Have Hope

We had hoped...

 

Advent is meant to renew our hope for the here and now.

 

Luke 24:1-8 NIV

On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ ”Then they remembered his words.

 

Remember...

 

Remember, the Cross didn't surprise God, and our trials and disappointments don't surprise God.

 

John 16:33 NIV

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

 

Luke 24:13-16 NIV

Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them but they were kept from recognizing him.

 

Hope is about the present, not just what’s to come.

 

Luke 24:17-18 NIV

He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?” They stood still, their faces downcast. One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, “Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?”

 

Luke 24:19-21 NIV

“What things?” he asked. “About Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place.

 

But we had hoped...

 

Luke 24:25-27 NIV

He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory? ”And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.

 

We can anchor our HOPE in that:

I. God never gives up on us.

 

Philippians 1:6 NIV

being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

 

God is faithful until His work is perfectly finished.

 

God is a relentless Redeemer.

 

You mean the cross to Christ.

 

We can anchor our HOPE in that:

I. God never gives up on us.

II. Jesus is with us in our suffering.

 

We can anchor our HOPE in that:

I. God never gives up on us.

II. Jesus is with us in our suffering.

III. God will recycle our pain to form us into people of love.

 

James 1:2-4 NIV

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

 

We can anchor our HOPE in that:

I. God never gives up on us.

II. Jesus is with us in our suffering.

III. God will recycle our pain to form us into people of love.

IV. Jesus will return and make all things new.

 

Isaiah 40:31 NIV

but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

 

Isaiah 51:11 NIV

Those the LORD has rescued will return. They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away.

 

Revelation 21:4 NIV

‘He will wipe 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.”

 

"Aslan is on the move!" - C.S. Lewis

 

Romans 15:13 NIV

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.