Point of Grace Worship 12.5.21 Sermon Notes – “Re:turn to Advent – Prepare in the Waiting”
Advent is a season of waiting and preparing for _______ is coming!
A) what
B) who
C) None of the above
What does “preparing” as I wait for the One who is coming look like for me now?
Insights about preparing from the first advent of Jesus!
Luke 3 … the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness. 3 He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 4 As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet: “A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him. 5 Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill made low. The crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways smooth. 6 And all people will see God’s salvation.’” 7 John said to the crowds coming out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? 8 Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. 9 The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.” 10 “What should we do then?” the crowd asked.11 John answered, “Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same.” 12 Even tax collectors came to be baptized. “Teacher,” they asked, “what should we do?” 13 “Don’t collect any more than you are required to,” he told them. 14 Then some soldiers asked him, “And what should we do?” He replied, “Don’t extort money and don’t accuse people falsely—be content with your pay.” 15 The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John might possibly be the Messiah. 16 John answered them all, “I baptize you with water. But one who is more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
Notice God “comes” to rescue His people “in the wilderness”. Without “preparation” they will miss Him.
I get to prepare by “owning my need” for Jesus and “opening up to receive” Jesus.
How? STOP and RE-SEE
- STOP for silence and reflection on my need for Jesus and my receiving Him as He comes for me.
- RE-SEE preparations and celebrations not as “the point” but rather “pointing” to something greater. We get to re-see preparations and celebrations as pointing us to the coming of Jesus when He will make all things new. Our innate yearning for a restored world shows up in our desire to live a more enchanting life and create a more enchanting world in this season. Let this desire remind us we were originally designed for Eden and point us to Jesus who alone promises to restore us and our world at His return. This re-seeing the season’s celebrations will allow us to enjoy what they do deliver and be far less disappointed in how they fall short… because they will. The season will “leave us longing” and that is a good thing. Come Lord Jesus, Come!
STOP and RE-SEE
Daily Opening Prayer (including 2 minutes of silence) Father, Son, Holy Spirit, I praise and thank you for the opportunity to be in your gracious presence in this moment. Jesus, restore me in You and renew me in you. Fill me afresh Holy Spirit, saturate me in Your Love, saturate me in your Life. Untangle me from my anxious thoughts, immerse me now in my true identity as a child of my heavenly Father and my irreplaceable role in Your larger story. Jesus, help me STOP and own my utter need for You as my Savior, Leader, Lord, Hope and Life … Jesus, open me up to receive You and all You have for me today … I rest in You … (Spend two minutes of reflective silence with eyes closed … just rest in the presence of yourself and Jesus!)
Daily Closing Prayer Jesus, through the waiting of this Advent give me a deeper desire for you. I long for your return to make all things new! Jesus, I renounce any and all ways I tend to replace You through the celebrations and preparations of this season. Help me Re-see ways this season actually ignites my passion and longing for You. I want more of you Jesus. I need, utterly need, more of You Jesus. Fill me to overflowing with your life and your love. Jesus through waiting I ask for more of your presence. I want to know you more. I want to spend all my day in side-by-side friendship with you. I receive You now. I am excited to see what you can do today. I know you can do amazing things, and I would love to be a part of them. I am waiting for your cue. Amen
Resources for this Week
Here are some suggested readings for each day of this week. We encourage you to use the “I Belong” devotional resource to assist you every day. You can sign up for this daily resource by going to the “I Belong Challenge” button on the main menu at www.pog.church. The Meditation Hints below may help you listen and receive all God has for you.
Mon – John 1:6-16 Tue – John 1:19-28 Wed – John 1:29-37 Thu – John 3:25-36 Fri – Revelation 21:1-7 Sat - Revelation 22:12-17 Meditation Hints:
Solitude – Spend TWO minutes quietly alone. Take some deep breaths… Just be… “Holy Spirit, speak to me through Your Word! I rest in You!”
Scripture – Read the scripture slowly, out loud if possible, listen, reread, dwell, notice words & phrases you are drawn to & return there! Reflect on what you are noticing and where He is leading your thoughts.
Prayer – Have a conversation with God, “What are You saying to me, God?” Talk about what you notice is on your heart. Begin to own the “word of God” being revealed to you.
Finish - Spend TWO minutes again with God, resting and listening and being loved.