The Biblical Storyline & Advent

Scripture References: Genesis 1-4; Genesis 3:15; Luke 24:27; Galatians 4:4; Romans 7; Revelation 21-22

Intro: (Podcast Sermon Title Suggestion: Genesis: The Hope Before Christmas)

• Starting an Advent series looking through the lens of Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus.
• The Old Testament prepares us for Christ (Luke 24:27, Gal 4:4).
• Familiar stories (Matrix, Star Wars, etc.) resonate because they echo the great, true story Genesis introduces: a broken world longing for a promised redeemer.

Key Points:

1. Creation & Fall (Gen 1-3): God's Good Design & Our Broken Reality:
   • God created a good world for us to live in relationship with Him, reflecting His image and ruling under His wisdom.
   • The choice at the Tree of Knowledge: Trust God or seize autonomy. Humanity chose autonomy (the Fall).
   • Consequences: Separation from God (life source), shame, fear, relational strife, pain, cursed ground, toil, death. This brokenness affects everything globally and personally (anxiety, relational pain, fatigue, sin's grip - Rom 7).
2. The First Promise & The Long Wait (Gen 3:15):
   • Amidst pronouncing consequences, God initiates hope. He promises the Serpent that a "seed of the woman" will come to crush his head (though wounded himself).
   • The rest of the OT involves searching for this promised Seed through generations (Cain, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Israel's leaders). Each proves flawed, increasing the longing for the true Messiah.
3. First Advent Fulfilled (Jesus):
   • Jesus arrives as the prophesied Seed, born of a woman.
   • He succeeds where Adam and Israel failed, perfectly trusting God.
   • Through His death ("bruised heel") and resurrection, He definitively crushes the Serpent's head, breaking the power of sin and death. Victory is secured!
4. Living in the Second Advent (Now & Not Yet):
   • Christ has won, but His kingdom is not yet fully consummated.
   • We live in the "already/not yet" – still experiencing the effects of the curse (groaning) but living with resurrection hope and power.
5. How to Live Hopefully Now:
   • Embrace Advent's Meaning: It's a season to lament the world's darkness and brokenness while eagerly anticipating Christ's return. Acknowledge the pain, hold onto hope.
   • Remember God's Faithfulness: Combat despair by recalling God's past acts of provision and deliverance, both biblically and personally. Build "altars" of remembrance (like the suggested family poem).
   • Act as Agents of New Creation: Partner with the resurrected Christ now in pushing back darkness – bringing order to chaos (even mundane tasks), working for justice, sharing hope, planting gardens of goodness. Do this lightly, trusting His ultimate restoration.

Conclusion:

• Genesis lays the foundation for Advent hope. God promised a Rescuer right from the beginning. Jesus fulfilled that promise in His first coming.
• We now live in the "second advent," awaiting His final return with hope grounded in His past faithfulness and present power.

Call to Action:

• Engage with this Advent season: allow space for lament AND cultivate hope.
• Intentionally remember God's faithfulness in your life.
• Look for ways, big and small, to partner with God in His restorative work this week, bringing order, light, and hope as you await the King's return.

radiantvisalia.com
The Biblical Storyline and Advent
with David Jansson