Imagine you're on a winter hiking trip with a friend. The forecast looked great before you left, but now the wind is picking up and the snow begins to fall. Half an hour later, you're caught in whiteout conditions and you realize that you've kind of got turned around. Panic starts to set in and it dawns on you, you're lost. That situation feels hopeless. Then all of a sudden, through a thicket of trees, you notice a faint glow of light. As you move ever toward the light, it grows brighter, until you discover it's a cabin, and the glow of light was a lantern in the window. So someone's inside. You knock on the door, and an elderly man, a local trapper, welcomes you inside. The wood stove's crackling, a pot of stew simmers on the stove, and hot coffee is already being poured for you and your friend. You think back to that moment when you first saw the faint glimmer of light.
through the blizzard of snow and wind. It was small, but it was enough to spark hope. And as you grew closer, the light grew brighter, revealing a refuge from the storm. You were saved. 2,000 years ago, God's people, Israel, found themselves in a storm of oppression, ruled by a foreign power, the Roman government, under their oppression and occupation. They were waiting and watching for that glimmer of hope, hanging on to the faint light of a prophesied Messiah, spoken by Isaiah centuries before.
Would he ever arrive to save them? And when he did, what would salvation look like? Little did they know that he would become the Messiah and King for all people for all time. That same hope is available to us today. Jesus offers a hope that doesn't fade, a hope foretold by Isaiah and fulfilled in the birth of Christ, a hope that is a bright light in the darkest storms of life.
Welcome to Mountain View Church, and welcome to the first message in our Advent series, The Newborn King. Today's message is titled, Hope Fulfilled. My name's Jeremy. Whether you're new to church or you've been here for years, I'm so glad that you're here. If you'd like to connect, visit mountainview.church slash connect or text connect to the number on the screen, which is 867-322-8001. If you're joining us in-house, grab a connect card under the seats in front of you, fill it out, then drop it off at the welcome desk on your way out. For families with children, we offer a program called Base Camp every Sunday morning at 930 or 11.
If you're watching at home, the video lessons and activities are available for download at mountainview.church slash base camp. And for any students that might be watching out there, our youth group meets every Sunday evening at 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Middle schoolers are on the first and third Sunday, and high schoolers are on the second and fourth Sunday. For more info, go to mountainview.church slash youth. Now, with that being said, let's get back into our Advent journey, starting with Hope Fulfilled.
Today's scripture reading comes from Isaiah 9 verses 6 and 7. 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, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness. From this time forth and forevermore, the zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this. Isaiah's prophecy was fulfilled during a time of turmoil, but it was also written during a time of turmoil. The people of Israel faced threats from powerful empires and wrestled with the consequences of their disobedience against God. Isaiah's words offered a glimmer of hope. He foretold the coming of a Messiah who would establish a kingdom of peace, justice, and righteousness.
And over 700 years later, his prophecy began to unfold in the most unexpected way. The angel Gabriel appeared to a young woman named Mary, delivering a message that would change the course of history. This miraculous account was recorded by a physician and researcher named Luke and is preserved for us in the Bible. If you don't have a Bible, you can visit Bible.com or download a Bible app on your mobile device. And if you're attending one of our physical gatherings, you'll find a Bible under the seat in front of you. Feel free to keep it as our gift to you. If you're unfamiliar how to look something up in scripture, simply go to the very front, which is a table of contents. And today we're looking for...
the book of Luke in the New Testament. It's going to give you a page number, and then you're going to go to chapter one, which is the big numbers, and the verses, like sentences, are in smaller verse numbers. Now, let's read Luke 1, 26 to 33. In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin's name was Mary. And he came to her and said, Greetings, O favored one. The Lord is with you.
But she was greatly troubled at the saying and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. And the angel said to her, do not be afraid, Mary, for you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give him the throne of his father David. And he will reign over the house of Jacob forever. And of his kingdom, there will be no end. Imagine the weight of this moment for Mary. A young woman from a small town going about her life is suddenly told that she will carry the long-awaited Messiah. Gabriel's words confirm that Jesus will fulfill Isaiah's prophecy. But Mary wasn't the only one to receive an angelic message about this miraculous event. Let's turn now to Joseph's perspective, which is found in Matthew, a couple books forward, again in chapter 1.
but this time in verses 18 to 25. Let's read it together. Now, the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.
