promised by God. In the handout today, you’ll see 351 Scripture citations (and their fulfillment) that point to Jesus being the Messiah. Now, some of these you may read and say “well, that’s pretty general” or you may notice some that have what is called “dual fulfillment” meaning it points to two different times in history. But even if we narrow the list down to the very specific ones, the probability of any one person accidentally fulfilling them is astoundingly small—so small that it might as well be impossible.
Consider just a few that describe the birth of the Messiah.
Hosea 11:1 refers to Israel’s freedom from Egypt, but it also finds fulfillment when Joseph takes his new family to Egypt to avoid Herod’s death squads.
Isaiah 7:14 foretells the Messiah would be born of a virgin, and His name would be “Immanuel”—God with us.
Micah 5:2 (one of my personal favorites) states specifically the Messiah would come out of Bethlehem, and His coming forth is “from of old, from ancient days.” The Messiah is not a normal king, He would be the eternal King of Kings.
We are going to look at some more of these today, but more important than the math Jesus fulfills is the message Jesus brings—There is hope for today and tomorrow.
As we begin looking at this hope, read with me Romans 5:1-5 and let’s see how Paul summarizes the foundation of our hope.
Jesus is the Foundation of Our Hope
Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.
Romans 5:1-5
First, Paul notes that we have peace with God through Jesus Christ. This point we should not skip or take lightly. Consider the implications. The God of the Universe, our Creator, our King, our Lord, the One “who can destroy both soul and body” is at peace with us because of the work of Christ. The notion of “God” can be scary to many people, because if we accept that God exists, especially the God of Christianity, then questions emerge such as, “How does He feel about me? Will I make it to heaven? Does He even care?” These questions are answered in Christ.
We can have hope for the future because we can have peace with God.
Way back in Genesis 3, we read about the Fall of Adam and Eve. They were tempted by the serpent to disobey God, and when they did, they brought about the corruption of sin and death. This corruption is what destroyed the peace between humanity and God. Humans were disconnected from their Creator and their life was taken from them. But God offered hope right away in 3:15. He says to the serpent,
I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.
Genesis 3:15
There is to be one from Eve’s offspring that will bruise the head of the serpent though the serpent will bruise his heel. Jesus came and broke the power of sin by defeating the serpent through His death and resurrection.
His death and resurrection was foretold in a few places, but one of the most significant is Psalm 22.
My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, form the words of my groaning?
Psalm 22:1
“He trusts in the LORD; let him deliver him; let him rescue him, for he delights in him!”
Psalm 22:8
I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint; my heart is like wax; it is melted within my breast; my strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue stickers to my jaws; you lay me in the dust of death. For dogs encompass me; a company of evildoers encircles me; they have pierced my hands and feet. I can count all my bones—they stare and gloat over me; they divide my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots.
Psalm 22:14-18
These particular verses find their fulfillment at the cross. Jesus cries out “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” To draw attention to this psalm. The Roman and Jewish spectators quote verse 8. The physical turmoil described in 14-18 is exactly what Jesus went through. And even in verse 18 that mentions gambling over the clothes, the Roman soldiers do exactly that.
Second, Paul says we have “obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand.” ‘This grace’ refers to the healing and restoration Jesus brings through His ministry. The Old Testament prophets foretold the Messiah would bring healing, restoration, righteousness, and justice to humanity.
Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; then shall the lame man leap like a deer, and the tongue of the mute sing for you. For waters break forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert.
Isaiah 35:5-6
The miracles of Jesus prove two things. One, they prove He is the Messiah promised by God through the prophets. Two, they prove that Jesus is God come to us, and that when He offers healing and freedom, He can provide just that! We can partake in the grace of God because God’s grace is available to all those who put their faith in Christ.
Third, Paul says that we can rejoice in our present sufferings, because they produce hope in us. Look again at Romans 5:3.
Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.
Romans 5:3
The work that Jesus began 2,000 years ago continues today in our own hearts. We are not alone in our relationship with Christ. We are bound together. We are bound by our shared joy and shared hope in Christ. Look again at verse 3: As we suffer, we endure. As we endure, we build character. And as our character builds, so too does our hope. This is the work that Christ performs in us and through us for each other. We are being built into a people of God for the glory of God.
Part of this suffering is the continuing wait for Jesus to return. Before He left, Jesus told us that one day He would return to gather His people and complete the task of transforming this world.
The Israelites had to wait about 2000 years for the Messiah to come the first time. We should not be surprised it has taken at least 2000 years for the Messiah to return.
Jesus will be the Fulfillment of our Hope
His return is promised.
1 Thessalonians 5 and Matthew 24:42 remind us His Return will be like a thief in the night. We are given signs and seasons, but ultimately when Jesus comes, it will be at an unexpected time.
Acts 1:9-11 and Revelation 1:7 remind us His Return will be like His ascension. When Jesus returns, we won’t have to wonder if He’s actually here. The sky will open, and there He will be!
Hebrews 9:28 reminds us His Return will not be to “deal with sin,” but will be to save those who are waiting for Him. There will not be an opportunity to repent from sin when Jesus returns. The time to receive salvation is now.
John 14:3 reminds us that Jesus is preparing a place for us. We will not be caught up with Him only to be left on our own. We will have a place in eternity.
If the Lord was faithful to come the first time as He promised, He will be faithful to return just as He promised.
But as we wait, I want to remind us of two things. First, we should not be surprised when people scoff at the notion of Jesus returning. We were told they would scoff. 2 Peter 3 reminds us in the latter days people will ask, “Where is he?” They’ll say “Everything is the same as it has been since the beginning.” They will follow their own sinful desires, and they will deliberately overlook the fact this world was created by God, it was judged in the flood, and now it is reserved for fire. But we are to not overlook this one fact:
But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed.
2 Peter 3:8-10
The Lord is not slow to fulfill His promise. All things come in His time according to His will. Scoffers will scoff. And the patient will be patient. And as we wait, Peter also asks in verse 11, “Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness?
The answer is found in one last prophecy concerning the first Advent.
It is not religious ritual God wants, it is a transformed heart.
In sacrifice and offering you have not delighted, but you have given me an open ear. Burnt offering and sin offering you have not required.
Then I said, “Behold, I have come; in the scroll of the book it is written of me:
I delight to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart.”
I have told the glad news of deliverance in the great congregation; behold, I have not restrained my lips, as you know, O Lord.
I have not hidden your deliverance within my heart; I have spoken of your faithfulness and your salvation; I have not concealed your steadfast love and your faithfulness from the great congregation.
Psalm 40:6-10
Jesus quoted this psalm when describing His mission on earth. That mission He began was passed on to us before He ascended, and we call it the Great Commission. We are called to be the hands and feet of Jesus who remember that God does not delight in our religious rituals if they lack a transformed heart. Our offerings do little if they are given without love. Jesus told the glad news of deliverance, and now we get to do the same.
So, let’s not ‘restrain our lips’ or ‘hide the Lord’s deliverance.’ Tell others of God’s faithfulness and salvation. Proclaim His steadfast love and His faithfulness!
As we celebrate the season of Advent and Christmas, let’s celebrate with a joyful heart for the salvation Christ brings. Turn your hearts to Him and remember that just as He was faithful to come once, He will be faithful to come again.