Embracing Peace: Living in Advent's Anticipation

Devotional

Day 1: Advent as a Time of Dual Reflection

Advent is a season of both joyful remembrance and hopeful anticipation. It invites believers to reflect on the profound significance of Jesus' first coming while eagerly awaiting His return. The first coming of Christ marked a pivotal moment in history, bridging the gap between God and humanity and offering a way to connect with our Creator. As we live in this "already but not yet" period, we are called to embrace the hope and joy of the gospel, living in light of the redemption and salvation that Jesus offers. This dual reflection encourages us to live with a sense of purpose and readiness, aligning our lives with the values of the kingdom of God. [34:45]

Isaiah 9:6-7 (ESV): "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this."

Reflection: How can you intentionally create space in your daily routine to reflect on both the past and future comings of Christ during this Advent season?

Day 2: Embracing the Transformative Peace of Christ

The peace that Jesus brought with His first coming is not merely the absence of conflict but a profound restoration of our relationship with God. This peace surpasses all understanding, guarding our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. It is transformative, changing every part of who we are and enabling us to live in harmony with God and others. As we embrace this peace, we are invited to experience a deep sense of wholeness and well-being that flows from our restored relationship with God. This peace empowers us to navigate life's challenges with a sense of calm and assurance, knowing that we are held in the loving embrace of our Savior. [47:10]

Colossians 3:15 (ESV): "And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful."

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to allow the peace of Christ to rule more fully? How can you cultivate a heart of thankfulness in response to His peace?

Day 3: The Call to Reflect Christ's Peace

As followers of Christ, we are called to be peacemakers, reflecting the peace we have received to the world around us. This involves striving for peace in our relationships, whether with family, friends, or colleagues. Being a peacemaker is part of being ready for Jesus' return, as it reflects the values of the kingdom of God. It requires us to lead with gentleness and love, seeking to resolve conflicts and promote understanding. By embodying the peace of Christ, we become agents of reconciliation, bringing healing and restoration to broken relationships and communities. [49:33]

James 3:18 (ESV): "And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace."

Reflection: Who in your life is God calling you to make peace with today? What steps can you take to initiate reconciliation and reflect Christ's peace in that relationship?

Day 4: Living in Light of the Gospel

In anticipation of Jesus' return, we are called to live in light of the gospel, embracing the redemption and salvation He offers. This involves being ready for His return by living as peacemakers and reflecting His light to the world. Our lives should be marked by the hope, joy, and love that flow from our relationship with Christ. As we align our lives with the values of the kingdom of God, we become a living testimony of His grace and truth. This readiness is not about fear or anxiety but about living with a sense of purpose and intentionality, knowing that our ultimate hope is in Christ. [51:12]

1 Thessalonians 5:5-6 (ESV): "For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness. So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober."

Reflection: What specific actions can you take this week to live more fully in the light of the gospel? How can you be a beacon of hope and love to those around you?

Day 5: Striving for Peace with God and Others

To be ready for Jesus' return, we must first seek peace with God, which is available through Christ. This peace then enables us to strive for peace with others, even in challenging relationships. Being a peacemaker is part of being ready for Jesus' second coming, as it reflects the heart of God and His desire for reconciliation. As we pursue peace, we are called to extend grace and forgiveness, recognizing that we have been forgiven much. This pursuit of peace is not always easy, but it is a vital aspect of our spiritual journey and our witness to the world. [53:01]

Hebrews 12:14 (ESV): "Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord."

Reflection: Is there a relationship in your life where you need to seek peace and reconciliation? What practical steps can you take to pursue peace in that relationship today?

Sermon Summary

In this time of Advent, we are reminded of the profound significance of Jesus' first coming and the anticipation of His second coming. Advent, meaning "coming," is a season where we look back with joy at the birth of Jesus, God incarnate, who came to dwell among us as Emmanuel. This season is also a time to look forward with hope and anticipation for His return. The first coming of Christ bridged the chasm between God and humanity, offering us a way to connect with our Creator. As we live in this "already but not yet" period, we are called to reflect on how we can live in light of the gospel while awaiting Jesus' return.

The essence of Advent is captured in the themes of hope, peace, joy, love, and the presence of Christ. Today, we focus on peace, a central gift that Jesus brought with His first coming. The peace Jesus offers is not just the absence of conflict but a profound restoration of our relationship with God. It is a peace that surpasses all understanding, guarding our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. This peace is transformative, changing every part of who we are and enabling us to live in harmony with God and others.

