"Hope" | Advent, Part One

December 6, 2020 Ryan Vinson | Lead Pastor For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. Titus 2:11-14 (NIV) "Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end." Revelation 22:12-13 I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope; my soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning. Psalm 130:5-6 (ESV) Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1 (ESV) Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. Hebrews 10:23-25 (ESV) A life of hope is cultivated by what we confess A life of hope is cultivated by what we do A life of hope is cultivated by who we are with "Hoping is not dreaming. It is not spinning an illusion or fantasy to protect us from our boredom of our pain. It means a confident, alert expectation that God will do what he said he will do. It is imagination put in the harness of faith." - Eugene Peterson