The Gospel is at its best when darkness is at an all time high.
a. The word of God had not been heard for four hundred years.
b. The people of God were under the oppressive rule of Rome.
c. The Church was fracturing.
i. The Pharisee. They attempted to shape religious life in Israel through traditions.
ii. The Sadducees. They opposed the strict legalism of the Pharisees, and only embraced Moses law.
iii. The Purists - Were the scribes who penned and preserved the Dead Sea Scrolls–lived an especially pure life.
iv. The Zealots- a band of brothers who did not pray for change so much as they sought violent means of overthrowing Roman rule.
d. The birth of Jesus came through a virgin and all the controversy surrounding that.
Isaiah 9:6 NIV
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.**
Each of us were created to Have HOPE. But, the very nature of Life itself would want to come and make hope non-existent in your life.
First step of defeat is buying into the belief that any chance of victory is gone.
Biblical Hope vs Wishful Thinking.
Our Hope is a secure assurance. It’s an investment into a tried, true, sustainable, everlasting God. God has not failed us in the past, and therefore, if He claims he will do something in the future, we can have a hope that He will fulfill that claim.
Phil. 1:6 ESV
And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
*1. The Hope of Jesus breaks through great Darkness. *
*John 1:4-5 ESV
In him was life,[a] and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. *
- *Hope comes from the most unexpected Places. *
Micah 5:2 ESV
But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.
Out of the smallest clans of Judah- came the greatest story of Hope.
Deferred Hope is Hope placed in other sources.
Prov 13:12 NIV
Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.
3. Hope awakens the sleeper.
Romans 13:11-14 ESV
11 And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. 12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. 13 Let us walk [a]properly, as in the day, not in revelry (rev- el- re) and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. 14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.
Hope is a spiritual muscle, but like all muscles, it must be exercise just to survive.
It’s time to blow on the spark of spiritual desire within us till it bursts into flame.
Discussion Questions:
1- Sometimes it may feel like God is silent. In these seasons of silence, how do you respond? How does silence affect your faith?
2- Read Isaiah 9:6. How does this 3000 year old prophecy still bring you hope today?
3- Describe the difference between Biblical Hope and wishful thinking.
4- Read Philippians 1:6. What is one thing in your life that you are believing God to complete in this next season.
5- What are some things in your life that bring you a false sense of Hope. How can you begin to put Hope in God instead of these other things.
6- What is one way that you can exercise the muscle of Hope this week?