Series: The Advent of ____
Week 1 Title: The Advent of Hope
Main Scriptures: Proverbs 13:12, Isaiah 40:1–5, Luke 1:30–32, Galatians 4:4, John 14:3, Romans 15:13

Big Idea:
Hope is not a wishful feeling—hope has a Name, perfect timing, and a promised future.
Jesus is our Hope, our Living Hope, and our Coming King.

Advent = “coming” or “arrival.” Not just remembering Christ’s birth but anticipating His return.

Historically marked by fasting, reflection, and preparing room for Jesus.

Weekly themes: Hope, Peace, Joy, Love.

Hope is often the hardest to hold onto—even for strong believers.

“Hope deferred makes the heart sick…” (Proverbs 13:12).
Hope delayed makes the heart tired. Hope can feel risky or fragile.

Many feel “learned hopelessness”—after disappointment, unanswered prayers, and long waiting, the heart stops expecting anything to change.

People do this spiritually the same way the dogs did in the study.

BUT God does not want His children living in hopelessness.

Isaiah was sent to speak comfort, forgiveness, and hope to weary people.

Isaiah 40:1–5: A message of comfort, deliverance, and restoration. God is leveling valleys and mountains—He is preparing a way.

Hope is not a concept; it’s a person—Jesus.

Luke 1:30–32: The angel reveals Jesus as the promised One tied to Isaiah’s prophecy.

Jesus is our Hope… our Blessed Hope… our Living Hope.

Our hope is anchored not in circumstances but in who God is.

God’s timing is not Amazon Prime—but it’s always right on time.

Galatians 4:4 — “When the set time had fully come, God sent His Son…”

The 400 “silent years” were not silent—God was preparing the world:

Socratic method encouraged questions.

Old Testament translated into Greek.

Jews scattered across the world.

Rome built highways and unified language.

When conditions were perfect for the gospel to spread, Jesus came.

God works the same way in our waiting—He aligns things we cannot see.

Advent looks backward and forward—Jesus will return.

John 14:3 — “I will come back and take you to be with Me…”

A future hope: resurrection, restoration, eternal life.

Proverbs 13:12 (full verse): Hope fulfilled becomes a “tree of life”—a sign of healing and wholeness in Revelation.

One day every longing will be fulfilled.

Until then, we choose hope.
 

VI. Closing — A Call to Respond

Group 1: Those far from God—hope is not in something; it’s in Someone.

Group 2: Believers carrying heavy burdens—Romans 15:13 prayer of overflowing hope.

Hope is our posture, our anchor, our promise.

“Our hope is not in desired outcomes—but in God Himself.”