Embracing the Journey: Advent's Call to Worship

Devotional

Day 1: Reflecting on the Threefold Coming of Christ

Advent is a season that invites believers to contemplate the threefold coming of Christ: His incarnation, His anticipated return, and His ongoing presence in our lives through the Holy Spirit. This period is not just about celebrating the birth of Jesus but also about preparing our hearts for His return and recognizing His active presence in our daily lives. As we journey through Advent, we are encouraged to relive the story of Jesus, immersing ourselves in His teachings and allowing them to transform us. This reflection helps us to prepare our hearts for His arrival, fostering a deeper connection with Him. [52:34]

"For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ." (Titus 2:11-13, ESV)

Reflection: How can you make space in your daily routine to reflect on the presence of Christ in your life today, and how does this awareness prepare you for His return?

Day 2: The Magi's Journey of Seeking

The journey of the Magi, as described in Matthew's Gospel, is a profound illustration of seeking Jesus. These wise men, likely astrologers from the East, embarked on a spiritual quest to find and worship the King of the Jews. Despite being outsiders, they recognized the significance of Jesus and brought gifts that symbolized His identity and mission. Their journey was not just a physical one but a spiritual pursuit that challenges us to consider our own journey towards Jesus. It prompts us to ask what we are willing to lay down at His feet, whether material or the treasures of our hearts. [59:27]

"Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, 'Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.'" (Matthew 2:1-2, ESV)

Reflection: What steps can you take this week to actively seek Jesus in your life, and what might you need to lay down at His feet in this pursuit?

Day 3: True Worship Through Surrender

The Magi's act of worship was more than a cultural mandate; it was a deliberate choice to honor Jesus. True worship involves surrendering our treasures, whether they are burdens or joys, at the feet of Christ. This act of surrender is a form of worship that acknowledges Jesus as the King of Kings and invites us into a deeper relationship with Him. As we move through Advent, we are invited to come to Jesus with all that we are, embracing the opportunity to draw near to Him and worship with humility and reverence. [01:16:13]

"Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving, and perform your vows to the Most High, and call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me." (Psalm 50:14-15, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself holding back from surrendering to Jesus? What would surrendering this area to Him actually look like in terms of daily habits?

Day 4: The Invitation to Come

Jesus invites us to come to Him with all that we are. This Advent season is an opportunity to draw near to Christ, laying down our treasures and worshiping Him with humility and reverence. Whether we bring the good, the bad, or the hard, the call is to come. This invitation is a reminder that Jesus meets us right where we are, inviting us into a deeper relationship with Him. Our journey towards Him is marked by His grace and love, and He welcomes us with open arms, regardless of what we bring. [01:18:00]

"Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." (Matthew 11:28-29, ESV)

Reflection: What burdens or joys are you carrying today that you can bring to Jesus, and how can you intentionally lay them at His feet in prayer?

Day 5: Meeting Jesus Where We Are

The story of the Magi reminds us that Jesus meets us right where we are. He invites us into a deeper relationship with Him, regardless of what we bring. Our journey towards Him is marked by His grace and love, and He welcomes us with open arms. This Advent season, we are encouraged to embrace this journey, knowing that Jesus is present with us and desires to meet us in our current circumstances. As we draw near to Him, we are invited to experience His transformative love and grace in our lives. [01:19:38]

"The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all." (Psalm 34:18-19, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you open your heart to experience Jesus' presence in your current circumstances, and how might this awareness transform your relationship with Him?

Sermon Summary

As we gather at the beginning of Advent, we are reminded of the profound journey that leads us to Christmas. This season is not merely about the celebration of Jesus' birth but a time to reflect on the threefold coming of Christ: His incarnation, His return, and His presence in our lives today through the Holy Spirit. Advent invites us to step back into the story of Jesus, to relive His life and teachings, and to prepare our hearts for His arrival.

The narrative of the Magi, as recounted in Matthew's Gospel, serves as a powerful illustration of seeking Jesus. These wise men, likely astrologers from the East, followed a star that led them to the child Jesus. Their journey was not just a physical one but a spiritual quest to find and worship the King of the Jews. Despite being Gentiles, they recognized the significance of Jesus and brought gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh, each symbolizing different aspects of His identity and mission.

The Magi's story challenges us to consider our own journey towards Jesus. It prompts us to ask what we are willing to lay down at His feet. The gifts we bring may not be material but rather the treasures of our hearts—our burdens, our joys, our very lives. In this act of surrender, we find true worship, a deliberate choice to honor and revere the King of Kings.

As we move through Advent, we are invited to come to Jesus with all that we are. Whether we bring the good, the bad, or the hard, the call is to come. This season is an opportunity to draw near to Christ, to lay down our treasures, and to worship Him with humility and reverence. Let us embrace this journey, knowing that Jesus meets us right where we are, inviting us into a deeper relationship with Him.

Key Takeaways

1. The Threefold Coming of Christ: Advent is a time to reflect on the threefold coming of Christ: His birth, His return, and His presence in our lives today. This season invites us to relive the story of Jesus and prepare our hearts for His arrival. [52:34]
2. The Journey of the Magi: The Magi's journey to find Jesus is a powerful illustration of seeking the King of the Jews. Despite being outsiders, they recognized the significance of Jesus and brought gifts that symbolized His identity and mission. [59:27]
3. True Worship and Surrender: The Magi's act of worship was more than a cultural mandate; it was a deliberate choice to honor Jesus. True worship involves surrendering our treasures, whether they are burdens or joys, at the feet of Christ. [76:13]
4. The Invitation to Come: Jesus invites us to come to Him with all that we are. This Advent season is an opportunity to draw near to Christ, laying down our treasures and worshiping Him with humility and reverence. [78:00]
5. Meeting Jesus Where We Are: The story of the Magi reminds us that Jesus meets us right where we are. He invites us into a deeper relationship with Him, regardless of what we bring. Our journey towards Him is marked by His grace and love. [01:19:38]
** [79:38]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[41:38] - Church Announcements
[44:07] - Christmas Kicks Initiative
[52:34] - Understanding Advent
[57:02] - The Story of the Magi
[59:27] - Seeking Jesus
[67:02] - Significance of the Gifts
[73:10] - The Best Christmas Pageant Ever
[76:13] - Jesus' Invitation to Rest
[78:00] - Coming to Jesus
[79:38] - Closing Prayer and Worship
[81:00] - Benediction and Sending Forth

Sermon Clips

"Come to me with the good. Come to me with the good. And come to me with the bad. And come to me with the hard. However you come. Come into this space today. And as we make our way towards Christmas, just come to me." [01:18:00] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you because I am humble and gentle at heart. And you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light." [01:16:13] (14 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"The invitation to simply come to Jesus and to lay down the things that maybe they held tightly. Things like treasure. Things like wealth. Things like honor. Things like worship. Things like reverence. Things like humility." [01:19:38] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"Think about what it means for Jesus to be the true king of the Jews and then come to him by whatever route you can and with the best gifts you can find." [01:13:10] (14 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"Those we least expect to honor Jesus may worship him, and those we least expect to oppose him may seek his death." [01:16:13] (10 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"How what we come with doesn't really matter. The gifts that we could bring are really just objects. Like what you desire is us. Our heart, our mind, our soul, our body. That we might surrender to you." [01:19:38] ( | | )

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