Surveying the Scene
You may still have shopping to do. You still may be running crazy. I hope you get it all done, but don’t forget Jesus in the rush. Most missed Him in Bethlehem. Don’t miss Him. We’ve spend three weeks now getting ready to meet Him, getting ready to enter the event. It feels like there’s been detours and times wondering if we’d ever get here. I know I wondered it more than once. We’re here.
We’ll spend the next few days on the Christmas story. Slow down and read it now, asking God what He wants to jump out at you this year.
Read Luke 2.1-20
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
John's Birth (Section 4d of the Nameless Luke Advent Thingee)
God’s Provision: John
‘Tis the season of the Christmas lights and glitz and everything bright. It’s beautiful. I love the lights – within reason. At their most basic level they’re fun and bright and add to the seasonal excitement. At the most important level, they remind us that Jesus is the light of the world. God didn’t plug in lights to point people to Jesus 2000 years ago. He sent a herald, a forerunner. His name is John. His dad, Zechariah testifies to his purpose. Let’s finish Luke 1 today.
Read Luke 1.76-80
What an honor. He’ll be a prophet. He’ll point people to the One who saves. He points people to the amazing grace of God that brings peace. John has a unique role, a blessing like no other human person has experienced.
This is John the Baptist. We’re no John the Baptist. (I feel compelled to insert: “I know John the Baptist. John the Baptist is a friend of mine. You’re no John the Baptist.) Where was I? Oh, right. We’re no John the Baptist. He’s one of a kind.
But there are some ways we can be like him. We can point people to Jesus. We can point them to the God whose amazing grace can change everything, who can bring life.
This time of year, we can point them to the Baby in the manger who, like John, grew strong and, in time, bore the sin of the world upon His shoulders.
How might you show God’s love and amazing grace as Christmas approaches and, in so doing, point them to Jesus?
‘Tis the season of the Christmas lights and glitz and everything bright. It’s beautiful. I love the lights – within reason. At their most basic level they’re fun and bright and add to the seasonal excitement. At the most important level, they remind us that Jesus is the light of the world. God didn’t plug in lights to point people to Jesus 2000 years ago. He sent a herald, a forerunner. His name is John. His dad, Zechariah testifies to his purpose. Let’s finish Luke 1 today.
Read Luke 1.76-80
What an honor. He’ll be a prophet. He’ll point people to the One who saves. He points people to the amazing grace of God that brings peace. John has a unique role, a blessing like no other human person has experienced.
This is John the Baptist. We’re no John the Baptist. (I feel compelled to insert: “I know John the Baptist. John the Baptist is a friend of mine. You’re no John the Baptist.) Where was I? Oh, right. We’re no John the Baptist. He’s one of a kind.
But there are some ways we can be like him. We can point people to Jesus. We can point them to the God whose amazing grace can change everything, who can bring life.
This time of year, we can point them to the Baby in the manger who, like John, grew strong and, in time, bore the sin of the world upon His shoulders.
How might you show God’s love and amazing grace as Christmas approaches and, in so doing, point them to Jesus?
Monday, December 21, 2009
John's Birth (Section 4c of the Nameless Luke Advent Thingee)
God’s Ancient Promises
It’s Christmastime, but this passage has us looking ahead a little bit – to Easter. More specifically, the language in this passage is rich in allusions to God’s deliverance from Egypt, the Exodus. And it looks forward to a new kind of deliverance through the Messiah. Read it from Zechariah’s perspective of being in between two great events – the rich history of God’s deliverance that defines who you are as a people and the expectation that God will once again deliver through a Messiah.
Read Luke 1.67-75
There’s anticipation of what is upon them. The Messiah is coming. But it isn’t an anticipation without history. God promised it long ago. Read Isaiah 40 to get an idea of the promise and the hope. God was going to rescue them.
There’s one more point to highlight in this passage. (Actually, there are several, but we’re trying to keep this kinda short.) In v. 74 Zechariah is excited that they will be rescued to be enabled to serve without fear. That’s the same language as Exodus (“let us go so we may worship”). Worship and service overlap and they are the purposes of rescue. Not self-fulfillment, not getting to heaven someday. We’re called to serve and worship the God who rescues us.
