2024 Advent Series - Sermon 1: HOPE
Romans 8:22-25 - Victory Fellowship
December 1, 2024 – Rev. Roderick Grabski
1st Sunday of Advent
I. Introduction: Child waits for Christmas
II. Christmas is about Hope
a. Have Hope in our present circumstances
i. All creation groans
ii. We ourselves groan
b. Have Hope in our present trials
i. We are saved
ii. Although unseen - our deliverance is certain
c. Have Hope in our future
i. We eagerly and patiently wait
ii. Like a child waiting for Christmas
III. Promise of Hope from the Prophet Isaiah
a. Isaiah 40:3-5 A voice cries: "In the wilderness prepare the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain. And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the LORD has spoken."
b. Isaiah 7:14 “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.”
c. Isaiah 9:2 “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shined.”
IV. God wouldn’t send His Son to die on the cross if there wasn’t much Hope for you and me.
PRAYER
SONG: Manger Throne (Third Day)
Romans 8:22-25 HCSB
22 For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together with labor pains until now. 23 And not only that, but we ourselves who have the Spirit as the firstfruits—we also groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for adoption, the redemption of our bodies.24 Now in this hope we were saved, yet hope that is seen is not hope, because who hopes for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with patience.
