Hope

Series: A Christmas without

Big idea: Anchored in Hope

Main Point: Hope Carrier

Anchor Passage: Luke 2:34-35 NLT 34 Then Simeon blessed them, and he said to Mary, the baby’s mother, “This child is destined to cause many in Israel to fall, and many others to rise. He has been sent as a sign from God, but many will oppose him. 35 As a result, the deepest thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your very soul.”

Prophetic Thought: We are all uniquely designed with different personalities, strengths, and weaknesses. We navigate life aiming for a hopeful future, but despair and hopelessness constantly fight that vision. Hope is robbed as we let doubt and pessimism sink into our reality. Our attitudes shift from faith to fear as we wonder why God does not take it all away. Yet God does care and keeps His promise through His son, Jesus.  His fulfillment of prophecy will anchor our faith with courage. He meets us right here, in the midst of our human experience, to give us a living hope.

 Christian hope is not merely wishful thinking; it is the confident expectation of what God has promised and will surely deliver, grounded in the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Application.  We often anchor our thoughts to fear, saying things like:

"I'm going to lose anyway, so why get my hopes up?" a hope carrier might say. Regardless of the outcome, I will give it everything I've got. 

"Nothing ever changes, so why bother trying to mend this relationship? Or I will show up with grace and trust God with the outcome. 

That same voice of hopelessness tells us, "Everything is falling apart, so there’s no point in trying to fix my life now.  Or I will take the next step faithfully and invite someone in to help

Doubt whispers, "If I try to step out and lead, I will definitely fail." or I could say  I am free to take the risk because my worth is not found in success or failure.

Anchor Passage: Luke 2:34-35 NLT 34 Then Simeon blessed them, and he said to Mary, the baby’s mother, “This child is destined to cause many in Israel to fall, and many others to rise. He has been sent as a sign from God, but many will oppose him. 35 As a result, the deepest thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your very soul.”