Skip to main content

Advent Sermons || 1 || The Promise of Hope || Genesis 3:1-15

Discovering Hope | Genesis 3

SPB Discovering Hope | Genesis 3

Posted on: December 14, 2024

Series: Discovering Hope in Jesus


As we journey through Advent, St. Paul’s & St. Barnabas invites you to discover hope afresh. In this first sermon of our new series, Andrew Irwin unpacks Genesis 3, diving into the tragedy of the fall and the enduring hope of redemption that echoes through Scripture. It’s a call to rediscover the joy of Christmas and to fix our eyes on Jesus, the light of the world.

Where Are We Discovering Hope?

In Genesis 3, we find a world shattered by sin, as Adam and Eve’s disobedience fractures the perfect shalom of Eden. The devastating effects of sin ripple through creation, leaving humanity longing for something more—a restoration, a Redeemer, a hope beyond the brokenness. In this passage, we see the beginning of God’s redemptive plan, a glimmer of the Gospel that points us forward to Jesus.

Andrew Irwin paints a vivid picture of the human condition: a world marred by shame, disordered desires, and separation from God. Yet, even in the midst of judgment, God’s grace shines brightly. Genesis 3:15, often called the proto-evangelium, offers the first glimpse of the Gospel, promising that the seed of the woman will crush the serpent’s head. This promise is fulfilled in Jesus Christ, who steps into the mess of our sin and redeems what has been lost.

The Light of the World

Advent is a time of preparation and reflection. It’s a season to rediscover the hope that begins in Bethlehem and culminates at the cross. Andrew challenges us to ask, “Where are we discovering hope?” Are we placing our hope in fleeting things, or are we looking to Jesus, the only source of lasting peace and joy? This hope isn’t just for us; it’s a call to overflow with God’s love into the lives of others, sharing the light of Christ in a world shrouded in darkness.

This sermon reminds us that Advent is about more than waiting for Christmas. It’s about preparing our hearts for the King who came to restore all things. As we fix our eyes on Him, may we be people of hope, bringing light to our city and beyond.


Listen to the Full Sermon

Discover the full message of hope in this week’s sermon. Click play below to listen:

We hope this message blesses you and encourages you to share the light of Christ this Advent season. Join us next Sunday as we continue our series, ‘Discovering Hope,’ exploring Genesis 12:1-3 and the theme of being blessed to be a blessing.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

SPB Sermons || Sent Like the Son || JOhn 20:19-23

Sent Like the Son – Family Worship at SPB Belfast (Sunday 27th April 2025) On the evening of Easter Sunday, as fear gripped the disciples behind locked doors, Jesus appeared among them and spoke the words they most needed to hear: "Peace be with you." At St Paul’s & St Barnabas this Sunday, we reflected on John 20:19-31 and the incredible transformation that the resurrection brings — not just to history, but to our hearts and lives today. We joined the disciples in their fear and doubt, seeing how even the testimony of Mary Magdalene couldn’t unlock their fear. Yet no locked door could keep out the risen Christ. Jesus appeared, scars and all, speaking peace into their brokenness. His scars weren't signs of defeat, but emblems of the victory won at the Cross — a reminder that by His wounds, we are healed. Jesus did not come to rebuke His followers, but to comfort them with His presence, speak peace into their hearts, and to co...

SPB Sermons || Spiritual Vitality: A Psalm for the Weary || PSalm 63

Spiritual Vitality: A Psalm for the Spiritually Weary We don’t often admit it, but many of us know what it’s like to feel spiritually dry. We’re not hostile to God, just tired. Life keeps moving, we keep showing up, but our souls feel like they’re running on fumes. In this sermon from Psalm 63 , Rev. Andrew Irwin invites us to see spiritual vitality not as a bonus for the super-committed, but as a core part of walking with God — even in the wilderness. Desire in the Dry Places David writes this Psalm not from a mountaintop, but from the desert. Hunted, hiding, and weary, he cries, “O God, you are my God… my soul thirsts for you.” It’s not a cry for rescue, success, or answers — it’s a longing for God himself . David remembers being in the sanctuary, lifting his hands in worship, and he yearns for that nearness again. Spiritual vitality begins not with more effort, but with more honesty . When we admit our weariness and desire, we open ourselves to the God who satisfies. Dryne...

SPB Sermons || John 20:24-31 || An Invitation For All To See ||

The Invitation Still Stands John 20:24–31 | Holy Communion | Sunday, 6 May 2025 In this deeply personal and reflective message, Rev. Andrew Irwin explores one of the most well-known and misunderstood figures in the resurrection story — Thomas. Often labelled "doubting," Thomas is shown instead as honest, wounded, and longing for truth. His absence at Jesus' first appearance leaves him reeling in a sea of sorrow, having missed not only the risen Christ but also the peace and power the others received. Still, Jesus returns — not with rebuke, but with compassion. And in that grace-filled encounter, Thomas makes one of the clearest declarations of faith in all Scripture: "My Lord and my God." The sermon challenges the assumptions we carry about doubt, showing us that Jesus is not afraid of our honesty. Like Thomas, we are often shaped by pain, disappointment, and questions, yet we are also invited to bring them to Jesus — whose scar...