She will bear a son and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins. 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 Emmanuel, which means God with us. When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him. He took his wife, but knew her not until she had given birth to a son and he called his name Jesus.
Joseph's experience doesn't just confirm Mary's account. It highlights the divine arrangement of these events. God working in a way that no one would ever expected, bringing hope and salvation in the midst of oppression and confusion to an unlikely couple in an unlikely place. From this miraculous event, the entire world changed, and the timeline for humanity was radically altered. An eternal hope had come into our world in the person and power of the Son of God, Jesus Christ.
But we've only just scratched the surface. The hope of this child wasn't a momentary event. Let's take a deep dive into some of the commentary work to validate this angelic message that was brought to Mary and to Joseph. And let's look how they would have understood it. Let's start with Isaiah's prophecy. From the Bible Knowledge Commentary, we get a fuller picture. The author writes, The Messiah seated on David's throne will have an eternal rule of peace and justice. His rule will have no end. It will go on forever. Following the kingdom on earth, he will rule for eternity.
The Messiah will rule because God promised it and will zealously see that that kingdom comes. Once we fast forward 700 years to the moment when the angel came to Mary and the Lord will give to him the throne of his father, David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever. And of this kingdom, there will be no end. This wasn't just some meaningless poetic message. There are specific pointers to the bigger picture God is about to unveil through this young woman. Mary would have, at least in part, understood this message. She would have heard Isaiah's prophecies her entire life, in worship on Sabbath, but likely from her father and even her grandfather when she was younger. Prophecy about the Messiah was a treasured hope that God's people were clinging to constantly. And through this time of oppression, they clung to it even harder. It was so important. Then all of a sudden, it was being spoken to her, about her, from an angel, that she would be the one to give birth to Messiah. Coming back to the Bible Knowledge Commentary.
Mary could not have missed the significance of that terminology. The fact that her baby was to be called the son of the most high pointed to his equality with Yahweh God. In Semitic thought, a son was a carbon copy of his father. And the phrase son of was often used to refer to one who possessed his father's qualities. The Moody Bible commentary confirms this entire interpretation by stating the transcendent significance of the child was related. His person, he will be great. His relation to God, he will be called the Son of the Most High, a way of saying he is the Son of God. And his purpose, the Lord God, Yahweh, of the Old Testament, will give him the throne of his father, David. This child will be the fulfillment of the Davidic covenant promises. But now let's move to Joseph's angelic visit. Let's unpack that a little bit. The angel used different language, but Joseph would have understood the deeper meaning, that the boy was going to be raised by him, but that the boy would be the Messiah.
From the parallel commentary on the New Testament, we read, unto us a child is born and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, the Mighty God, the Prince of Peace. That is, he shall be all these, though not so much nominally as really and in effect as he is God incarnate and dwells by his spirit in the hearts of his people. From Isaiah's prophecy to the gospel accounts, we see a cohesive narrative of God's faithfulness and enduring hope brought through his son, Jesus. These biblical texts and the theological commentaries affirm that Jesus is more than just a historical figure or some temporary king. The Messiah's birth brought a hope that lasts, a peace that surpasses understanding, and a love that fully redeems what humanity lost through humanity's sin. Unlike the fleeting hopes of this world, Jesus offers an unshakable foundation with an eternal kingdom, and his presence remains with us always.
But the obvious question that you're maybe thinking or asking yourself is how? If you're new to church or you're just exploring Christianity, you're likely wondering, what's the bigger picture of the hope Jesus offers? Allow me to explain. The birth of Jesus was just the beginning of the most remarkable event in history. As Jesus grew, he demonstrated wisdom and authority that confounded even the greatest teachers of God's law.
