Seasonal and Spiritual Preparation

Preparing for… Worship, Advent, Christmas

How do you prepare for Christmas? What do you decorate, bake, watch, read, buy, give, etc?

Are most of your preparations seasonal? What do you do to spiritually prepare for Christmas?

Advent Hymns

“Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus”

This hymn invites us to prepare for the coming of Jesus Christ. Michelle Thomas-Bush writes, "We know what to expect at Christmas. Maybe that is why it is easier to wait for Christmas than waiting for Christ. We know he is near, but we never really know when or how Christ will be born into our lives this year. There is still time. Not just time to shop, but time to encounter the living Christ in your waiting. In our waiting, we remember Christ has come, is coming and will definitely come again. That is what we are waiting for!"

“Comfort, Comfort You My People”

This hymn quotes Isaiah 40, which is also quoted in our second scripture reading from Mark 1. Verses 2 and 3 invite us to repent from our sins and prepare for the coming of Jesus Christ.

"For the herald's voice is calling, In the desert far and near, Budding us to make repentance, Since the kingdom now is here. O that warning cry obey! Now prepare for God a way; Let the valleys rise in meeting, And the hills bow down in greeting. Make you straight what long was crooked, Make the Rougher places plain; Let your hearts be true and humble, As befits God's holy reign."

“Lift Up Your Head, Ye Mighty Gates”

As you read this hymn, I invite you to use it as a prayer to God. Open your heart and invite God to enter in.

"Fling wide the portals of your heart; Make it a temple, set apart From earthly use for heaven's employ, Adorned with prayer, and love, and joy."

"Redeemer, come! I open wide My heart to Thee; Lord, abide. Let me Thy inner presence feel; Thy grace and love in me reveal."

First Scripture Reading: Malachi 3:1-4

Early Christians reorganized the Hebrew Bible so that Malachi was the last book of the Old Testament. This was probably done because Malachi heavily foreshadows the beginning of the New Testament. Our scripture reading predicts that God will send a messenger who will prepare the way for the Lord. The next and last chapter of the book suggests that this messenger will be Elijah.

What needs to be refined or purified in your life? What offerings are you being called to give?

Second Scripture Reading: Mark 1:1-8

Mark declares that Jesus is the messiah, the Son of God. Then he quotes Malachi 3:1 and Isaiah 40:3. Both quotes refer to a messenger who will prepare the way for the coming of the Lord. Mark suggests that this messenger is John the Baptist. He describes John’s clothing and eating habits as a way of suggesting that John represents Elijah (2 Kings 1:8 says that Elijah was known to wear a hairy garment with a leather belt).

How might you prepare for Christmas differently after hearing John’s call to repentance? What mountains need to be made low in your life? What valleys need to be lifted up in your life? How can you prepare your heart to make room for Jesus?

Rahab the Harlot and Christ the King

Christ the King Sunday is the last Sunday of the Christian calendar year. It is a triumphant day when we recognize Christ as the King of Kings!

What does it mean to call Jesus Christ the Lord of lords and King of kings? Is this language outdated? How is a king different than a president?

Hymns

No. 139 – “Come, Thou Almighty King”

What are we asking God to do when we sing this song? What are you hoping God will do through this worship service?

No. 391 – “Take My Life”

What are you holding back from God?

No. 142 – “All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name!”

What are we saying when we sing, “Let every kindred, every tribe, On this terrestrial ball, To Him all majesty ascribe, And crown Him Lord of all!”

Matthew 1:1-17

If you were going to tell the story of Jesus Christ to someone who had never heard of him, where would you start?

Matthew starts with the genealogy of Jesus Christ. Which makes sense, because he was primarily writing for Jews and they would have wanted proof that Jesus was a descendant of King David.

Interestingly enough, Matthew doesn’t start with David, but goes all the way back to Abraham. Could it be that Matthew was already trying to demonstrate that Jesus was not only the King of the Jews, but the King of kings? After all, God promised that he would bless all the nations through Abraham’s descendants (Genesis 22:18).

Why does Matthew break with tradition and list five women? What do they have in common?

Matthew has three sets of fourteen names; the patriarchs, the kings, and the rest. The stories of the patriarchs and kings are told in scripture, but the last group contains ten names that only appear in this list. Do you ever feel like you are a “nobody?” Do you ever wonder where you fit in? Without these “nobodies” the story could not have continued. You are a “somebody,” you are a child of God!

Joshua 2

Why did Rahab lie for the spies? Was it sinful for Rahab to lie?

How can this chapter be seen as a battle between Joshua and the King of Jericho, as well as a battle between Yahweh and Baal?

What do you make of Rahab’s confession of faith?

What do you make of the terms of their agreement? What is the significance of the rope? What is the significance of the scarlet thread on the window?

Interesting Note: The Israelites crossover the Jordan on the day they normally select the Passover lamb and surely celebrated the Passover the next day. Meanwhile, Rahab’s red thread hung from her window – could this be a symbol for the blood of the lamb?

Charge

Are you being called to put your faith in Jesus Christ? Are you being called to put your faith into action?

Crossing the Jordan

Crossing the Jordan

First Scripture Reading: Romans 6:1-14

“Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase?” (v. 1b)

Since God forgives us of our sins, why shouldn’t we simply continue sinning so that God can continue forgiving us? What does Paul have to say?

“Don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.” (v. 3-4)

If you chose to be baptized, why did you do it? What do you remember about it? How is that moment significant for your faith journey today?

If you were baptized before you could decide to do it for yourself, why do you think your loved ones had you baptized? What have you been told about your baptism? How is that moment significant for your faith journey today?

If you have not been baptized, are you ready to step out in faith? If you are interested in learning more about baptism, please visit with Kenny after worship today.

“Offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness.” (v. 13b)

How is God calling you to use your time, talent and treasure to glorify and honor Him?

Second Scripture Reading: Joshua 3:7-17

“This is how you will know that the living God is among you…See, the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth will go into the Jordan ahead of you… And as soon as the priests who carry the ark of the Lord—the Lord of all the earth—set foot in the Jordan, its waters flowing downstream will be cut off and stand up in a heap.” (selections from verses 10-13)

How do you know that God is with you? In what ways has God gone before you?

How is God calling you to step out in faith? How is God calling our congregation to step out in faith?

Hymns

Which of the three congregational hymns was your favorite to sing? Which was your least favorite? Did any of the hymns enhance your understanding of the scriptures and sermon? Please read the following selections from today’s hymns and consider how they might engage the scriptures, sermon, and you.

3^rd verse of “Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah” (Hymn No. 281)

“When I tread the verge of Jordan, Bid my anxious fears subside; Death of death, and hell’s destruction, Land me safe on Canaan’s side; Songs of praises, songs of praises I will ever give to Thee; I will ever give to Thee.”

3^rd verse of “How Firm a Foundation” (Hymn No. 361)

“When through the deep waters I call thee to go, The rivers of sorrow shall not overflow; For I will be near thee; they troubles to bless, And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.”

Refrain from “My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less” (Hymn No. 379)

“On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand; All other ground is sinking sand, All other ground is sinking sand”

Further Study

Watch the film, “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade,” and consider the tests that Indiana Jones has to go through at the end of the movie. Pay particular attention to Indiana’s “leap of faith.” How is this story, and this particular scene, similar to and different than our second scripture reading?

Comments are not only welcome, they are encouraged. Let's continue the conversation!!!