Advent–A Time for Hoping

December 10, 2007 by admin.

Romans 15:4-13

 

In him who provides hope for the hopeless, dear fellow redeemed,

 

Can you believe it? Only three more shopping days left! Where did the time go? We thought we had plenty of time, but now the day is almost here. There’s still so much to be done. Buying gifts, getting the food ready, all the decorating — and we only have three days left. Before we know it, the season of Hanukkah will be over.

 

That introduction doesn’t fit — at least, not for this congregation. It might fit in a synagogue, because Hanukkah is a time of celebration for people of the Jewish faith. Our celebration is still 16 days away. We celebrate Christmas because Jesus Christ came into this world not only for his people, the chosen nation of Israel, but also for you and me, non-Jews — “Gentiles” as we are called in Scripture. God’s gift of faith has made it possible for the Hope of Israel to be our Hope as well.

 

The Advent season reminds us of the generations of Old Testament believers who were hoping for the Messiah to come. We wait with the same eager hope for that Messiah to come again. Like God’s people of old, we also know that our hope will not be in vain.

 

This morning we come as Gentile Christians to our Father’s feet to learn more from his Word about:

 

“Advent–A Time for Hoping”

 

I. The basis of our hope

II. The certainty of our hope

 

Remember when you were a child and your mom or dad would go away for a day or two on a trip? To ease the pain of missing them perhaps they promised to bring something back for you when they returned. That promise gave you reason to hope. It gave you something to look forward to. Our hope for eternity is also based on promises, God’s promises (v 4), “For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” The Old Testament believers based their hope of salvation on God’s promises–the Old Testament contains over 300 prophecies that refer to our Savior! These promises of God were also written for our learning and instruction. They give us hope, for through them we’re assured that he is truly directing all things for the good of his children.

 

Paul tells us we have hope “through endurance.” Literally this word means “to remain under.” It pictures a weight lifter picking up a heavy barbell, hoisting it over his head, and holding it there as he remains under its weight. We grow in hope as we endure the frustrations and disappoint­ments that come our way while waiting for our Lord to come again. In the end we are actually strengthened by God as we persevere and endure whatever may come our way.

 

And from the Scriptures we also receive “encouragement.” Here this word means “to call along the line.” We can picture a captain in battle, running up and down the line of troops, calling out words of encouragement. God gives us this same kind of encouragement with his promises as we wage our battles here on this earth. Those promises serve as the basis for our hope.

 

We also base our hope on the fulfillment of God’s promises — our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ (v 12), “And again, Isaiah says, ‘The Root of Jesse will spring up, one who will arise to rule over the nations; the Gentiles will hope in him.’” “The Root of Jesse” is Jesus. Jesse was the father of King David, from whose line the Savior came. This Savior is the Cornerstone of the hope that we have. Isaiah foretold it in our First Lesson this morning, and Jesse’s Root did spring up as God promised. And he came, not only for the descendants of Abraham, but for all nations.

God’s promise of a Savior means so much to us because that Savior has already accepted us as his own (v 7), “Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.” Jesus didn’t accept us because we were such cute and cuddly beings, so full of potential. Instead we’re told earlier in Romans (Ro 5:8), “While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” We weren’t brought into God’s family because of anything good in us. Instead Christ accepted us. Our status as God’s children demonstrates what a great and glorious God we have, a God who is worthy of all our praise.

 

Take one more look at this verse (v 7), “Christ accepted you.” So much for decision theology! The next time someone asks you, “Have you accepted Jesus Christ?”, tell them, “No, Jesus accepted me!” That’s why we have hope. That’s why Advent is a time for hoping.

 

Our hope is secure in Christ. If you were asked what the most important part of a ship was, what would you say? Would you choose the captain and the crew, the engines, the compass, maybe the steering gear? Even if you were planning to take a ride on the greatest and most modern liner afloat, you’d be lost without the most important part–the anchor! The hope of any ship surviving its voyage will always depend on the anchor.

 

Our hope depends on the anchor of Jesus Christ (CW 382:1), “My hope is built on nothing less Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness; I dare to make no other claim But wholly lean on Jesus’ name. On Christ, the solid rock, I stand; All other ground is sinking sand.” Jesus is our anchor when the storms of life assail us. Turmoil may strike us at home or in the workplace. We may be deserted by friends and family. Our health may fail us and our wealth may sink to the bottom of the sea. But the anchor of our Lord will still hold us firm (CW 382:3), “His oath, his covenant and blood Support me in the raging flood; When ev’ry earthly prop gives way, He then is all my hope and stay.”

