Advent: Celebrating Christ's Light and Anticipating His Return
Summary
As we gather at Mountain Vista Baptist Church, we embark on the Advent season, a time of reflection and anticipation. Advent, meaning "arrival" or "coming," is a season where we remember the birth of Christ and look forward to His return. This dual focus invites us to celebrate the past and anticipate the future, recognizing the fulfillment of God's promises through Jesus Christ. The Advent season is a reminder of the light that has come into the world, a light that dispels spiritual darkness and brings hope and salvation.
In Isaiah 9, we find prophecies about the coming Messiah, who is described with names like Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. These titles reveal the multifaceted nature of Jesus and His role in God's eternal plan. The prophecy speaks of a child born to us, a son given, whose government and peace will have no end. This child, Jesus, came not for political deliverance but for spiritual salvation, addressing humanity's deepest need.
As we celebrate Christmas, we are reminded that Jesus is the light of the world, and as His followers, we are called to reflect that light. This season provides unique opportunities to share the love and light of Christ with others, especially as people are more open to spiritual conversations. However, this call to be light is not limited to the Advent season; it is a consistent lifestyle of living out the gospel.
The promise of the Messiah's coming was fulfilled in Jesus, and we await the fulfillment of His kingdom on earth. God's eternal plan, proclaimed through the prophets, assures us that He is not reactionary but sovereign, orchestrating His purposes from the beginning. As we look forward to the establishment of His kingdom, we are encouraged to live lives that reflect the light of Jesus, trusting in His promises and sharing His love with the world.
Key Takeaways:
- Advent is a season of dual focus, celebrating the birth of Christ and anticipating His return. It reminds us of the light that dispels spiritual darkness and brings hope and salvation. [25:59]
- The prophecy in Isaiah 9 reveals the multifaceted nature of Jesus as Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace, highlighting His role in God's eternal plan. [29:38]
- Jesus came not for political deliverance but for spiritual salvation, addressing humanity's deepest need. This challenges us to prioritize spiritual over physical deliverance in our lives. [43:50]
- As followers of Christ, we are called to reflect His light consistently, not just during the Advent season. This lifestyle of living out the gospel opens opportunities to share His love with others. [40:44]
- God's eternal plan, proclaimed through the prophets, assures us of His sovereignty and faithfulness. We can trust in His promises and live lives that reflect the light of Jesus. [55:47]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[14:22] - Congregational Prayer
[17:37] - Thankfulness for Local Services
[25:59] - Advent: Looking Back and Forward
[29:38] - Prophecy of the Messiah
[30:48] - Fulfillment in Jesus Christ
[32:31] - God's Eternal Plan
[33:33] - The Great Light
[35:22] - Spiritual Darkness and Light
[38:05] - Being the Light of the World
[42:17] - The Coming Kingdom
[43:50] - Spiritual vs. Physical Deliverance
[46:24] - The Need for Jesus
[48:27] - The Already but Not Yet Kingdom
[52:58] - The Prince of Peace
[54:26] - The Promise of His Kingdom
[55:47] - God's Sovereign Plan
[59:01] - Encouragement in God's Promises
[01:02:11] - Closing Prayer and Invitation
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Isaiah 9:2-7
- John 1:14
- Matthew 5:14-16
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Observation Questions:
1. What are the names given to the Messiah in Isaiah 9:6, and what do they signify about His character and role? [29:38]
2. According to the sermon, how does the Advent season serve as a dual focus for Christians? [25:59]
3. How does the sermon describe the light that Jesus brings into the world, and what is its significance? [33:33]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the nature of God's eternal plan as proclaimed through the prophets? [32:31]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the prophecy in Isaiah 9:2-7 challenge the expectations of a political Messiah and instead emphasize spiritual salvation? [43:50]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that Christians are called to reflect the light of Jesus consistently, beyond just the Advent season? [40:44]
3. How does the concept of God's sovereignty and eternal plan, as discussed in the sermon, provide assurance to believers? [55:47]
4. What does the sermon imply about the importance of living a life that consistently reflects the gospel, especially during the Advent season? [39:19]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on the dual focus of Advent. How can you personally balance celebrating Christ's birth with anticipating His return in your daily life? [25:59]
2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of spiritual over physical deliverance. How can you prioritize spiritual growth in your life, especially during the busy holiday season? [43:50]
3. Consider how you can be a light in your community. What specific actions can you take this week to share the love and light of Christ with someone who may be open to spiritual conversations? [40:44]
4. The sermon discusses the consistency of Christian living. Identify one area in your life where you can be more consistent in reflecting Christ's light. What steps will you take to improve in this area? [39:19]
5. How does understanding God's eternal plan and sovereignty affect your trust in His promises? Share a personal experience where this understanding has provided you with peace or assurance. [55:47]
6. The sermon mentions the importance of being thankful for the blessings we often overlook. What is one blessing in your life that you tend to take for granted, and how can you express gratitude for it this week? [17:37]
7. Reflect on the names given to Jesus in Isaiah 9:6. Which of these names resonates most with you in your current life situation, and why? How can this understanding impact your relationship with Him? [29:38]
Devotional
Day 1: Advent: A Season of Dual Focus
Advent is a time of reflection and anticipation, where believers celebrate the birth of Christ and look forward to His return. This dual focus invites individuals to remember the fulfillment of God's promises through Jesus Christ, who is the light that dispels spiritual darkness and brings hope and salvation. The Advent season is not just about looking back at the historical event of Christ's birth but also about anticipating the future establishment of His kingdom on earth. It is a reminder that God's promises are trustworthy and that His light continues to shine in the world, offering hope to all who believe. [25:59]
Isaiah 60:1-2 (ESV): "Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the Lord will arise upon you, and his glory will be seen upon you."
