2. What Is Hope In The New Testament? Elpis = An assured trust and confidence in the promises of God – based on God’s character. Colossians 1:3-5 We give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and the love which you have for all the saints; because of the hope laid up for you in heaven, of which you previously heard in the word of truth, the gospel.

3. Our Hope And The Incarnation 1. We can rejoice in the hope of our inheritance because God has sent His “Firstborn” into the world to secure our status as His sons and daughters. 2. We can rejoice in the assured hope that Jesus is the sovereign king no matter what our circumstances look like today.

4. 1. The Significance of The Firstborn  The firstborn received a double portion of the inheritance (Deut.21:17), received the father’s blessing (Gen. 27) and received preferential treatment (Gen. 43:33).  The most significant aspect of being the firstborn in the Ancient Near East was the fact that they were dedicated to their deity.  Esau Gen 25:34

5. 1. Yahweh Is Different Than The “gods”  Pagans murder their firstborn to appease their gods. 2 Kings 3:27 Then he took his oldest son who was to reign in his place, and offered him as a burnt offering on the wall. Ezekiel 20:26 I pronounced them unclean because of their gifts, in that they caused all their firstborn to pass through the fire so that I might make them desolate…

6. 1. There Must Be A Substitute! Firstborn Plant Animal Person Pagan god sacrifice sacrifice sacrifice Yahweh sacrifice sacrifice substitute Numbers 3:11-12 Again the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, Now, behold, I have taken the Levites from among the sons of Israel instead of every firstborn, the first issue of the womb among the sons of Israel. So the Levites shall be Mine.

7. 1. Hope: God Made Us His “Firstborn” Hebrews 1:6 And when He again brings the firstborn into the world, He says, “And let all the angels of God worship Him.” Hebrews 12:22-23 But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the Judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect…

8. 1. We Are God’s Sons and Daughters! Romans 8:29 For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren… John 8:35 The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son does remain forever.

9. 2. Jesus Is The Sovereign King Isaiah 9:6-7 For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; and the government will rest on His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness from then on and forevermore.

10. 2. Jesus Is The Sovereign King Numbers 24:17-18a I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near; a star shall come forth from Jacob, a scepter shall rise from Israel, and shall crush through the forehead of Moab, and tear down all the sons of Sheth. Edom shall be a possession…(Gen. 25:23). When Jesus Is Born: Jesus = descendant of Jacob Herod = descendant of Esau (Edom)

12. The Herodium Seen From Bethlehem

13. 2. Who Is The King? Matthew 2:1-2 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.”