The Christmas season is meant for joy and reflection but often is overshadowed by busyness and stress and is gone as quickly as it came.
So what is it all for?
This weekend Pastor Josh brings a message on HOPE.
Hope is Here
Speakers
Josh Blount
Lead Pastor
Notes
Enter Advent
November 26th & 27th
Pastor Josh Blount
First Time Guest? Let us know!
Hope is Here
Advent - adventus = arrival
Advent is about recognizing what God, through Jesus, has done, is doing, and will do.
N.T. Wright
Christmas has become cozy. Advent calls us to stay awake.
Hope, Love, Joy and Peace
1. We Look Back In Celebration
John 1:14
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
John 1:14 MSG
The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood. We saw the glory with our own eyes, the one-of-a-kind glory, like Father, like Son, generous inside and out, true from start to finish.
God is often working in ways that we can't see
Louie Giglio
Even if we don't see it, God is always working underneath the surface, behind the scenes and orchestrating His plans and purposes.
Romans 8:32
He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?
Isaiah 45:15
Clearly, you are a God who works behind the scenes, God of Israel, Savior God.
2. We Look Forward In Anticipation
John 14:1
“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. 2 In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.
Revelation 22:12-13
“Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.”
Revelation 22:17
The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.”
Revelation 22:20
He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! 21 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen.
Timothy Keller
God's Kingdom is present in its beginnings, but still future in its fullness.
Billy Graham
“The second coming of Christ will be so revolutionary that it will change every aspect of life on this planet. Christ will reign in righteousness. Disease will be arrested. Death will be modified. War will be abolished. Nature will be changed. Man will live as it was originally intended he should live.”
Find Your Comfort In Jesus
Matthew 11:28
Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.
1 Peter 5:7
Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully.
Casting - epiriptō = to throw something on someone else
3. We Join In Participation
St. Bernard of Clairvaux
Advent prepares not just for the first coming of Christ to Israel, or even the second at the end of time. There is a third coming between these two in which Jesus comes in spirit and power for our rest and consolation.
Luke 2:10
“Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. 11 The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!
Matthew 28:20
Be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.
Revelations 3:20
Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.
Henri Nouwen
The Lord is coming, always coming. When you have ears to hear and eyes to see, you will recognize him at any moment of your life. Life is Advent; life is recognizing the coming of the Lord
When Jesus was born in the manger, hope was born in the manger.
WORD DECLARATION
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Always be joyful.
Never stop praying.
Be thankful in all circumstances,
for this is God's will for us
who belong to Christ Jesus.