 

Advent is a time for hoping. We base our hope on God’s promises, fulfilled by his Son, Jesus Christ. What makes this hope so certain? Our hope is sure because of our God — because of his truth and his mercy.

 

God spoke the truth when he promised a Messiah, and Jesus verified that promise (v 8), “For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the Jews on behalf of God’s truth, to confirm the promises made to the patriarchs.” The Virgin birth in Bethlehem confirmed God’s Old Testament promises. Jesus came as a servant, born under the law, to fulfill that law for us. Everything Jesus did was done to keep the promises God had made. And every promise that our Lord kept is added insurance for the hope that we have.

 

The Jews based their hope on God’s Old Testament promises. Being Gentiles, our hope is based on the mercy of our God. In mercy God sent his Son to fulfill the Old Testament laws for us, to make us also “his chosen people.” Because of God’s mercy, we are now able to approach him as our Lord (vv 9-12), “[Christ has become a servant] so that the Gentiles may glorify God for his mercy, as it is written: ‘Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles; I will sing hymns to your name.’ Again, it says, ‘Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people.’ And again, ‘Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles, and sing praises to him, all you peoples.’ And again, Isaiah says, ‘The Root of Jesse will spring up, one who will arise to rule over the nations; the Gentiles will hope in him.’” Paul uses four Old Testament passages to show very clearly that the Gentiles were also included in God’s plan of salvation. Did you notice the progression of thought? First the Lord is praised “among the Gentiles.” Then Gentiles are encouraged to “rejoice . . . with his people. After that they are invited to praise God themselves. Finally, Gentiles are also able to hope in the “Root of Jesse,” for out of his loving mercy the Lord has sent his Son for all people.

 

It’s the truth and mercy of God that brings us together as believers (vv 5,6), “May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” We are to possess the same kind of love and to show the same kind of mercy as that of our heavenly Father. With such devotion will come “a spirit of unity” among us, but only as long as we “follow Christ Jesus.” There is no unity if it comes at the expense of the true Word of God. Our unity is to be based on what Jesus says, and only on his Word. The saying is true, “If 50 million people believe a wrong thing, it is still wrong.” We’re never to just “go with the flow” or to “agree to disagree” when it comes to seeking unity. We are to be united first in our hearts before we proclaim it with our mouths. And where there are differences, there cannot be unity.

 

But when we do find fellow Christians who believe as we do, what a blessing it is! We share so many things in common. We firmly place our hope for eternity in God’s mercy, the mercy which also encompasses us as sinful Gentile Christians. In that mercy God has extended our time of grace here on this earth for us to find our only source of hope, and to then share that hope with others. In truth God guarantees our own resurrection to life eternal. Christ was raised, so our faith is not futile. We have a living Savior, a Savior who has promised us (Jn 14:19), “Because I live, you also will live.”

 

That’s our hope. With Paul, we pray that God will keep increasing that hope (v 13), “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”” It’s that hope that makes us positive people in a negative world. It’s that hope that assures us that we have life through Christ. And where there is life, there will always be hope!

 

Such was the motto of a man by the name of Jake Nivens. Jake was the long time trainer of the Villanova University basketball team. After medical testing he was informed by his doctor that he had the disease named after the New York Yankee Hall of Famer who contracted the sickness, known from then on as “Lou Gehrig’s disease.” Upon hearing of his fate Jake, possessing a quick wit, told his doctor, “That can’t be, I’ve never played baseball.” That was his way of handling this devastating news. Although he knew the prognosis, he also knew that it would do no good to collapse in hopelessness. For his own life he adopted the familiar philosophy of persistent athletes, “It’s not over till it’s over.” I was still at the Seminary when I saw the moment captured in television history, the picture of Jake sitting in his wheelchair following the Villanova NCAA championship game. He had a basketball net wrapped around his neck while holding up one finger, signifying that his team was indeed #1. He wouldn’t give up until he had seen that game. You might say that Jake Nivens’ hope brought him victory.

 

So much greater is our Christian hope. For even when it’s over, it’s not over. Advent is a time for hoping. May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace!

 

Amen

 

–Rev Jonathan Rockhoff

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