Today is the Third Sunday of Advent, and our day to practice worship together. Christ Church gathers at 5pm on Sunday evenings, and tonight we’ll publicly read the Scriptures we’ve been meditating on all week. If you’re not part of Christ Church, get together with a group of friends and practice the following exercises:
Today is a reflection day. Catch up on exercises you’ve missed and enjoy the day.
Begin by reading Luke 3:7-18.
A week ago, we read the beginning of Luke together and Wes guided us toward how Luke lists the political leaders of that day and he guided us toward looking at the entrance of John into the story and how John prepared the way for Jesus preaching baptism and repentance.
And then suddenly, John is shouting that judgement is on its way and calling people snakes! And before a word can slip from their mouths, (a word that I think John expected) he tells them that excuses won’t do. Being a son of Abraham won’t help you. Do you ever find yourself making excuses when someone tells you your mistake.
So what can they (we) do?
Repent. Isn’t it interesting that before Jesus enters the story, the people are called to repent? Perhaps recognizing the glory of Jesus is easier for a soft, tender, broken heart that is just sick of living like this, and not for the proud, cold, hard heart of a pharisee. John explains that with true repentance there must be fruit. Repentance cannot be feeling sorry, but is actually a new kind of lifestyle. Repentance is a new you that does new things. Luke uses the word “do” several times from 10-14. To repent, we must take a deep look at ourselves and then move. Perhaps even more difficult, we ought to listen to others with humble ears and hear when they point out our failures. One of the good things about community is that each of us begin to see our darkness a little more. It is those who are close to us who recognize our dark spots so much easier. I found it fascinating that each instruction John gave involved people in contact with other people:
A relationship with Jesus wasn’t and isn’t going to be personal, but one that is in relationship with others. After all, where two or more are gathered…
Some questions:
-> What might you need to repent for? If you’re not sure, look at the relationships in your life. Quite simply: how are they doing? Do you struggle sharing what belongs to you? Are your relationships benefiting only you?
-> Before you think another thought, forget any excuses. Are excuses really going to mend a broken relationship?
-> Ask for healing and start changing. Pray and tell God that although we try to change, what we really need is baptism by the Holy Spirit and fire. What we really need is healing. Let us ask God for that.
Read Philippians 4:4-7. Now read it again. And this time out loud.
In the midst of this encouraging passage, God (through Paul) gives a command. He tells us to rejoice and to not be anxious. Choosing to rejoice in challenging circumstances is difficult, yet the alternative can be anxiety. All too often we profess faith in our God’s love and power, but secretly wonder if He will really come through in the end. We begin to worry, focusing on our problems from our own vantage point. So why does Paul admonish us not to be anxious? Because anxiety is often rooted in self-centeredness.
What is causing you anxiety? Is it possible that you are focusing too much on the self? Step back from the situation. Pause. What aspect of God’s character do you need to gaze upon and express adoration of? His provision? His sovereignty? His love? Gazing upon the Lord changes our vantage point. The more we praise and rejoice, the less concerned we are about the surrounding circumstances. We’ve been with the Lord and are reminded that He is able. Thanksgiving through prayer is the antidote to worry.
A throbbing headache, pain shooting behind your eyes, pulsating in your temples. You see flashes, and light becomes unbearable. You lie down and break into a cold sweat. Then the nausea starts. Unless you’ve recently suffered a migraine, it’s difficult to understand the sensation of relief and freedom you feel when it’s finally gone. Joy, like many other things, is appreciated best in its absence. Read Isaiah 12:2-6. Isaiah is prophesying to a people who have sinned greatly against the Lord. Most of the first half of Isaiah is a message of divine judgment against Israel. The prophet continually beats them down with words of condemnation and retribution for their sins. But in the midst of this cosmic migraine, he gives them a chapter of relief. Actually it’s more than relief, it’s great joy. There will come a savior, a messiah, to save them from this condemnation!
We can know the joy and freedom of deliverance only when we’ve experienced the sorrows and pain of bondage. It is possible that God allows us to experience pain in order that we might understand the deep relief and exuberant joy of salvation that is only found in Him.
Just the other day my wife started a conversation with someone by simply asking how they were doing. The reply, “it’s been a bad year”, has become something of a refrain across many outlets and in many circles. Some have lost lots of money in the markets, some have lost jobs, some have lost loved ones and others have suffered in many other ways. And from a certain viewpoint it truly has been a very “bad year”.
During the Advent season we’re going to be taking Mondays to reflect on the previous day’s worship gathering. Take some time to talk about what was discussed at the worship gathering with family and friends.
A sermon on what it means to prepare the way of the Lord, preached from Malachi 3:1-4, Luke 1:68-79, Luke 3:1-6 and Philippians 1:3-11 on the second Sunday of Advent, December 6, 2009.
Today is the Second Sunday of Advent, and our day to practice worship together. Christ Church gathers at 5pm on Sunday evenings, and tonight we’ll publicly read the Scriptures we’ve been meditating on all week. If you’re not part of Christ Church, get together with a group of friends and practice the following exercises:
Today is a reflection day. Catch up on exercises you’ve missed and enjoy the day.