He lived a perfect life, a sinless life, teaching and embodying the values of his kingdom, compassion, justice, and grace. He also performed countless miracles, displaying his divine power by healing the sick, calming storms, feeding thousands, and even raising people from the dead. He revealed himself with names like the Good Shepherd, the Bread of Life, and the Light of the World, which drew people in to a truth of God's love that they had never heard before or had never heard it in this way before. But Jesus' mission wasn't just about teaching and performing miracles. He came to save humanity from sin and restore our broken relationship with God. He willingly endured execution on a cross, but in the spiritual realm, he took on the punishment we deserved, and he offered himself as the ultimate sacrifice. You see, through his death, Jesus paid the price for our sins. And in his resurrection, he conquered death itself.
You see, three days later, after being laid in the tomb, God raised him victoriously, proving that he is the Son of God. He is the Savior of the world and the promised Messiah who was foretold by Isaiah and many other prophets through the Old Testament. After his resurrection, Jesus appeared to his disciples and many others, confirming his victory and then commissioning all of his followers, including those of us in this modern time, to spread the gospel, his message, to all nations. Finally, he ascended to heaven, where he reigns at the right hand of God, promising to prepare a place for those who would follow him. As one final gift, he didn't leave us alone. Jesus sent us God's Holy Spirit.
to seal us, fill us, guide us, and empower us, ensuring that his presence and his hope would remain with us internally until the very end of the age. Through Jesus, God doesn't just dwell among us, but he continues to dwell inside of us, all of those who have accepted him as their Lord and King. Perhaps you're still unsure. You still have questions. You're familiar with the Christmas story, but you can't grasp how Jesus' birth 2,000 years ago can impact your life today. You've heard the name of Jesus in songs during the holidays, heard about his birth, but connecting it to your everyday life, that feels so distant to you.
If that's you, consider this. We live in a world where hope is declining, and we need something that lasts. Since 2016, the proportion of Canadians reporting a hopeful outlook on the future has dropped from 75% to 64%. British Columbia experienced the steepest decline from 76% to 62%. And this trend isn't limited to Canada. In the United States, a recent survey revealed that just 44% believe in a better life for future generations. And 33% of Americans report they feel too stressed in daily life to even consider what lies ahead.
According to these statistics, you're likely less hopeful than you were a few years ago. Think of how often we place our hope in temporal things, success, relationships, or good health, only to find they don't endure. Sure, we have books and blogs and streaming and gaming and dating sites and social media, yoga to keto, we have it all. And the list goes on and on and on. And yet, in all these things, we can't seem to find a lasting hope.
This is why the world needs Jesus. This is why every single person needs Jesus. And don't take my word for it. Find someone who follows Christ. Ask them about their life and whether they have hope for the future. You'll soon find out that that hope is rooted in Jesus. He's the anchor of their hope, not worldly things. And when a person gives their life to Jesus, everything changes. The storms of life don't disappear, but he provides an emotional refuge, a mental foundation, and most of all, a spiritual purpose that endures beyond the trials of this world. When worldly hope fades, the hope of Jesus endures.
Jesus' birth isn't just a historical event. It's the fulfillment of God's promise to bring lasting hope. His hope is not fleeting. It's enduring. It's eternal. It's declared by the prophets, written down and fulfilled in the first century, and continuing to go on and on. What began in a stable has grown into a faith movement that now impacts one-third of the global population today, and it continues to grow. But let's go all the way back. Let's revisit that story of that storm from our introduction, that glimmer of light in the cabin in the wilderness. Walking through this world can feel like we're wandering through a storm like that.
Almost every person who comes to know Christ is navigating one of those storms. And when they first hear the message of Jesus, it might be a small experience, but it lasts a lifetime. It might just be an experience that happens around Christmas. But for some reason, this time, the connection clicks. Jesus becomes that glimmer of hopeful light in the woods, drawing them in. And so what do we do? We knock on the spiritual door with a simple prayer. We say, God, if you're here, if you're out there, somewhere, somehow, show me.
And in that moment, Jesus invites us inside. And we soon come to realize that this life with all its storms is in the end. There's an eternal peace waiting, an eternal hope waiting, an eternity waiting. And it's a kingdom of his peace, his justice, his righteousness. And we begin to experience it through accepting the prophesied Messiah. He becomes our personal savior, our Lord and our King. Now, if you hear nothing else today from me, please hear this. Jesus is offering you a new life.