In this season of celebrating the Baby born in Bethlehem, be sure to celebrate the purpose of His arrival. To save people from their sins. To make us free.
It’s Christmastime, but this passage has us looking ahead a little bit – to Easter. More specifically, the language in this passage is rich in allusions to God’s deliverance from Egypt, the Exodus. And it looks forward to a new kind of deliverance through the Messiah. Read it from Zechariah’s perspective of being in between two great events – the rich history of God’s deliverance that defines who you are as a people and the expectation that God will once again deliver through a Messiah.
Read Luke 1.67-75
There’s anticipation of what is upon them. The Messiah is coming. But it isn’t an anticipation without history. God promised it long ago. Read Isaiah 40 to get an idea of the promise and the hope. God was going to rescue them.
There’s one more point to highlight in this passage. (Actually, there are several, but we’re trying to keep this kinda short.) In v. 74 Zechariah is excited that they will be rescued to be enabled to serve without fear. That’s the same language as Exodus (“let us go so we may worship”). Worship and service overlap and they are the purposes of rescue. Not self-fulfillment, not getting to heaven someday. We’re called to serve and worship the God who rescues us.
In this season of celebrating the Baby born in Bethlehem, be sure to celebrate the purpose of His arrival. To save people from their sins. To make us free.
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Sunday Services
Just like last week, spend today thinking about how your pastor’s Sunday message can apply to your life. If you’re not at a church, below is our church’s link (Cypress Church) and Imago Dei Community in Portland (one of the churches that spearheaded the Advent Conspiracy).
Cypress Church
Imago Dei Community
Cypress Church
Imago Dei Community
Saturday, December 19, 2009
John's Birth (Section 4b of the Nameless Luke Advent Thingee)
A Second Chance of Faith
I can’t believe how long Luke 1 is. Sometimes the passages seem awkward. They seem like a detour from the point. Let’s get to Jesus already! But there’s a point to this. There’s tension in the waiting. And the lessons for us are significant. As you read this next passage, take in the sights and sounds. Don’t just read the passage; hear it.
Read Luke 1.57-66
Did you hear it? There’s a buzz. Neighbors are talking and meddling – trying to name someone else’s kid. In fact, we hear in v. 64 that Zechariah’s tongue has been loosed. And he can’t get a word in until v. 67. There’s too much going on.
This is the season of buzz. I’m feeling the pressure. There’s still a couple more gifts to buy and then send off. There’s wondering about that ‘right gift’ for certain people. This is where the meaning of the season can get lost. We end up focusing on the buzz rather than focusing on Jesus the Messiah.
There’s a point to this passage, I think. Zechariah and Elizabeth are in the midst of this buzz and there’s an expectation that they would name the child in line with the cultural expectations – after dad or a grandfather. And they were feeling the heat.
They’re at a crossroad again. Will Zechariah seize this second chance of faith, or will he doubt again? No surprise. You’ve read it. He obeys God. He passes this second test. The name is John – just like God said. They stood against the pressure amid the buzz.
The general principle here is to stay true to what God is calling you to despite the cultural pressure. That’s a principle that one can apply anytime.
But it’s pretty pertinent right now. Today. The buzz of the Christmas/holiday season is intense. We may be tempted to cave to the cultural pressure to celebrate it with stuff and non-Christ-centered frivolity.
I’m not saying we shouldn’t have fun at Christmas, but stay clear. Stay focused. Don’t be distracted by the buzz. Cut through it and make sure you worship Jesus passionately this Christmas.
I can’t believe how long Luke 1 is. Sometimes the passages seem awkward. They seem like a detour from the point. Let’s get to Jesus already! But there’s a point to this. There’s tension in the waiting. And the lessons for us are significant. As you read this next passage, take in the sights and sounds. Don’t just read the passage; hear it.
Read Luke 1.57-66
Did you hear it? There’s a buzz. Neighbors are talking and meddling – trying to name someone else’s kid. In fact, we hear in v. 64 that Zechariah’s tongue has been loosed. And he can’t get a word in until v. 67. There’s too much going on.
