December 15, 2024 • Luke 1:46–49, Romans 15:13, John 15:11, Luke 1:31–33, Luke 1:38
Advent // Joy
John 15:11 (NIV)
“I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.”
Luke 1:26b-30 (NIV)
"God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God."
1. When faced with fear of the unknown, Mary chose to accept God’s purpose and plans for her life.
Luke 1:31b-33 (NIV)
“You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”
Luke 1:34-35 (NIV)
“How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.”
Luke 1:38 (NIV)
“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.”
Luke 1:46-49 (NIV)
“And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me— holy is his name.”
Proverbs 3:5-6 (NKJV)
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.”
Romans 15:13 (NIV)
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Advent // Peace
December 8, 2024 • Matthew 11:28–30, John 14:27, Jeremiah 6:16, Isaiah 9:2, Luke 2:14
Advent // Peace
Luke 2:14 (NLV)
“Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, and goodwill toward men!”
Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV)
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
The invitation of Christmas
1. Come to Jesus just as you are.
2. Receive what Jesus offers.
Matthew 11:29a (NIV)
“Take my yoke upon you and learn from me”
John 14:27 (NIV)
Jesus said…
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
Jeremiah 6:16 (NIV)
God says to them…
“Stand at the crossroads and look;
ask for the ancient paths,
ask where the good way is, and walk in it,
and you will find rest for your souls.
But you said, ‘We will not walk in it.’”
1 Peter 5:7 (NIV)
“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”
Isaiah 9:2,6 (NIV)
“The people walking in darkness [those who do not have peace] have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.”
[Hope and peace has come] “For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government shall be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
Advent // Waiting in Hope
December 1, 2024 • Exodus 15:13, Exodus 13:17–22, Exodus 14:13–14
Advent // Waiting in Hope
Exodus https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9n9ui5qdegw&t=797s-22 (NIV)
“When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them on the road through the Philistine country, though that was shorter. For God said, ‘If they face war, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.’ So God led the people around by the desert road toward the Red Sea. The Israelites went up out of Egypt ready for battle.”
“Moses took the bones of Joseph with him because Joseph had made the Israelites swear an oath. He had said, ‘God will surely come to your aid, and then you must carry my bones up with you from this place.’”
“After leaving Sukkoth they camped at Etham on the edge of the desert. By day the Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night. Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of the people.”
1. God uses waiting to purify you and reveal His sufficiency.
Exodus. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9n9ui5qdegw&t=853s-14 (NIV)
“Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”
2. You are not alone; You are waiting with God.
Exodus https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9n9ui5qdegw&t=913s (NIV)
"In your unfailing love you will lead
the people you have redeemed.
In your strength you will guide them"
