The Third Sunday of Advent
This is the third Sunday of Advent and the third Sunday of our current sermon series: Great Expectations. The Advent season makes up the four Sundays preceding Christmas and is all about expectation. Remember, the word ‘advent’ means: to come or to arrive. It is a time of expectant waiting.
This is the third Sunday of Advent and the third Sunday of our current sermon series: Great Expectations. The Advent season makes up the four Sundays preceding Christmas and is all about expectation. Remember, the word ‘advent’ means: to come or to arrive. It is a time of expectant waiting.
Two weeks ago we introduced the Advent Wreath and lit the first candle, the candle of Prophecy. Last week we lit the second candle, the candle of Bethlehem. This week we lit a new candle, the candle of the shepherds. This candle changes in color from purple to pink (or rose), signifying that the four weeks of advent are now half over. Two weeks are now behind and two weeks still lie ahead. The candle of the shepherds traditionally represents joy.
During this series, “Great Expectations”, we have been dealing with some of the great themes of Advent. The first week we talked about the Light of Advent. The Light of Advent is Jesus. Last week we talked about the Faith of Advent. We said the Faith of Advent is Real. Today, let’s talk about the Hope of Advent.
The Christmas Story
Hope has always been associated with advent and with Christmas. What better illustration of hope is there than a child carefully sizing up the presents underneath a Christmas tree, shaking the packages and hoping beyond hope that the present inside is a cool toy and not some boring clothes?
Hope has always been associated with advent and with Christmas. What better illustration of hope is there than a child carefully sizing up the presents underneath a Christmas tree, shaking the packages and hoping beyond hope that the present inside is a cool toy and not some boring clothes?
Many of you would say that your favorite Christmas show is “The Christmas Story.” It is a program that we can all relate to. Ralphie, the main character in the story, is a nine year old boy who desperately hopes to get a BB gun for Christmas. But he doesn’t want just any BB gun: an official Red Ryder, carbine action, two-hundred shot range model air rifle, with a compass in the stock. His hope turns into an obsession. His hopes are dashed when his mother says, “You’ll shoot your eye out.” In an unexpected twist, Dad comes through and Raphie gets his BB gun.
What is hope? And what is the Hope of Advent?
What is hope? And what is the Hope of Advent?
Hope means a lot of different things to different people. I found these acronyms for hope on the internet:
Homeschool Organization of Parent Educators
Harnessing Optimism and Potential through Education
Human Organ Procurement and Exchange program
Have Only Positive Expectations
Help Our Planet Earth
and my favorite
HUMMER Owners Prepared for Emergencies
I think the best definition of hope is this: A confident expectation of a preferred future. That is a good definition of the biblical use of the word hope. It is not wishful thinking, but a confident expectation. Let me tell you a story from the Bible which is the perfect illustration of hope.
Think of a piece of red ribbon that you might find on a Christmas present. Today, it is a symbol of hope.
Tiqvah
The word for ‘hope’ in Hebrew is the word ‘tiqvah.’ The first time it is used in scripture is in the second chapter of the book of Joshua. It is when the nation of Israel was entering the Promised Land after wandering for forty years in the wilderness. Joshua sent two spies to check out the city of Jericho. This was the first city in conquering the land.
The spies went into the city and met up with a woman by the name of Rahab. According to the text, she was a harlot (prostitute). She had a checkered past. She was living in a land that was doomed to destruction. The people of Jericho knew that Israel was on the way. They had heard what God did to Egypt in freeing Israel from slavery. They heard reports that God parted the Red Sea for Israel’s escape. They also heard about the way God gave Israel victory in their wars against other kings in the wilderness. Now Israel was heading their way and they didn’t have much hope.
Rahab needed hope. She had a checkered past and was living in a doomed city. She knew that God was behind these spies so, at risk of her own life, she hid the spies from the city guards who were trying to find them. When they were leaving, they gave her a promise to protect her when they returned with the army. They told her to bind a scarlet cord on her window. The Hebrew word used here for cord is ‘tiqvah.’ It is the word that comes to mean ‘hope’ or ‘expectation.’
This cord was her hope, her constant reminder.
The Israel army drew near, the people of Jericho freaked out, and Rahab had her hope. The army marched around the city of Jericho once, the people freaked out, and Rahab had her hope. The second day, the army marched around the city of Jericho again, the people freaked out, and Rahab had her hope. This happened six days in a row. On the seventh day they marched around the city seven times. On the seventh time the priest blew the trumpets and the people shouted. The walls of Jericho came down, but Rahab and her family, all that trusted in that scarlet cord of hope, were saved.
Mary
Now, let’s talk about another young woman – not a prostitute but a virgin – who speaks of hope.
Luke 1:26-38 (NKJV)
26 Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!” 29 But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. 30 Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. 32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. 33 And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.” 34 Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?” 35 And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. 36 Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren. 37 For with God nothing will be impossible.” 38 Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.
Now, let’s talk about another young woman – not a prostitute but a virgin – who speaks of hope.
Luke 1:26-38 (NKJV)
26 Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!” 29 But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. 30 Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. 32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. 33 And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.” 34 Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?” 35 And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. 36 Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren. 37 For with God nothing will be impossible.” 38 Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.
This message from Gabriel to Mary meant that things would never be the same again. For Mary and for the entire human race, this was a message of hope (a Savior coming to the world) and a message of change.
The Hope of Advent is transformation.
The message of Christmas is one of change and transformation. Christmas is the day when God said, “It’s time. Things are going to change around here.” It marks the transition from the Old Covenant to the New Covenant. It is marked on our calendars from B.C. to A.D.
It also meant a pretty major personal transformation for Mary. It was a transformation from unmarried virgin to a pregnant woman, which is itself a transformation to becoming a mother. You may notice that this skips over a step or two. This is a supernatural transformation.
