Intro: The power of Memory shapes our identity, relationships, and future decisions. Memories can provide comfort and inspiration and bring a sense of purpose and belonging. Human Memory is powerful, but it is also fragile and selective. It can be shaped by emotions, biased by perceptions, or fade with time. We must remember the full story of God when we remember the Christmas story. The anticipation of a Savior and King for the world is something we find hard to relate to today. Can we truly comprehend centuries of wandering, oppression, and strife while waiting for deliverance? Remembering Jesus this Christmas reminds us of the Reason for the Season. The reason for Christmas is that the world was suffering and dying from the self inflicted wounds of our depravity. Humanity turned away from a loving God, yet He welcomed us back in the most sacrificial, powerful, and perfect way by giving us Himself. We all need perspective on the actual value of what we call Christmas. The insights from the retelling of Old Testament prophecy enhance our understanding of how God has indeed come to deliver us!
Big Idea: Advent is a Reminder of your
1. Remember, our spiritual need is met with
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- a. The Passover Story: Let your judgment Passover us. Let your love hover near. (Exodus 12)
b. Jesus is the greater Moses: Prophet, leader, intermediary, deliverer, and miracle worker (Deut 18:15-18; John 5:45-47)
15 “The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your brothers–it is to him you shall listen– 16 just as you desired of the LORD your God at Horeb on the day of the assembly, when you said, ‘Let me not hear again the voice of the LORD my God or see this great fire any more, lest I die.’ 17 And the LORD said to me, ‘They are right in what they have spoken. 18 I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers. And I will put my words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I command him. —Deuteronomy 18:15-18
45 Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father. There is one who accuses you: Moses, on whom you have set your hope. 46 For if you believed Moses, you would believe me; for he wrote of me. 47 But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe my words?” —John 5:45-47
c. Jesus is celebrated as the ultimate Lamb of God, who came to take away the sins of the world (John 1:29)
The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! —John 1:29
d. “These prophecies remind us that the coming of Jesus is the result of the unstoppable zeal of God of glorious redeeming grace.” -P. Tripp
The overarching theme of God’s story is not one of
2. Remember, God did not leave us
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- a. The Passover marked God’s deliverance of His people from slavery in Egypt, a foreshadowing of the deliverance from the sin that Jesus brings.
The ultimate deliverance from death and sin is found
b. God’s intervention through the birth of Immanuel (Isaiah 7:14) demonstrates His intention to come near and rescue humanity.
Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. —Isaiah 7:14
c. Deliver Us mirrors the cry of Isaiah’s audience, which longs for salvation and rule from a righteous king. (Isaiah 9:6-7)
6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this. —Isaiah 9:6-7
d. Remember, the promised child brings everlasting hope. (Isaiah 9:6-7 & Micah 5:2)
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. —Micah 5:2
e. Centuries of waiting took place before the joyous announcement of Christ’s birth.
- f. Christ’s Kingdom is not just a future hope but a present reality for those who believe.
- g. “But as for me, I will look to the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me.” (Micah 7:7)
But as for me, I will look to the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me. —Micah 7:7
Trust God in the waiting for the
Small Group Questions
What did God teach you through this passage and message? Share the work of God in your heart with the group.
What questions did this passage and sermon raise in your mind?
What can the centuries of waiting for Christ’s birth teach us about trusting God’s timing?
In what ways do you see God’s intervention in your own life?
How can we, as a group, encourage one another to live in light of the deliverance Jesus provides?