Deliver Hope | God Delivers Hope… For the World! | December 22, 2019

Promised Long Ago
The protoevangelium… the 1st Gospel | Genesis 3:15
The Promise to Abraham | Genesis 12:1-3
The Promise to King David | 2 Samuel 7:16
The Promise to Bethlehem | Micah 5:2
Do you need a sign? | Isaiah 7:14

Celebrating the Newborn Baby | Luke 2:1-20
Exact date and location
A small intimate celebration
An angelic announcement
A heavenly choir
Crashing Jesus’ crib!
Spread the word of the joy of Jesus!

The Reason for His Coming
The “world” is not a beautiful place
So God gave us His greatest Gift | John 3:16-21
Jesus was determined to finish well | John 12:27-28a
Mary would be wounded, too | Luke 2:34-35

And Hope Does NOT Disappoint! | Romans 5:1-5
We have peace with God
We rejoice in the hope of the Glory of God
We rejoice in our sufferings
Suffering produces hope
God with us… is now God in us!
God still delivers Hope! Rev 21:1-5

Deliver Hope | God Delivers Hope… Believe It or Not! | December 15, 2019

Luke 1:1-80

It’s Finally My Turn | Luke 1:5-10
Last we “heard from God”… | Malachi 1:6-14
Like Eli’s sons, Hophni & Phinehas? | 1 Samuel 2:12-25
Zechariah & Elizabeth were blameless in God’s eyes
1 out of 18,000. Was this luck?
Are you counting good things as “coincidence”?

Long Before “Touched By An Angel” | Luke 1:11-17
He thought he was alone!
Startled and gripped with fear
Your prayers have been heard… and answered
Do you believe God answers prayers?

Long Before “Ripley’s…” | Luke 1:18-22
“How can I be sure of this?”
Here’s your sign… believe it or not!
Zechariah leaves… deaf & dumb?
Do you truly believe when you pray? | James 1:6-8

God Still Delivers Hope… and He Keeps His Promises
God removes disgrace
Family & friends share in the joy
“God has been gracious” = John
What then is this child going to be?!
Obedience, healing, and praise! | Luke 1:76-80
The greatest of all prophets | Luke 7:26-28
Introduces us to his cousin, Jesus
Are we preparing for Him this Christmas? 

Deliver Hope | Hope for the Empty… God Fulfills | December 8, 2019

God, the Ultimate Multitasker          
God is 400 years patient | Genesis 15
Judges doesn’t end well
Israel & Hannah are in deep need
And God delivers hope
Can you see what God is doing?

The Great Gift Exchange
Allow 1,300 weeks for delivery
Product recall in 10-12 years
You give him to me and I’ll give him to you
No strings attached
And God delivers hope
Are you making bargains with God?

God Delivers More Than We Can See
Judges ends with evil priests | 1 Samuel 2:22-26
The boy Samuel, like the boy Jesus? | Luke 2:52
The last judge and the first prophet
Samuel inaugurates the monarchy
Jesus, the King of Kings | Revelation 19:16
Could God be doing more than you can see?

God Still Delivers Hope… and He Fulfills
Hannah is fulfilled by returning empty
Europe was amazed by George Washington
God fulfills Hannah with unrequested children
Are you dictating the terms in which God fulfills you? 

Deliver Hope | Hope for the Foreigner… In God’s Time | December 1, 2019

75 Years Old… Childless | Genesis 11, 12, & 15
Abram responds to a “god” he didn’t know
Abram goes to a place he doesn’t know
Abram is given hope he didn’t have
     God makes a promise
     God makes the promise… again
Abram believes the Lord, but has a question
Abram is told how long this will take

100 Years Old… This is no Laughing Matter | Genesis 17, 18, 21, & 25
This is taking longer than Abram expected
     God restates His promise… and
     Abram becomes Abraham!
Sarah gets blamed, but Abraham laughed first
Isaac’s name reminds them of their reaction
Abraham is tested. A child is offered.
Is there more to come?
Abraham favored Isaac… and so did God

400 Years Later… Hope Arrives! | Genesis 50, Exodus 1-6
Genesis ends with a reminder of the promise
A long time passes with no news from God
Oppression and slavery set in
Then a child is born!

God Still Delivers Hope
Are you still waiting?
These were written so we can have hope! | Romans 15:4
Even though we may go through many trials. | 1Peter 1:3-12