Part 1: Hope
Sermon Notes
“Those who have a 'why' to live, can bear with almost any 'how'.”
“Life is never made unbearable by circumstances, but only by lack of meaning and purpose.”
Viktor Frankl, Man's Search for Meaning
Born that man no more may die,
Born to raise the sons of earth,
Born to give them second birth.
Hark! The herald angels sing,
“Glory to the newborn King!”
Then I looked up, and there before me was a man with a measuring line in his hand. I asked, “Where are you going?” He answered me, “To measure Jerusalem, to find out how wide and how long it is.”
While the angel who was speaking to me was leaving, another angel came to meet him and said to him: “Run, tell that young man, ‘Jerusalem will be a city without walls because of the great number of people and animals in it. And I myself will be a wall of fire around it,’ declares the Lord, ‘and I will be its glory within.
“Shout and be glad, Daughter Zion. For I am coming, and I will live among you,” declares the Lord. “Many nations will be joined with the Lord in that day and will become my people. I will live among you and you will know that the Lord Almighty has sent me to you.
Zechariah 2:1-5, 10-11
All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).
Matthew 1:22-23
And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.
The angel who talked with me had a measuring rod of gold to measure the city, its gates and its walls. The city was laid out like a square, as long as it was wide
On no day will its gates ever be shut, for there will be no night there. The glory and honor of the nations will be brought into it.
Revelation 21:3, 15-16, 25-26
Table Group Resources
Mixer
What is the funniest/weirdest thing you have ever received in a Christmas gift exchange?
Daily Devotional Questions
1. In Pastor Harry’s Tuesday 12/8 entry, When, he shared the illustration of the waitress pouring coffee into a woman’s cup and the woman does not say “When” before it overflowed. What is being poured into your cup, and what is spilling out? Are these things the God in you, or the world in you?
Strongest You Questions
1. In Episode 11 (12.10.20), Mike challenges us to take ownership of our lives. What is the “I can’t” cave that you have been afraid to step into? Where have you been flat, or just letting life just happen to you? How’s that working for you?
2. Mike said, “Your strength is already within you.” Every positive change starts with a bold decision to just take one step. Move from passivity to engagement today. What is the change you seek? What is one thing that you are going to start doing? What is one thing that you are going to stop doing?
Sermon Questions
Scripture: Zechariah 2:1-5, 10-11; Matthew 1:22-23; Revelation 21:3, 15-16, 25-26
What are our everyday uses of the word ‘hope’? What are we really saying? How is the prophets’ definition of ‘hope’ different?
What happens in you when you lose ‘hope’ - when your city wall has crumbled? What have you been dependent on for your security?
What is the city wall you are so desperately trying to rebuild right now? What do you think about God wanting to make you a ‘table’ instead?
How does Advent Hope help you to see through the cracks and see God’s purpose and meaning for you?
Thinking about the people before Jesus came, they lived with the hope that God would do what He promised - send a Messiah. As people living after Jesus came, our hope is in God’s fulfillment of that promise - we saw the Messiah and we anticipate His coming again. How should our ‘hope’ define how we are living now?
Live it out
As we heard this weekend, Jesus’ name Immanuel means “God with us.” What are the other names of Jesus? Read each verse and write out the significance of each name to this season of Advent. Choose a name and pray to Jesus with this name as the guide for your prayer each day. With your family - make a paper chain or decorate ornaments with each of His names!
1. Jesus: Matthew 1:21
2. Immanuel: Isaiah 7:14 and Matthew 1:23
3. Messiah: Mark 8:29
4. Light of the World: John 8:12
5. Savior: John 4:42
6. The Word: John 1:1 and Revelation 19:13
7. Lamb of God: John 1:29
8. First Born of Every Creature: Colossians 1:15
9. Good Shepherd: John 10:11
10. Alpha and Omega: Revelation 22:13
11. Wonderful Counselor: Isaiah 9:6
12. The Christ: Matthew 16:16
13. Holy One: Mark 1:24
14. Lord: Romans 10:9
15. Friend: Matthew 11:19, John 15:14-15
16. Son of Man: Daniel 7:13, Matthew 9:6, 12:40
17. Ancient of Days: Daniel 7:9
18. Servant: Matthew 12:18
19. King: Zechariah 9:9
20. Prince of Peace: Isaiah 9:6
21. Bright and Morning Star: Revelation 22:16
22. Bread of Life: John 6:35
23. The Mighty God: Isaiah 9:6
24. Son of David: Jeremiah 33:17 and Matthew 20:30
25. Unspeakable Gift: 2 Corinthians 9:15
