Living in our Next Season: Hubris, Hype, Hope & Biblical Hope

Sermon Quick Summary
During this 2024 election cycle, there was plenty of hubris (excessive pride), hype, and hope displayed. The Bible has God’s Word for Republicans, Democrats, all the candidates, and for us, too. “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your heart…” (Hebrews 3:7& 3:15).  Here is guidance for Republicans and others who voted for Donald Trump; Jesus’ kingdom is not and never will be of this fallen world system. Here is guidance for Democrats and others who voted for Kamala Harris. Actions in listening, sharing truth, mutual feelings and values, and worshipping God with them will help get connected with the image of God that God created in them. God is on God’s throne; this does not exonerate human evil. We are hope carriers as the body of Christ that leads to unity. We need to look to the Prophet Amos and consider why what we feel today could be a clear, inspiring, or clarion call from God. God interrogates Job to clarify God’s role as creator. God calls us to lament in honest questions about our pain, to repentance, to fasting, and to prayer. There is worldly hope and biblical hope. Worldly hope can sustain through difficult times, but it ultimately falls short when expectations are not met. In contrast, biblical hope (divine hope) is grounded in God’s character and promises. Biblical hope requires us to neither shrink back in fear nor strike out in hate. Life applications require us to respond to the 2024 Election with biblical hope in action of loving mercy and doing justice.
                                     
During this 2024 election cycle, there has been plenty of hubris, hype, and hope displayed.
            When we speak for future hope, oftentimes we deliver a message based on faith in God. When you hear this message, you should stand in action in your time and place. Somebody may hear that message years from now and still be able to resonate with the message. So God's Word is relevant yesterday, today and tomorrow.
            Elder DeGruy shared that he was given this passion and calling to be a minister of reconciliation. He believes with every fiber of his being, in the hope and promise of the beloved community. For this reason, he will never stop advocating for social justice. During this 2024 election cycle, there has been plenty of hubris, hype, and hope displayed. Elder DeGruy researched messages from Martin Luther King, Jr., Howard Thurman, James Farmer, and John Lewis. These leaders served and shepherded during some of the darkest days in U. S. history.
            Regardless of whom you voted for or your party of choice, remember our calling and our identity.
Regardless of how you voted, stop and think about the impact of your choices on others. The heart of Christianity is putting others, God first and then our neighbors, above us. God has commanded us to hear the cries of the poor, advocate for the cause of the oppressed, welcome the strangers, visit the prisoner, and feed the hungry.
            We are people of God’s Word, not the world. If, and when we place our hope in people or man-made systems, man-made systems will eventually let us down. Only our divine God is worthy of that level of devotion.          
            Suppose we find ourselves disillusioned in our faith, questioning God’s love or existence because we prayed for a specific result or outcome which God did not deliver? In that case, we ask ourselves if our divine God is truly God. If God could be manipulated in this manner, then our divine God is not truly God, not worth serving and worshiping.
            This 2024 election outcome did not catch God unaware, for God sets kings and kingdoms. He knows the end from the beginning. Our divine God is the same God today that God was last week, and God will be the same God tomorrow and every other tomorrow that God allows us to see. We can rest in this, for God is always present with us.
            However, let us not minimize the potential harm and possibilities of the upcoming administration nor the hurt and fears many of us have. Remember that fear is not our future. Fear is a trick of the enemy to get our eyes off Jesus, for the Bible tells us that there is no fear in love, and the perfect love (the kind of love we are offered in Christ) drives out all fear.
                       
God is on God’s throne, but this does not exonerate human evil.
            While God is on God’s throne is a true statement, it is incomplete theology. God has been on His throne through many calamities. To name just a few:
            God is on God’s throne, and still, millions of Africans were kidnapped and brought to the Americas as slaves. Many Christians used Scripture to justify and defend the practice.
            God is on God’s throne, and our nation still tore itself apart as the Union Army fought the Confederacy, both sides believing God was on their side.
            God is on God’s throne and is sovereign. God allows evil, sin, and suffering to take place, and with grace and mercy from our free will, God rarely stops us from hurting one another.
            God is on God’s throne, and one day, the Lord will return to see all things right and enact perfect justice, but today is not yet that day.
            “God is on God’s throne” too easily becomes the platitude of the privileged, who believe they will benefit from the current circumstances. All appears to be well because they may be individually well off.
            “God is on His throne” can quickly become an abdication of our responsibility to be His stewards over creation and be God’s hands and feet in caring for and serving to the hurting.
            God is on God’s throne, and God has commanded us to hear the cries of the poor, advocates for the cause of the oppressed, welcome the stranger, visit the prisoner, and feed the hungry.
            God is on God’s throne, but are we carrying out the commands and the priorities of the diving God King?
            God is on God’s throne, and in His sovereignty, He allows evil, sin, and suffering to take place, and He rarely stops us from hurting one another.
            God is on God’s throne, and one day, the Lord will certainly return to see all things right and enact perfect justice, but today is not yet that day.
            “God is on His throne” too easily becomes the platitude of the privileged, who believe they will benefit from the current circumstances. All is well because they are individually doing well.
            “God is on His throne” can quickly become an abdication of our responsibility to be His stewards over creation and God’s hands and feet to serve and care for the hurting.
            Yes, God is in control. Yes, we’ll find a way to continue the struggle. But some of us won’t fare well. All of us will have to endure the president-elect’s retributive decisions and the vindictive people he brings along with him. Thus, we must stand, pray, and prepare for action. Unlike in 2016, pray that we don’t abandon the church as a result of the way the vote split along race, gender, and denominational lines.

