LIVING THE ADVENT HOPE Lesson 11 for September 14, 2019

A certain hope An active hope Resurrection hope Judgment hope “If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.” (1 Corinthians 15:19 NIV). As Christians, our eyes are set beyond the limitations of this life. We long for the Second Coming of Jesus and the resurrection of the death. We also long for God’s justice and a better world. This hope motivates us to truly live it and to act accordingly. A certain hope An active hope Resurrection hope Judgment hope A better world to come

A CERTAIN HOPE “Lord, how long will the wicked, how long will the wicked triumph?” (Psalm 94:3) When the people of God is surrounded by oppression and injustice, they cry to God: “How long?” How long until they would be liberated from the Egyptians? How long until they would be liberated from Babylon? How long until they would be liberated from Rome? “How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” (Revelation 6:10). God has always intervened. However, there’s still oppression and injustice. How long? We still long for God’s justice and cry for the moment when He will put an end to evil (Luke 18:1-8).

AN ACTIVE HOPE “It teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.” (Titus 2:12-13 NIV) Jesus will put an end to poverty and oppression. Therefore, some people may think that there’s no need to fight them now. God has asked us to live justly in this world. Our duty is to care for those in need and to supply their needs according to our possibilities. If we’re going to live with Jesus forever, let’s start living like He did today (Acts 10:38).

AN ACTIVE HOPE According to Matthew 24-25, how should we live as we wait for Jesus to come again? Not being troubled (Matthew 24:6) Not stumbling, apostatizing or hating (v. 10) Having a warm love (v. 12) Enduring to the end (v. 13) Preaching the gospel (v. 14) Praying (v. 20) Not believing in false christs and prophets (v. 23-24) Being aware (v. 32-33) Being always ready (v. 42-43; 25:13) Being faithful and cautious (v. 45-46) Not abusing others, or mingling with those who do evil (v. 48-51) Filling our hearts with the Holy Spirit (Matthew 25:1-12) Actively working (v. 14-30) Feeding those in need and hosting the foreigner (v. 35) Clothing the naked, the sick and the incarcerated (v. 36)

RESURRECTION HOPE “For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.” (1 Thessalonians 4:14 NIV) The resurrection of Jesus is the foundation of our hope (1Co. 15:12-19). If Jesus had not resurrected… Our preaching would be in vain Our faith would be in vain We’d be false witnesses We’d be still living in sin The dead in Christ would not rise again The resurrection of Jesus is the guarantee of our resurrection. Death will be destroyed for good. The evil that causes injustice, poverty and oppression will be defeated. Let’s help others by sharing the hope of the resurrection.

JUDGMENT HOPE “There is a vanity which occurs on earth, that there are just men to whom it happens according to the work of the wicked; again, there are wicked men to whom it happens according to the work of the righteous. I said that this also is vanity.” (Ecclesiastes 8:14) With no hope of justice, no hope of judgment, no hope of things being made right, ours would indeed be an absurd world. There’s a hope: “God will bring every work into judgment.” (Ecclesiastes 12:14) The injustice in this world will not fall into oblivion. One day, Jesus will put things right. “He will reward each according to his works.” (Matthew 16:27) This is great news for those who suffer injustice today.

“And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” (Revelation 21:4) A BETTER WORLD TO COME The world God has promised is not like the one we’re living in. There’ll be no more death, tears, cries, poverty, injustice, suffering or fear. God will wipe our tears away and will comfort us. He will heal the wounds that suffering has caused (Revelation 22:2). We anticipate this better world by sharing kind words, a warm meal, medical help, clothing or a piece of wise advice. Let’s reflect the selfless love that Jesus showed when He lived on Earth. The same love He’ll show when He’ll wipe each one of our tears away.

“Hold fast to the comfort, the faith, the hope, that God has given you in His Word. Never be discouraged… We are to ‘hold fast’ and live up to all the light we receive from heaven. Why?— Because God wants us to grasp the eternal truth, and act as His helping hand by communicating the light to those who are not acquainted with His love for them… We are to watch vigilantly for the coming of the Lord… Every moment is to be faithfully employed.” E.G.W. (Sons and Daughters of God, December 10)