series artseries art

What We’ve Been Waiting On

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone. For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end. ISAIAH 9:2, 6-7 ESV

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. JOHN 1:1-2,9 NIV

CHRISTMAS REMINDS ME:

TRUTH #1 – WHEN I AM WAITING, GOD IS WORKING

The whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation but we ourselves groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons… For in this hope we were saved…. if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.  ROMANS 8:22-25 ESV

He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.   In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. JOHN 1:2-5 ESV

Matthew “As It Is Written” 

All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” MATTHEW 1:22-23 ESV (From Isaiah 7:14, 700BC)

They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet: “‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’”   MATTHEW 2:5-6 ESV (From Micah 5:2, 700BC)

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem… wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews?  We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”  MATTHEW 2:1-2 ESV (From Isaiah 60:3, 700BC)

And he [Joseph] rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed to Egypt and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet, “Out of Egypt I called my son.” MATTHEW 2:14-15 ESV (From Hosea 11:1, 600BC)

Then was fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Jeremiah: “A voice was heard in Ramah, Rachel weeping for her children… they are no more.” MATTHEW 2:17-18 ESV (From Jeremiah 31:15, 600BC)

he withdrew into Galilee… so that what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: “beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles— the people dwelling in darkness have seen a great light, on them a light has dawned.” MATTHEW 4:12-16 ESV (From Isaiah 9:2, 700BC) 

TRUTH #2 – GOD KEEPS HIS PROMISES

Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel…  And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.”  LUKE 2:25-26, 29-32 ESV

That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes… we proclaim also to you… and we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete. 1 JOHN 1:1-4 ESV     

For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. COLOSSIANS 1:13-14 NIV

TRUTH #3 – GOD WILL BRING ME HOME                                           

The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. 2 TIMOTHY 4:18 ESV

“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.  And you know the way to where I am going.” Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to Father except through me.”  Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. You heard me say to you, I am going away, and I will come to you.’    JOHN 14:1-7, 27-28 ESV

He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.   Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God — children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.    JOHN 1:10-13 ESV 

God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ.  EPHESIANS 1:5 NLT    

“I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you…” JOHN 14:18 ESV

My Notes

Personal Reflection Guide

Find a place to be still before God and allow your thoughts and feelings to become calm. When you are ready, ask God to guide the time. Reflect on the truth in the sermon about how faithful God is to keep his promises. Ask yourself, “Do I find myself having a hard time believing God will keep his promises to me? What is an experience I have had that causes me to doubt his faithfulness?” Pray that God will help you discern a specific promise you have difficulty trusting he will keep for you. Ask him, “What do my feelings reveal about what I expect you to do?”  Have a conversation with him about your struggle. Pray Mark 9:24 NLT, “I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!” Thank him for what he will do to grow your faith in this area. Find someone you trust in the next week and share this experience with them. Ask them to pray that you will rely more on God to keep this promise.

Discussion Questions

  1. What have you been learning about yourself, God or others in your personal Bible reading time? What stood out to you in your reading this week?
  2. Read John 1:1-5. In what specific ways did Jesus bring light into your dark world, and what were some of the first things you remember him changing? 
  3. Read John 14:1-3. While heaven may sometimes feel like a long way off, what peace do you draw from the reality that while you are waiting here on earth, Jesus is preparing a place for you? 
  4. Read Luke 2:25-32. When have you seen God keep his promises to you,  and in what ways does that help you trust in his promise of heaven? 
  5. Read 2 Timothy 4:18. What specific things do you need God to rescue you from today, and what can we do to help? 
  6. Read John 14:18. In what specific ways does this passage bring you real hope in a dark world, and with whom might you