Embracing God's Presence: Love and Community This Advent
Summary
Welcome to Epford, where we gather to explore our faith and embrace community, especially during this Advent season. As we begin our series, "Welcome to Our World," we focus on how we prepare to welcome Christ into our lives, not just during Christmas but every day. This Sunday, we reflect on the theme "Welcome All in Person," inspired by 1 Thessalonians 3:10, where Paul expresses his earnest desire to see the Thessalonians face to face and restore what is lacking in their faith.
The story of Vicki's car accident serves as a poignant reminder of the assumptions we make about life and the importance of expressing love and gratitude. It echoes Paul's letters, where he consistently prays for the communities he writes to, expressing gratitude and love. This Advent, we are called to practice the presence of God, recognizing that Christ is already with us. Paul’s prayer for the Thessalonians is that God would remove barriers between them and increase their love to overflowing, not just for each other but for everyone.
Advent is a time to break down barriers, both with those we love and with strangers. It is a call to recognize the miracles around us and to practice communion with God and each other. Communion is not just a ritual but an experience of oneness with God, extending beyond the church to all of humanity. This season invites us to open our hearts, share our griefs and joys, and participate in the divine dance of love that unites us all.
As we journey through Advent, let us pray for God to remove the barriers in our hearts and increase our love for one another. May we embrace the miracle of Emmanuel, God with us, and live in the overflowing love that Christ brings.
Key Takeaways:
1. The Importance of Presence: Advent is a time to practice the presence of God, recognizing that Christ is already with us. It is not about counting down to Christmas but about living in the reality of Emmanuel, God with us, every day. This presence calls us to be fully present with others, breaking down barriers and expressing love and gratitude. [47:08]
2. Breaking Down Barriers: Paul's prayer for the Thessalonians is that God would remove barriers between them and increase their love to overflowing. This Advent, we are invited to examine the barriers in our own lives, whether they are with loved ones or strangers, and seek to remove them through love and understanding. [48:46]
3. Overflowing Love: Paul distinguishes between love for each other and love for everyone. This Advent, we are called to let our love overflow beyond our inner circles to include all of humanity. This is a love that recognizes the divine in every person and seeks to build bridges rather than walls. [49:58]
4. Recognizing Miracles: Life is full of miracles, from the miracle of birth to the miracle of everyday encounters. Advent is a time to open our eyes to these miracles, to see the divine in the ordinary, and to live with a sense of wonder and gratitude. [52:01]
5. Communion with God and Others: Communion is not just a ritual but an experience of oneness with God and each other. This Advent, we are invited to experience communion in all aspects of life, recognizing that we are all part of the body of Christ and that God's love extends to all people. [54:06]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [22:06] - Community Announcements
- [40:44] - Introduction to Advent Series
- [43:12] - Personal Story: Vicki's Accident
- [44:33] - Paul's Unstoppable Prayers
- [47:08] - Practicing God's Presence
- [48:46] - Removing Barriers
- [49:58] - Overflowing Love
- [52:01] - Recognizing Miracles
- [54:06] - Communion with God and Others
- [58:12] - Closing Prayer and Blessing
- [01:12:18] - Final Benediction
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- 1 Thessalonians 3:10
Observation Questions:
1. What does Paul express as his desire for the Thessalonians in 1 Thessalonians 3:10? How does this reflect his relationship with them?
2. In the sermon, how does the story of Vicki's car accident illustrate the assumptions we make about life and the importance of expressing love and gratitude? [43:12]
3. What are the two things Paul prays for the Thessalonians, as mentioned in the sermon? [47:08]
4. How does the sermon describe the concept of "overflowing love" and its significance during Advent? [49:58]
Interpretation Questions:
1. Why might Paul have felt it was important to see the Thessalonians "face to face" to restore what was lacking in their faith? How does this relate to the theme of presence in the sermon? [40:44]
2. How does the sermon suggest that breaking down barriers can lead to an increase in love for one another? What might these barriers look like in our daily lives? [48:46]
3. The sermon mentions recognizing miracles in everyday life. How does this perspective change one's approach to daily interactions and experiences? [49:58]
4. What does the sermon imply about the nature of communion with God and others, and how does this extend beyond traditional church rituals? [52:01]
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt distant from someone you care about. What steps can you take this Advent to bridge that gap and be more present in their life? [47:08]
2. Identify a barrier in your life that prevents you from loving others fully. What practical steps can you take to begin removing this barrier? [48:46]
3. Think of a person outside your usual circle of friends or family. How can you extend "overflowing love" to them this week? [49:58]
4. What are some everyday miracles you might be overlooking? How can you cultivate a sense of wonder and gratitude for these moments? [49:58]
5. How can you practice communion with God and others in your daily life, beyond the church setting? What specific actions can you take to foster this sense of oneness? [52:01]
6. Consider a recent situation where you assumed the worst, like the pastor did in the story about Vicki's accident. How can you shift your mindset to one of hope and gratitude in similar situations? [43:12]
7. Advent is a time of preparation. What is one specific way you can prepare your heart to welcome Christ into your life every day, not just during the Christmas season? [40:44]
Devotional
Day 1: Living in the Reality of Emmanuel
Advent is a time to practice the presence of God, recognizing that Christ is already with us. It is not about counting down to Christmas but about living in the reality of Emmanuel, God with us, every day. This presence calls us to be fully present with others, breaking down barriers and expressing love and gratitude. The story of Vicki's car accident serves as a poignant reminder of the assumptions we make about life and the importance of expressing love and gratitude. It echoes Paul's letters, where he consistently prays for the communities he writes to, expressing gratitude and love. This Advent, we are called to practice the presence of God, recognizing that Christ is already with us. [47:08]
"Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you." (Genesis 28:15, ESV)
Reflection: How can you practice being fully present with someone today, showing them love and gratitude as a reflection of God's presence in your life?
