Embracing Advent: Reflecting on Creation and Redemption
Summary
In this Advent season, we are invited to slow down and reflect on the profound promises embedded in the story of creation and the coming of Christ. Advent is a time to pause and create space in our hearts for the transformative work of God. It is a reminder that church is not just a service but a movement of people sent out into the world. As we gather, we are encouraged to engage in ways that feel authentic and meaningful, whether that means sitting quietly, journaling, or simply being present.
The narrative of Genesis offers us a poetic account of creation, where God declares the world good and invites humanity to participate in the creative process. This story is not just about the past but speaks to our present reality, challenging the narratives of randomness and chaos that often pervade our understanding of the world. Instead, it presents a vision of intentionality and purpose, where love is at the center of the universe.
The story of Adam and Eve, with its introduction of the serpent, highlights the tension between trust and rebellion. It is a story that continues to be true as we often choose paths that lead away from God's goodness. Yet, within this narrative, there is a promise—a promise of redemption and victory over evil. This promise is fulfilled in Jesus, who comes to crush the enemy and offer us new life.
As we reflect on this promise, we are reminded that we are invited to join in God's work of renewal and reconciliation. The victory won on the cross is not just a past event but a present reality that we are called to live out. We are empowered to take back what belongs to God, to live from a place of rest and love, and to participate in the ongoing story of God's redemption.
Key Takeaways:
1. Advent as a Time of Reflection: Advent invites us to slow down and create space for God in our lives. It is a season to reflect on the promises of God and prepare our hearts for His transformative work. This time of reflection helps us engage with the deeper meaning of our faith and the call to be a movement in the world. [01:37]
2. The Intentionality of Creation: The Genesis narrative reveals a world created with purpose and love at its center. This challenges the narratives of randomness and chaos, reminding us that we are part of a story where intention and love guide our existence. We are invited to participate in this creative process, cultivating and caring for the world around us. [10:49]
3. Trust and Rebellion: The story of Adam and Eve highlights the tension between trusting God's way and choosing rebellion. It is a narrative that continues to resonate as we often struggle with trusting God's timing and wisdom. Yet, within this story, there is a promise of redemption and the invitation to trust in God's goodness. [22:24]
4. The Promise of Redemption: The promise given in Genesis is fulfilled in Jesus, who comes to crush the enemy and offer us new life. This promise is a reminder of God's love and the victory won on the cross. It invites us to live in the reality of this victory, participating in God's work of renewal and reconciliation. [32:57]
5. Living Out the Victory: We are called to implement the victory won by Jesus, living from a place of rest and love. This involves taking back what belongs to God and participating in the ongoing story of redemption. It is an invitation to trust in God's timing and to live out the hope and promise of the gospel. [39:47]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[01:37] - Invitation to Slow Down
[03:20] - Engaging Authentically
[04:31] - Reflecting on Promises
[08:24] - The Seed of Promise
[09:08] - Anticipating the Messiah
[10:49] - The Intentionality of Creation
[12:52] - The Role of Humanity
[14:19] - Co-Creating with God
[15:38] - Stories We Tell
[16:23] - The Choice of Trust
[18:05] - Naming and Participation
[19:06] - The Introduction of the Serpent
[20:16] - The Nature of Craftiness
[21:25] - The First Deconstruction
[22:24] - The Promise of Redemption
[23:49] - The Consequences of Rebellion
[25:09] - The Reality of Shame
[26:48] - The Blame Game
[28:51] - The Curse and the Promise
[30:17] - God's Love and Choice
[31:24] - The Fall of Evil
[32:57] - The Gospel in Seed Form
[33:38] - The Victory of the Cross
[34:54] - The Invitation to Confession
[35:50] - Implementing the Victory
[37:36] - The Role of the Church
[38:23] - Crushing Satan Under Our Feet
[39:47] - Living Out the Victory
[40:35] - Trusting God's Timing
[42:02] - The Ministry of Reconciliation
[43:20] - Christmas as a Military Action
[44:10] - A Prayer for Hope and Trust
[45:45] - Offering Doubts and Concerns
[47:23] - Closing Prayer and Invitation
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Genesis 1:1-2:3
- Genesis 3:1-15
- Romans 16:20
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Observation Questions:
1. In Genesis 1, what repeated phrase does God use to describe His creation, and what does this suggest about His view of the world? [10:49]
2. How does the narrative in Genesis 3 describe the interaction between the serpent and Eve, and what is the serpent's primary tactic? [21:25]
3. According to the sermon, what is the significance of the promise given in Genesis 3:15, and how is it fulfilled in the New Testament? [32:57]
4. What role does humanity play in God's creation according to Genesis 2, and how does this relate to the concept of co-creation mentioned in the sermon? [14:19]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the intentionality of creation in Genesis challenge modern narratives of randomness and chaos? What implications does this have for how we view our purpose in the world? [15:38]
2. The sermon discusses the tension between trust and rebellion in the story of Adam and Eve. How does this tension manifest in our lives today, and what does it reveal about human nature? [22:24]
3. In what ways does the promise of redemption in Genesis 3:15 shape our understanding of Jesus' mission and the victory He achieved on the cross? [32:57]
4. How does the concept of living out the victory won by Jesus, as mentioned in Romans 16:20, influence the way we approach challenges and conflicts in our lives? [38:23]
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Application Questions:
1. Advent is a time to slow down and reflect. What practical steps can you take this week to create space for God in your life and prepare your heart for His transformative work? [01:37]
2. Reflect on a time when you struggled to trust God's timing and wisdom. How did you navigate that season, and what did you learn about trust and rebellion from the experience? [22:24]
3. The sermon invites us to participate in God's work of renewal and reconciliation. Identify one area in your life or community where you can actively engage in this work. What steps will you take to contribute to this renewal? [35:50]
4. Consider the promise of redemption fulfilled in Jesus. How does this promise impact your daily life and interactions with others? In what ways can you live out this promise more fully? [32:57]
5. The sermon emphasizes living from a place of rest and love. What are some specific ways you can cultivate a lifestyle of rest and love in your relationships and daily routines? [39:47]
6. How can you implement the victory won by Jesus in your personal life? Identify one area where you feel called to take back what belongs to God and describe how you will do this. [40:35]
7. Reflect on the analogy of D-Day used in the sermon. How does understanding the victory of the cross as a decisive moment influence your perspective on ongoing spiritual battles? [39:47]
Devotional
Day 1: Advent as a Sacred Pause
Advent is a season that invites believers to slow down and create space for God’s transformative work in their lives. It is a time to reflect on the profound promises of God and prepare our hearts for His presence. This period of reflection helps deepen our understanding of faith and encourages us to be a movement of love and service in the world. By intentionally pausing, we open ourselves to the deeper meaning of our faith and the call to be active participants in God’s work. [01:37]
"For thus said the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel, 'In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.' But you were unwilling." (Isaiah 30:15, ESV)
Reflection: What specific steps can you take this week to create space for God in your daily routine, allowing for moments of quiet reflection and prayer?
