Sermon Reflections from HOPE | ALEX HARDT | December 1, 2024
The service this Sunday was filled with hope from the worship singing, scripture readings to the sermon. This is a season of great joy and hope for all of mankind and yet it can be a very dark time for many. Those experiencing hard times, loss of loved ones or relationships gone awry often feel despair and a sense of hopelessness. The world is a hard place and its darkness can weigh upon us.
Each of us has experienced darkness when we faced our own sinfulness. Acknowledging our own sins brings us to darkness and can leave us despairing if we do not turn to Jesus. Knowing you can never be good enough, do enough good deeds or keep from sinning, places us in an extreme dilemma.
Isaiah 9:2 tells us “the people who walked in darkness had seen a great light.” Jesus is that great light and came to show us the way out of darkness and despair. I love Isaiah’s description of the great light that would come in verses 6 and 7.
“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 peacethere 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.”
This great light would bring order, peace, justice and righteousness. What a glorious hope for all mankind and salvation by faith for you and me.
How do we know that this child would indeed come and save us? The proof is found in the whole counsel of God, His Word from Genesis to Revelation. God’s promises are foundational to our faith and rooted in His character. We can trust God to accomplish these things. Here are a few of the things we know about God from His word that we can count upon: Hebrews 10:23 “ Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.” God is faithful. James 1:13 “Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one.” God cannot be tempted and never does anything evil. Hebrews 6:18 “so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us.” God does not lie and God is immovable. You can always count on God. Romans 5:8-9 “but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God.” God sent Jesus to die for our sins to bring about our reconciliation and protection from his wrath over sin. God’s Word is filled with His promises and reveal to us the unlimited character of God.
Lastly, we need to grab onto Jesus as our way out of darkness and sin. Claim the truth of God’s promises for our life and then lay our desires before God in faith. David was called a “man after God’s own heart.” He penned many psalms and showed his love and devotion to God. Pray this prayer yourself and be filled with God’s restoration and hope.
Psalm 25:1-10
O Lord, I give my life to you.
2 I trust in you, my God!
Do not let me be disgraced,
or let my enemies rejoice in my defeat.
3 No one who trusts in you will ever be disgraced,
but disgrace comes to those who try to deceive others.
4 Show me the right path, O Lord;
point out the road for me to follow.
5 Lead me by your truth and teach me,
for you are the God who saves me.
All day long I put my hope in you.
6 Remember, O Lord, your compassion and unfailing love,
which you have shown from long ages past.
7 Do not remember the rebellious sins of my youth.
Remember me in the light of your unfailing love,
for you are merciful, O Lord.
8 The Lord is good and does what is right;
he shows the proper path to those who go astray.
9 He leads the humble in doing right,
teaching them his way.
10 The Lord leads with unfailing love and faithfulness
all who keep his covenant and obey his demands.
Have a blessed week that is filled with the hope of Jesus.
Linda
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