Week 1 – “Hope in the Darkness”
Advent Sunday – November 30, 2025
Main Texts: Isaiah 9:2, 6–7; Romans 15:12–13 (NKJV)
Isaiah 9:2, 6–7 (NKJV)
Isaiah 9:2 – “The people who walked in darkness Have seen a great light; Those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, Upon them a light has shined.”
Isaiah 9:6–7 – “For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end,
Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, To order it and establish it with judgment and justice From that time forward, even forever.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.”
Point 1: Hope Begins in the Dark
“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light…” – Isaiah 9:2
Historical Background:
Isaiah prophesied during the reign of King Ahaz of Judah (~735 BC), a time when Judah was under threat from Assyria. The nation was filled with fear, idolatry, and moral decay. God’s people were spiritually dark, politically unstable, and desperate for deliverance.
Despite that, Isaiah gives a prophetic word: light will come—a promise of the Messiah, spoken 700 years before Christ’s birth.
Apologetic Insight:
This passage is one of the most cited Messianic prophecies in the Old Testament. The detailed description of a child being born who would be called “Mighty God” and sit on David’s throne forever is uniquely fulfilled in Jesus (Luke 1:32–33).
No other historical figure matches this prophecy.
Luke 1:32–33 (NKJV): “He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David.”
Supporting Verses:
Matthew 4:16 (Jesus fulfills Isaiah 9:2)
John 1:5 – “And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.”
Application:
Hope doesn’t come after the darkness—it shines in it.
If you’re walking through fear, grief, or uncertainty, Advent says:
Don’t give up. God is not done. The light is on its way.
Point 2: Hope Is Anchored in God’s Promises
Romans 15:12–13 (NKJV):
“And again, Isaiah says: ‘There shall be a root of Jesse; And He who shall rise to reign over the Gentiles, In Him the Gentiles shall hope.’
Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Historical Background:
Paul, writing to the Roman church (around 57 AD), quotes Isaiah 11:10, showing that the hope of the Messiah extends to all nations, not just Israel.
The "Root of Jesse" refers to Jesus' lineage through King David—verified through both Matthew and Luke’s genealogies (Matthew 1; Luke 3).
Apologetic Insight:
Jesus' genealogy accurately traces back to Jesse and David—validating Isaiah’s prophecy.
The spread of the Gospel to the Gentiles (non-Jews) fulfilled this prophecy historically and globally. What Isaiah hoped for, the early church witnessed firsthand.
2 Corinthians 1:20 (NKJV): “For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us.”
Titus 1:2 (NKJV): “…in hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began.”
Application:
Hope doesn’t rest on feelings—it’s rooted in what God has already done.
When we feel uncertain, we can stand firm on God’s promises, fulfilled in Christ.
Point 3: Hope Leads to Endurance and Joy
“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing…” – Romans 15:13
Historical Background:
Paul wrote this while facing persecution and rejection. He wasn’t living in comfort—he was holding onto Christ in hardship.
Yet he says hope fills us with joy and peace—not from external ease, but from trust in God.
Apologetic Insight:
The early Christians endured suffering, imprisonment, and martyrdom. Yet their consistent testimony of joyful endurance speaks powerfully to the truth of the Gospel.
Hebrews 6:19 (NKJV): “This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast…”
1 Peter 1:3 (NKJV): “…who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.”
The resurrection of Jesus is the historical and theological anchor of our hope. If Christ rose from the dead, then every promise of God is trustworthy.
Application:
When you're tired: let hope renew you.
When you're discouraged: let hope lift you.
When you're afraid: let hope anchor you.
True hope fuels endurance. It allows us to keep going because we know the story isn’t over.
[Closing Reflection: Lighting the Candle of Hope]
Today, we light the first candle of Advent—the Candle of Hope.
It reminds us that even in the darkest night, God’s promises still burn bright.
He spoke them through the prophets.
He fulfilled them in Jesus.
And He will complete them when Christ comes again.
[Closing Prayer]
Father of hope,
Thank You for speaking light into our darkness.
Thank You for promises kept in Jesus and promises still to come.
Strengthen our hearts to trust You—even when we don’t yet see.
Fill us with hope that endures, joy that sustains, and peace that anchors.
Come, Lord Jesus. We are waiting.
Amen.