God with Us
Luke 1:26-38 Magnificat 46 “My soul glorifies the Lord 47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 48 for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, 49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me-- holy is his name. 50 His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. 51 He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. 52 He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. 53 He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. 54 He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful 55 to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as he promised our ancestors.” (Luke 1:46-55) That is how Mary responded a few days after she learned she would miraculously become pregnant and give birth to the Savior of the world. Troubled But her impulse was to be troubled and perplexed by her encounter with an angel. In Luke 1:28 we read, The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” How would you respond to an angelic visitation? Terrified? Bewildered? Break into a cold sweat? Faint? I think Mary being “troubled about the angel’s words and wondering about this divine greeting” is pretty rational and normal. The angel clearly recognized this and quickly added, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. Mary Would… The angel then proceeded to tell her the following…
Oh, and this will all happen by a supernatural work of the Holy Spirit. And this baby you will carry for nine months and give birth to… he will be the Son of God. Mary’s Immediate Reply Well, we heard Mary’s response after a few days of reflection. But what was her immediate reply to this startling announcement? She said, I am the Lord’s servant,” “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Humility. Submission. Faith. Obedience. Out of the millennia of human history and all the billions of people who have ever lived, God chose this young girl to be the mother of our Lord Jesus Christ. And even at her young age and compromised situation (she was an unmarried virgin after all), she was able to say, I am the Lord’s servant,” “May your word to me be fulfilled.” How About You? Would you be able to answer in the same way? If an angel appeared to you and said you would be part of something that was, humanly speaking, impossible – and would likely cost you your reputation and possibly your life – would you be able to say, I am the Lord’s servant,” “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Yet the truth is, Mary’s experience is not hers alone. One author put it this way, For although her role is in one way unique, in that she alone physically nurtures and brings into the world the body and person of Jesus Christ, in another way Mary is the archetype of every Christian soul, and the whole church. (Malcolm Guite) God desires each of us to answer his call in our lives with Mary’s words, I am the Lord’s servant,” “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Now, we will not be called to bear the Lord Jesus, but each of us is called to “treasure his words and the gift of his Spirit in our hearts and… in our daily lives.” (Malcolm Guite) In this way Mary is our example and encouragement, especially during this Advent season, when we prepare for the arrival of our Savior. The Secret The secret to Mary’s success as well as ours, can be found in the words of the angel, for they are just as true for us as they were for Mary. “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” (v. 28) Think about that… “The Lord is with you.” Do you believe that? In the deepest places in your heart, mind, and soul, do you really believe that? What difference would it make in your life if you really, truly believed that God was with you? That, like Mary, you were highly favored? The Difference I reflected on that question and brainstormed a few answers that blessed me. Knowing God is with me gives me…
What would you add to that list? Each of those words and ideas could be sermon unto itself, couldn’t it? What would you add? When I visit a hospital or hospice room, one of the things I always pray for is for God to be present in that person’s life at that moment. In truth, I am really reminding them that God is already present – fully present – right there, right then, and he has promised to never leave them nor forsake them. But that is not a comforting word for hospital and hospice rooms only. That is a truth which should impact every single day of each of our lives. The angel tells Mary she is highly “favored.” The Greek word for “favored” is “charis,” from which we get our word “grace.” Mary was an ordinary girl, whom God favored in a unique and spectacular way. God Is with You Too Yet that same favor – that same grace – is offered to each of us. It is available for the taking. Beloved, the good news is that God would not have you walk through the journey of this life alone. God is with you. During the most turbulent times of your life, God is with you. During the most mundane and boring times in your life, God is with you. When you feel you are at your lowest, God is with you. When you feel most in despair, God is with you. When you are sick and struggling physically, God is with you. When you have lost a loved one and do not know how to face the future, God is with you. When you are confused and do not know which way to turn, God is with you. You too are highly favored by God. In Matthew 1:23 we read these words, “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”). Jesus is the fulfillment of God’s many promises made hundreds of years before his arrival. God is the God who makes and keeps all his promises. And one of those promises is Jesus – Immanuel – God with us. John Wesley The founder of the Methodist Church, John Wesley, was on his deathbed being comforted by those who knew and loved him. And before he died, he “gathered his strength” one last time and “cried out, ‘The best of all, God is with us!’” He died soon after. (Kenneth Collins) None of us need to wait until our deathbeds to be comforted or strengthened by the truth that God is with us. It can and should