We are hope carriers as the body of Christ that leads to unity.
            The role of the Church in troubled times is to be a beacon of hope, a catalyst for change, a community of love under the direction of the Holy Spirit, and a facilitator of respectful dialogue that leads to unity.
            In 2016 there was an abandonment of the church. We ran to the left. We ran to the right, because people didn't vote the way we thought they would vote. But the Church is the Church of Christ, not the Church of the Republican, or the Democrat, or the Libertarian, or the Green, or any other party. Elder Tony’s sincerest prayer is that the walls of this church would be burgeoning with those who will need to hunger and thirst for righteousness, and that South Bay Community Church is the church to help them.
            Human nature has not changed as demonstrated in the Old Testament Word of God. All we have to do is examine the repeated principles from God’s Word for guidance. The word Hebrews means “ones from beyond” or “from the other side.” Also we learn that the places where hearts harden and quarreling occurs are identified in the Old Testament. Abram is the first Hebrew, but not the last (Genesis 14:13). Hebrews becomes a term for all those delivered out of Egypt and then wandered for forty years in the wilderness. The author(s) of Hebrews declares not to harden our hearts, as the Hebrews did in their time of rebellion. After God miraculously delivers God’s people from slavery in Egypt, the water runs out. The people complain to Moses. Moses complains to God. God provides water. Moses names the place Massah (Testing-Place) and Meribah (Quarreling) because of the quarreling of the Israelites and because they tested God when they said, “Is God here with us, or not?” (Exodus 17:6-7).
            God tests the Hebrews at Massah, and they quarrel at Meribah. The author of Hebrews suggests that contemporaries and us today might learn from our mistakes. God offers the Hebrews another chance to listen to God. God does not want us to be like the Hebrews; they hardened their hearts, quarreled among themselves and with others, and abandoned God.
The Bible has a word for Republicans and Democrats, for all the candidates, and for us, too. 
            “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your heart…” (Hebrews 3:7, 3:15). This scripture is for anyone who voted on Election Day 2024.  Those people experience their own Massah and Meribah. They arrived at a place of testing and quarreling. They verbally quarreled, and also in their quarreling hearts, the hearts became hardened. The Bible warns us that if we harden our hearts today, we will not enter God’s rest. Instead, leave any judgement for the divine God only.
            God’s Word describes God’s interaction with the Hebrews. Hebrews 3:7-9 reads: 7“That is why the Holy Spirit says, 8‘Today when you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as Israel did when they rebelled, when they tested me in the wilderness. 9There your ancestors tested and tried my patience, even though they saw my miracles for forty years.’” Hebrews 3:15 reads: "Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.”
 
Here is guidance for Republicans and others who voted for Donald Trump; Jesus’ kingdom is not and never will be of this fallen world system. 
            Jesus did not win any elections. In fact, Jesus lost His only race with voting. Pilate placed Jesus on the ballot for being King of the Jews. Meanwhile, Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked Him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” “You have said so,” Jesus replied. (Matthew 17:11)
Then (based on Pilate’s wife’s advice), Pilate endorses Jesus’ candidacy. While Pilate was sitting on the judge’s seat, his wife sent him this message: “Don’t have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him.” (Mt. 17:19)
            Then Pilate arranged for a “Democratic election.” At the festival, the governor’s custom was to release a prisoner the crowd chose. When the crowd gathered, Pilate asked them to vote for Jesus or Barabbas. The crowd chose to release Barabbas.
            Barrabas got more votes. Pilate washes his hands. The crowd stuck to their choice. (Matthew 17:11-26) Jesus lost the only election He reluctantly entered. Jesus ran against Barrabas. Barrabas got released; Jesus got crucified.
            Is every candidate who loses or wins in this year’s election a martyr? No, however now might be a good time for Christians who voted for President-elect Trump to remember that Jesus’ kingdom is not and never will be of this world.

