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Generations United Church
Advent HOPE
Locations & Times
Generations United Church
108 FL-85, Niceville, FL 32578, USA
Sunday 10:00 AM
What Is Advent?
Advent is a four-week season in the Church calendar dedicated to anticipating the arrival, or "advent," of Jesus of Nazareth, the long-awaited Messiah and King. Christians from many backgrounds celebrate this time with reflections on hope, peace, love, and joy. And while their practices may look different, all focus on the hope-filled arrival of Jesus.
What Does Advent Mean?
Advent means "arrival" and signifies the start of an event or the arrival of a person. In Christian communities around the world, Advent refers to a four-week season of remembering and celeb````rating the arrival of Jesus on Earth. It’s a time to reflect on the unexpected nature of Jesus’ humble birth and join in the anticipation of when he will come again to reunite Heaven and Earth once and for all.
Why Is Advent Important?
Advent can be a simple and fun tradition of counting down to Christmas. But for others—particularly those who believe Jesus to be the incarnation of God and the long-awaited Messiah—Advent is a shared experience of meditation and prayer that celebrates the arrival of Jesus.
Advent is a four-week season in the Church calendar dedicated to anticipating the arrival, or "advent," of Jesus of Nazareth, the long-awaited Messiah and King. Christians from many backgrounds celebrate this time with reflections on hope, peace, love, and joy. And while their practices may look different, all focus on the hope-filled arrival of Jesus.
What Does Advent Mean?
Advent means "arrival" and signifies the start of an event or the arrival of a person. In Christian communities around the world, Advent refers to a four-week season of remembering and celeb````rating the arrival of Jesus on Earth. It’s a time to reflect on the unexpected nature of Jesus’ humble birth and join in the anticipation of when he will come again to reunite Heaven and Earth once and for all.
Why Is Advent Important?
Advent can be a simple and fun tradition of counting down to Christmas. But for others—particularly those who believe Jesus to be the incarnation of God and the long-awaited Messiah—Advent is a shared experience of meditation and prayer that celebrates the arrival of Jesus.
Genesis 3 14-15(NIV) So the Lord God said to the serpent, “Because you have done this, “Cursed are you above all livestock and all wild animals! You will crawl on your belly and you will eat dust all the days of your life. And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring[a] and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.”
The first announcement of the coming of Jesus.
Genesis 12:3, Isaiah 7:14, Micah 5:2, Hosea 11:1
Isaiah 9:1-7 Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the nations, by the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan—The people walking in darknesshave seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy;they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as warriors rejoice when dividing the plunder. For as in the day of Midian’s defeat,you have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor. Every warrior’s boot used in battleand every garment rolled in blood will be destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire. For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.
Then... 400 years of silence.
The first announcement of the coming of Jesus.
Genesis 12:3, Isaiah 7:14, Micah 5:2, Hosea 11:1
Isaiah 9:1-7 Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the nations, by the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan—The people walking in darknesshave seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy;they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as warriors rejoice when dividing the plunder. For as in the day of Midian’s defeat,you have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor. Every warrior’s boot used in battleand every garment rolled in blood will be destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire. For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.
Then... 400 years of silence.
Hope (noun) a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen.
Biblical definition ... Hope is a strong and confident expectation
Romans 5:1-5 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we also have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and so we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also boast in tribulation, knowing that tribulation produces patience, patience produces character, and character produces hope. And hope does not disappoint, because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.
Romans 8:24-25 For we are saved through hope, but hope that is seen is not hope, for why does a man still hope for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. Patience=perseverance
Romans 15:4 For whatever was previously written was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
Hope is never a static or passive thing. It is dynamic, active, directive and life sustaining. When you look up the word “hope” and you will find reference after reference pointing out the active results of hope in the lives of those who truly have a biblical hope and live accordingly.
Biblical hope is not an escape from reality or from problems. It doesn’t leave us idle or drifting.
If hope is based on God's promises, it will put us in gear.
It changes how we see ourselves. It changes us into people who see this life as temporary as are all our difficulties.
It changes what we value.... kingdom minded.
It affects what we do with our lives—our talent, time, treasure...serving one another.
Remember...Hope is a strong and confident expectation
Biblical definition ... Hope is a strong and confident expectation
Romans 5:1-5 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we also have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and so we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also boast in tribulation, knowing that tribulation produces patience, patience produces character, and character produces hope. And hope does not disappoint, because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.
Romans 8:24-25 For we are saved through hope, but hope that is seen is not hope, for why does a man still hope for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. Patience=perseverance
Romans 15:4 For whatever was previously written was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
Hope is never a static or passive thing. It is dynamic, active, directive and life sustaining. When you look up the word “hope” and you will find reference after reference pointing out the active results of hope in the lives of those who truly have a biblical hope and live accordingly.
Biblical hope is not an escape from reality or from problems. It doesn’t leave us idle or drifting.
If hope is based on God's promises, it will put us in gear.
It changes how we see ourselves. It changes us into people who see this life as temporary as are all our difficulties.
It changes what we value.... kingdom minded.
It affects what we do with our lives—our talent, time, treasure...serving one another.
Remember...Hope is a strong and confident expectation
Benefits of Hope
It gives us joy and peace.
Romans 15:13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
It gives us strength, courage, boldness.
Psalm 31:24(NLT) So be strong and courageous,all you who put your hope in the Lord!
It gives us endurance, comfort, confidence in the face of death.
1 Thessalonians 4:13 But I would not have you ignorant, brothers, concerning those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others who have no hope.
It gives us confidence in serving others.
1 Timothy 4:10(NIV) that is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, ….
It gives us joy and peace.
Romans 15:13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
It gives us strength, courage, boldness.
Psalm 31:24(NLT) So be strong and courageous,all you who put your hope in the Lord!
It gives us endurance, comfort, confidence in the face of death.
1 Thessalonians 4:13 But I would not have you ignorant, brothers, concerning those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others who have no hope.
It gives us confidence in serving others.
1 Timothy 4:10(NIV) that is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, ….
Hope depends on perseverance (fortitude)…don’t quit
Romans 15:4 For whatever was previously written was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope
Hope depends on knowing the Word of God.
Romans 15:4 For whatever was previously written was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope
Hope depends on embracing God’s Grace.
2 Thessalonians 2:16 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and God our Father, who has loved us and has given us eternal consolation and good hope through grace,
Hope depends on the Spirit-filled life
Romans 15:13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 15:4-5 For whatever was previously written was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus, God gives perseverance and encouragement (hope)
Psalm 42:5 Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted in me? Hope in God, for I will yet thank Him for the help of His presence.
Hope is a strong and confident expectation
Lamentations 3:21-23 But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed; His compassions do not fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.
Romans 15:4 For whatever was previously written was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope
Hope depends on knowing the Word of God.
Romans 15:4 For whatever was previously written was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope
Hope depends on embracing God’s Grace.
2 Thessalonians 2:16 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and God our Father, who has loved us and has given us eternal consolation and good hope through grace,
Hope depends on the Spirit-filled life
Romans 15:13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 15:4-5 For whatever was previously written was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus, God gives perseverance and encouragement (hope)
Psalm 42:5 Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted in me? Hope in God, for I will yet thank Him for the help of His presence.
Hope is a strong and confident expectation
Lamentations 3:21-23 But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed; His compassions do not fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.