Preparing Our Hearts for the Arrival of Christ

 

Summary

Summary:

Today, we embark on a new series titled "The Arrival," focusing on the anticipation and preparation for the coming of King Jesus. As we approach Christmas, we are reminded of the Advent season, a time to prepare our hearts and lives for the arrival of Christ. Imagine receiving a message that Jesus is coming to your home this Christmas. How would you prepare? This thought experiment encourages us to reflect on our spiritual readiness and the changes we might need to make in our lives to welcome Him.

Advent is about making room for Jesus, both physically and spiritually. It involves showing up, opening up, and surrendering our plans to God. Mary, the mother of Jesus, exemplifies this surrender. Despite the unexpected and challenging circumstances she faced, she offered her plans to God and trusted in His promise. Her story teaches us the importance of offering our difficulties to God, pondering them in our hearts, and trusting in His timing and provision.

As we prepare for Christmas, let us focus on creating space for God in our lives. This involves surrendering our plans and difficulties, trusting in His guidance, and allowing the Holy Spirit to work within us. By doing so, we can experience the joy, peace, and hope that come from a life surrendered to God. Let us embrace this Advent season with open hands and open hearts, making room for His presence in our lives.

Key Takeaways:

1. Prepare for Jesus' Arrival: Advent is a time to prepare our hearts and lives for the coming of Jesus. Just as we would prepare our homes for a special guest, we should also prepare spiritually by reflecting on our readiness to welcome Christ into our lives. This preparation involves making room for Him and being intentional about our spiritual growth. [37:54]

2. Surrender Your Plans: Like Mary, we are called to offer our plans to God, trusting that His plans are greater than our own. Surrendering our plans may go against our natural instincts, but it leads to a life filled with joy, peace, and hope. By trusting in God's plan, we allow Him to work in our lives in ways we could never imagine. [49:56]

3. Offer Your Difficulties to God: Mary faced many challenges, yet she pondered them in her heart and trusted God. We are encouraged to bring our difficulties to God, trusting that He will guide us through them. By letting go of our burdens and trusting in His provision, we can experience peace and clarity in our lives. [55:33]

4. Trust in God's Timing: God's timing is always perfect and personal. He walks with us through our challenges and teaches us what we need to learn. By surrendering our plans and trusting in His timing, we can experience the fullness of His blessings in our lives. [52:53]

5. Live a Life of Surrender: A life of surrender involves open hands and open hearts, making room for Christ in every aspect of our lives. By trusting in God and allowing the Holy Spirit to guide us, we can live a life that reflects His love and grace. This surrender leads to a life of peace, joy, and fulfillment. [01:05:25]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [22:47] - Communion Invitation
- [34:06] - Introduction to "The Arrival" Series
- [35:45] - Preparing for Jesus' Arrival
- [36:59] - Advent: Making Room for Jesus
- [37:54] - Spiritual Preparation for Christmas
- [40:45] - Open Hands, Open Heart
- [41:49] - Making Room in Our Lives
- [44:07] - Questions from the Christmas Story
- [45:08] - Mary's Master Class
- [47:03] - Surrendering Plans to God
- [48:53] - Trusting in God's Plan
- [51:07] - The Joy of Surrender
- [52:53] - God's Perfect Timing
- [55:33] - Offering Difficulties to God
- [57:01] - Living a Life of Surrender

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: "The Arrival"

Bible Reading:
1. Luke 1:27-38
2. Romans 15:13
3. 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12

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Observation Questions:

1. What message did the angel deliver to Mary, and how did she initially react? ([47:03])
2. How does the sermon describe the concept of Advent, and what are the key actions associated with it? ([37:54])
3. What are some of the challenges Mary faced, and how did she respond to them according to the sermon? ([55:33])
4. What does Romans 15:13 promise to those who trust in God, and how is this related to the sermon’s message on surrender? ([51:07])

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does Mary's response to the angel's message demonstrate a life of surrender, and what can we learn from her example? ([49:56])
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that preparing for Jesus' arrival is similar to preparing for a special guest in our homes? ([35:45])
3. How does the sermon explain the importance of offering our difficulties to God, and what might this look like in practical terms? ([55:33])
4. What does it mean to trust in God's timing, and how can this trust impact our daily lives according to the sermon? ([52:53])

