Advent: Hope

  • Jeremy Erb
  • Dec 2, 2007
  • Series: Advent 2007

Genesis 1 and 2 record the stunning account of the beginnings of mankind. They reveal an all powerful God who by the power of His word creates all that exists. At the height of that creation, he makes something special - His Imago Dei - Image bearer - the ones for whom creation is deemed ‘good.' This awesome, sovereign Creator also reveals Himself through His Word as a personal and relational God - a Father that provides for and protects His children - giving them all that they need for a good life.

Genesis 3 introduces the tragic element to the story that we all know is coming because the world that we live in is not the world that was originally created. In Genesis 3 we encounter ‘The Fall,' the decisive event in the history of mankind that unleashed the horrific consequences and realities of sin upon the cosmos.
At the end of Genesis 2 mankind is living in glorious harmony with God, each other, and their environment. They are naked and without shame - fully alive. At the end of Genesis 3, they are living out the consequences of rebelling against the Word of God. They are:
  •  Stripped Bare
  •  Secluded in Solitude
  •  Shamed and Afraid
  •  Separated from God, Each other, and their Environment
However, in the midst of tragedy a ray of hope bursts forth. A promise is given that what is now will not always be. This Advent, we will focus on Isaiah 11. In this Messianic Prophecy, we see a fleshing out of the hope promised in Genesis 3. In the coming of Christ, the consequences of sin are redeemed! He brings us:
  •  Promise - Life From Death/Hope From Judgment
  •  Presence - Emmanuel: God With Us
  •  Peace - Justice/Security/Safety
  •  People - Imago Dei restored/Unity