Alliance of Reformed Churches

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Advent Devotionals: The Full Gospel

Alliance Advent Devotional - Week 1

November 25, 2024 • Greg Alderman

As a preacher, I’m always trying to explain the FULL GOSPEL. Christmas is one of those times where the FULL GOSPEL can be obscured. First of all, it gets obscured by all the other things – even well-meaning things – that get tagged into the season. Things like elves and Santa Claus are just the beginning of the multitude of ways that the message of Christmas can become lost or obscured among all the stuff. Perhaps worse than that, is that we tell a PARTIAL GOSPEL when we do tell the Christmas Story. We tell the feel good things, but overlook and omit the harder things. So, how do we tell the FULL GOSPEL with the Christmas Story?

Alliance Advent Devotional - Week 2

December 2, 2024 • Greg Alderman

Greg Alderman's Advent Devotional focuses on the second Advent devotional, reflecting deeply on Matthew 2:11 and the visit of the wise men to Jesus. Key themes include: Pause and Reflection: Greg emphasizes the significance of the wise men's act of bowing and offering gifts to the newborn King, encouraging listeners to meditate on the profound humility and recognition of Jesus as King, even in a humble setting. The Gift of Gold: He explores the symbolic meaning of gold, offered as tribute to a king, representing the wise men's acknowledgment of Jesus as the King of Kings. Greg connects this act to prophetic scriptures, especially Psalm 72, which foretells kings bringing gifts and bowing to the Messiah. Prophetic Fulfillment: Greg highlights how the wise men knew Jesus was a king through their study of Daniel’s prophecy and the ancient songs of Israel, passed down generations. These songs and prophecies shaped their understanding and pointed them to Jesus as the anointed one. Scriptural Unity: Drawing connections between different parts of the Bible, Alderman ties the narrative of the Magi to the flight to Egypt and Revelation 12, showing how God's providence—through the gifts of the wise men—provided for Jesus’ survival and mission. The Role of Worship: Greg discusses how historic and word-centered worship shapes faith, using examples from the Psalms, which uniquely combine human emotion and the prophetic promises of God. He challenges leaders to ensure their worship services reflect the full counsel of scripture, including lament, joy, thanksgiving, and prophetic hope. Practical Application: He encourages worship planners to incorporate traditional and prophetic elements, like Psalm-based songs, into services, especially during Advent, to deeply shape congregants' faith and understanding of God’s promises. The session concludes with a blessing, urging us to embrace the fullness of God’s word and promises during the Advent season.

Alliance Advent Devotional - Week 3

November 25, 2024 • Greg Alderman

In this third Advent devotional, Greg Alderman reflects on the arrival of the wise men and their gifts to the newborn King, focusing on frankincense. He highlights the prophetic significance of frankincense in the Old Testament and its spiritual meaning for Christians today. Frankincense as a Symbol of Divinity: In the book of Leviticus (2:1-2), frankincense was used in offerings to God in the temple, symbolizing the deity of the Lord. The wise men’s gift of frankincense to Jesus pointed to the truth that He was not only fully human but fully divine (Isaiah 49:6). Jesus came as the Messiah to be a light for both Israel and the Gentiles. Jesus’ Anointing: Frankincense was also a key ingredient in the anointing oil used to consecrate kings, and it was part of the anointing of David (1 Samuel 16). Similarly, frankincense symbolizes the anointing of Jesus as King, empowered by the Holy Spirit for His ministry (Acts 10:38). As believers, we are also anointed by the Holy Spirit, empowered to carry out Christ’s mission. Empowered for Ministry: The gift of frankincense reflects the empowerment given to believers by the Holy Spirit, which enables us to heal, restore, and proclaim the good news to the poor, the oppressed, and the broken (Isaiah 61:1-2). This empowerment is not just for physical healing but for spiritual and emotional healing as well. Our Call to Serve: In 1 Peter 4:10, we are reminded that each of us has been given spiritual gifts to serve others, passing God’s grace through us like a conduit. As we reflect on the gift of frankincense, we are called to share the love, healing, and hope of Jesus Christ with the world, just as the wise men acknowledged His divinity and kingship. Greg concludes by encouraging believers to understand their calling and role in spreading the full gospel of Jesus Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit. May we always remember that, like the frankincense, we have been anointed to serve and share the light of Christ with a hurting world. Prayer: "May the Lord bless you and keep you, may His face shine upon you, and may you faithfully administer the grace of the Holy Spirit in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit." Amen. Scripture References: Isaiah 49:6 Leviticus 2:1-2 1 Samuel 16 Acts 10:38 Isaiah 61:1-2 1 Peter 4:10

Alliance Advent Devotional - Week 4

December 16, 2024 • Greg Alderman

This final Advent devotional ties the prophecy in Daniel 9:24 to the Christmas story, revealing how Jesus’ birth, life, and sacrifice fulfill God’s salvation plan. Greg emphasizes that the wise men, guided by Daniel’s prophecy and the Old Testament Scriptures, recognized the significance of Jesus as the King of Kings and brought gifts that prophetically pointed to His identity and mission. Key Scriptures: Daniel 9:24: Prophecy of atonement and everlasting righteousness. Matthew 2:2, 11: The wise men’s journey and gifts. Psalm 72:10-11: Prophecy of the King of Kings. John 1:29: Jesus as the Lamb of God. Hebrews 9:22: The necessity of the shedding of blood for forgiveness. Galatians 4:4: Jesus’ coming at the appointed time.