12/3/23

ADVENT: Rebuilding Hope

Advent

REBUILDING HOPE

DECEMBER 3, 2023

Main Scripture: Hebrews 10:19-23

Additional Scriptures: Galatians 6:9, Hebrews 6:19-20, 13:8 1 Corinthians 4:3-5, 2 Corinthians 1:20,

POINTS:

  • Compounded grief creates a feeling of overwhelming anxiety.

  • Advent: The expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus at Christmas.

  • Expectant: To believe something good is about to happen.

  • Hope: The confident expectation of what God has promised and hope finds its strength in His faithfulness.

  • Where we place our hope directly relates to how much joy we have.

  • Idols: Something that we consider of equal or greater value than God.

  • According to Timothy Keller, there are four source idols: Comfort, Approval, Control, and Power.

  • Comfort idol indicators are blame, stress, and boredom.

  • Real joy can’t be found in the pursuit of self-seeking pleasure. It can only be found in self-sacrificing service.

  • Approval idol indicators are anxiety and discouragement.

  • Gaslighting: Manipulating someone by using psychological methods to cause them to question their own sanity or powers of reasoning.

  • Control idol indicators are gaslighting, anxiety, and loneliness.

  • Power idol indicators are striving, exhaustion, and loneliness.

  • To place your hope in Christ…

  • You must believe that you are completely known by God and welcomed in His presence.

  • And God is Faithful!

  • We must place our hope in the Lord of the Harvest and not the harvest itself.

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ADVENT: The Majesty of Christmas

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THR!VE: The Gifts of the Spirit Pt. 2