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your current spiritual readiness. What specific steps can you take this Advent season to prepare your heart for Jesus' arrival? ([37:54])
2. Consider a plan or goal you have been holding onto tightly. How can you practice surrendering this to God, trusting that His plans are greater? ([49:56])
3. Identify a difficulty or challenge you are currently facing. How can you offer this to God and trust in His provision and guidance? ([55:33])
4. Think about a time when you experienced God's perfect timing in your life. How can this memory encourage you to trust Him with your current circumstances? ([52:53])
5. What practical changes can you make in your daily routine to create more space for God, both physically and spiritually? ([41:49])
6. How can you incorporate the practice of pondering and meditating on God's promises into your life, especially during challenging times? ([54:51])
7. Reflect on the idea of living a life of surrender with open hands and open hearts. What specific area of your life do you need to surrender to experience more peace and joy? ([01:05:25])

Devotional

Day 1: Preparing Our Hearts for Jesus' Arrival
As we enter the Advent season, we are called to prepare our hearts and lives for the coming of Jesus. This preparation is not just about external decorations or traditions but involves a deep, intentional reflection on our spiritual readiness. Just as we would clean and organize our homes for a special guest, we must also make room in our hearts for Christ. This means examining our lives, identifying areas that need growth, and being open to the transformative work of the Holy Spirit. By doing so, we can truly welcome Jesus into our lives with joy and anticipation. [37:54]

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.'"

Reflection: What specific steps can you take today to prepare your heart for Jesus' arrival this Advent season? Consider one area of your life that needs spiritual growth and how you can address it.


Day 2: Surrendering Our Plans to God
The story of Mary, the mother of Jesus, teaches us the profound act of surrendering our plans to God. Despite the unexpected and challenging circumstances she faced, Mary offered her plans to God and trusted in His promise. This act of surrender is not easy, as it often goes against our natural instincts to control and plan our lives. However, by trusting in God's greater plan, we open ourselves to a life filled with joy, peace, and hope. Surrendering our plans allows God to work in our lives in ways we could never imagine, leading us to a deeper relationship with Him. [49:56]

Proverbs 19:21 (ESV): "Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand."

Reflection: What is one plan or goal you have been holding onto tightly? How can you begin to surrender it to God today, trusting in His greater purpose for your life?


Day 3: Offering Our Difficulties to God
Mary faced many challenges, yet she pondered them in her heart and trusted God. We are encouraged to bring our difficulties to God, trusting that He will guide us through them. By letting go of our burdens and trusting in His provision, we can experience peace and clarity in our lives. This act of offering our difficulties to God is a powerful reminder that we are not alone in our struggles. God walks with us, providing strength and guidance as we navigate life's challenges. By trusting in His provision, we can find peace and hope even in the midst of difficulties. [55:33]

Psalm 55:22 (ESV): "Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved."

Reflection: What is one difficulty or burden you are currently facing? How can you offer it to God today, trusting in His guidance and provision?


Day 4: Trusting in God's Timing
God's timing is always perfect and personal. He walks with us through our challenges and teaches us what we need to learn. By surrendering our plans and trusting in His timing, we can experience the fullness of His blessings in our lives. Trusting in God's timing requires patience and faith, as it often means waiting for His perfect plan to unfold. However, by trusting in His timing, we can rest assured that He is working all things together for our good. This trust allows us to experience the peace and joy that come from knowing that God is in control. [52:53]

Ecclesiastes 3:11 (ESV): "He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man's heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end."

Reflection: Is there an area of your life where you are struggling to trust in God's timing? How can you practice patience and faith as you wait for His perfect plan to unfold?


Day 5: Living a Life of Surrender
A life of surrender involves open hands and open hearts, making room for Christ in every aspect of our lives. By trusting in God and allowing the Holy Spirit to guide us, we can live a life that reflects His love and grace. This surrender leads to a life of peace, joy, and fulfillment. Living a life of surrender means letting go of our desires and plans, and instead, seeking God's will in all things. It is a daily commitment to trust in His guidance and to allow His love to transform us from the inside out. [01:05:25]

Galatians 2:20 (ESV): "I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."

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?

