Hope

Matthew 2:1-12

Next week is Christmas.  What are you hoping for?  According to the TV commercials we should be looking forward to a Lexus.  Do you remember a few years a commercial where a person would receive a great gift. When they saw what it was they were so disappointed and would say I was hoping for a Longine.   We all have hopes, things for which we expectantly wait. When those things are delayed it makes out heart sick, Proverbs 13:12.  Israel has been waiting a long time for the promise of the Messiah.  Some had given up hope.

1. How often are babies born at a convenient time

   a. In the fullness of time the hope was realized

   b. Jesus is born in a stable & laid in a manger

2. God always fulfills His promise on His schedule not ours

   b. for 9 months Mary has waited for this child’s delivery

   c. Jesus born in Bethlehem in Judea

3.  wise men from the east looked for the promised one

   c. His star would lead them to Him and the journey began

4. The wise men were willing to risk it all for the hope of worshipping the King

   a.  in Jerusalem they asked questions for they couldn’t see the star

   c. the chief priests and teachers of the law knew the answers

   c. but there was no hope no faith in their answers

   d. today many know the words but have lost hope & no longer believe Psalm 119:114

   e. they compromised their hope and faith for the things of this world

5. Romans 5:5  we must always hope and not faint God can be trusted

   b. II Corinthians 3:12 hope will make you bold like magi

6.  Leaving Jerusalem the wise men could once again see the star

   a. they followed the star to Bethlehem where the child was

   b. they worshipped by bowing before Him and bringing gifts

We may hope for that special gift this Christmas and that is OK.  The greatest gift of all is the hope of glory, the mystery of Christ in us.  Let your hope grow, trust God He will fulfill His word in you.

Romans 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.