be a living reality for each us. Yet for that good news to impact our lives we must believe it is true. We must place our trust in God and the good news of his Son. We must give our very lives to God and this precious gospel-truth. A Year with Jesus This coming new year, which cannot get here fast enough, I am going to provide a weekly biblical title or description of Jesus, accompanied by some Scripture and a question or two for reflection. It is not homework. Instead, think of it as an opportunity for you to spend time with the God who is with you and to learn more about the Savior he sent into to the world for you. The reality is, through God’s Holy Spirit, our Lord Jesus Christ is with us each and every day. And I think spending a year reflecting on the many facets of the person and work of Jesus will do us all much and lasting good. Joy of Every Longing Heart Charles Wesley wrote these beautiful words, Come, thou long-expected Jesus, born to set thy people free; From our fears and sins release us, let us find our rest in thee. Israel’s strength and consolation, hope of all the earth thou art; Dear desire of every nation, joy of every longing heart. “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” (v. 28) Thanks be to God. Walking Points
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Mark 1:1-8
Four Hundred Years Four hundred long years had passed since Israel last heard from a prophet – from God himself. Four hundred years of silence. But now, there was one who spoke from the wilderness. His purpose? To declare the arrival of God’s promised one, the Messiah – the one who would rescue God’s people. How warmly welcomed that good news must have been, especially since Israel was under Roman rule. To finally be delivered from that oppression must have been the best news. The prophet John’s calling was to prepare the way for this mighty Deliverer by announcing his arrival. It was Jesus himself, just a few verses later (Mark 1:15), who would declare that his new Kingdom was now at hand. But how would a person become a citizen of this Kingdom? By repenting and believing God’s good news. God’s gracious and providential hope was still available after such a long time had passed. God never forgot his promises. And Yet And yet the good news of God’s Kingdom was not welcomed as good news. God’s Deliverer was not embraced as such. We know from the life, ministry, and teaching of Jesus, that he and the Kingdom he ushered in were not what the people of his day had in mind. Jesus didn’t fit the expectations many had for the Messiah. He didn’t seem to say and do what the people had hoped he would say and do. Still, he was God’s providential hope for his people. Their only hope. Israel needed to be rescued from something far greater than Rome. The Son of God, Jesus Christ, was willing and able to save his people once-and-for-all. But not many of his people were willing to be saved on his terms. Their hopes and dreams took the shape of temporal desire – to understandably be out from under the thumb of Roman rule. They allowed the good to become the enemy of the best. What are your expectations of Jesus? Are your hopes temporal only? Or, are your hopes filtered through an eternal perspective? In-Between Living Advent is the liturgical time of year in which we more fully and formally remember that we live between the two appearances of our Lord, Jesus Christ. His first arrival, which we celebrate during the season of Advent and Christmas, ushered in God’s Kingdom – his rule and reign in our lives. Our focus during this time of year helps us better reflect upon who Jesus is and why he came. It also gives us space to think about how we ought to live in light of his appearance. However, just as we are called to live responsively to his first advent, we must also live expectantly toward his second. That is the time, as C.S. Lewis put it, “when the author walks on to the stage [and] the play is over.” Lewis adds, “That will not be the time for choosing: it will be the time when we discover which side we really have chosen, whether we realized it before or not.” Are you prepared for the coming of Jesus? How can you better prepare for that Day? Looking at and learning from his first advent informs how we are called and commanded to live in preparation for his second one. More than that, it is only as we repent of our sin and believe his gospel – the good news of his Kingdom – that we can enter the fullness of life he offers. This Sunday is the first Sunday of Advent. Make sure to worship with us in person or online. Pastor Phillip will help us better understand our need for a Savior. Questions for Reflection
Advent: Week 3
Coming Home: Guidance is a Season of Fury Read Matthew 2 Pastor Bruce wrote, “Sometimes our nostalgia conjures up vivid scenes of Advent and Christmas that could be lifted off a Hallmark card. “Silent night, holy night, all is calm, all is bright.” Perhaps for some of us, that is a blessing. But for the rest of humanity (and Jesus himself) the Christmas story takes place in a maelstrom of threats and rage. Even before he is born, Herod is out to take his life. After he is born, his family flees to Egypt and they become refugees. When they return, it is too dangerous to live in Judea, so Jesus winds up in Nazareth. Through it all, God’s provident love guides them, one step at a time. Even before they are aware of the threat, steps are bring taken to diffuse the threat of a tyrant. The Christmas story is a story of how God comes home to us when we are on the run, on the street, and out of luck. It’s a peace in the eye of a storm, serenity in a hostile environment, and divine presence mediated through the strangest people. 1. Read Matthew 2:1-12. Describe what’s happening in these verses. 2. Why were the wise men following the star? 3. Why was Herod, and all Jerusalem, troubled at the news of the wise men? 4. What did Herod ask the wise men to do and why? What was his real motive? 5. What did the wise men do when they found Jesus with Mary? Why? 6. Imagine all the wise men went through to find Jesus? What is it about Jesus that made their effort worth it? 7. Share your story of how you found Jesus? Was it easy or difficult? Did you ever consider turning back? Why didn’t you? 8. How would you describe Jesus to a friend who doesn’t know him? Would you paint a picture of someone worthy of worship? Walking Points: Reflection Questions and Next Steps
