As we continue our Advent series Hopeful Waiting, in this sermon from Micah 5:2–5, we continue by exploring the promise that God does His greatest work through small and overlooked places. In a world shaped by numbers, visibility, and influence, Micah points us instead to Bethlehem — insignificant in the eyes of the world, yet chosen by God as the birthplace of the promised King.

This episode reflects on the kind of ruler we are waiting for: not a distant strongman, but a Shepherd-King who stands with His people, walks with them through the valleys, and brings a peace rooted in His presence rather than our circumstances. As Advent calls us to wait, this sermon invites us to trust that God is at work even in the ordinary, the unseen, and the long seasons of waiting, because the King has come, and He will come again.

In Episode 2 of our Advent series Hopeful Waiting, we turn to Romans 15:4–13, where the apostle Paul lifts our eyes to a hope shaped by Scripture, sustained by endurance, and strengthened by encouragement. Written to a divided church, this passage reminds us that true Christian hope is not shallow optimism, but a settled confidence rooted in the faithfulness of God.

As Advent continues, we reflect on what it means to wait well. Not passively, and not anxiously, but with patience, unity, and trust in the God who keeps his promises. Paul’s prayer points us to a hope that draws God’s people together, welcomes one another in Christ, and overflows by the power of the Holy Spirit.

As we begin our Advent 2025 series "Hopeful Waiting," we turn to Luke 3:1–18 and the fierce, hope-filled ministry of John the Baptist. Set against a backdrop of political power and religious expectation, the Word of God arrives not in the palace or the temple, but in the wilderness. From there John announces a call to repentance, fruitfulness, and readiness for the coming King. This sermon explores how Advent begins in the places we overlook, challenges our assumptions about spiritual life, and calls the church to prepare the way of the Lord in a weary and distracted world. We consider the wilderness of our own context, the practical marks of repentance, and the certain hope of Christ’s return.