As promised in my previous post, here are my Advent readings which we are using to work out the 'This is not the way it should be' idea.
Advent I
2015 Christmases ago, the world was a very different place. They didn't have _____ or ______; they certainly didn't have ______. (Your family fills in the blanks).
But they did have violence and conflict, just like we do. Just weeks ago, we saw terrorist attacks, people hurt and killed, families scarred by violence.
This is not the way it should be.
Jesus came once, that first Christmas, to forgive our sins and to give us hope for the future, when God will reign in His good and just Kingdom. When people would no longer fight each other, putting each other in danger.
Isaiah 2:2-4 says:
In the last days, the mountain of the LORD's house will be the highest of all-- the most important place on earth. It will be raised above the other hills, and people from all over the world will stream there to worship.
3 People from many nations will come and say, "Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of Jacob's God. There he will teach us his ways, and we will walk in his paths." For the LORD's teaching will go out from Zion; his word will go out from Jerusalem.
4 The LORD will mediate between nations and will settle international disputes. They will hammer their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will no longer fight against nation, nor train for war anymore. (Isa 2:2-4 NLT)
That will happen once Jesus has come again. (Light one candle).
Jesus came once and He will come again to put things the way they should be, in line with God's perfect and gracious will. Let's pray.
Come, Lord Jesus. Prepare our hearts for when You come, and make us instruments of your peace until your return.
Advent II
2015 Christmases ago, the world was a very different place. They didn't have _____ or ______; they certainly didn't have ______.
But they did have sickness and pain just like we do. We suffer when our bodies get sick and ache when we get tired.
This is not the way it should be.
Jesus came once, that first Christmas, to forgive our sins, and to give us hope for the future, when God will reign in His good and just Kingdom. When people will no longer suffer illness and pain.
Revelation 21:1-5 says this:
Then, I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared. And the sea was also gone.
2 And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.
3 I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, "Look, God's home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them.
4 He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever."
5 And the one sitting on the throne said, "Look, I am making everything new!" (Rev 21:1-5 NLT)
That will happen once Jesus has come again. (Light two candles).
Jesus came once and He will come again to put things the way they should be, in line with God's perfect and gracious will. Let's pray.
Come, Lord Jesus. Prepare our hearts for when You come, and make us instruments of your comfort until your return.
Advent III
2015 Christmases ago, the world was a very different place. They didn't have _____ or ______; they certainly didn't have ______.
But they did have bullies, just like we do.
People pick on other people; they do only what makes them happy, even if it hurts people.
This is not the way it should be.
Jesus came once, that first Christmas, to forgive our sins, and to give us hope for the future, when God will reign in His good and just Kingdom. When people will no longer selfishly pick on other people, but work to help and care for each other.
Isaiah 11:2-9 says this:
Out of the stump of David's family will grow a shoot-- yes, a new Branch bearing fruit from the old root. 2 And the Spirit of the LORD will rest on him-- … 4 He will give justice to the poor and make fair decisions for the exploited… 6 In that day the wolf and the lamb will live together; the leopard will lie down with the baby goat. The calf and the yearling will be safe with the lion, and a little child will lead them all. 7 The cow will graze near the bear. The cub and the calf will lie down together. The lion will eat hay like a cow… 9 Nothing will hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain, for as the waters fill the sea, so the earth will be filled with people who know the LORD (Isa 11:2-9 NLT).
That will happen once Jesus has come again. (Light three candles).
Jesus came once and He will come again to put things the way they should be, in line with God's perfect and gracious will. Let's pray.
Come, Lord Jesus. Prepare our hearts for when You come, and make us instruments of your harmony until your return.
Advent IV
2015 Christmases ago, the world was a very different place. They didn't have _____ or ______; they certainly didn't have ______.
But they did have sorrow and death just like we do. We know that people reach the end of their lives and it makes us sad.
This is not the way it should be.
Jesus came once, that first Christmas, to forgive our sins, and to give us hope for the future, when God will reign in His good and just Kingdom. When all God’s people will live forever, in the presence of God, free from violence, sickness and conflict.
Isaiah 25:6-9 says this:
The LORD will spread a wonderful feast for all the people of the world. It will be a delicious banquet with clear, well-aged wine and choice meat.
7 There he will remove the cloud of gloom, the shadow of death that hangs over the earth.
8 He will swallow up death forever!
"Death has been swallowed up in victory."
The Sovereign LORD will wipe away all tears. He will remove forever all insults and mockery against his land and people. The LORD has spoken!
9 In that day the people will proclaim, "This is our God! We trusted in him, and he saved us! This is the LORD, in whom we trusted. Let us rejoice in the salvation he brings!" (Isa 25:6-9 NLT)
That will happen once Jesus has come again. (Light four candles).
Jesus came once and He will come again to put things the way they should be, in line with God's perfect and gracious will. Let's pray.
Come, Lord Jesus. Prepare our hearts for when You come, and make us instruments of your perfect Kingdom until your return.
TEMPLATE-
2015 Christmases ago, the world was a very different place. They didn't have _____ or ______; they certainly didn't have ______.
But they did have ______, just like we do. ______ (Sentence reflecting on that issue).
This is not the way it should be.
Jesus came once, that first Christmas, to forgive our sins, and to give us hope for the future, when God will reign in His good and just Kingdom. (When people would no longer _______).
Bible verse
That will happen once Jesus has come again.
Jesus came once and He will come again to put things the way they should be, in line with God's perfect and gracious will. Let's pray.
Come, Lord Jesus. Prepare our hearts for when You come, and make us instruments of your _______ until your return.