Embracing Advent: Faith, Community, and Christ's Love

Devotional

Day 1: Active Faith in Community Outreach

Our faith is not meant to be passive; it is a call to action, a call to be the hands and feet of Jesus in our communities. The partnership with Fritch Elementary is a vivid example of how believers can actively demonstrate Christ's love by meeting tangible needs. This initiative is more than just charity; it is a bridge to spiritual conversations and a testament to the transformative power of love in action. By engaging in community outreach, we reflect the heart of Christ, who came not to be served but to serve. This outreach reminds us that our faith should be visible and impactful in the world around us, opening doors for deeper connections and spiritual growth. [05:29]

Matthew 5:16 (ESV): "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: Who in your community can you reach out to this week to demonstrate Christ's love in a tangible way?

Day 2: Broadening Our Prayer Horizons

Prayer is a powerful tool that connects us to God and aligns our hearts with His purposes. However, it can become routine and stagnant if we limit our prayers to personal requests. By intentionally praying for other churches and believers, we expand our perspective and foster unity within the body of Christ. This practice reminds us that we are part of a larger community of faith, and it encourages us to support and uplift one another in prayer. As we pray for others, we align our hearts with God's kingdom purposes and cultivate a spirit of love and unity among believers. [16:22]

Ephesians 6:18 (ESV): "Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints."

Reflection: Choose a local church or ministry to pray for this week. How can you support them in prayer and action?

Day 3: Trusting God's Plan Amid Uncertainty

The story of Mary and Joseph is a powerful testament to faithfulness and obedience in the face of uncertainty. Despite the cultural and personal challenges they faced, they chose to trust God's plan over their own. Their story is a reminder that God's plans often require us to step out in faith, even when it defies worldly wisdom. Mary and Joseph's willingness to trust and obey serves as an example for us today, challenging us to align our lives with God's will, even when it disrupts our own plans. [51:31]

Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV): "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you are struggling to trust God's plan? How can you take a step of faith this week?

Day 4: Embracing the Depth of Advent Traditions

Advent traditions, such as the wreath and candles, are rich symbols that point us to the hope, faith, joy, and peace found in Christ. These traditions are not mere decorations; they serve as reminders of the deeper meaning of the season and the fulfillment of God's promises through Christ. By embracing these symbols, we are invited to reflect on the profound truths of the Advent season and to prepare our hearts for the coming of Jesus. These traditions help us focus on the spiritual significance of the season, drawing us closer to God and His promises. [47:00]

Isaiah 9:2 (ESV): "The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone."

Reflection: How can you incorporate Advent traditions into your daily routine to deepen your reflection on the season's significance?

Day 5: Communion as a Living Proclamation

Celebrating communion is a profound act of remembrance and proclamation of Jesus' sacrifice. It calls us to examine our hearts, live in right relationship with God, and declare the gospel through our lives. This sacred practice unites us as believers and strengthens our faith, reminding us of the salvation Jesus offers. As we partake in communion, we are invited to reflect on the sacrifice of Jesus and to live in a manner worthy of the gospel, proclaiming His death and resurrection until He returns. [01:28:26]

1 Corinthians 11:26 (ESV): "For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes."

Reflection: As you prepare for communion, what areas of your life need alignment with the gospel? How can you live out this proclamation daily?

Sermon Summary

In our gathering today, we focused on the theme of Advent, a season of anticipation and reflection on the coming of Jesus Christ. We began by discussing our community outreach efforts, particularly through our partnership with Fritch Elementary, where we aim to bless children and families in need during the Christmas season. This initiative is a tangible expression of our commitment to serve and love our neighbors, reflecting the heart of Christ in our community.

As we moved into our time of worship and prayer, we were reminded of the importance of expanding our prayer life beyond routine requests, encouraging us to pray for other churches in our community. This practice helps us recognize that the body of Christ is much larger than our own congregation, fostering unity and love among believers.

Our Advent reflection centered on the story of Mary and Joseph, exploring their faithfulness and obedience in the face of extraordinary circumstances. We delved into the cultural and personal challenges they faced, emphasizing that their story is not just a historical account but a reminder that God’s plans often require us to step out in faith, even when it defies worldly wisdom. Mary and Joseph’s willingness to trust God’s plan over their own serves as a powerful example for us today.

We also discussed the symbolism of the Advent wreath and candles, which serve as reminders of the hope, faith, joy, and peace that Jesus brings. These traditions, while symbolic, help us focus on the deeper meaning of the season and the fulfillment of God’s promises through Christ.