Day 2: Creation with Purpose
The Genesis narrative reveals a world created with intentionality and love at its center. This challenges the narratives of randomness and chaos, reminding us that we are part of a story where intention and love guide our existence. We are invited to participate in this creative process, cultivating and caring for the world around us. By recognizing the intentionality of creation, we are encouraged to see our lives as part of a larger, purposeful story. [10:49]
"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." (Colossians 1:16, ESV)
Reflection: How can you actively participate in God’s creative work this week, whether through acts of kindness, stewardship of the environment, or nurturing relationships?
Day 3: Trust in the Midst of Tension
The story of Adam and Eve highlights the tension between trusting God’s way and choosing rebellion. It is a narrative that continues to resonate as we often struggle with trusting God’s timing and wisdom. Yet, within this story, there is a promise of redemption and the invitation to trust in God’s goodness. By embracing this trust, we align ourselves with God’s purpose and experience His peace. [22:24]
"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." (Proverbs 3:5-6, ESV)
Reflection: Identify an area in your life where you are struggling to trust God. What steps can you take to surrender this area to Him and trust in His goodness?
Day 4: Living in the Promise of Redemption
The promise given in Genesis is fulfilled in Jesus, who comes to crush the enemy and offer us new life. This promise is a reminder of God’s love and the victory won on the cross. It invites us to live in the reality of this victory, participating in God’s work of renewal and reconciliation. By embracing this promise, we are empowered to live out the hope and transformation that Jesus offers. [32:57]
"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." (Colossians 1:13-14, ESV)
Reflection: How can you actively participate in God’s work of renewal and reconciliation in your community this week, living out the victory of the cross?
Day 5: Implementing the Victory of Christ
We are called to implement the victory won by Jesus, living from a place of rest and love. This involves taking back what belongs to God and participating in the ongoing story of redemption. It is an invitation to trust in God’s timing and to live out the hope and promise of the gospel. By living out this victory, we become agents of change and transformation in the world. [39:47]
"But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain." (1 Corinthians 15:57-58, ESV)
Reflection: What is one specific way you can live out the victory of Christ in your daily life, demonstrating His love and hope to those around you?
Quotes
I found myself just sitting on the front pew. I just kind of turned my hands open and was just, like, reflecting on, like, that idea that God was near to me and just prayed for a moment and stilled my heart. and just want to extend that invitation. We had somebody who was here last week. I don't know if they're here today. I won't share their name just in case I didn't get permission for the story, but they were just sitting in the pew and they were just, they said, yeah, I don't know how to feel about the whole church thing yet, but I will say just looking up at the stained glass window and that invitation to really be open, I felt like something just kind of was stirring in my soul and I was just so grateful for the peace that just kind of washed over me in that moment. [00:01:44] (38 seconds)
The whole beginning story of Genesis is this poetic account. It's got like a rhythm and a beat to it in Genesis 1. God made the world and it was what? Good. And it says it again. God made the world and it was good. God made the world and it was good. And he gets the people and it's like, God made the world and it was, anyone know what he said when he said people? Really good. Very good. Super good. [00:09:55] (23 seconds)
Thus the heavens and the earth were completed in their full array. By the seventh day, God had finished the work he had been doing. So on the seventh day, he rested from all his work. Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy because on it, he rested from all the work of creating that he had done. Lest you think Sabbath is just some sort of modern invention or a day to rest, like a little wellness day is some modern invention. This goes back actually to...the creative order. [00:10:19] (27 seconds)
This is the archetypal human being talked about here. I will make a helper suitable for him. Helper is the word ezer. This is the word that is given to God over 22 times in the Old Testament. Same word. This is the God who comes along and helps. Now the Lord God had formed out of the ground all the wild animals and all the birds of the sky. He brought them to the man to see what he would name them. And whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name. [00:13:12] (29 seconds)
The promise that we're told of all throughout the scriptures. I'll pick one in John. First John, we're told the reason that Jesus came was to crush the enemy. There are all sorts of pictures that we get of why Jesus came. Pictures of victory and substitution and all these different images if you're familiar with the Bible. There's the scapegoat and the lamb and there's blood. all these different images that are used to describe the good news of what God does on the cross. [00:32:50] (29 seconds)
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