12/24/2025 Midtown Church Sacramento
BREAKING GOOD NEWS!
Dr. Efrem Smith
Biblical Foundation:
- Luke 2 — The story of two hopeful people:
- Simeon, a righteous and devout man, and Anna, a faithful prophet.
- Both model a life anchored in hope while waiting on God.
The Big Question: How do we sustain our hope?
1. A Hope Centered in Faith
- Luke 2:25–26
- Hope lives in the “not yet.”
- It is sustained by trusting God while we wait and allowing the Holy Spirit to strengthen our faith.
2. A Hope Revealed to Us
- Luke 2:27–35
- Our hope grows as God reveals Himself and as He reveals truth about the world around us.
- What God shows us shapes how we see, live, and believe.
3. A Hope That Grows With Time
- Luke 2:36–38
- Hope deepens as we grow older when it is cultivated through worship, fasting, prayer, thanksgiving, and faithful witness.
Final Thoughts:
- A Hope That Brings Light Into Darkness (Isaiah 9:1–2)
- Christ enters the world as light in darkness — truth overcoming lies, joy breaking through pain, justice confronting injustice, and blessing restoring brokenness.
As followers of Christ, we are invited to carry that same light into our world.