The Gift of Hope A Christmas message of hope “You answer us with awesome deeds of righteousness, O God our Saviour, the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest seas,..” Psalm 65:5

Sermon Theme What is hope? Where does hope come from? What should our response be? Challenges for 2005.

What is hope? HOPE. In the NT the "expectation of good"). This original word denotes a joyful and contented expectation of eternal salvation (Acts 23:6; 26:7; Rom 5:4-8; ). Because of God's manifested salvation in Christ, and because He is the source of all the believer's expectations, He is called the "God of hope" (Rom 15:13).

Hope is …. an attitude of mind and spirit founded in faith in the living God through Jesus Christ. FAITH is the foundation. HOPE is the attitude. LOVE is the outworking action of faith and hope.

Hope comes from? 27 To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. 28 We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. Colossians1:27-28

God creates – Satan destroys Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life. Proverbs 13:12 Satan understands this and seeks to destroy and devour hope.

Our response Will teach this by reference to part of the Christmas Story relating to the shepherds found in Luke 2:8-20.

The shepherds Luke 2:8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields near by, keeping watch over their flocks at night. Understand that shepherds were a regarded as poor people, often social outcasts, working at a menial and boring task without much hope of change or promotion.

God’s messengers of hope Luke 2:9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. What would be your response if an angel appeared to you? Expect supernatural experiences in these days as God reaches out to His people.

A message of hope Luke 2:10-11 “But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.” Christ is Lord – that is the message of hope that we have to offer as Christians.

A confirming sign Luke 2:12 “This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." We can expect that God will confirm His Word to us by signs and wonders and by using events and people around us.

The Angels respond Luke 2:13-14 “Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favour rests." The angels modelled the correct response – the giving of praise and worship in all circumstances! (Phil.4:6)

The shepherds respond Luke 2:15-18 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about." So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.

The pattern of our response God acts and we are called to respond. Go and look and check out what He has says to us. Speak out to others what God has done for you! Hope should motivate us into action. Action reinforces hope.

Mary ponders.. Luke 2:19 “But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.” She stored the hope in her heart to help her face the future. We should do likewise with the prophetic words of God as they have power over time.

The shepherds now praise Luke 2:20 “The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.” Lesson well learnt – the shepherds now gave praise and worship!!

Rest in God.. 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 40:31

Challenges for 2005 As we face the challenges of a New Year, changes and a world in turmoil where lies your hope? Is it in your job, your possessions, your family or in God? Not just an abstract concept!

Practical steps Read and meditate on the WORD. Spend some quiet time with God and seek Him for the questions you want to ask. Write down the answers you get and check against the Word. Prayer, praise and worship. Allow others to come along side you and support you.