As followers of Christ, we are called to be peacemakers, reflecting the peace we have received to the world around us. This involves striving for peace in our relationships, whether with family, friends, or colleagues. Being a peacemaker is part of being ready for Jesus' return. It is about living in a way that reflects the values of the kingdom of God, leading with gentleness and love.

In this Advent season, let us examine our hearts and ask ourselves if we are truly peacemakers. Are we striving for peace with God and those around us? Let us embrace the peace that Jesus offers and work towards being people of peace, ready for His second coming.

Key Takeaways

1. Advent as a Season of Anticipation: Advent is a time to reflect on Jesus' first coming and anticipate His return. It reminds us of the bridge Jesus created between God and humanity, offering us a way to connect with our Creator. This season calls us to live in the tension of the "already but not yet," embracing the hope and joy of the gospel. [34:45]
2. The Gift of Peace: Jesus' first coming brought a profound peace that restores our relationship with God. This peace surpasses all understanding and transforms every part of our being. It is a peace that guards our hearts and minds, enabling us to live in harmony with God and others. [47:10]
3. The Call to Be Peacemakers: As followers of Christ, we are called to reflect the peace we have received to the world around us. Being a peacemaker involves striving for peace in our relationships and living in a way that reflects the values of the kingdom of God. [49:33]
4. Living in Light of the Gospel: In anticipation of Jesus' return, we are called to live in light of the gospel, embracing the redemption and salvation He offers. This involves being ready for His return by living as peacemakers and reflecting His light to the world. [51:12]
5. Striving for Peace with God and Others: To be ready for Jesus' return, we must first seek peace with God, which is available through Christ. This peace then enables us to strive for peace with others, even in challenging relationships. Being a peacemaker is part of being ready for Jesus' second coming. [53:01]
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Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[16:23] - Worship Through Giving
[19:40] - Communion Invitation
[21:53] - Thanksgiving and Sacrament
[23:35] - Open Communion
[26:24] - Communion Elements
[29:48] - Announcements
[32:08] - Prayer First Posture
[34:45] - Advent: A Season of Anticipation
[36:03] - The Bridge of Christ
[37:14] - The King Has Come Series
[38:32] - Living in Light of the Gospel
[40:22] - Be Ready for His Return
[42:26] - The Story of Jesus' First Coming
[44:12] - What Does Being Ready Look Like?
[45:24] - The Significance of Advent Candles
[46:18] - The Gift of Peace
[47:10] - Peace Beyond Understanding
[48:35] - Called to Be Peacemakers
[49:33] - Living as Peacemakers
[51:12] - Reflecting Peace to the World
[53:01] - Striving for Peace with God and Others
[54:50] - Experiencing God's Peace
[56:53] - Challenges in Being a Peacemaker
[58:42] - The Call to Reflect Jesus' Peace

Sermon Clips

The first coming of Christ was like a bridge which crossed the chasm and made a way of access from God to man and then from man to God. [00:35:39] (11 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

We live in this period that we like to call already but not yet, and we talk about this in Advent a lot, that the gospel has happened and that we know the end of the story, and yet we still live and we realize that not everything's perfect. [00:36:23] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

The peace he offers, it restores our relationship with our creator, our father in heaven. Like the Spurgeon question, quote at the beginning, there's a bridge that's been opened between the chasm of heaven and earth. [00:47:10] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

There's no longer a great divide between humanity and the God who made us. Through Christ, we can be made right with God, able to enjoy a relationship and experience God's grace to a depth that can change everything, everything. [00:47:55] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. Now, I know these two scriptures, we've read them a lot over the last couple of years. But the beautiful thing about the Bible is that it's meant to be read over and over again because we forget things and we need reminding. [00:49:02] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

Like if we are ready for Jesus' second coming, we ought to be peacemakers. Peacemakers. We ought to be living in a way that's seeking to have peace with everyone around us. [00:49:33] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

We ought to be the most peaceful people that walk this earth because we have peace that's overwhelming in Christ with our restored relationship with God. And out of that should overflow the desire to be at peace with everyone around us. [00:50:20] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

So we are ready, at least in part, for Jesus to come again when we are experiencing God's overwhelming peace through Christ and reflecting that peace to the world around us. [00:51:12] (13 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

Now, I think we need to be careful about this order because if we don't have peace with God, it's gonna be hard for us to have peace with others. So we need to start with peace with God. [00:53:01] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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