Sermon: Hope

Christ, our living hope! We associate the concept of "Hope" with Christianity, but hope has been built into mankind's relationship with God since the beginning. The literal atonement (or covering-over) of Adam and Eve at the end of Genesis 3, God's promises to Noah, the covenant with Abraham, God's commissioning of Moses, the anointing of David, and the words of the prophets all speak to God's desire for us to hold hope. Hope isn't a vague concept; it's something God very actively gifts us just when we need it. Sometimes hope is physical. Other times it is spiritual. In all forms, it harkens to God's dominion and sovereignty over all Creation despite circumstances or the actions of man. Praise God for His consistent and stalwart hope! We have done everything possible to not deserve it, yet even in the midst of our trials and righteous discipline, God communicates the Hope to come which was realized through the coming of Jesus Christ.