In the fourth and final week of our Advent series, we look at Luke 2:8-14. So far we have considered where Jesus has come from- he is the Son of God, Son of Joseph, and Son of Mary. This week we consider the word of the angel who tells us that this Jesus is for all the people. Christ came to make his blessings flow among all nations.
Advent // Son of Mary (Luke 1:26-38)
In the third week of our Advent series, we look at Luke 1:26-38. The betrothed virgin Mary receives a shocking message from the Angel Gabriel: she will give birth to the Son of God. Even in the midst of inevitable confusion and understandable fear, Mary responds to this news of God’s gracious provision with faith: “I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word."
Advent // Son of Joseph (Matthew 1:18-25)
In week 2 of our Advent series, we look to Matthew 1 to examine Jesus as the Son of Joseph. Here we see God’s gentle care for Jesus his Son through godly parents — Joseph and Mary, and his sovereign power in inaugurating his redemption of us, his children. This Jesus, conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary, is Immanuel: God with us.
Advent // Son of God (Hebrews 1:1-2:1)
In the first week of our Advent series, we look to Hebrews 1. This passage is jam-packed with the glory of Jesus, the Son of God. As we reflect on these verses we are meant to see the glories of Christ in a fresh way; a way that awakens our hearts to worship him. The original audience of the letter to the Hebrews was a group of suffering Christians. Like them, we too may wonder, “Where is God in the midst of this painful and confusing world?” Hebrews 1 declares to us- God is not silent- He has spoken to us through His Son. God is not distant- He has come down to save us
Preservation of The Promise (Genesis 5:1-6:5)
Genesis 5 walks through the genealogy of Adam to Noah. We are reminded that the human race is marked with the image of God but, because of sin, we are also marked by death. The ongoing descent into sin reaches a tipping point in Chapter 6:5- "The LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually." Where is God in all of this?
The Root of Bitter Conflict (Genesis 4:1-26)
Genesis 4 begins to show us what life is like outside of the garden. As the first family grows, so do the pervasive effects of sin. When Cain’s half-hearted attempt to worship is not accepted by God, he becomes angry, ignores God’s warning against the power of sin, and murders his brother Abel. The story of Cain and Abel helps us identify the root cause of bitterness in our own hearts. Will we ignore God’s warning? Or will we call upon the Lord in faith and find help in our time of need?
Exiled From The Garden (Genesis 3:8-24)
Man has sinned. Now what? The remainder of Genesis 3 shows us both the devastation of sin and the grace of God, greater than our sin. Adam and Eve hide, but God pursues. Just judgment is pronounced, but the promise of grace is given. Sinners are exiled from God's presence, but there is a future hope.
Trouble in The Garden (Genesis 3:1-8)
Chapter 3 begins with a threat to the beauty of God’s creation. The serpent tempts Eve to doubt the goodness of God and his commands. Working through this passage helps us answer essential questions for the Christian life; what happens when we are tempted to sin? Who is tempting us? What part do we play? What is our hope and strength in the face of such temptation? While the consequences of giving into sin are destructive, we find in these verses a hope beyond ourselves to fight against the schemes of the evil one.
It is Not Good That Man Should Be Alone (Genesis 2:18-25)
Thus far in Genesis, God has repeatedly proclaimed his creation as good. Yet this passage begins by showing us that something is incomplete- it is not good that man should be alone. Genesis 2:18-25 shows us God’s good, true, and beautiful design of man and woman as a reflection of his glory and, most importantly, a signpost for the love of Christ for his people.
In His Image (Genesis 1:26-31 & 2:4-8)
Why does every single person matter? Why do we intuitively know that life has meaning and purpose? These big questions are answered in Genesis in the creation account of humanity. Humans -- like no other creation -- are made in the image of God. Listen and consider the implications of what it means to be made in the image of God.