Quotes



So we're starting this brand new series here today and it's called Arrival, The Arrival. And the premise behind this is the King is coming and we need to prepare a few things in our lives. And it's King Jesus, our King, my King, the one we sang about, the one I serve. And today I kinda need your help. Could I use your help here today? I want you to imagine something that you get a haptic vibration on your smartwatch or your cell phone and you get this text message from God. And this text message says, Jesus is coming to your house this Christmas. [00:34:37] (42 seconds)


But it's gotta be something like this, right? Maybe we could introduce him to some Italian food because he's Jewish. He's probably doing lamb kabobs, lamb chops. But maybe we'll do this. The glorios, we go to the hill. Maybe we can grab some stuff, get some things. I don't know, maybe we could go to the corkscrew. Maybe I could get him a bottle of Sicilian red wine or maybe we don't need to. These are our friends who own the corkscrew in the front row. Because why? He could turn water right into wine. So maybe we don't need to touch that. [00:36:09] (35 seconds)


You're going to make a list. You're going to check it twice. You're going to go around that house and you're going to go, oh my, Jesus is showing up. And what I'm describing to you in this funny illustration with a bit of play on words is this is Advent. This is Advent. This is the stuff we're talking about. And here's the definition of Advent. It's preparing our lives to welcome King Jesus. That's all it is. And if you're a Christian and the Christian calendar of things, Advent starts December 1st for all of us. [00:37:56] (31 seconds)


And our goal is to, as a church and what we've kind of been talking about, we've kind of been talking about, we've kind of been talking about, we've kind of been talking about from the last series to this series is our challenge was very simple to you. And we've had two things going on this whole time. It was show up and open up. That was the easiest thing we've had. Show up, come to church, try two weeks in a row, try three weeks in a row, not putting anybody down. But this stuff really does make a difference, doesn't it? [00:39:02] (25 seconds)


The life of Mary teaches us so much, but I want to focus on this how factor. So get away from, yeah, she had the baby. Yeah, there was some things going on, but I want you to look at how she did this and then how she did this as a teenager. So a little background on Mary. Let's take a Mary's master class. Let's do a one -on -one. So who is she? She's a teenager. She's engaged and betrothed to this guy, Joseph. [00:45:08] (27 seconds)


Mary was greatly troubled at his words. We all would be as well. And we wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, what? 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. That's great. The angel took all the heavy lifting of naming the child. Verse 34, watch this. How will this be? Great question, Mary. [00:47:03] (35 seconds)


Offering God your plan, and this is going to go against every emotion, every idea, everything that is normal to your human life. Offering God 100 % of your plans is the best life you can live. Boy, that's a good one. Even a better place for an amen here at church today. I don't know if you know about this. The secret sauce to all of it is going God here. It's not my plan. It's not my will. It's not what PJ wants. It's what you want. [00:50:25] (31 seconds)


What's the problematic thing you have in your life? What difficult people are you facing or going to face at the Christmas table? What's the challenge? What's the trial? What's the challenge? What's the challenge? What's the challenge? What's the challenge? What's the challenge? Tell God, offer it. Mary's this teenager. She's going through it. She says, I didn't ask for this. She looks up. She says, you know what? This is a lot going on. This is unusual. None of my friends are dealing with this. [00:54:01] (29 seconds)


Mary's character exceeds our emotion and she offers it up. And I wonder if we headed into Christmas this way. Preparing room, thinking, pondering, offering, not paying attention to people, not paying attention to words, not paying attention to God. I'm going to pray. I'm going to pray. I'm going to pray. I'm going to pray. I'm going to pray. Here's everything I have. Here's everything I have. How different would Christmas be this year? [00:57:01] (24 seconds)


I love the ending of this story. If you're asking how, believe the Holy Spirit is with you on this journey. Do not go by feelings. Do not go by just a Sunday sermon. But watch how she concludes all this stuff. Are you ready? She says to the angel at the end, okay, let it be to me according to your word, not my will, but your will be done. And here's what is so amazing to me. [01:03:41] (27 seconds)


live this life of surrender. It's simple to say, but the reality is if you give God everything you're trying to control, your life gets infinitely better. Proverbs 16 .3 says this, before you do anything, put your trust totally in God and not in yourself. And then every plan you make will what? Succeed. If you want to live this supernatural life that Mary lived and you want God's kingdom to run through your life, it's this simple thing. [01:05:25] (30 seconds)


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