What is Hope? I “hope”, in our use of the word today usually means __________.

Biblical Definition of HOPE: Hope is the confident expectation, the sure certainty that what God has promised in His Word is true, has occurred, and/or will occur in accordance with God’s sure Word. Hope is a “confident expectation”

Components of Hope - unseen - waiting (anticipation, patience) - trust (reliance) - objective truth (content to hope)

Zachariah and Elizabeth’s Story (Luke 1) (1) Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile an account of the things accomplished among us, (2) just as they were handed down to us by those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word, (3) it seemed fitting for me as well, having investigated everything carefully from the beginning,

to write it out for you most excellent Theophilus; (4) so you may know the exact truth about the things you have been taught. (5) In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zacharias, of the division of Abijah; he had a wife from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. (6) They were both righteous in the sight of God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and requirements of the Lord.

(7) But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both advanced in years. (8) Now it happened that while he was performing his priestly service before God in the appointed order of his division, (9) according to the custom of the priestly office, he was chosen by lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense.

(10) And the whole multitude of the people were in prayer outside at the hour of the incense offering. (11) And an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the altar of incense. (12) Zacharias was troubled when he saw the angel, and fear gripped him. (13) But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your petition has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will give him the name John.

(14) You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth. (15) For he will be great in the sight of the Lord; and he will drink no wine or liquor, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit while yet in his mother’s womb. (16) And he will turn many of the sons of Israel back to the Lord their God. (17) It is he who will go as a forerunner before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, TO TURN THE HEARTS OF THE FATHERS BACK TO THE CHILDREN,

and the disobedient to the attitude of the righteous, so as to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” (18) Zacharias said to the angel, “How will I know this for certain? For I am an old man and my wife is advanced in years.” (19) The angel answered and said to him, “I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news.

(20) And behold, you shall be silent and unable to speak until the day when these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their proper time.”

Real Hope is Rooted in God’s Promises. (What they were looking for, expecting, counting on…) John the Baptist “A voice is calling, ‘Clear the way for the L ORD in the wilderness; Make smooth in the desert a highway for our God.’ ” Isaiah 40:3 (circa 740BC) Malachi 3:1 (circa BC) – Matthew 11:10

The coming of the Messiah Luke 24:44 - Now He said to them, “These are My words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things which are written about Me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” Romans 1:1-4; 1 Peter 1:10-12…

Real Hope is LIVING Hope! Even When Life Hurts - Lamentations 3: (21) “This I recall to my mind, Therefore I have hope. (22) The L ORD ’ S lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, For His compassions never fail. (23) They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. (24) ‘The L ORD is my portion,’ says my soul, ‘Therefore I have hope in Him.’ ”

“Without ____ God is still ‘enough’; but without God, nothing else I have is enough.” Even when we fail…(or we do not understand…) As we live each day (1 Peter3:15)

Real Hope is a Future Hope – Titus 2:11-14 (11) For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, (12) instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, (13) looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, (14) who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.

“HOPE CHECK” Where you do not want to be : Ephesians 2:12 Where is your hope? Message of Christmas – the HOPE you are looking for, was given to us By God, in the person of Christ.

Benediction Romans 15:13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.