Hope - (Advent - Week 1 2025)

This sermon on HOPE examines hree dimensions of our hope in Christ—His promised Kingship, his ways, and his presence—so that our Christmas hope will point to the promise of eternal presence with God. 

Hope in Christ’s Promised Kingship (Isaiah 2:1–2)

We must recognize Christ’s reign as supreme and unchallenged. For Isaiah, the only hope we have is in submitting our lives to the highest king, Jesus.

Hope In Following Christ’s Ways (Isaiah 2:3)

If Christ’s reign is supreme, then part of having hope in his Kingship is living as good citizens of Christ’s Kingdom. Following Jesus comes with a commitment to live differently, to walk a narrow, often difficult path. During advent, we are especially conscious to walk that narrow path.

Hope in Christ’s Presence (Isaiah 2:4–5, Romans 13:11–14)

Since the day of the Lord has begun to dawn through Christ in his first coming, we now live awake to God’s work, aware that the fullness of salvation draws near. Because Christ’s reign is advancing and eternity is drawing nearer, hope produces action and intentionality as we anticipate God’s full presence.