Embracing God's Transformative Presence This Advent Season

 

Summary

In this Advent season, we reflect on the profound message of God's presence with us, as exemplified in the angel Gabriel's greeting to Mary: "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you." This divine presence is not just a historical event but a living reality that transforms our lives today. The story of Mary, a young girl of humble status, reminds us that God often chooses the lowly and unexpected to fulfill His purposes. Her encounter with the angel marks a pivotal moment where she receives her identity and mission from God, not from societal expectations or personal desires.

The essence of Advent is the incarnation—God coming to dwell among us in the person of Jesus. This presence addresses the deep-seated estrangement and loneliness that humanity experiences, a theme explored through the metaphor of "The Runaway Bunny." This children's story illustrates the relentless, unconditional love of a parent for a child, mirroring God's unwavering love for us. Despite our attempts to run away or hide, God's love pursues us, offering a profound sense of belonging and identity.

The metaphors used in "The Runaway Bunny" resonate with biblical imagery, such as God being a rock, a gardener, or the wind. These images remind us of God's multifaceted love and presence in our lives. As we navigate our daily experiences, we are invited to see these metaphors in the world around us, recognizing them as expressions of God's love and presence.

The invitation of Advent is to surrender to this divine presence, allowing it to transform our lives. Our biggest disconnect with God often stems from our unwillingness to surrender. By letting go of anger, resentment, and self-pity, we open ourselves to the fullness of God's love and presence. As Mary responded with, "May it be to me as you have said," we too are called to surrender our will to God's, trusting in His love and presence with us.

Key Takeaways:

- God's presence is the most significant gift we can experience, transforming our identity and mission in life. Like Mary, we are called to receive our identity from God, not from societal expectations or personal desires. [03:39]

- The story of "The Runaway Bunny" illustrates God's relentless, unconditional love for us, mirroring the divine pursuit of humanity despite our attempts to run away or hide. [05:30]

- Biblical metaphors, such as God being a rock, gardener, or wind, remind us of His multifaceted love and presence. These images invite us to see God's love in the world around us. [09:28]

- Surrendering to God's presence involves letting go of anger, resentment, and self-pity, which often disconnect us from Him. By surrendering, we open ourselves to the fullness of His love. [12:14]

- The Advent message is an invitation to recognize and embrace God's presence in our lives, trusting in His love and allowing it to transform us. [11:33]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:32] - The Meaning of Greetings
[01:00] - God's Promise of Presence
[01:32] - The Story of Mary
[02:49] - Angel's Message to Mary
[03:39] - The Lord is With You
[04:29] - Reflections on Loneliness
[05:00] - The Runaway Bunny
[06:01] - Unconditional Love
[07:09] - Interpretations of the Story
[08:23] - The Prodigal Son
[09:28] - Biblical Metaphors of God's Love
[11:02] - Advent's Invitation
[12:14] - Surrendering to God's Will
[13:34] - Closing Remarks

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Luke 1:26-38
- Genesis 26:3
- Jeremiah 1:8

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Observation Questions:

1. In Luke 1:26-38, how does the angel Gabriel greet Mary, and what is the significance of this greeting? [02:49]

2. What are some of the biblical metaphors mentioned in the sermon that illustrate God's love and presence? [09:28]

3. How does the story of "The Runaway Bunny" parallel the biblical theme of God's relentless love for humanity? [05:30]

4. What does the phrase "The Lord is with you" mean in the context of the sermon, and how does it relate to the Advent message? [03:39]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does Mary's response to the angel's message in Luke 1:38 reflect a model of surrender and trust in God's plan? [12:14]

2. In what ways do the biblical metaphors of God as a rock, gardener, or wind help us understand His multifaceted love and presence? [09:28]

3. How does the sermon suggest that our unwillingness to surrender can disconnect us from experiencing God's presence? [12:14]

4. What does the sermon imply about the importance of receiving our identity and mission from God rather than societal expectations? [03:55]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you felt God's presence in your life. How did it transform your identity or mission? [03:39]

2. The sermon discusses the importance of surrendering to God's will. What is one area of your life where you struggle to let go and trust God? [12:14]

3. Consider the biblical metaphors of God's love mentioned in the sermon. How can you use these images to remind yourself of God's presence in your daily life? [09:28]

4. The story of "The Runaway Bunny" illustrates God's relentless love. How can you apply this understanding of God's love to your relationships with others? [05:30]

5. The sermon highlights the theme of loneliness and estrangement. How can you seek to address feelings of loneliness in your own life or in the lives of those around you? [04:29]

6. How can you actively receive your identity and mission from God, rather than from societal expectations or personal desires? [03:55]

7. What practical steps can you take this Advent season to surrender anger, resentment, or self-pity and open yourself to the fullness of God's love? [12:14]

Devotional

Day 1: Embracing Divine Identity
God's presence is the most significant gift we can experience, transforming our identity and mission in life. Like Mary, we are called to receive our identity from God, not from societal expectations or personal desires. [03:39]
In the story of Mary, we see a young girl of humble status chosen by God for a monumental purpose. This choice was not based on societal status or personal ambition but on divine favor and presence. The angel Gabriel's greeting to Mary, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you," signifies a profound truth: our true identity and mission are found in God's presence with us. This divine presence is not a relic of the past but a living reality that continues to shape and transform us today. As we navigate our lives, we are invited to embrace this identity, allowing God's presence to redefine who we are and what we are called to do.
Luke 1:46-48 (ESV): "And Mary said, 'My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed.'"
Reflection: In what ways have you allowed societal expectations to define your identity? How can you begin to embrace the identity God has given you today?

