Instead of gathering in person on the final Sunday of each year, we rest in order to give a much-needed break to all of our wonderful volunteers, leaders, and staff. But that doesn’t mean we don’t worship on the Lord’s Day! We hope you will join us online for a brief worship service this Sunday. Merry Christmas and may you all have a happy and grace-filled New Year!
Week 4: Love
December 19, 2021 • Chris Bennett • 1 John 3:11–18
Sunday, Dec 19
1 John 3:11-18
It’s Christmas Sunday, the fourth and final Sunday of Advent! Over the last few weeks, we have journeyed from hope to preparation to joy and, now, to love. For 2000 years, Jesus has been offering people the incredible invitation of abundant life, if only we would abide in him. And nothing reveals more clearly whether we are abiding in God than our love. Do we increasingly exude the love of God? In Matthew 24:12, Jesus said that many people’s love would grow cold leading up to his return. But his people would grow in love! Love, the Apostle John said, is perfected in God’s people. What an invitation — that despite the impoverished condition of this world, our hearts would come alive in our chests as we fellowship with God! Praise the Lord! Blessed be his name!
Week 3: Rejoice
December 12, 2021 • Chris Bennett • John 16:16–24
If you observe the tradition of the Advent wreath, you’ve noticed that there’s one candle – the pink one – that stands out among the rest. It represents joy, or rejoicing, and it marks a shift from waiting and preparation to a joyous anticipation of the coming of the Lord. Christmas Day is near!
But joy didn’t end the day after Christmas. The Apostle Paul encouraged believers with these words in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18:
“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
Rejoicing is not merely a reaction to something good that has already happened. Joy is also a practice for when times are bad. Our rejoicing, even in the face of pain, is a declaration that all the bad news and calamities of this world do not have the last word.
Jesus is coming.
Sin, brokenness, injustice, trauma, sickness and disease, and death itself will all be defeated.
So let us rejoice!
Week 2: Prepare
December 5, 2021 • Chris Bennett • 1 Thessalonians 5
The season of Advent is a time of preparation, first for Christmas as we enter into the ancient Israelite yearning for the Messiah. It’s also preparation for his second and final advent, when he will make all things new.
Between that first Christmas and his Second Coming, the church (that’s us!) is sent into our chaotic, hurting, and rebellious world, equipped with an invitation – an invitation to live under Jesus’ reign.
The good news is that we don’t have to live any longer under the cruel dictatorship of selfishness, addiction, hatred, and fear. We can learn to live trustingly under the loving and gentle rule of Jesus (aka discipleship). And when he does return one day (and he will!), we will be more than ready to see him and we will feel so overjoyed!
“Finally!” we will shout! “My Savior!” “My God!” All the waiting and all the anticipation…the endurance and the patience…pressing through the doubts…
Jesus really was worth it all.
