Chrsitmas Carol - A More Hopeful Future
A Christmas Carol • Sermon • Submitted
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Hope
Hope
Hope is called the anchor of the soul, because it gives stability to the Christian life. But hope is not simply a 'wish' (I wish that such-and-such would take place); rather, it is that which latches on to the certainty of the promises of the future that God has made. - RC Sproil
The enemy of hope is uncertainty and things that are certain
The uncertainty of a future and the certainty of what we must all face
Scrooge on the last visit was led by the Ghost Christmas’ yet to come was lead to a future that was bleak and ended at a grave stone.
It is the darkest moment in the entire movie, but probably the one that brought the most light
Our world has and continues to be in chaos
We have spent the last weeks looking at our past - the hurts that have come from others and ourselves - we found freedom
We have looked at our present and seen we can live today in fullness and life
The good news today is that we do not have to fear the future as followers of Christ
Even what most believe is the ultimate outcome of life we can proclaim as Paul did
When this corruptible body is clothed with incorruptibility, and this mortal body is clothed with immortality, then the saying that is written will take place: Death has been swallowed up in victory. Where, death, is your victory? Where, death, is your sting?
We have a more hopeful future
That’s is what I want to dive into this Sunday before Christmas
Turn to 1 Cor 11
Let’s pray
This is Paul explaining Communion
It is a beautiful picture of Christ and our hope
We have a more hopeful future because there is....
1. Freedom from our past
For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: On the night when he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took bread,
Notice Paul what I have recieved
Our past is paid for
When Christ died he said - It is Finished - Paid in full
We are no longer bound to it unless we hold on to it
Everything we have done or has been done to us - finished
Not our works it His grace
We have a more hopeful future because there is....
2. Grace for our present
and when he had given thanks, broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, and said, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.”
The bread we are about to eat, the drink we are about to drink reminds us of the price Christ paid for our freedom
It also reminds us it is still at work today
Grace is a daily thing and our salvation that the continues to be worked out in us
Each day we grow closer and become more like Him
We proclaim with Solomon
Because of the Lord’s faithful love we do not perish, for his mercies never end. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness!
We have a more hopeful future because there is....
3. Promise for a future
For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
When Jesus put Communion in place he said
But I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.”
Jesus promised there would be a day when we would all do this together with Him
In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? If I go away and prepare a place for you, I will come again and take you to myself, so that where I am you may be also. You know the way to where I am going.”
When we eat and drink it is look forward and promise of a future
A More Hopeful Future
A More Hopeful Future
We have hope
Not a wish or a dream
A promise
Our end is no end - instead it is this
Then I heard a loud voice from the throne: Look, God’s dwelling is with humanity, and he will live with them. They will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them and will be their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; grief, crying, and pain will be no more, because the previous things have passed away.
I read this to you last week but it bares repeating
The Christmas message is that there is hope for a ruined humanity--hope of pardon, hope of peace with God, hope of glory--because at the Father's will Jesus became poor, and was born in a stable so that thirty years later He might hang on a cross. - J.I. Packer
This is the message of Christmas
I can thiinki of no better way of being reminded or celebrating it than Communion
As we take the elements -
let us ask God to search our hearts and to celebrate the promise of freedom and future.
Communion