Reflection: How can you actively celebrate both the past and future aspects of Advent in your daily life this week?
Day 2: The Multifaceted Nature of Jesus
In Isaiah 9, the prophecy of the coming Messiah reveals the multifaceted nature of Jesus through titles such as Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. These titles highlight His role in God's eternal plan and His divine attributes. Jesus is not just a historical figure but the fulfillment of God's promises, embodying wisdom, power, eternal care, and peace. Understanding these aspects of Jesus helps believers appreciate the depth of His character and His significance in their lives. This prophecy assures us that Jesus is central to God's plan for humanity, offering spiritual salvation and eternal peace. [29:38]
Colossians 1:15-17 (ESV): "He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together."
Reflection: Which aspect of Jesus' character (Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace) do you feel most drawn to today, and why?
Day 3: Spiritual Salvation Over Political Deliverance
Jesus came not for political deliverance but for spiritual salvation, addressing humanity's deepest need. This challenges believers to prioritize spiritual over physical deliverance in their lives. While political and social issues are important, the ultimate focus should be on the spiritual transformation that Jesus offers. His mission was to bring salvation to humanity, offering a solution to the problem of sin and spiritual darkness. This perspective encourages believers to seek spiritual growth and transformation, trusting in Jesus' power to change hearts and lives. [43:50]
Ephesians 2:4-5 (ESV): "But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved."
Reflection: In what ways can you prioritize spiritual growth over worldly concerns in your life today?
Day 4: Reflecting the Light of Christ
As followers of Christ, believers are called to reflect His light consistently, not just during the Advent season. This lifestyle of living out the gospel opens opportunities to share His love with others. The call to be light in the world is a continuous one, inviting believers to embody the teachings of Jesus in their daily interactions and relationships. By living out the gospel, believers can influence others positively and draw them closer to the light of Christ. This consistent reflection of Christ's light is a powerful testimony to the transformative power of the gospel. [40:44]
Matthew 5:14-16 (ESV): "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."
Reflection: What is one practical way you can reflect the light of Christ to someone in your life today?
Day 5: Trusting in God's Sovereign Plan
God's eternal plan, proclaimed through the prophets, assures believers of His sovereignty and faithfulness. Trusting in His promises allows individuals to live lives that reflect the light of Jesus. The fulfillment of the Messiah's coming in Jesus is a testament to God's faithfulness and His control over history. Believers are encouraged to trust in God's plan, knowing that He is orchestrating His purposes from the beginning. This trust in God's sovereignty provides peace and assurance, enabling believers to live confidently and share His love with the world. [55:47]
Jeremiah 29:11 (ESV): "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope."
Reflection: How can you demonstrate trust in God's sovereign plan in a specific area of your life this week?
Quotes
We pray for other churches here that are gathering in our community. We pray that as they proclaim the name of Jesus, that you would be glorified. Lord, we pray that across this community, that this morning there would be people who would hear of Jesus and that they would be saved or they would trust him to save them from their sins. Lord, that as churches, we would look to follow you, to follow what you've said and live as your people, to demonstrate to this community who you are and what you've done. Lord, thank you for the salvation that we have in Jesus. [00:02:29] (31 seconds)
God's eternal plan was proclaimed through the prophets. Sometimes we can think about God's involvement in our lives or in the world around us as if He is reactionary, as if He is caught off guard by things that happen. But as we read through the prophets, especially as we read these prophecies of the coming Messiah, both of His birth and His final kingdom, it reminds us that none of this is God being reactionary. God did not create Adam and Eve and place them in the garden and be suddenly taken by surprise when they sin. [00:32:13] (43 seconds)
Just as God promised that the Messiah would come, He did come and He died for our sins. He died to purchase us, to deliver us, that we might live in Him and for Him and through Him and glorify Him. And He has also promised that His kingdom will come on earth. And we can rest in the fact that God is trustworthy. Just as He said the Messiah would come and He did come, as He has promised the kingdom will come, we know that it will come. [00:55:05] (28 seconds)
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