You can receive forgiveness today for all the wrongs you've done, and you can gain access to eternity in heaven through him. Jesus doesn't just offer a momentary escape. He offers a fulfilled hope, a secured existence in eternity, sealed through the Holy Spirit. And maybe you are standing outside the cabin door right now. That blizzard of life is pounding you, and you feel lost and weary. You're unsure of where to turn. The good news is that Jesus is waiting for you. The light is on, the door is open, and he is inviting you to step inside. So the question is, will you place your hope in Jesus today?
If you've been searching for something lasting, something real, this is your moment. Jesus is the newborn king. Fulfilled Isaiah's prophecy. He lived a perfect life and he gave his life on the cross so that you might be restored. He conquered sin and death and he offers you eternal hope, forgiveness and purpose. He is ready to be your refuge, your strength and to be your king. All you need to do is open your heart, place your hope in him and step into the life and love he offers. If you're ready to take that step today, I would invite you to pray this prayer with me. Dear God,
Thank you for sending Jesus to be my king and my source of hope. I believe he was born as promised, lived a perfect life, and died for my sins. I believe you raised him from the dead, conquering sin and death. Today I place my hope in Jesus. Please forgive me and fill me with your Holy Spirit. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen. Thank you so much for joining us in this Advent of Hope.
If you chose to follow Jesus today and placed your hope in him, please let us know. We want to pray for you, send you a Bible, and we want to help you connect with our church family. If you prayed that prayer, please visit mountainview.church slash prayer or text prayer to 867-322-8001. And if you're in-house, simply write that prayer request on a connect card and drop it at the welcome desk on your way out. And either myself or one of our staff members will make sure we connect with you. If you have a bit more time today, please keep watching and listening because we have a few important updates followed by this week's discussion and prayer focus.
So I want to know, are you new to Mountain View Church or looking to get more involved? Maybe you've been attending for a while, but you aren't too sure about the next steps or what they look like. Please join us on December 8th for our Next Steps Discipleship Pathway. This is an opportunity to learn about the mission and vision of Mountain View, discover your unique gifts, and ask any questions about anything you might have. Whether you're considering membership, exploring ways to serve, or just want to know about what we're all about, this workshop is an amazing place for you to meet some new people and get your questions answered. Visit mountainview.church slash next steps to register or speak to one of our team members if you're in-house today.
Now, Christmas is coming quickly, and we can't wait to get together and celebrate. It's an amazing time of year. This year, we're hosting three, count them, three Christmas Eve gatherings at 4 p.m., 5.30 p.m., and 7 p.m. And we would love for you and your family, friends, neighbors, coworkers, all of you to join us. Let's come together to reflect on the greatest gift of all, Jesus, the newborn king.
These gatherings will be family-friendly. They'll be filled with carols and scripture and a special message about the birth of Christ. Registration will open this week, so have a conversation with those that you're attending with. Then head to christmasinwhitehorse.com. That's christmasinwhitehorse.com. And find the best service time for you and sign up. Register your spot.
Merry Christmas. My name is Jeremy, and I'm the lead pastor of Mountain View Church. And I'm Sarah. I serve as treasurer on the board of Mountain View Church. As we walk through Advent, it's the perfect time to reflect on what God has done through our church this year. We're celebrating the impact that your generosity has had in 2024 and looking ahead to what's next in 2025. This season reminds us of the hope and joy we find in Jesus, and we invite you to partner with us as we continue to serve our city, our territory, and beyond. This year has been an incredible one for Mountain View Church. Over a dozen people have publicly declared their faith through baptism, a bold step in following Jesus.
Each of these baptisms is a testament to our mission to introduce, baptize, and teach people to follow Jesus. Beyond that, our weekly ministry engagement has grown significantly as Whitehorse continues to expand as a city. This growth reflects the incredible opportunities we have to reach more people with the love of Christ. We continued our efforts to develop pastors and ministry leaders. This year, we celebrated Aaron and Elijah completing their apprenticeships and welcomed Byron to lead a new Filipino ministry. Additionally, we've added five new ministry leaders whose unique gifts and abilities will help us grow and extend our reach.
