Archive for December, 2009
Advent Week 4
Posted by: | Comments“The Visit of the Magi”
Matthew 2:1-12
After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.”
When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born. “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written:
“But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for out of you will come a ruler
who will be the shepherd of my people Israel.”
Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and make a careful search for the child. As soon as you find Him, report to me so that I too may go and worship Him.”
After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with His mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshipped Him. Then they opened their treasures and presented Him with gifts of gold, and of incense, and of myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.
The fourth candle of Advent symbolizes Love. God’s love is so powerfully illustrated in the gift of His Son Jesus Christ. His love is so vivid in the humility of Christ to leave glory to come in flesh to save the world. His love is so deep in knowing that He came as a baby not to live only, but to die as a sacrifice for our sin. As the Magi are remembered for bringing gifts to Jesus, let us never forget that the real gift of Christmas is the loving gift of Jesus.
Advent Prayer
Heavenly Father,
Forgive us for seeking to remove Your presence and influence from our lives today. We confess our rebellion against Your absolute sovereign lordship, and ask that You would create instead a deep desire for You to rule over us. Enable us to delight in this little child who is now the King of kings, and to show our love for Him through our obedience. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Bible Readings
These daily Bible readings are for you to use at home as you prepare your heart for the coming Messiah. Set aside some of the hectic business of the holiday season, and quietly reflect on the promise of the baby born in Bethlehem.
Monday, December 21, 2009
Luke 1:39-56—Elizabeth and Mary
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Luke 2:1-20—The Birth of Jesus
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Luke 2:21-38—Presentation in the Temple
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Colossians 1:15-23—The Pre-eminent Christ
Friday, December 25, 2009
Revelation 5:1-14—Worthy Is the Lamb
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Revelation 21:1-7—The New Heaven and New Earth
Advent Week 3
Posted by: | Comments“The Shepherds and the Angels”
Luke 2:8-20
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
The third candle of Advent is traditionally Pink or Rose, and symbolizes Joy at the Advent of the Christ. Joy is a non-circumstantial reality in the life of the believer. It is based in our hope in Jesus Christ. That joy is never more real than in our remembrance of Christ’s coming as a baby to “seek and save the lost,” and in the hope of His ever present return to take his people home to glory.
Advent Prayer
Dear Lord Jesus,
There is a lot about Your birth and life we do not understand, but we understand enough to be amazed just as the shepherds were. Forgive us for not marveling more at such a gift; for not pondering this great message in our hearts. Help us to remember You. And help us to notice somebody who needs to be told about Your love today. Give us the courage to spread the Word. For the sake of Christ’s kingdom we pray. Amen.
Bible Readings
These daily Bible readings are for you to use at home as you prepare your heart for the coming Messiah. Set aside some of the hectic business of the holiday season, and quietly reflect on the promise of the baby born in Bethlehem.
Monday, December 14, 2009
Jeremiah 23:5-6—A Righteous Branch
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Micah 5:2—A Ruler over Israel
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Zechariah 9:9-10—Your King is Coming
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Malachi 3:1—The Messenger is Sent
Friday, December 18, 2009
Luke 1:1-25—The Birth of John Foretold
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Luke 1:26-38—The Announcement to Mary
Church Planting Greatness
Posted by: | CommentsI was thinking the other day about what success or greatness looks like. Later, in a conversation with a friend the inevitable query of, “How’s it going?” was asked, and I had to really think. My first and typical response is, “Great!” But, I think it’s only fair to ask, “Why is it great?” Now I must say that of late my evaluation of what’s great and what’s not so great has been in a process of transition. In the past when thinking about church planting success, I might have more quickly run to things like structures, numbers, programs, or accolades. Maybe it’s an age thing, although frankly I think it is a lot more of a heart thing, but those answers just don’t cut it for me anymore. In many ways I almost don’t care about them. Now, before you question whether the “A” is for anarchist rather than Antioch, I am not saying that there is no value in those things. What I am saying is that there are things far richer and beautiful to judge our “great” by.
So, here is why I say that things are “going great” at Antioch Church. God is answering our prayers! He is clearly and unequivocally working in and through us in response to our prayers. It is enough to be great that He is working at all, but that He is blessing us to let us be a part, through our asking, is just plain mind-blowing. We have been asking God to bring us faithful, godly people. Ones who will be a part of this church family with the same passion and desire to reach the nations for Christ that He has placed in us. We have asked, no begged, for God to raise-up leaders that will reflect the community and be willing to pour themselves into the lives of others for the sake of the gospel. I see God graciously answering both of those requests. The greatest asset that God has given us as a church is to entrust us with His sheep. He is raising up a true community for His glory here in the Southend. Faithful men and women of God have joined in the journey, have moved into the neighborhood, have begun to give, have opened their homes, have started investing in neighbors and each other. This is a beautiful, wonderful, amazing…gospel thing! New leaders are beginning to emerge that love Christ, love this community and are burdened to serve. God IS answering our prayers.
We have also prayed that God would allow us to be fully faithful to His commission to the church. He is answering that prayer as well. This Sunday we will celebrate our first baptisms. Two men in their twenties will make their public declarations of faith in Christ. These two men, because of their backgrounds, will be doing this at great risk. Already in their discipleship they have determined that the gospel compels them to be bold, and having counted the cost, they will take the next step in their journeys with Christ. This is one more beautiful example of answered prayer. Others are being drawn by the power of the gospel, still others are being shaped and carved into more faithful disciples. Answered prayer, answered prayer.
So at the end of each day I am thankful that things are “going great,” not because of the reasons that I have celebrated in the past, but because I see the same God who called us to start Antioch Church, being faithful to work out His plan in and through HIS church. We have a God that for whatever crazy reason hears our prayers and in His mercy responds to them according to His will. So, no matter what else happens or whether we have all the tangible evidence that things are great, if we know that God is still listening and we see Him continuing His work, then I think I’m safe to conclude that not only are things “great,” but more importantly I am reminded that He is “GREAT.”