Embracing Advent: Anticipation of Jesus' Birth and Return
Summary
In today's gathering, we embraced the spirit of Advent, a season of waiting and anticipation, by engaging with the Christmas story in a lively and interactive manner. We reflected on the anticipation of Israel for their Savior, Jesus, and how this mirrors our current waiting for His return. Through a playful retelling of the nativity story, we explored the roles of Mary, Joseph, the angels, and Jesus, inviting everyone, especially the children, to participate actively. This approach not only made the story memorable but also emphasized the joy and wonder of the Christmas narrative.
We delved into five essential questions about Jesus, which served as a foundation for understanding His significance. First, we affirmed that Jesus is the Son of God, highlighting His divine nature and eternal kingship. We then discussed how Jesus came into the world as a baby, fully God and fully human, experiencing life as we do. This led us to the question of why Jesus came, which is to save us from our sins, a task only He could accomplish. We acknowledged that Jesus came to save us because of His profound love for each of us, a love that is personal and transformative. Finally, we considered what we are waiting for now, which is the return of Jesus, who will restore all things and bring eternal peace.
This interactive session was not only a reminder of the historical events of Jesus' birth but also a call to live in the hope and expectation of His second coming. As we continue through Advent, we are encouraged to reflect on these truths and let them shape our lives, knowing that Jesus' love and salvation are the greatest gifts we have received.
Key Takeaways:
1. Jesus as the Son of God: Jesus is not just a historical figure but the Son of God, fully divine and fully human. This dual nature allows Him to bridge the gap between God and humanity, offering us a relationship with the divine. Understanding Jesus as the Son of God deepens our appreciation of His role in our lives and His authority over all creation. [32:56]
2. The Humility of Jesus' Birth: Jesus' arrival as a baby underscores His humility and willingness to experience human life fully. This act of becoming human shows us that God is not distant but intimately involved in our lives. It challenges us to embrace humility and recognize the value of every human experience. [34:56]
3. The Purpose of Jesus' Coming: Jesus came to save us from our sins, addressing the deepest problems we face that we cannot solve on our own. His mission was to seek and save the lost, offering hope and redemption to all who believe. This reminds us of our need for a Savior and the hope we have in Him. [35:49]
4. The Love of Jesus: Jesus' motivation for saving us is His unconditional love. This love is personal, knowing our strengths and weaknesses, yet choosing to redeem us. It calls us to respond with love and gratitude, living lives that reflect His love to others. [40:02]
5. The Anticipation of Jesus' Return: As we wait for Jesus to come again, we are reminded of the promise of restoration and eternal peace. This hope encourages us to live faithfully, knowing that all things will be made new. It is a call to remain vigilant and hopeful, trusting in God's perfect timing. [41:19]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [01:00] - Introduction to Advent
- [03:00] - Interactive Christmas Story
- [05:30] - Role of Mary
- [07:00] - Role of Joseph
- [09:00] - Role of Angels
- [11:00] - Role of Jesus
- [13:00] - Who is Jesus?
- [15:00] - How Did Jesus Come?
- [17:00] - Why Did Jesus Come?
- [19:00] - Jesus' Love for Us
- [21:00] - What Are We Waiting For?
- [23:00] - Conclusion and Prayer
- [25:00] - Blessing and Dismissal
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Luke 1:26-38 - The angel Gabriel visits Mary.
2. Matthew 1:18-25 - Joseph's dream and the angel's message.
3. John 3:16 - God's love and the purpose of Jesus' coming.
#### Observation Questions
1. What was Mary's initial reaction to the angel Gabriel's message, and how did she respond to it? ([27:35])
2. How did Joseph handle the news of Mary's pregnancy, and what changed his mind? ([29:29])
3. What specific instructions did the angel give to Joseph regarding the child to be born? ([29:29])
4. How does the sermon describe the dual nature of Jesus as both fully God and fully human? ([34:56])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does the interaction between Mary and the angel Gabriel reveal about her character and faith? How might this be significant for understanding her role in the Christmas story? ([27:35])
2. How does Joseph's response to the angel's message demonstrate his righteousness and obedience? What can this teach us about handling difficult situations? ([29:29])
3. In what ways does the sermon highlight the significance of Jesus being born as a baby? How does this shape our understanding of His mission and purpose? ([34:56])
4. How does the sermon explain the reason for Jesus' coming as an act of love? What implications does this have for how we view our relationship with God? ([40:02])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you had to wait for something important. How does the Advent season encourage you to wait with hope and anticipation for Jesus' return? ([41:19])
2. How can you actively participate in the Christmas story, much like the children did during the sermon, to make it more memorable and meaningful for yourself and others? ([26:01])
3. In what ways can you embrace humility in your daily life, following the example of Jesus' humble birth? What specific actions can you take this week? ([34:56])
4. Consider the personal and transformative love of Jesus. How can you respond to this love in your relationships with others? What practical steps can you take to show love and gratitude? ([40:02])
5. As we anticipate Jesus' return, what are some areas in your life where you need to remain vigilant and hopeful? How can you cultivate a lifestyle of faithful waiting? ([41:19])
6. Identify a problem in your life that feels too big to solve on your own. How can you seek Jesus' help and trust in His power to address it? ([35:49])
7. How can you share the message of Jesus' love and salvation with someone in your life this Advent season? What specific actions can you take to engage them in a spiritual conversation? ([40:02])
Devotional
Day 1: Jesus as the Divine Bridge
Jesus is the Son of God, fully divine and fully human, bridging the gap between God and humanity. This dual nature is not just a theological concept but a profound truth that impacts our daily lives. By understanding Jesus as both God and man, we recognize His unique ability to mediate between us and the Father, offering us a relationship with the divine. This relationship is not distant or abstract but personal and transformative, inviting us to experience God's love and grace in tangible ways. As we reflect on Jesus' divine nature, we are called to deepen our appreciation of His role in our lives and His authority over all creation. [32:56]
Hebrews 4:14-16 (ESV): "Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need."