Coming Home: The Yes of Obedience Luke 1:26-38 Pastor Bruce wrote, “Mary and Joseph are the very first human beings confronted with the reality of Jesus’ advent into our world. Into their world. Two things stand out in each experience. First, obedience is not just keeping the rules or following a code. It is – in essence – an intentional assent to the will of God. Obedience is saying yes to God’s will for e. Secondly obedience is action. It is something that we do; it is not only an interior disposition, but it leads me to specific steps. Note: this doesn’t mean we have all the answers. It doesn’t mean we know how it’s going to play out. May and Joseph were going on scant information that seemed impossible and likely made their heads swirl. Instead of certitude, they were left with trust. And trust makes a place for the Savior.” Below are some “Walking Points,” which are questions for reflection and next steps for you to consider taking during this Advent season and beyond. You can use them for your personal devotional time or with others in a small group. 1. When the angel appeared to Mary to tell her the news that she was chosen of God to be the mother of Jesus, Luke 1:29 says, “…she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be.” · What are two or three ways you discern God’s will for your life? Why are those good ways to discern God’s will? · If you are meeting in a group with others, share with them an experience in your life when you discerned God’s will for your life. Was it hard or easy? How did you go about it? · Eventually you had to step out in trust. Was that a scary time? Why or why not? What did you learn from the experience? 2. Read Luke 1:30-36. Talk about impossible! Now read verse 37. · How does knowing who God is enable you to better trust him during tough times. · What are some ways we can better know God? · List three attributes or characteristics of God that you cling to during tough decisions in your life. Why did you choose those three? 3. Now read Luke 1:38. · Spend some time praying privately, or together in your group, for the Lord to fill you with his Spirit to enable you to discern and respond to God’s call in your life, as Mary did. Walking Points: Reflection Questions and Next Steps
Coming Home: Receiving Jesus John 1:9-13 Our pastor is preaching an Advent series through December entitled, “Coming Home.” He writes, “We often look at this season through the lens of nostalgia. The tug of our memories is almost irresistible. We long to go back “home” to the holidays of our past. "But the message of the Scriptures is not that “we” journey back to some favored place in our memory. Rather, it is the startling news that God is making his home among us. We are left with some questions, “Will we receive him? How do we receive him?” Below are some “Walking Points,” which are questions for reflection and next steps for you to consider taking during this Advent season and beyond. You can use them for your personal devotional time or with others in a small group. John 1:9–13 (ESV) 9 The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. 11 He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. 12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. 1. In verse 9, the Apostle John refers to Jesus as the “true light” (see also John 8:12). · What does John mean by that? · What does light do? · What do you think it means that the “true light gives light to everyone.” · In what ways do we get light from Jesus? · Share some examples of how Jesus lights your life (Ephesians 5:8; 1 John 2:8-10). 2. Not only did Jesus, as the Son of God, come to the world, but he came to world he made (v. 10). · What are two or three things we learn about Jesus from those two truths in verse 10? · To think that the Creator of heaven and earth took human flesh and walked among us is astonishing. What emotions do you experience as you reflect on that? Why? 3. The last part of verse 10 says the world did not know Jesus when he came. Verse 11 goes further by declaring Jesus came to his own people and they did not receive him. · What are some reasons people do not recognize and receive Jesus today? · What are some reasons you have recognized who Jesus is and have received him into your life as Lord and Savior? · How would you share God’s story of good news with a friend who has not yet “received Jesus?” · How would you incorporate your story into that larger story? (If you are doing these questions in a small group, share with the others how you came to know Christ as Lord and Savior.) 4. What does John say it means to “receive” Jesus, according to verse 12? · Does he mean only intellectual ascent? If not, what are the biblical components of faith in Jesus? · What are the benefits of receiving Jesus (v. 12)? 5. Being a child of God, biblically speaking, isn’t something you are simply by being alive. It’s not a condition that is the result of a natural process. Instead, it’s the result of a supernatural work (John 3:1-15; Eph. 2:8-9). · Compare and contrast what it means for a person to have their identity formed and shaped by who world says they are versus who God says they are as his child. · What does it mean for you to know you are a child of God? What difference does that make in how you think, speak, and live your life? · How would you share that with a friend or family member who seems to be seeking their identity in all the wrong places? 6. Write down the name of one person you would like to share your thoughts and experiences with, based on what you discussed in these questions. Begin to pray for that person now and for God to provide you with an opportunity to talk about Christ, and the difference he’s made in your life, with them. |
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