This is the season of buzz. I’m feeling the pressure. There’s still a couple more gifts to buy and then send off. There’s wondering about that ‘right gift’ for certain people. This is where the meaning of the season can get lost. We end up focusing on the buzz rather than focusing on Jesus the Messiah.
There’s a point to this passage, I think. Zechariah and Elizabeth are in the midst of this buzz and there’s an expectation that they would name the child in line with the cultural expectations – after dad or a grandfather. And they were feeling the heat.
They’re at a crossroad again. Will Zechariah seize this second chance of faith, or will he doubt again? No surprise. You’ve read it. He obeys God. He passes this second test. The name is John – just like God said. They stood against the pressure amid the buzz.
The general principle here is to stay true to what God is calling you to despite the cultural pressure. That’s a principle that one can apply anytime.
But it’s pretty pertinent right now. Today. The buzz of the Christmas/holiday season is intense. We may be tempted to cave to the cultural pressure to celebrate it with stuff and non-Christ-centered frivolity.
I’m not saying we shouldn’t have fun at Christmas, but stay clear. Stay focused. Don’t be distracted by the buzz. Cut through it and make sure you worship Jesus passionately this Christmas.
Friday, December 18, 2009
John's Birth (Section 4a of the Nameless Luke Advent Thingee)
Surveying the Scene
The realization of the promises are coming to pass. Zechariah learns to trust God. The tension is building. Messiah is coming. Go ahead and survey the scene we’ll cover over the next couple days. What does it teach us about God’s promises? About faith? About being faithful after you’ve been doubt-filled?
Read Luke 1.57-80
The realization of the promises are coming to pass. Zechariah learns to trust God. The tension is building. Messiah is coming. Go ahead and survey the scene we’ll cover over the next couple days. What does it teach us about God’s promises? About faith? About being faithful after you’ve been doubt-filled?
Read Luke 1.57-80
Thursday, December 17, 2009
The Annunciation and Magnificat (Section 3f of the Nameless Luke Advent Thingee)
The Underdog Song
It might be too crass to dub The Magnificat, the Underdog Song, but it seems to fit. Don’t get me wrong, Mary’s song is beautiful and poetic, but “The Magnificat” sounds so magnificent and majestic. And it is, but the content is unexpected.
Kings and queens are majestic. But God lifts the humble in this song. Royalty is magnificent, but rulers are brought down in this psalm of praise. I guess more than anything else, it highlights that God is the Magnificent One and He proves it by working through the weak, the weary, and the broken. It’s all over Luke – even in this beautiful song of rejoicing from Mary.
We can’t escape the reality that God loves the unlovable, the powerless, the weak. I think it’s because they are the closest to genuine humility – generally speaking. And God does His best work with the humble.
Read Mary’s Song and realize that this is a young girl, a teenager, who is giving up a lot of comfort in life and yet she still manages to praise God. She delights in God’s willingness to use the humble, to use her. Soak in the song. Read it a few times and ask God what He wants to teach you about worship and surrender and humility.
Read Luke 1.46-56
It might be too crass to dub The Magnificat, the Underdog Song, but it seems to fit. Don’t get me wrong, Mary’s song is beautiful and poetic, but “The Magnificat” sounds so magnificent and majestic. And it is, but the content is unexpected.
Kings and queens are majestic. But God lifts the humble in this song. Royalty is magnificent, but rulers are brought down in this psalm of praise. I guess more than anything else, it highlights that God is the Magnificent One and He proves it by working through the weak, the weary, and the broken. It’s all over Luke – even in this beautiful song of rejoicing from Mary.
We can’t escape the reality that God loves the unlovable, the powerless, the weak. I think it’s because they are the closest to genuine humility – generally speaking. And God does His best work with the humble.
Read Mary’s Song and realize that this is a young girl, a teenager, who is giving up a lot of comfort in life and yet she still manages to praise God. She delights in God’s willingness to use the humble, to use her. Soak in the song. Read it a few times and ask God what He wants to teach you about worship and surrender and humility.
Read Luke 1.46-56
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