ADVENT 2019 WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE TO WAIT

ADVENT 2019: WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE TO WAIT ON GOD Third Sunday Psalm 130 December 15, 2019

WAITING IN THE DEPTHS OF DESPAIR Out of the depths I cry to you, LORD; Lord, hear my voice. Let your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy. (1 -2) • In my distress I called to the LORD, and he answered me. From deep in the realm of the dead I called for help, and you listened to my cry. 3 You hurled me into the depths, into the very heart of the seas, and the currents swirled about me; all your waves and breakers swept over me. (Jonah 2: 2 -3)

WAITING IS LONGING I wait for the LORD, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope. 6 I wait for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning, more than watchmen wait for the morning. (5 -6) • Two expressions of longing: 1. “My whole being waits…” 2. “more than watchmen wait for the morning” • Do we know how good our redemption is and do we let ourselves long for it?

WAITING IS DEPENDING I wait for the LORD, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope. 6 I wait for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning, more than watchmen wait for the morning. (5 -6) • Waiting and hope are closely related: • Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? (Romans 8: 23 -24) • Waiting in hope for God is depending entirely on God

WAITING IS DEPENDING I wait for the LORD, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope. 6 I wait for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning, more than watchmen wait for the morning. (5 -6) • We can think of hope as the way we deal with the feeling that we are not what we ought to be • Our hope is in whatever we depend on. “I will be pulled out of the depths if only …” • I can find that special relationship • I can get my family together (or my kids) • I can get my career straightened out

WAITING IS EXPECTING I wait for the LORD, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope. 6 I wait for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning, more than watchmen wait for the morning. (5 -6) • The psalmist is CERTAIN that God will show up • Let us acknowledge the LORD; let us press on to acknowledge him. As surely as the sun rises, he will appear; he will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth. ” (Hosea 6: 3)

WAITING IS EXPECTING I wait for the LORD, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope. 6 I wait for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning, more than watchmen wait for the morning. (5 -6) • I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry. 2 He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. (Psalm 40: 1 -2)

WAITING IS EXPECTING Israel, put your hope in the LORD, for with the LORD is unfailing love and with him is full redemption. 8 He himself will redeem Israel from all their sins. (7 -8)

Christmas Breaks ● Youth Group is on break until 1/17/2020 ● Abide’s last meeting is today, and it will resume on 1/5/2020 ● Wednesday Night Small Group’s last meeting is on 12/18 and will resume on 1/15/2020 ● Monday Night Small Group’s last meeting is on 12/16 and will resume on 1/13/2020

Joint Service with Life Community Church Date: December 22 Time: 9: 15 AM - same time as usual Details: Please sign up to bring food with Sarah Yetter 323 -229 -0408. A meal will follow the service in the backyard of the Nehemiah House unless the weather is bad.

Mark Your Calendars - Community Events January 19 - Bingo and Boba February 9 - Congregation meeting (12 -3 pm)