The prophet Isaiah foretells many details about the Messiah who would come centuries later, including details about his eventual impact in Galilee. This Messiah would come to be known as Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace -- one who will bring justice, peace, and an end to war itself. All of this will be one day be accomplished not by might, power, or even politics, but through the passionate commitment of the Lord!

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For anyone who seeks to discover their family roots, the images of a branch, a stump, and a root might not seem so strange. What is undeniably strange is that the promised messiah would be a descendant (a branch) of Jesse (king David's father) and also somehow the origin (the root) of that same Jesse. Once again, we see the promised messiah would be human yet something far more!

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The prophet Micah made a curious and very specific prediction about the promised messiah -- that he would be born in Bethlehem. This promise was pregnant with paradox. This king would be born in humble circumstances yet have origins in ancient days. This birthplace would place the shepherd of Israel amongst the lambs raised for sacrifice in the Temple. And centuries later, its fulfillment would require the unknowing cooperation of a pregnant peasant girl and Rome's first emperor!

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Waiting is especially challenging when you are waiting for the fulfillment of a broken promise. God had promised that a descendant of King David would sit on the throne forever, so what had happened? Israel waited for centuries without any such king in sight. Had God forgotten the promise? Today, many might feel similarly forgotten. What are we to do in such times?

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Sermon #2 of Highrock's Advent series, "Expecting: Awaiting the Birth of Jesus," by Pastor Dave Swaim from Isaiah 40:1-11 (NIV)

Advent is a season of anticipating, waiting, and trusting in God's promise -- but what if we grow weary of waiting? Abraham is called the "father of our faith" but here we see him also expressing resignation and doubt. When we also grow weary of waiting for God to show up in our lives, can we learn from Abraham a more faithful way to doubt?

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Advent is a season of waiting. Like those who waited for God to show up in Jesus that first Christmas, we once again wait for the return of Jesus. But there is someone who has been waiting far longer. When Adam and Eve went into hiding, God called out, "Where are you?" and God has been waiting for us to stop hiding ever since.

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Earlier in Isaiah, God exhorted us to comfort one another with the truth. In today's passage, we are encouraged to remember the truth that our God reigns. We must remember that this message was spoken to and by a people who were in the deep darkness of defeat and captivity. It is in the darkest moments that we must remember and wait for the light of God's promise -- the true spirit of Advent!

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Three times, we are told to tell and even shout the good news that "God is coming!" More than that, there are two things we are encouraged to know about the God for whom we wait. First, our God is a mighty ruler who has power to rescue and bless. Second, our God is a gentle and good shepherd who is gentle and tender toward us lambs. Who is this mighty king who is also a gentle and good shepherd? It is Jesus for whom we shout the good news as we wait!

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During Advent, we look forward to the return of Jesus and the final rescue he will bring. We identify with captive Israel in waiting for the fulfillment of God's promise long ago. Israel had to wait patiently for her deliverer. In the meantime, God instructs them (and us!) to comfort and encourage one another. This Advent, let us comfort one another with the promises of God!

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