Finding Peace and Purpose in Christ This Advent

 

Summary

The sermon focuses on the theme of peace during the Advent season, with an emphasis on the concept of redirection. The speaker draws attention to the way God can refocus our lives, steering us away from self-centeredness and towards the comforting embrace of Christ. The busyness and distractions that often accompany the Christmas season are acknowledged, and the congregation is encouraged to decelerate and allocate time for God. An anecdote about Talent Plus, an organization that identifies unique traits in individuals, is shared to illustrate how hockey players with exceptional skills perceive the puck in slow motion. This is paralleled with the idea that God can similarly slow things down to see the intricacies of our lives during the holiday season. The speaker concludes this part by likening God's redirection in our lives to a hockey forward redirecting a slap shot.

The sermon then uses a hockey game between the Red Wings and the Montreal Canadiens as an analogy to underscore the importance of having a goal in life, which should be centered on Christ. The discussion transitions to John the Baptist and his mission to redirect people towards repentance and the forgiveness of sins. The significance of baptism is underscored, and the transformative power of Jesus bringing the Holy Spirit to believers is highlighted. Passages from Isaiah are quoted to emphasize the glory of the Lord during Advent and the anticipation of Jesus' second coming. The sermon wraps up with references to a child's bulletin that contains verses from Psalm 118 and Acts, underlining God's dominion over sin and death.

In the final portion of the sermon, the speaker stresses the comforting presence of Christ, encouraging the congregation to seek solace and peace in His arms. The assurance is given that Christ's peace will instill joy in their hearts. The sermon likely concludes with a musical interlude, reinforcing the message of comfort and tranquility and underscoring the power of Christ's presence to bring comfort and joy to those who pursue Him.

Key Takeaways:

- The Advent season is a time for individuals to experience a divine redirection, moving away from self-centeredness and towards a life centered on Christ's comforting presence. This redirection is akin to a hockey player's focus during a game, where the chaos is slowed down to see the path clearly, suggesting that God provides clarity amidst the holiday rush. [01:02] [02:28] [03:44]

- Celebrating and having a clear goal in life is crucial, with the ultimate goal being a relationship with Christ. Just as John the Baptist prepared the way for Jesus by calling people to repentance, individuals are called to prepare their hearts during Advent, anticipating the glory of the Lord's second coming. [05:12] [08:19] [11:02]

- Baptism is highlighted as a significant step in the Christian faith, symbolizing repentance and the forgiveness of sins. The act of baptism is connected to the coming of the Holy Spirit, which was brought to believers through Jesus, marking a transformative moment in the life of a Christian. [08:19]

- The sermon draws from scripture, specifically Isaiah, to remind the congregation of the majesty and glory of God that is to be beheld during Advent. This anticipation of experiencing God's glory is not only a reflection on the birth of Christ but also on the hope of His return. [11:02]

- The presence of Christ is a source of comfort and joy, and believers are encouraged to find peace in His embrace. The sermon suggests that this peace is not just a temporary reprieve but a profound joy that permeates the heart of the believer, which can be reflected and celebrated through music and worship. [0:00]

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Isaiah 40:3-5 (ESV)
> A voice cries: “In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain. And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”

2. 2 Peter 3:8 (ESV)
> But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.

3. Psalm 118:14 (ESV)
> The Lord is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation.

#### Observation Questions
1. What does Isaiah 40:3-5 say about preparing the way for the Lord? How does this relate to John the Baptist's mission? [04:45]
2. According to 2 Peter 3:8, how does God perceive time differently than humans? How was this concept illustrated in the sermon? [02:05]
3. In Psalm 118:14, what roles does the Lord play in the life of the believer? How was this verse used in the sermon to emphasize God's dominion over sin and death? [10:18]
4. How did the speaker use the analogy of a hockey game to explain the concept of redirection in our lives? [03:34]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of redirection in Isaiah 40:3-5 apply to our lives during the Advent season? What does it mean to prepare the way for the Lord in a modern context? [04:45]
2. Reflecting on 2 Peter 3:8, how can understanding God's perception of time help us find peace during busy seasons like Christmas? [02:05]
3. What does Psalm 118:14 teach us about finding strength and salvation in the Lord? How can this understanding transform our approach to challenges and distractions during the holiday season? [10:18]
4. How does the analogy of a hockey player seeing the puck in slow motion help us understand God's ability to see the intricacies of our lives? How can this perspective change the way we approach our daily activities? [02:05]

