In this episode, Jill and Autumn kick off our 2021 Advent series where we focus on a Gift from Christ every Sunday this season! Today’s gift is HOPE! We reflect on the grace of God for the hope we have in our salvation! Autumn and Jill contrast the differences between worldly hope and biblical hope! Unpack the scripture references we talk about on your own to experience encouragement from Christ!

Questions:

• Do you have to celebrate advent as a believer?
• How do you perceive hope?
• What is the difference between biblical hope and worldly hope?
• Why is hope a gift?
• Does Jesus ever give false hope?
• How do we live in response to the gift of hope?
• What are you hoping for?

Noteworthy Quotes:

• Advent season as a believer is our season of waiting and anticipation
• Advent should be a season where we: slow our pace, reflect on the faithfulness of God, and wait with hope for the coming of Christ 
• “Advent” means “Arrival”
• Hope according to Mariam Webster is “to cherish or desire with anticipation, to want something to happen or be true, or a desire/expectation/belief in fulfillment”
• Biblical definition of hope: a confident expectation!
• Hope is mentioned over 300 times in scripture
• Faith and hope are so linked
• Christ is LIVING hope
• Even when we’re suffering, we have the hope of Christ!

The Basics of the Episode:

• Christ is the gift of Hope
• 3 main ways to view hope in the world: 1. wishful thinking, 2. sense of doubt, 3. answer to a question. These things are not a promise or guarantee, they are just a feeling you get. 
• If you have salvation, you have hope! Our hope is in heaven!
• The Old Testament is continuously pointing to our hope in Christ
• As a believer we need to know why we believe in the hope of Christ! He saved us from our sin
• Hoping in Christ is tied to hope in the future and eternity!

Resources:

• Check out our “Tis the Season” episode for all things about the holidays and a ton of OHT updates!
• Emmanuel Worship Romans 8 album
• O Holy Night the Christmas song
• Check out our daily advent episodes from 2020 to reflect on advent each day!

Scripture References:

• Romans 8:24-25 (Hope in the unseen)
• Lamentations 3:18 (Life without hope)
• Job 7:6 (Life without hope)
• Isaiah 38:18 (Death without Jesus has no hope)
• Ephesians 2:13 (Death without Jesus has no hope)
• Matthew 12:21 (Jesus is our hope)
• Galatians 5:5 (Jesus is our hope)
• Hebrews 11 (Faith and hope)
• Hebrews 3:6 (Confidence in hope)
• 1 Peter 1:3 (the mercy of hope)
• 1 Peter 3:14-16 (Defense of hope)
• Romans 12:12 (Rejoice in hope)
• Romans 15:13 (Filled with joy by hope)
• 1 Timothy 1:1 (Christ is our hope)
• John 14:1-3 (Hope in Heaven)

Patreon Plug:

• Check out our Patreon where Annabel just did a 1 Peter Bible study to learn more about hope!