First Sunday of Advent:Jesus' Coming
When we look at the Advent season, it can fill us with such hope that can sustain us through difficult times. The first Sunday of Advent points us to that time in human history in the years to come when there will be difficult days, yet in spite of all the hardship of those times God will faithful and be with His people and will accomplish His purpose in human history and in our lives. Jesus will come, He will return and bring a time peace and right judgement over all things.The Word of God tells us
"No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father." Matthew:24:36,
We can not know when Jesus is coming, but we can see the general timing, as the world around us is in disorder ,deception, devastating weather, social upheaval and all the other conditions that characterize the "end time".
Yet , we can be hopeful is going to God will send His Son Jesus and the ancient prophecies of His righteous rule will be fulfilled;
"For to us a child is born,to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness
from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty
will accomplish this"Isaiah:9:6-7
This is only one of the hopeful images that Holy Spirit inspired which speaks of the certain hope of the days of Lord Jesus' coming; as the glorious King and Lord. This should keep us hopefully alert to times in which we live, always mindful that day is coming.
The Second Sunday of Advent: He Is Come
"a voice of one calling in the desert, 'Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.'"Mark:1:3
"I baptize with water," John replied, "but among you stands one you do not know.
He is the one who comes after me, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie."John:1:27
If they had only known that the very One whom they longed for stood in their midst they could have hope. And John was faithful to point Jesus out "as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world"
This is what we all should do, our lives should boldly proclaim in the wilderness of the world, as the voice of John did, that One stands among them who is there to help and comfort them. That One whom all humanity truly seeks, they just need to know that He is there.
The Third Sunday of Advent: Rejoice
This Sunday of Advent in ages past was sometime called Gaudete Sunday. Gaudete is Latin word that is translated "rejoice" . John called the people to repent, that is change the way they thought and behaved. He called on them, in light of the coming of Messiah who was at hand to alter their lives , to be free of the ways that led to hart ache and suffering and every other evil they experienced.
"In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the Desert of Judea and saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near" Matthew:3:2-3
Jesus' coming always calls on us to repent, to change, and in doing so we can truly "rejoice and be glad in Him" that we can be free from the past ways of thinking and behaving, that brought on so much suffering. There is hope.
The Fourth Sunday of Advent: Jesus' Nativity
The Fourth Sunday depending on the year, may bring us to Christmas Eve, or just prior to it. This is the moment in the past when the great God took on our humanity, the incarnation, and joined with us and became one of us. Consider what this tells us about the God who speaks from the Holy Bible, He did remain aloft in the heights of Heaven He came to us in the birth of His Son Jesus Christ. He sought us out on our own level.That should speak to us of the love that He has for humanity, we in all our brokenness limitations and filth of sin, yet He came. He is one of us. This should cause us to praise God that the same Jesus Who came in the flesh is still even now in the heights of Heaven adorned in His glorified resurrect Humanity, the same humanity He entered this broken world is now there at the Throne of God, where He is still one of us.
"Therefore, when Christ came into the world, he said: "Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body you prepared for me;" Hebrews:10:5
Jesus was not born in a sterile environment, but rather a barn full of animals.A place of filth and stench of dung. Yet, here it is that He is found , the great God coming to us in an unlikely place, the home of animals.
"While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths
and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the
inn."Luke:2:6-7
That tells us ,that Jesus meets us where we are, in all our filth, where we may not think to find one so holy so glorious so great, yet He comes to us so that we might come to Him.
God loves us more then we can understand, His love transcend the gulf between Heaven and earth, He came to you and I and all who will but freely receive His love. This is the Hope of Advent, He is come. Amen
Rev.Todd Crouch, Pastor
The Fountain of Life Church a Congregation of Grace Communion
Washington, Pa
Fountain of Life Broadcast heard on RKP
Radio 1710 & 1670 AM in Washington, Pa.and 1710 AM in Bentleyville ,
Pa. And online around the world at www.rkpradio.com
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