2021 Christmas Worship Guide

The Other Side of Hope
By Pastor Greg Wooten, Hope Chapel

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[December 13, 2022]   It was the worst of times. The once powerful and (occasionally) godly nation of Judah was in shambles. Jerusalem had been laid waste. Many of the citizens who didn’t die by the sword or starvation had been carried away to Babylon or resettled in distant foreign countries. Even Solomon’s once magnificent Temple, built to the glory of God, was nothing but a desolate ruin – a constant reminder of how they had fallen away and divorced themselves from their Lord.

You can hear the wistful desperation in the voice of the prophet as he cried out to the Almighty:

“Oh, that you would rend the heavens and come down!”

(Isaiah 64:1 NIV)

I feel that way sometimes. Haven’t you? I recall sitting in a darkened church sanctuary alone on the evening of September 11, 2001. With images of jetliners slamming violently into skyscrapers seared into my mind, I remember crying out to God. I knew He was still on Heaven’s throne, but I wanted Him to make Himself known here on Earth, especially to all the grieving and stunned Americans who were pleading for comfort… and for justice.

Isaiah voiced a dangerous prayer – Come here! Shake the heavens and the earth! Scatter your enemies! Destroy wickedness and evil once and for all! But even as the words leave his mouth, the prophet sees a problem with his request: the people of Judah had traded their unique, covenant status with God for dalliances with lesser “gods.” If God had answered Isaiah’s prayer even the ones who had survived the horrors of Babylon would have been swept away.

And there’s the rub. His presence certainly means hope for the some, but there’s another side of hope. Old Testament stories reveal that when God shows up you can expect both cheers and tears. When God comes down, Abraham’s nephew lot is spared, but Sodom is burned to a crisp. Israelite slaves go free, but Egypt is devasted by plague after plague. Noah gets plans for a big boat, but the rest of the rebellious world is literally left to go under. When you ask God to make an appearance, be careful what you pray for!

Centuries beyond Isaiah, the descendants of the exiles were re-established in their land, even though they were under the boot of a new super-power (Rome). The hearts of the devout cried out for a redeemer, one promised by God who would rule the world from the throne of David forever. They longed to see the day of the Lord come, the day the skies would be ripped open, and God revealed to everyone.

Well, those prayers were ultimately heard. One seemingly ordinary night, God did split the heavens. Otherworldly warriors poured through the rift and, to the relieved amazement of a few terrified herdsmen, began singing God’s praises and proceeded to inform them that Christ, the King of Kings, was born in the sleepy suburb of Bethlehem! We hail His arrival as the first Advent. He grew. He lived. He died violently at the hands of people a lot like us. He rose victoriously to life once again and returned to His Father’s abode in order to send His Spirit to any heart that will prepare Him room.

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All these centuries later, the faithful are once more crying out to the Lord. “O that you would rend the heavens and come down!” He will. He promised. But when He does, when the final Advent occurs, it won’t be a joyful event for everyone. His people will welcome Him and celebrate, but those who have viciously hated Him, willfully denied Him, or simply ignored Him will know nothing but everlasting horror. On that day He cleaves the skies for the final time, which side of hope will find you when He comes down?

Let me once again share the best possible news for you and for all: His grace is great! Christ was born to save! He’s ready to forgive you and make you brand new! As Scrooge observed, you haven’t missed it! This Christmas is just one more opportunity – maybe your best opportunity – to give heart and soul and voice to Jesus the King!

Pastor Greg Wooten
Hope Chapel

 

Read all the articles in our new
2022 Christmas Worship Guide

Title
CLICK ON TITLES TO GO TO PAGES
Page
Enter the Christmas season with thanksgiving 5
This Christmas, find the light, the love, the joy, the peace 7
The other side of Hope 9
Don't buy in to a counterfeit Christmas 12
Give with compassion as you see the 'image of God" in each individual 15
The eternal Gift of God 18
The Word became Flesh 19
To those who seek peace, seek Jesus 21
Holiday Worship Schedules 23


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