Advent 2022: Hope
Pastor Adam Parmenter

We welcome guest Pastor Adam Parmenter to our pulpit as he preaches a special 4-week series on Advent.

What is hope? The expectation that my future experiences will result in gain or benefit to me.

Most of us have hopes for many areas of our lives.
· Financial
· Emotional
· Spiritual
· Health
· Personal Change
· Personal achievement
· Hopes for others

Hopes can be fulfilled? What does that feel like?

Living – Greek word Zao. It means to live. It also has a sense of vitality. Once I was dead. Spiritually dead and guaranteed to die physically. Incapable of changing that. Now I’m born again and am alive. New creature.

Hope – Greek word Elpis (el-peace). To anticipate, usually with pleasure. An expectation or confidence. Make note that this is different from the way we often use hope.
· “I hope I win the lottery”: Something I want but doubt is likely to happen.
· “I have the winning ticket”: Money is not in my hand yet, but it will be.

What is the foundation of my hope?
· I once was lost. Dead in sin. Nothing in my life here could change that.
· God offers a gracious gift. Salvation from sin. Saved from judgement.
· Like a baby being born, nothing I do makes it happen, nothing other than reaching out in faith. Reaching out for hope.

What is the response? Joy. Rejoicing during difficulty.

What do I get from this hope? Peace, confidence, resilience, and more.

Is it free? Yes and no.
· It is a gift; I cannot earn it.
· It is a costly gift. It cost Christ and living in this hope costs me.

Example: The Magi

When Israel was exiled in Babylon for 70 years. The Babylonian king, Nebuchadnezzar, eventually made one of the exiles, Daniel, chief of the magicians, enchanters, astrologers, and diviners (Daniel 5:11). Daniel, the faithful Jew, became chief of the Magi.

The Magi were a Zoroastrian priests in Persia (modern day Iran). Magi advised and influenced kings and cultures. Even into the time of Christ. Because of Daniel’s leadership and influence, they probably studied and incorporated Messianic prophecies into their beliefs.

What was the foundation of their hope? Prophesied coming of a King of the Jews.

What was their response?
· Take action
· Joy (Matthew 2:10 “overjoyed”)

What did they gain?
· Salvation?
· Worship before the Christ

What did it cost?
· Time: 800-mile trip ÷ Camel 10 miles per day = about 6 months or more Money: Funding, feeding, supplying servants, troops, logistics
· Risk: Reputation, control, position
· Life Threatening: Long distance travel was dangerous or deadly.

Example: Herod

What was the foundation of Herod’s hope?
· Military and political power.
· Power to destroy anyone who threatened his position.
· His sole purpose: Stay in Power.

What was Herod’s response?
· Anger
· Lies and deception
· Wide ranging violence & mass murder

What did Herod gain?
· False immortality

What did it cost?
· Salvation?
· Sanity
· Friends and family (executed his first wife, brother-in-law, three of his sons
· Peace (Failed suicide attempt)

· Don & Deb Jenks and their family upon the death of Don’s mother, Arliss Jenks, on 11/3.
· Tabitha Goodale (friend of Stan & Jean Robinson) was not able to have surgery yesterday because her blood work was not good. They retested a couple days later and it was worse. Her mother said that she is in desperate need of a miracle and thanks the church for all the prayers. Please continue to pray for healing.
· Karlie Mercado-Woodall (20 year-old niece of Matt & Kristy Jenks) who is recovering from a non-motorized accident which resulted in many injuries including breaking both ankles, a wrist and her back in multiple places. She is currently recovering at Mary Freebed Hospital.
· Nolan Marshall (son of Dan & Tracy) is struggling with major tantrums and other behavioral issues. Please pray for the doctors to have wisdom in choosing medication and treatments, and that the tantrums do not escalate worse than what they are. He has an evaluation scheduled at a brain specialty clinic for 12/6 and a parental follow-up meeting on 1/6. Also pray for patience and safety for him, his parents and his brother Riley as they try to work through situations.
· Carl Oisten (Sue Richmond's brother) is in the NCU at Borgess Hospital, for breathing issues.
· Shannon French (son of Curt & Patty Bales) continues eye drop treatment for an infection. It looks the damaged part is creating new cells and hopefully healing.
· Joyce Bocock finished radiation on the large tumor in her spine. She is handling the medication for the endocrine therapy well.
· Pete Danapilis is home recovering from a successful back surgery.
· Rocky (Stan Robinson' uncle) has been released from the hospital but continues to have a myriad of health issues.
· Norma Bales (Curt Bales’ mom) is receiving Hospice care.
· Linda Newell is recovering from surgery to have a rotator cuff repaired.
· Ruby Robinson (Stan & Jean Robinson’s sister-in-law, Bruce Robinson’s stepmom) has been diagnosed with colon cancer and is receiving chemo which is making her very sick. She is not able to work.
· Vincent Bryant (Miriam Bryant’s son) is recovering from a broken ankle.
· Check out our monthly prayer card on-line at southhavenfbc.com under “Weekly Bulletins” for a list of those with on-going needs.

First Baptist Church
1635 76th Street
South Haven, MI 49090
269-637-1291
southhavenfbc@gmail.com