Here is guidance for Democrats and others who voted for Kamala Harris. 
Actions in listening, sharing truth, mutual feelings and values, and worshipping God with them will help get connected with the image of God that God created in them.
            We connect with one another when we see the image of God in everyone. Perhaps we need to listen better to voices that support Donald Trump. Actions or, sharing truth, mutual feelings and values, and worshipping God with them will help us be connected with the image of God that God created in them. We simply can’t simply discount the over 71 million people, including Christians, who voted for Trump. We must not withdraw, actively engage, not quarrel, and leave judgement to God only.  

We need to look to the Prophet Amos and consider why what we feel today could be a clear, inspiring, or clarion call from God.
            Amos captures God’s judgment of Israel for grievous sins, and God lays out all God did to call God’s people to return to God. Scripture from Amos Chapter 4 reads, “4:6I brought hunger to every city and famine to every town. But still you would not return to me,’ says the Lord. ‘I kept the rain from falling when your crops needed it the most. I sent rain on one town but withheld it from another. Rain fell on one field, while another field withered away. People staggered from town to town looking for water, but there was never enough. But still you would not return to me,” says the Lord.
9“I struck your farms and vineyards with blight and mildew. Locusts devoured all your fig and olive trees. But still you would not return to me,” says the Lord. “I sent plagues on you like the plagues I sent on Egypt long ago. I killed your young men in war and led all your horses away. The stench of death filled the air! But still you would not return to me,” says the Lord.
11’I destroyed some of your cities, as I destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah. Those of you who survived were like charred sticks pulled from a fire. But still you would not return to me’ says the Lord. ’Therefore, I will bring upon you all the disasters I have announced. Prepare to meet your God in judgment, you people of Israel!’ For the Lord is the one who shaped the mountains, stirs up the winds, and reveals his thoughts to mankind. He turns the light of dawn into darkness and treads on the heights of the earth. The Lord God of Heaven’s Armies is his name!
 
God interrogates Job to clarify God’s role as creator.
            We must consider God’s interrogation of Job in Chapters 40-41, where God asks several questions to clarify our role in creation compared to God’s role as Creator.

God calls us to lament in honest questions about our pain, to repentance, to fasting, and to prayer
            Perhaps, as we lament amid our pain, we should ask ourselves if God is calling us to repentance. Maybe we are being called to pray fervently and passionately as we did in the days leading up to the election. At South Bay Community Church, Morning Glory and Midweek prayer should be filled to overflow. Certain challenges are handled only by prayer and fasting.
Hubris, a Greek concept, refers to excessive pride or self-confidence, usually leading to downfall. In modern terms, Hype is frequently used to promote something with exaggerated claims, often based on superficial or fleeting trends. Both hubris and hype are often intertwined. They can be seen as expressions of a heart that is closed off to the truth and the needs of others. They can lead to harmful behaviors, such as bullying, discrimination, and violence. Both hubris and hype can be destructive, leading to disappointment, disillusionment, and even tragedy. Hubris and hype can both be manifestations of a hardened heart, as they often stem from pride, self-centeredness, and a lack of humility.

Hope in the systems of the fallen world can sustain through difficult times, but it ultimately falls short when expectations are not met.
            Worldly Hope is force that can sustain us through difficult times. It is the belief in the possibility of a better future. The Greeks recognized that human beings expressed hope by nature; however, this kind of hope reflects both good and bad experiences. The future was thus a projection of one’s subjective possibilities. While worldly hope can provide temporary comfort and motivation, it ultimately falls short. When expectations are not met, it can lead to disappointment, despair, and a sense of emptiness when results fall short.
            Worldly hope is defined as: A positive force; A Greek concept; Superficial & fleeting, placing hope in wealth, possessions, or social status; Self-reliance relying solely on one's abilities and resources; Human Potential trusting in human ingenuity and progress to solve all problems; Political Hope in placing hope in political leaders or systems to bring about change.
 
