The Savior Arrives! (Now, and next time…)

Scripture Reading: Isaiah 11:1-9

What have you hoped for and it turned out even BETTER?

What have you hoped for and it turned out much WORSE?

We’ll get some help with Hope through our new sermon series: , Cross, Crown

The Christian hope in the arrival of the Messiah Jesus is powerful and makes life better, healthier, happier…IF we understand what level of hope is fulfilled in his FIRST coming to Earth, and what hope will be fulfilled in his NEXT (Second) coming!

Genesis 3:15 includes the curse of Satan who tempted Adam and Eve to sin when presenting himself to them in the form of a . God curses him and says:

NOW: is available.

NEXT (coming of Jesus): will happen always!

NOW: is overcome, spiritually, with Jesus overcoming evil for us through his death on the cross and resurrection.

NEXT: ALL evil is completely, literally removed from us so it can happen that predators and prey can live together in harmony!

NOW: Strength, forgiveness, courage, rightness is

NEXT: Strength and rightness will be lived out in our complete renewal forever!

SO: We live our the “Stockdale Paradox” — facing the brutal facts that life now is hard because not everyone, all the time lives out what Jesus has made available…BUT have strong for the future, next coming of Jesus when he makes it all literally, entirely ‘right’!