Dec. 8th. 

Living with Hope in Uncertain Times: A Look at Luke 21

In this Advent season, we often focus on the sweetness of Christmas—on the birth of Jesus, the infant in the manger. But in today's episode, we turn to a very different part of Scripture: Luke 21. This chapter takes us beyond the peaceful scenes of Bethlehem and into a challenging, sobering glimpse of the future. Jesus, speaking to His disciples, warns of impending chaos—the destruction of the temple, false messiahs, wars, environmental disasters, and persecution. It's a dark picture, yet it holds a message of hope.

As we face the uncertainty of the present, fear often becomes a powerful force in our lives. From media that preys on our anxieties to cultural pressures that stir up dread, it's easy to be overwhelmed. But Advent invites us to shift our focus. It calls us to look forward—to a promised future, even amidst present trials. Just like the progression of light in a sunrise, Advent points us toward the hope that the darkness is not the final word.

In this episode, we explore how we can live with hope, even in the face of fear.   Through the lens of Jesus' teachings, we discuss:

• Hope amid institutional failure.
• Hope when false saviors arise
• Hope during times of war and political instability
• Hope through natural disasters and environmental calamities
• Hope despite persecution and loss of religious safety

Join us for this powerful reflection on living with hope during Advent, as we look to the future with expectation and trust in the promises of our coming King.

Primary Teaching Sources:

• Foster, Richard. Prayer: Finding the Heart’s True Home. HarperOne, 1992.
• Kinder, Derek. Ezra and Nehemiah: The Old Testament Commentary Series (TOTC). InterVarsity Press, 1984.
• Bird, Michael F. Evangelical Theology: A Biblical and Systematic Introduction. Zondervan, 2013.
• Keener, Craig S. The Bible Background Commentary: New Testament. InterVarsity Press, 1993.

Lament is a universal part of the human experience.  Life’s challenges—whether health, financial, relational, or mental—can overwhelm us, but how can we navigate through these hardships in a way that can brings healing and purpose?   
In today's teaching, we will draw from the book of Nehemiah to see how lament can lead us from heartbreak to hope. 

If you are currently walking through hardship and would like someone to pray for you during this time, please visit our website: www.gracehill901.com.  We would be honored to pray for you.  

Today, we are studying Nehemiah’s heartfelt response to a broken world.  It's the year 430 BC, and Nehemiah is serving as a cupbearer to the Persian king in the capital city of Susa. The exiles have returned to Jerusalem, but the city’s walls are still in ruins, leaving the people vulnerable to attack.  Nehemiah, though miles away, hears about the devastation and is deeply moved. He could have stayed in his comfortable life, but instead, he chooses to intercede, to pray earnestly for the restoration of Jerusalem.  

 

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Teaching Text: Luke 5:27-32

27 After that He went out and looked at a tax collector named Levi sitting in the tax office, and He said to him, “Follow Me.” 28 And he left everything behind, and got up and began following Him.

29 And Levi gave a big reception for Him in his house; and there was a large crowd of tax collectors and other people who were reclining at the table with them. 30 The Pharisees and their scribes began grumbling to His disciples, saying, “Why do you eat and drink with the tax collectors and sinners?” 31 And Jesus answered and said to them, “It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick. 32 I have not come to call the righteous to repentance, but sinners.”

Primary Sources:

• Fighting Shadows- Jon Tyson and Jefferson Bethke
• For Everyone (Matthew and Luke)- N.T. Wright
• Luke: An Introduction and Commentary TNTC- Leon Morris

Outline:

1. Reveal Yourself to Us, God (1-2): A plea for God to dramatically reveal Himself, tearing through the heavens, and making His name known to the nations. Seeking God's presence in the midst of uncertainties.

2. Remember God's Good Deeds (3-4): Recounting the awesome things God has done unexpectedly. Reflecting on personal experiences of God's unexpected goodness and relating them to Psalm 77.

3. Remember Your Best Efforts Fall Short (5-7): Acknowledging our uncleanliness and the inadequacy of our best efforts. Recognizing the need to surrender to God's grace in our shortcomings.

4. Release the Future into God's Hands (8-9): Surrendering the future into God's hands, acknowledging God as the Potter and trusting in His control. A call to release worries about the future into God's care.

As we journey through Isaiah's prayer, we unveil a resilient hope that thrives not in the absence of challenges but in the steadfast assurance of God's enduring promises. It's a hope grounded in the unchanging character of God, bringing light into the darkest corners of our lives. Join us in preparing hearts for Advent, cultivating a hope that endures beyond circumstances.

Scripture References:

• Isaiah 64
• Psalm 119:18; Psalm 77; Proverbs 3:5-6
• Isaiah 63:9
• 1 Corinthians 1:3-9
• Numbers 6:24-26

Scripture References:

Malachi 3:1-6

Isaiah 40:3; Isaiah 54:7-8; Isaiah 29:13; Micah 6:8

Hebrews 9:14; 1 Peter 1:18-19

Ephesians 1:15-23

Numbers 6:24-26

Episode Highlights:

Anticipating the Messenger's Arrival: Reflect on John the Baptist preparing the way and the significance of waiting for Christmas.

Allowing Our Hearts to Be Refined: Understanding God's refining fire and how it shapes us into vessels of grace.

Pursuing Truer Worship: Exploring the call for genuine worship and its restoration through Jesus Christ.

The Gospel Message: Unpacking the Covenant Messenger, the Refining Fire, and the Restoration of True Worship in the context of the gospel.

Scripture Reflections: Isaiah 40:3, Isaiah 54:7-8, Isaiah 29:13, Micah 6:8, Hebrews 9:14, 1 Peter 1:18-19, Ephesians 1:15-23, Numbers 6:24-26.

Closing Invitation:

Join us in preparing hearts for Advent—embracing anticipation, allowing refinement, and pursuing truer worship. The gospel unfolds the transformative power of Christ's coming, bringing fulfillment to ancient prophecies and redemption to our lives. May this Advent be a time of profound reflection and spiritual preparation. As we await Christ's second coming, may our worship be genuine and our hearts surrendered.