Finally, we celebrated communion, reflecting on the sacrifice of Jesus and the salvation He offers. This act of remembrance calls us to examine our hearts and live in a manner worthy of the gospel, proclaiming His death and resurrection until He returns.

Key Takeaways

1. Community Outreach as a Reflection of Christ’s Love: Our partnership with Fritch Elementary exemplifies how we can be the hands and feet of Jesus in our community. By meeting tangible needs, we demonstrate the love of Christ and open doors for spiritual conversations. This outreach is a reminder that our faith should be active and visible in the world around us. [05:29]
2. Expanding Our Prayer Life: Routine prayers can become stagnant, but by intentionally praying for other churches and believers, we broaden our perspective and align our hearts with God’s kingdom purposes. This practice fosters unity and reminds us that we are part of a larger body of Christ. [16:22]
3. Faithfulness in the Face of Uncertainty: Mary and Joseph’s story challenges us to trust God’s plans, even when they disrupt our own. Their obedience in difficult circumstances is a testament to the transformative power of faith and the importance of aligning our lives with God’s will. [51:31]
4. The Significance of Advent Traditions: The Advent wreath and candles are more than mere decorations; they are rich symbols that point us to the hope, faith, joy, and peace found in Christ. These traditions help us remember the deeper meaning of the season and the fulfillment of God’s promises. [47:00]
5. Communion as a Proclamation of Faith: Celebrating communion is a profound act of remembrance and proclamation of Jesus’ sacrifice. It calls us to examine our hearts, live in right relationship with God, and declare the gospel through our lives. This sacred practice unites us as believers and strengthens our faith. [01:28:26]
** [88:26]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[02:30] - Community Outreach Initiative
[05:29] - Partnering with Fritch Elementary
[08:21] - Opening Prayer and Worship
[16:22] - Expanding Our Prayer Life
[19:17] - Praying for Other Churches
[26:04] - Guest Speaker: Dave McLaughlin
[43:21] - Advent Traditions Explained
[47:00] - The Significance of Advent Candles
[49:15] - The Story of Mary and Joseph
[51:31] - Faithfulness in Uncertainty
[55:20] - God’s Plan Through His People
[58:41] - Cultural Context of Mary and Joseph
[73:31] - The Angel’s Message to Joseph
[88:26] - Celebrating Communion
[96:17] - Closing Prayer and Song

Sermon Clips

We could talk about for a long time needs and things that exist right here even in our own community. And so that's one of the ways we look to to go, to minister to others right here where we are. For tonight, tonight we do not have evening services. So no prayer meeting, Bible study, no kids, no youth. So if you show up tonight for prayer meeting, Bible study, your kids or youth, you're going to be alone in the parking lot. [00:07:01] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

Here in this passage, we have a small look at Mary and Joseph before Jesus was born. They live in Galilee in the hill country. Joseph appears to be a devout Jewish man. Mary, as we read in other passages, seems to have a very solid knowledge, education of the Old Testament, an honorable and a wise woman, and these events that we see here tell us that Mary, God saw Mary. He was pleased with Mary and chose her to be the one who bore the Messiah, but he also knew Joseph. [00:50:23] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

When Mary and Joseph encountered God, when they encountered Jesus, when their lives were turned upside down and absolutely changed by Jesus, we have to remember God is still the same today. And when we encounter God, when we encounter Jesus today, it is exactly the same. Our culture and our context drastically shift. We are not the same. Our lives will never be the same after we encounter Jesus. [00:53:08] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

Just as God was fulfilling His plan through Mary and Joseph, God is fulfilling His plan through His people today. God is still working today. God is still at work today through His people. The Messiah has come, but He is still working through His people to further His plans and purposes to reach people with the gospel of Jesus Christ. He is still at work just as much today as He was then. [00:55:20] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

Mary and Joseph understood that this wasn't just about them. This was about God's plans and God's purposes. This was much bigger than just them. God's plan, while it involves a lot of people, it's not just about them. It's about God's plans and God's us, while it involves his people, is about something far bigger than just us. [01:18:19] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

We have to recognize our part in God's plan. And it is just as important for us to be faithful and to submit our ways to His as it was for Mary and Joseph. Do we trust what God has said? Do we follow and obey Him even when we don't understand, even when we don't like what it might mean? Because often God calls us to things that we don't understand. [01:21:44] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

And we remember when we celebrate communion, what Jesus came to do when he was born. He came to die for us. He lived a perfect life. His body was broken. His blood was shed. He died in our place and rose from the dead. That's what he was born to do. That's what we remember at Christmastime as we celebrate his birth, what he came to do. [01:26:17] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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