Day 2: Removing Barriers Through Love
Paul's prayer for the Thessalonians is that God would remove barriers between them and increase their love to overflowing. This Advent, we are invited to examine the barriers in our own lives, whether they are with loved ones or strangers, and seek to remove them through love and understanding. Advent is a time to break down barriers, both with those we love and with strangers. It is a call to recognize the miracles around us and to practice communion with God and each other. [48:46]
"For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility." (Ephesians 2:14, ESV)
Reflection: Identify a barrier in a relationship you have. What steps can you take today to begin breaking it down with love and understanding?
Day 3: Love Overflowing Beyond Boundaries
Paul distinguishes between love for each other and love for everyone. This Advent, we are called to let our love overflow beyond our inner circles to include all of humanity. This is a love that recognizes the divine in every person and seeks to build bridges rather than walls. Advent is a time to open our hearts, share our griefs and joys, and participate in the divine dance of love that unites us all. [49:58]
"Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins." (1 Peter 4:8, ESV)
Reflection: Think of someone outside your usual circle. How can you extend love to them today in a way that acknowledges their inherent value and dignity?
Day 4: Seeing the Divine in the Ordinary
Life is full of miracles, from the miracle of birth to the miracle of everyday encounters. Advent is a time to open our eyes to these miracles, to see the divine in the ordinary, and to live with a sense of wonder and gratitude. This season invites us to open our hearts, share our griefs and joys, and participate in the divine dance of love that unites us all. [52:01]
"The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork." (Psalm 19:1, ESV)
Reflection: What ordinary aspect of your day can you view as a miracle today? How can this perspective shift your attitude towards gratitude and wonder?
Day 5: Experiencing Communion in All Aspects of Life
Communion is not just a ritual but an experience of oneness with God and each other. This Advent, we are invited to experience communion in all aspects of life, recognizing that we are all part of the body of Christ and that God's love extends to all people. Advent is a time to break down barriers, both with those we love and with strangers. It is a call to recognize the miracles around us and to practice communion with God and each other. [54:06]
"For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ." (1 Corinthians 12:12, ESV)
Reflection: How can you experience a deeper sense of communion with God and others today, beyond the traditional rituals? What practical steps can you take to foster this unity?
Quotes
Welcome home to Epford, where God is with us. [00:20:11] (4 seconds)
We begin our series this Advent, this first Advent Sunday called Welcome to Our World, where we explore different ways we prepare to welcome Christ once again, not just for this season and Christmas, but for every day of our lives. [00:20:35] (18 seconds)
I think of you all the time in my prayers. In fact, I was looking up several of these verses, and I just want to read some of them to you. This is not a one-off for Paul. The second thing he says is, night and day, I pray for you. He's not talking about my morning and evening prayers. He's talking about all the time. [00:44:56] (20 seconds)
Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God. That's the last verse. The letter he wrote to the Philippians. We always thank God for all of you, remembering you in our prayers. [00:45:16] (12 seconds)
Unstoppable prayers. How can we sustain that level of excitement? Because I can tell you, I haven't always expressed my love for Vicki in the way I expressed when I got on the phone with her after I thought she was gone, and then God had raised her from the dead. [00:45:27] (19 seconds)
Practicing the presence of God. And where is God? One of the things, Paul prays this blessing over the people in Thessalonica. He asks for two things. He says, first of all, may God remove all the barriers that exist between us. [00:47:51] (18 seconds)
One of the next part of Paul's blessing is that you will increase in love to overflowing. And then Paul says this very interesting thing. He writes this very interesting thing. Of course, he would have said it orally. Everything in this letter, except the letter itself, was transmitted orally. The composition, and the presentation to the churches in Thessalonica. [00:49:09] (25 seconds)
Paul says, I pray that God's love will increase to overflowing for you, for each other, and for everyone. Why would he make a distinction? [00:49:44] (10 seconds)
Recognizing the miracle around us. I remember one time I was reading about the miracle of birth, right? And, you know, biologically, it's this extraordinarily jaw-dropping miracle that any of us are here. I think I mentioned one Sunday about the staggering odds to win a million or a billion dollars in the lottery, which pale when compared to the staggering odds that we're here at all. [00:50:20] (32 seconds)
Come on over here and tell me a story. What does it mean to be open to God's presence? This is what we are exploring once again this Advent. We know that Christ has come. We don't have to count days, right? Christ is here. Advent reminds us to practice that communion that we are celebrating this Sunday. [00:52:01] (25 seconds)
May God remove every barrier that exists between you and Jesus Christ and everyone. Can you imagine the miracle? And may God increase your love to overflowing for each other and for everyone. Emmanuel. God is with us. [01:12:18] (22 seconds)
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