12. Hope and Peace

In this powerful Advent sermon on the first two candles—Hope and Peace—Christopher unpacks Romans 15:13, declaring that God Himself is the source of an overflowing, confident hope that brings true comfort and joy, no matter life’s circumstances. Drawing from personal stories of hardship and the unshakable faith of Dietrich Bonhoeffer (written from a Nazi prison), he reminds us that biblical hope isn’t wishful thinking but a deep trust that the Author of the story has written Himself into our lives—first in a manger, then on a cross, and now through the Holy Spirit living in every believer. This hope anchors us because God is sovereign over every detail of the story, even when chaos reigns.

The sermon then turns to peace, the second Advent candle, emphasizing that God’s peace isn’t the absence of trouble but the presence of Jesus in the middle of it. True peace flows from daily surrender and obedience to God’s Word, allowing the Holy Spirit to guard our hearts and minds in ways the world can never offer. Through Scripture, personal testimony, and a call to live as rooted trees that bear fruit even in drought (Jeremiah 17:7-8), the message challenges us to trust God fully, lay down sin, and let His overwhelming hope and unexplainable peace overflow in our lives this Advent season and beyond.

You can view more information about Christopher Shea at
www.risenlight.com

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