Reflection: In what ways can you draw nearer to Jesus today, acknowledging His divine authority and seeking His guidance in your life?
Day 2: Embracing Humility Through Jesus' Birth
The humility of Jesus' birth is a powerful reminder of God's willingness to enter into our human experience. By coming into the world as a baby, Jesus demonstrated that God is not distant but intimately involved in our lives. This act of humility challenges us to embrace humility in our own lives, recognizing the value of every human experience and the importance of serving others. As we reflect on the nativity story, we are invited to see the world through the eyes of a humble Savior who values each of us deeply and calls us to live with the same humility and love. [34:56]
Philippians 2:5-8 (ESV): "Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross."
Reflection: How can you practice humility in your daily interactions, following the example of Jesus' humble birth and life?
Day 3: The Mission of Redemption
Jesus came into the world with a clear purpose: to save us from our sins. This mission addresses the deepest problems we face, problems that we cannot solve on our own. By seeking and saving the lost, Jesus offers hope and redemption to all who believe. This truth reminds us of our need for a Savior and the hope we have in Him. As we reflect on Jesus' mission, we are encouraged to embrace the redemption He offers and to share this hope with others, living lives that reflect His love and grace. [35:49]
Colossians 1:13-14 (ESV): "He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to experience Jesus' redemption today? How can you invite Him into that area?
Day 4: Experiencing Jesus' Unconditional Love
The love of Jesus is the driving force behind His mission to save us. This love is unconditional and personal, knowing our strengths and weaknesses yet choosing to redeem us. It calls us to respond with love and gratitude, living lives that reflect His love to others. As we reflect on Jesus' love, we are invited to experience its transformative power in our own lives and to extend that love to those around us. This love is not just a feeling but an active choice to live in a way that honors God and serves others. [40:02]
Ephesians 3:17-19 (ESV): "So that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God."
Reflection: Who in your life needs to experience the love of Jesus through you today? How can you show them this love in a practical way?
Day 5: Living in Hopeful Anticipation
As we wait for Jesus to return, we are reminded of the promise of restoration and eternal peace. This hope encourages us to live faithfully, knowing that all things will be made new. It is a call to remain vigilant and hopeful, trusting in God's perfect timing. As we reflect on the anticipation of Jesus' return, we are invited to live in a way that reflects this hope, actively participating in God's work in the world and sharing the message of His love and redemption with others. [41:19]
2 Peter 3:13-14 (ESV): "But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace."
Reflection: What is one way you can actively live out the hope of Jesus' return in your daily life, sharing His love and peace with those around you?
Quotes
Jesus is the Son of God. Can you say that? Is the Son of God. Okay, so I'm going to ask the question, and then you're going to answer me. Okay, so who is Jesus? Perfect, because we just read that, right, back in Luke, when the angel was talking to Mary, he said that he will be great and he will be called the Son of the Most High. He's going to be the Son of God. He is fully and he is completely God. [00:32:26] (33 seconds)
Jesus came to save me. So why did Jesus come? He came to save me. Okay, Jesus said himself in Luke 19 that the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost. So have you ever encountered a problem that was too hard for you to solve? Okay, what sort of problem did you come across that was too hard for you to solve? [00:35:41] (28 seconds)
There we go. Because there are problems in our lives and in our world that we can't fix, right? Yes, sir. Oh, that might be a fun way to change it up. That's a fun idea, Bennett. Thank you. Okay, so there are some problems that we just can't fix, right? Something like war. You know, can I stop war? Can you stop a war from happening? [00:37:09] (42 seconds)
Because we or somebody else has not done what's right, hasn't said what's right, or isn't thinking or feeling the right way. But in Jesus, God has come to save us from all of these things that we can't fix by saving us from our sin. So, why did Jesus come, guys? Okay, we'll try that again. Why did Jesus come? Okay, perfect. [00:38:22] (30 seconds)
Jesus came to save us because he loves us. He knows you. He knows the good, and he knows the bad, and still he loves you. And he wasn't willing just to leave us, to let us figure out all of those hard problems alone, but he came to us to save us from the sin that we are so wrapped up in. [00:40:24] (23 seconds)
We're waiting for Jesus to come again. Survey says Jesus is coming again. That's what we're waiting for. So what are we waiting for? We're waiting for Jesus to come again. In John 14, Jesus said to his disciples that he is going. He says, I go and prepare a place for you. I will come again and take you to myself, that where I am, you may be also. [00:41:19] (23 seconds)
So we need to remember that Jesus loves us, and he wants us to be with him forever, and he will do whatever it takes to make that happen. He has paid for our sin on the cross. He is changing our hearts so that we won't want to sin anymore. Again, one day, to once and for all heal everything that sin has broken. [00:41:39] (24 seconds)
All of those hard problems that we can't solve, all of that pain that we can't make go away, on that day, all of that will be no more. Guys, is that going to be a good day? Yes. Is that going to be a good day? Yes, absolutely. So what are we waiting for? what are we waiting for excellent excellent good job so to get all through the season of advent we've been remembering how israel was waiting for their messiah and today we're in a new season of advent where we are waiting for him to come again we are waiting for jesus to come again [00:42:01] (46 seconds)
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