In contrast, biblical hope (divine hope) is grounded in God’s character and promises. 
            Biblical hope endures, even in the face of adversity. Biblical hope is often linked to God's promises and faithfulness. It's a hope that transcends human limitations and worldly circumstances. Biblical hope rests on God’s trustworthiness in keeping His promises. Biblical hope is significantly different from that found in ancient Greek philosophy. Biblical hope avoids this subjectivity by being founded on something that provides a sufficient basis for confidence in its fulfillment: God and God’s redemptive acts as they culminate in the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. After lamenting, biblical hope arises.
            These passages are examples of the Bible speaking about biblical divine hope:
Psalm 39:7 “And so, Lord, where do I put my hope? My only hope is in you.”
Psalm 42:5 “Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again— my Savior…”
Proverbs 23:13 tells us that our hope will be rewarded. The book of Isaiah speaks of hope in the Messiah, for the Lord’s people, and for restoration. Jeremiah tells us that we can have hope despite disasters and that there is hope for restoration.
Hope, of course, is not limited to the Old Testament, for in the New Testament book of Romans, chapter 8, verses 23-25 we read, “And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.”
            Here are nine key aspects of biblical hope.

• Hope is a force of God that enables us to become the beloved community. Hope takes us on a journey that will change if us if we take the journey.

2. God's Sovereignty: The Bible teaches that God is sovereign over all things, and He is working out His perfect plan. This provides a foundation for hope, even amid suffering and uncertainty.
3. God's Love: God's love for humanity is unconditional and unwavering. This love gives us hope for the future, no matter what challenges we may face.
4. The Promise of Salvation: The Bible promises salvation from sin and death through faith in Jesus Christ. This hope gives us a reason to live and a purpose for our lives.
5. The Coming Kingdom of God: The Bible speaks of a future kingdom where God will reign supreme and eradicate all injustice and suffering. This hope gives us a vision for a better future.
6. Hope’s Work and Its Witnesses.” Hope invites us to experience the beloved community and personal transformation to become people committed to the pursuit of justice. Part of this process is to hear and share stories that lead to transformation.
7. Biblical Hope requires contemplative prayer, which can change us by opening our hearts to God’s presence. Contemplative praying is the spiritual foundation for experiencing hope. Thus, “contemplative praying helps us to remember prophetically and emboldens us to engage (enact in our lives) what we have heard and discerned” and then enables us to pursue further practices.
8. Contemplative Prayer moves us to Prophetic Remembering, which is more than remembering past events. It “is submission to the authority and meaning of what we remember,” whether it is commandments, covenants, or the words of the prophets. This leads to prophetic action on our part. It is more than remembering the past. It is also “remembering the future.” An action of healing for society’s crises.” We often hear people (including politicians) speak of the glories of the past that are less than glorious when looked at critically.
9. This hope enables us to cross identity boundaries, love those made in God’s image, befriend and care for strangers, and pursue justice.

Biblical hope requires us to neither shrink back in fear nor strike out in hate. Life applications require us to respond to the 2024 Election with biblical hope in action of loving mercy and doing justice.
            Let us not allow the realities of this moment to consume us to the point that we lose sight of the hope of tomorrow, a confident certain hope of an eternity spent with God. We can live lives of meaning and purpose by understanding the contrast between hubris and hope and embracing biblical hope. We can trust God's promises and find strength in God’s love, even when the future seems uncertain.
            The election may be over, but our call to build beloved communities is not. Let’s get our eye alignment right and look to the hills from which comes our help. Jesus and a great cloud of witnesses including our ancestors are our help!
            We are a people created for this moment at this place. Many never wanted this reality, and many of us worked tirelessly against its coming, but it is now upon us. While many of us may have dreamt of a smoother path forward, the way ahead could not be more explicit. The work ahead of us is neither to shrink back in fear nor to strike out in hate. It is to Love Mercy & Do Justice. Family of God, we cannot give up. We must not give up.
 
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
Questions for Reflection
-Who are you supposed to care for right now, in a sacrificial way?
-How can we, as a church, respond to the challenges of our time with love, grace, and truth?
-What specific actions can we take to promote justice and reconciliation in our communities?
-How can we cultivate a more profound sense of hope and trust in God, even amid uncertainty?
-How can we avoid becoming cynical or apathetic and remain committed to our faith and calling?
Questions about Our Calling
-What has changed about our hope that Jesus will return one day as the only Ruler that can decisively address all the grievous wrongs in this world?
-What has changed in God’s invitation for us to join with Him in the Spirit to intercede for a groaning world (See Rom. 8:22-23)?
-What has changed the Biblical vision that Christ's followers are meant to live in every age as “resident aliens” (See 1 Peter 2:11) such that we are supposed to feel a sense of alienation from — along with a commitment to serve the world and our country?
Questions that Define Our Lives
-Who are you supposed to care for right now, in a sacrificial way?
-What is your appointed role within your school, business, nonprofit, church, or other institution?
-What are you trying to bring into the world that reflects God’s truth, gentleness, beauty, or creativity?
-Who is vulnerable in your community that could be served through your giving or volunteer efforts?