Advent 2020
Love, Joy, Hope & Peace
Advent Week 4: Peace
December 20, 2020 • Pastor Jim Thomas • Philippians 4:1–9
How is it that so many people feel chronically dissatisfied, habitually frustrated and overcome by unrest? How can we who have acquired and achieved so much, amassed so much apparent control over our lives still wind up feeling like life is meaningless, hopeless, unsettled and unfulfilling? Instead of being peace-full, why are so many people just falling to pieces? And if Christians are going to continue to sing our Christmas carols and read the Christmas story, does the Bible and the Christian gospel offer any comfort or help for us in the face of these disconcerting incongruities and in our search for a peace that is unshakable? We really do believe it does and we seek to persuade you that this is precisely why Jesus Christ came in the first place. WE need outside help and if Christianity is any kind of religion at all, it is a rescue religion. Join Pastor Jim as he shares this peace-inspiring study from Philippians 4.
Advent Week 3: Hope
December 13, 2020 • Pastor Jim Thomas • Luke 1:1–25
At the time of the birth of Jesus, Israel had turned away from God and found themselves broken and longing for hope and deliverance. But there was none of either on the horizon. God had given them exactly what they had wanted, life apart from Him. The spiritual problem of the human condition has not really changed much since that time. Ironically, we ask the same kinds of questions the ancient Jews asked: “Where is God? Why doesn’t God do something about what is wrong with the world?” Isn’t it interesting what motivates us to ask those questions? It’s usually when we are suffering the consequences of our having turned away from God. What does it suggest we believe about God or, what we believe about ourselves? Join Pastor Jim as he unpacks the story of how the God of the Bible takes the initiative to bring us Advent Hope found in Luke 1:1-25.
Advent Week 2: Joy
December 6, 2020 • Pastor Jim Thomas • John 15:1–11
During the Advent season churches all over the world look back in time to reflect on the first arrival of Jesus and then look forward in time to anticipate that great day when Jesus has promised to return to set the world to rights. Advent has become a season of holy reflection, repentance, preparation, faithful serving, eager and expectant waiting. Because Advent begins in the shadowlands of winter, we know we can trust the Bible because it doesn’t trivialize or ignore the darkness in this world. The Bible teaches us that this is precisely why God invaded the world in the 1st century as Jesus of Nazareth, aka Jesus Christ, the Light of the World. Join Pastor Jim as he focuses our attention on the Advent Joy of Jesus!
Advent Week 1: Love
November 29, 2020 • Pastor Jim Thomas • 1 John 4:7–21
The word “Advent” is derived from the Latin word adventus meaning arrival or appearing. Advent is a season of reflection, prayer and contemplation, looking back on the first appearance of Christ into the world and at the same time, eagerly anticipating the second appearance of Christ when He will return again, this time to set the world to rights. Join Pastor Jim as he opens up the four Advent themes of love, joy, hope and peace. What is their significance? What can they mean for all of us today? What can they mean for you?