Advent: He Has Come – Part 1 [Notes]

The word “Advent” is used to describe the season leading up to Christmas. It’s a time where we remember Christ’s first coming and grow our expectation of His second; it’s a time of great hope and promise… But often, we are distracted and consumed during this busy season, and we barely experience the wonder of it as we rush through. This Christmas season, we’ll intentionally slow down as we walk through Advent with hope, faith, joy and peace, preparing our hearts for the celebration of our newborn King. 

Journey with us through our series “Advent: He Has Come,” and together, we’ll anticipate, rather than dread, this ever-busy season.

Today's Takeaway // Our hope is in Jesus.

Hope 

1. What is hope? 

Now these three remain: faith, hope, and love—but the greatest of these is love.
– 1 Corinthians 13:13 (CSB) 

• Hope (elpís) – desire of some good with expectation of obtaining it.

– The Complete Word Study Dictionary: New Testament

• Hope (elpís) – to look forward with confidence to that which is good and beneficial. 

– Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament

Rejoice in hope; be patient in affliction; be persistent in prayer.
– Romans 12:12 (CSB)

For I put my hope in you, Lord; you will answer me, my Lord, my God.
– Psalm 38:15 (CSB) 

Why, my soul, are you so dejected? Why are you in such turmoil? Put your hope in God, for I will still praise him, my Savior and my God.
– Psalm 42:5 (CSB) 

Because of the Lord’s faithful love we do not perish, for His mercies never end. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness! I say, “The Lord is my portion, therefore I will put my hope in Him.”
– Lamentations 3:22-24  (CSB)

• yachal: wait; wait for; await; hope; expect; trust 

– Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew and English Lexicon 

Hope 

1. What is hope?
2. Hope in the Old Testament

Therefore, the Lord himself will give you a sign: See, the virgin will conceive, have a son, and name Him Immanuel.
– Isaiah 7:14 (CSB)

For a Child will be born for us, a Son will be given to us, and the government will be on His shoulders. He will be named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. The dominion will be vast, and its prosperity will never end. He will reign on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish and sustain it with justice and righteousness from now on and forever. The zeal of the Lord of Armies will accomplish this.
– Isaiah 9:6-7 (CSB)

The Lord said to Abram: Go from your land, your relatives, and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. I will make you into a great nation, I will bless you, I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, I will curse anyone who treats you with contempt, and all the peoples on earth will be blessed through you.
– Genesis 12:1-3 (CSB)

An account of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham.
– Matthew 1:1 (CSB)

Now all this took place to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet: See, the virgin will become pregnant and give birth to a Son, and they will name Him Immanuel, which is translated “God is with us.” When Joseph woke up, he did as the Lord’s angel had commanded him. He married her but did not have sexual relations with her until she gave birth to a son. And he named Him Jesus.
– Matthew 1:22-25 (CSB)

Come, thou long expected Jesus, born to set thy people free; from our fears and sins release us, let us find our rest in thee. Israel's strength and consolation, hope of all the earth thou art; dear desire of every nation, joy of every longing heart.
– Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus – Charles Wesley, 1744

Hope 

1. What is hope?
2. Hope in the Old Testament 
3. Hope in the New Testament

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you. You are being guarded by God’s power through faith for a salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. You rejoice in this, even though now for a short time, if necessary, you suffer grief in various trials so that the proven character of your faith—more valuable than gold which, though perishable, is refined by fire—may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; though not seeing Him now, you believe in Him, and you rejoice with inexpressible and glorious joy, because you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
– 1 Peter 1:3-9 (CSB)

Our hope is in Jesus.

Hope 

1. What is hope?
2. Hope in the Old Testament 
3. Hope in the New Testament 
4. When you feel hopeless…

This hope will not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
– Romans 5:5 (CSB)

And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Counselor, to be with you forever. He is the Spirit of Truth. The world is unable to receive Him because it doesn’t see Him or know Him. But you do know Him, because He remains with you and will be in you. "I will not leave you as orphans; I am coming to you."
– John 14:16-18 (CSB)

Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
– Romans 15:13 (CSB)

We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to His purpose.
– Romans 8:28 (CSB)

Our hope is in Jesus.

Gone // O What a Miracle // Great Are You Lord // I've Heard About You // Living Hope

Journey with us through Advent and anticipate, rather than dread, this busy season. Christmas comes each year with great hope and promise... But often, we are distracted and consumed by commitments, pressure and mixed emotions, and we barely experience the wonder of it as we rush through. It's in the slowing down, contemplation and reflection that we find our answer — it’s in the waiting season of Advent that we prepare our hearts with hope, faith, joy and peace for December 25 and the celebration of our newborn King.

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