And it doesn't stop here in Whitehorse. This year, we've supported over a dozen missions and missionaries who are making an impact in the North, across Canada, and around the world. Whether it's serving in remote communities or contributing to international relief, your giving is helping to spread the gospel far beyond what we could do alone. As we look to 2025, we're excited about the opportunities ahead. We're striving to increase our ministry budget in several areas, ensuring that we can continue to serve effectively. One of the biggest steps we're taking is moving Pastor Aaron from a contract associate into a permanent part-time role.
His leadership has already been a tremendous blessing, and this next step will allow him to have an even greater impact as we move forward. Year-end giving is key to making all of this possible. Your generosity helps us fund the programs, outreach, and leadership development that keeps us moving forward. These gifts ensure that we can grow our ministry and remain focused on our mission to introduce, baptize, and teach people to follow Jesus. Every dollar you donate helps to make our mission and ministry a reality.
As we plan for the future, we're also committed to giving back. That's why our First Gifts Project is such a special part of our Christmas here at Mountain View. Every dollar donated on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day will be transferred to three specific community charities, the White Horse Food Bank, the Women's Transition Home, and Opportunities UConn. These organizations are doing amazing work, feeding families, providing safe shelter, and helping people rebuild their lives. This project is an expression of our vision to be an authentic, vibrant church serving and reaching our city. By partnering with these charities, we're extending the love of Jesus beyond our walls and into the community. This project reminds us that generosity doesn't just sustain our ministry, it blesses our city and the people who need it most. Together, we can make a real difference this Christmas. Please consider financially supporting Mountain View Church this season. Your year-end donations are a vital part of what God has planned for 2025. With your help, we'll continue expanding our ministry, developing leaders, introducing people to Jesus, and fulfilling the mission that God has called us.
If you've already decided to make a donation, you can visit mountainview.church slash give. Send an e-transfer to finance at mountainview.church or make an anonymous online donation through Canada Helps. For physical donations, you can place checks, cash, money orders in a sealed envelope with your contact information. Then drop your donation into the lockbox at the back of the auditorium during a Sunday gathering, or you can mail it to 2060 2nd Ave, Whitehorse, Yukon, Y1A1A9, Canada. Let's make this Advent season a time of generosity and gospel impact. Together, we can celebrate all that God has done this year and look forward in faith to what he'll accomplish in the year to come. Your partnership makes our mission possible, and we're so grateful for your support. Let's make this Christmas truly unforgettable for those who need it most. If you have any questions or need assistance with your donation, don't hesitate to reach out. May the joy, peace, and hope of Christ fill your hearts and homes this holiday season. Wishing you and your loved ones a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
All right, let's end with some discussion and prayer. If you've gathered with others, ask each other the following question. If you're watching or listening on your own, please drop a message, a comment in the stream, or send us a DM. Here we go. Discussion question. Who in your life needs the hope of Jesus this season? Who in your life needs the hope of Jesus this season? Tell that story. Who is it? Who are you praying for? Who are you going to invite to Christmas Eve gathering? Who is it? After you talk about it, it's time to pray. Pray for that person who needs the hope of Jesus. Pray for that person who you're thinking about, who needs the hope of Jesus this year. Pray for them.
And then perhaps they'll come with you next week because we want you to come back. We're going to continue the Advent journey. We'll explore how Jesus isn't just our fulfilled hope, which we covered today. We're going to move to the second week of Advent, which is he being the Prince of Peace who brings calm to life's chaos. Maybe you've got a chaotic life and you need the peace of Jesus. So think about those friends, neighbors, coworkers, family who might need some peace during this season of life. Then invite them to watch with you, to listen, or to attend one of our gatherings. We'll see you next Sunday.
If you prayed to receive Jesus today or would like to connect with our church community, visit mountainview.church and click the connect link. If this podcast and radio ministry has been a blessing to you, please consider partnering with us or making a tax-deductible donation at mountainview.church. Thanks for listening to Mountain View Church Audio. Join us next week for more Christ-centered teaching from the Wilderness City of Whitehorse UConn.