#### Application Questions
1. During the Advent season, what specific steps can you take to redirect your focus from self-centeredness to Christ-centeredness? How can you make time for God amidst the holiday rush? [00:58]
2. How can you prepare your heart for the coming of Christ, both in celebrating His birth and anticipating His second coming? What practical actions can you take to align your life with this goal? [04:45]
3. Baptism symbolizes repentance and the forgiveness of sins. Reflect on your own baptism or the concept of baptism. How does this sacrament influence your daily walk with Christ? [04:45]
4. The sermon emphasized the comforting presence of Christ. In what ways can you seek and experience Christ's peace and joy in your life right now? How can you share this peace with others? [10:18]
5. Think about a time when you felt overwhelmed by the busyness of life. How can you apply the concept of God slowing things down to see the intricacies of your life? What changes can you make to better perceive God's guidance? [02:05]
6. The speaker used the analogy of a hockey forward redirecting a slap shot to explain God's redirection in our lives. Can you identify a moment in your life where you felt God redirecting you? How did it change your path? [03:34]
7. Music and worship were mentioned as ways to celebrate and find joy in Christ's presence. How can you incorporate more worship into your daily routine to reinforce the message of comfort and tranquility? [10:18]

Devotional

Day 1: Clarity Amidst the Holiday Rush
In the season of Advent, individuals are called to slow down and refocus their lives, moving away from self-centered pursuits and towards the peace found in Christ. Just as a skilled hockey player sees the game in slow motion, God grants the clarity to navigate the busyness of the holidays, allowing one to see His hand at work. This divine redirection is an opportunity to embrace the true spirit of Christmas, prioritizing a relationship with Jesus over the season's distractions. [01:02] [02:28] [03:44]

Psalm 46:10 - "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."
Reflection: How can you create moments of stillness this Advent to refocus on God's presence in your life?

Day 2: Goal-Oriented Living in Faith
Life's ultimate goal should mirror that of a hockey player in a game: to score, which in spiritual terms, translates to cultivating a deep relationship with Christ. Advent is a time to prepare one's heart, much like John the Baptist prepared the way for Jesus, calling for repentance and readiness for the Lord's coming. This season is an invitation to set clear, Christ-centered goals and to live with purposeful direction. [05:12] [08:19] [11:02]

Hebrews 12:1-2 - "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith."
Reflection: What are some specific goals you can set this Advent to deepen your relationship with Jesus?

Day 3: The Transformative Power of Baptism
Baptism is a profound expression of faith, symbolizing repentance and the forgiveness of sins. It marks the beginning of a transformative journey, as the Holy Spirit enters the believer's life. This Advent, the act of baptism serves as a reminder of the new life that Jesus offers, inviting believers to experience the Holy Spirit's renewing power. [08:19]

Romans 6:4 - "We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life."
Reflection: How does your baptism shape your daily walk with Christ, and how can you live out its transformative power?

Day 4: Anticipating God's Majesty
During Advent, believers anticipate the majesty and glory of God, not only reflecting on Christ's birth but also on the hope of His return. Scripture, particularly from Isaiah, paints a vivid picture of this glory, encouraging a posture of awe and expectation. This season is a time to marvel at God's greatness and to prepare for the joyous celebration of Jesus' coming. [11:02]

Isaiah 40:5 - "And the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all people will see it together. For the mouth of the Lord has spoken."
Reflection: In what ways can you cultivate a sense of awe and expectation for the Lord's majesty this Advent?

Day 5: Embracing Christ's Comforting Peace
The presence of Christ offers a peace that transcends understanding, filling believers' hearts with joy. This Advent, the invitation is to seek solace in His arms, allowing His peace to comfort and rejuvenate the spirit. The assurance of Christ's dominion over sin and death is a source of profound joy, celebrated through music and worship. [0:00]

Philippians 4:7 - "And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
Reflection: How can you actively seek Christ's peace in your daily life, and what changes might you need to make to allow His joy to fill your heart?

Quotes

"Redirection is where God takes our lives and sort of refocuses us, and that's really the point of the sermon, to put us on a little bit of a different path this Advent season." [01:02] (Download)

"And God really redirects us from self and a focus really on the shame, the guilt, the suffering that we really all can feel in our lives from the result of sin in this world and redirects us to the comforting arms of Christ and to the great glory of our Savior." [01:02] (Download)

"Well, if a day is like a thousand years, God can slow things down. He can see the intricacies of what's happening in our lives when we're all so busy during this holiday season, and he can see what's happening in slow motion." [03:44] (Download)

"And that's what you want to feel, isn't it? I mean, when we look forward to the birth of Christ, when we look forward to a second coming, we want to have a goal in our heads, because that's what God is focusing our energy for. That's why he's redirecting us today." [05:12] (Download)

"The beautiful scripture that Isaiah says, I want to re-read to you some of the passages... And that's the metaphor that Isaiah's giving us, that what we are going to behold, what we behold in this Advent season, what we're going to behold at the second coming of our Lord, the second Advent, is the glory." [08:19] (Download)

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