Day 2: The Pursuit of Unconditional Love
The story of "The Runaway Bunny" illustrates God's relentless, unconditional love for us, mirroring the divine pursuit of humanity despite our attempts to run away or hide. [05:30]
"The Runaway Bunny" is a children's story that beautifully captures the essence of God's love for us. Just as the parent in the story pursues the child with unwavering love, God pursues us with relentless grace and compassion. Despite our attempts to run away or hide, God's love remains steadfast, offering us a profound sense of belonging and identity. This pursuit is not just a comforting thought but a transformative reality that invites us to stop running and embrace the love that seeks us out. In recognizing this divine pursuit, we find the courage to return to God, knowing that His love is always waiting to welcome us home.
Psalm 139:7-10 (ESV): "Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me."
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you felt distant from God. How can you open your heart to His relentless love today?

Day 3: Seeing God in the Everyday
Biblical metaphors, such as God being a rock, gardener, or wind, remind us of His multifaceted love and presence. These images invite us to see God's love in the world around us. [09:28]
The Bible is rich with metaphors that describe God's love and presence in our lives. These images, such as God being a rock, a gardener, or the wind, offer us a glimpse into the multifaceted nature of His love. They invite us to see God's presence in the everyday moments of our lives, transforming the ordinary into the extraordinary. As we go about our daily routines, we are encouraged to look for these metaphors in the world around us, recognizing them as expressions of God's love and presence. By doing so, we cultivate a deeper awareness of His presence, allowing it to shape and transform our lives.
Isaiah 40:28-31 (ESV): "Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint."
Reflection: What metaphor of God resonates with you today? How can you see this aspect of God in your daily life?

Day 4: The Freedom of Surrender
Surrendering to God's presence involves letting go of anger, resentment, and self-pity, which often disconnect us from Him. By surrendering, we open ourselves to the fullness of His love. [12:14]
Surrender is a central theme in the journey of faith. It involves letting go of the anger, resentment, and self-pity that often create barriers between us and God. By surrendering these burdens, we open ourselves to the fullness of God's love and presence. This act of surrender is not a sign of weakness but a courageous step towards freedom and transformation. As we let go of the things that hold us back, we make room for God's love to fill our hearts and guide our lives. Like Mary, who responded to the angel with, "May it be to me as you have said," we are invited to trust in God's love and surrender our will to His.
James 4:7-8 (ESV): "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself holding back from surrendering to God? What would surrendering this area to Him actually look like in terms of daily habits?

Day 5: Embracing the Advent Invitation
The Advent message is an invitation to recognize and embrace God's presence in our lives, trusting in His love and allowing it to transform us. [11:33]
Advent is a season of anticipation and reflection, inviting us to recognize and embrace God's presence in our lives. It is a time to pause and reflect on the profound message of the incarnation—God coming to dwell among us in the person of Jesus. This presence addresses the deep-seated estrangement and loneliness that humanity experiences, offering us a profound sense of belonging and identity. As we journey through Advent, we are invited to trust in God's love and allow it to transform us. This transformation is not just a personal journey but a communal one, as we join with others in celebrating the hope and joy of God's presence with us.
Zephaniah 3:17 (ESV): "The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing."
Reflection: How can you intentionally embrace God's presence in this Advent season? What practices can you incorporate into your daily life to cultivate a deeper awareness of His love?

Quotes

"Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you." Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be, but the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus." [00:02:49]

"I will be with you in Genesis 26 and then to Jacob in chapter 28 I will be with you and then the Jeremiah in chapter one or an angel says to Gideon in the Book of Judges the Lord is with you mighty warrior. It's the message of Advent, the message of incarnation." [00:01:06]

"The great message of Advent of incarnation is God has come in the person of Jesus to be with you that you will never be alone. Greetings, the Lord is with you." [00:04:07]

"The promise that is coming from God to his people is I will love you no matter what. So this Rabbi is reflecting on a book you might have heard of, it's called The Runaway Bunny, and it's a story of this little bunny." [00:04:50]

"Unconditional, unfailing, relentless love on the part of a parent to a child and then think about you being loved by God in that way. Greetings, the Lord is with you." [00:05:30]

"Every one of those pictures comes from God. So, I'll become a fisherman. Luke 5, Jesus says you follow after me and I will make you Fishers of Men or God Is Like a Rock. Psalmist in Psalm 28 says God you are my rock." [00:09:33]

"The invitation today is to use those metaphors to just look around you and when you see a rock, when you feel the wind blow, when you come home, you think about this is God saying to you I love you, I am with you no matter what you have done." [00:11:02]

"Surrender what causes my biggest disconnect with God is just my unwillingness to surrender and it crops up all the time. I just got to look for it. I was in the car quite a while today, periodically somebody would make a move on the road that I didn't like." [00:12:14]

"Anger always has the impact sin always does this it disconnects me from God. I was with a few people that I love but they wanted to go to a restaurant and spend a longer time at a place where I didn't want to go and just to let go." [00:12:34]

"Self-pity is one of the things that I do best but it cuts me off from God because then I don't think about the fact that God is right here with me. So whenever a thought, an inclination, a temptation, an action, a word tempts you to get disconnected today." [00:13:04]

"May it be to me you're will will be done here's the word for you and me today, greetings the Lord is with you." [00:13:26]

"God's problem which is that he loves the human race and they have become estranged from him and he wants them back." [00:08:56]

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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?