There is probably no better picture of hope and transformation together than a pregnant woman. As hope grows, so does mom and she is transformed before our very eyes.
SPIRITUAL TRANSFORMATION
Let’s apply this message of transformation to our own lives.
Let’s apply this message of transformation to our own lives.
1. Spiritual transformation comes about not as we pursue change, but as we pursue God.
As far as we can tell, Mary did not have a ten-step plan to becoming the mother of God. She had not planned for or pursued the position. There is every indication that she loved God and wanted to please Him. The rest took care of itself.
This is the most important thing for us to understand in this area of spiritual transformation. Don’t seek change on your own. Seek God and let Him change you.
If you want to be a better husband or wife, don’t figure out what it takes and try your best to do it. Instead, just seek God. Read His Word. Pray. Commit yourself to doing what He says. Get involved in a Christian community. Do you know what will happen? You will become a better husband or a better wife.
The best way to be transformed from addictions is not focusing on the addictive behavior but focusing on God. Pursue Him and He will transform you from the inside out.
Whatever transformation is needed in your life, it is found in giving yourself to God.
Be transformed
Romans 12:1-2 (NKJV)
1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
Romans 12:1-2 (NKJV)
1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
The next verb to notice is “be transformed.” It is in the passive voice. That means that you don’t do the doing, but it is done unto you. It doesn’t say, “transform yourself” but “be transformed.” The word there is ‘metamorphoo’ from which we get our word, metamorphous.
2. Spiritual transformation is a process, not a one-time event.
We mistakenly think all spiritual transformation is an immediate action. God waves his God-wand and ‘poof’, we’re done. Nope. Spiritual transformation is a process.
2 Corinthians 3:17-18 (NKJV)
17 Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.
17 Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.
The spiritual transformation that took place in Mary and through Mary took time. It didn’t happen overnight. At first, she didn’t notice anything. She may have wondered if she heard correctly. Then she probably felt a little sick in the mornings. “It might all be in my head,” she may have said. Then, little by little, the transformation took place.
That is how spiritual transformation usually takes place. And sometimes the transformation can be very uncomfortable.
Turkey thermometer
Look at it this way: If all of us had a little spiritual thermometer like a turkey thermometer with the little red thing that pops out when the turkey is done, none of us would have the little red thing poking out. You’re not done. (Turn to someone and say, “You may be a turkey, but you’re not done.”)
Look at it this way: If all of us had a little spiritual thermometer like a turkey thermometer with the little red thing that pops out when the turkey is done, none of us would have the little red thing poking out. You’re not done. (Turn to someone and say, “You may be a turkey, but you’re not done.”)
Other people are in process too.
You are in process. You need some patience. Other people are in process, too, so give them a chance. Give them some grace.
Rahab: the rest of the story
Let me tell you the rest of the story of Rahab and her transformation of hope. Rahab waited and waited. She was a person with a checkered past living in a doomed city, but she had hope: a scarlet cord. Then one day she left Jericho behind and became a part of Israel. She was no longer a Jerichonian. Joshua 6:23 says she and her family were brought outside the camp of Israel. Then, in Joshua 6:25, “Therefore, she dwells in Israel to this day.” She went from outside the camp to dwelling in Jerusalem. But that is not the last of Rahab.
Let me tell you the rest of the story of Rahab and her transformation of hope. Rahab waited and waited. She was a person with a checkered past living in a doomed city, but she had hope: a scarlet cord. Then one day she left Jericho behind and became a part of Israel. She was no longer a Jerichonian. Joshua 6:23 says she and her family were brought outside the camp of Israel. Then, in Joshua 6:25, “Therefore, she dwells in Israel to this day.” She went from outside the camp to dwelling in Jerusalem. But that is not the last of Rahab.
Rahab married a man by the name of Salmon, a leader in the tribe of Judah. Salmon and Rahab had a son by the name of Boaz. Boaz married a woman by the name of Ruth and together had a son named Obed, who had a son named Jesse, who had a son named David, king of Israel (Matthew 1:5).
Rahab’s transformation took her from prostitute in Jericho, to part of the children of God, to bride, to mother, to great-great-grandmother of the king of Israel and part of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Messiah, the Son of David. Step by step, what an amazing transformation. This leads us into our third and final point:
3. Nothing is impossible with God.
The angel Gabriel concluded his message of transformation and hope to Mary this way:
Luke 1:37 (NKJV)
37 For with God nothing will be impossible.”
37 For with God nothing will be impossible.”
God has shown us repeatedly that spiritual transformation of any kind is never impossible with Him. In fact, it is His specialty. We already talked about Rahab, who was transformed from prostitute to one of the most highly honored woman in all of scripture. Here are just a few others:
Abraham: from childless to father of many nations
Joseph: from prisoner to prime minister
David: from lowly shepherd to king
Peter: from fisherman to fisher of men
Paul: from persecutor to apostle (“chief of sinners” 1 Timothy 1:15)
You and me: from sinner to saint
The hope of advent is transformation. Jesus came for this purpose, to bring transformation. He came to change the world and He also came to change you and me. His transformation is, literally, our only hope.
CONCLUSION
What transformation do you hope for?
Take a look at the ribbon in your hand. You are a person with a checkered past living in a doomed world, like Rahab. There is absolutely no limit to the transformation work that Jesus can do in you.
What is your need of transformation? No matter what it is, your part is the same: pursue God and let Him do a work of transformation in you.
What transformation do you hope for?
Take a look at the ribbon in your hand. You are a person with a checkered past living in a doomed world, like Rahab. There is absolutely no limit to the transformation work that Jesus can do in you.
What is your need of transformation? No matter what it is, your part is the same: pursue God and let Him do a work of transformation in you.
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