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Advent: Love

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This past Sunday, I read the following prayer from the Austin Stone Story team related to Advent and the theme of love:

O GOD OF LOVE,

Stir our affections to the most radiant wonder in all of the world: the advent, the giving life and work in the person of your beloved Son, Christ Jesus.

He, the perfection of our eternal hope secured.

He, the glorious manifestation of exquisite, flawless, and transcendent love.

He, our Redeemer King.

When all creation groaned in plight, affliction, and death,

You gave us this holy night–

a newborn King,

a Prince of Peace, a heritage of hope.

When we feel unable to rise, too sluggish to respond, too content with the world’s shadows of satisfaction,

Steady our gaze on the cross,

Where Your inexhaustible, indestructible, all-consuming love is displayed,

Where Your perfect sacrifice paid the debt our sin accrued,

Where the light of Your love absorbed all darkness in us.

You have shown us love

from the beginning of time, through the ages, and for eternity forevermore.

We are saved, sealed, and satisfied

by Your love, through Your love, and for Your love.

O God, You are Love!

You are light and life, our greatest prize!

Your steadfast love is our eternal refuge.

You are our reason to worship.

Unabashedly, adoringly, with full voice and fervor we sing:

Praise be, to our God and King,

Our beloved, our fortress,

Our love and hope forevermore!

Amen.

Saturate / Elder’s Retreat

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 Saturate Conference

This past weekend, I went to Kearney, NE to take part in a Saturate Everyday conference.  Led by Jeff Vanderstelt, it was a deep dive in to the Gospel and how that shapes communities that are serious about reaching out in mission to their communities.  Jeff is not only someone who has thought a lot about these things.  He’s also someone who lives it.  His book, Saturate, and forthcoming Gospel Fluency, are good words on what it looks like to be Jesus’s disciple on mission.  I returned late Saturday night to preach on Sunday.

 Elder’s Retreat

Then, at 1PM Sunday afternoon, I left to go to Kansas City with our Elders.  We’re pictured here enjoying some KC barbecue.  Why do we get away?  Because while we pray each elder’s meeting, it often feels rushed.  Retreat allows us to take our time and pray through many issues.  Also, there are some things in church life that require longer discussions.  The month to month, week by week we do keeps us busy and often free from being able to think about bigger vision for ministry.  So, we try to get away regularly.  We got back yesterday in time for the Women’s Ministry Event at Crestview.

So, this was my weekend…how was yours?

Weekend Preview – Peace Jesus Brings

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On Sunday, December 4, we will meet for week 2 of Advent.  And, we will continue our work in the Gospel of John (just 2 sermons left).  We’ll focus in on John 20:19-31 and the peace that the Risen Christ, Jesus Himself, brings.  I hope you’ll join us at 10:15AM as we continue to adore God’s Son from heaven this holiday season.

Gospel Friday – Jesus, Son of Most High

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Wonder of wonders: if you have a relationship with God through Christ, you know this One who is great, Son of the Most High, sitting on the throne (Luke 1:32-33).  Today, while you may discouraged about a great many things, take comfort in this reality: you know Him and He knows you.  Rest in Him.

Advent Week 1 – Hope

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I loved using this prayer on hope from Austin Stone to open up week 1 of Advent:

LORD JESUS, OUR ONLY HOPE,
We have wandered and rebelled,

and we have walked away. Forgive us, Lord!
Forgive us for a hope misplaced—

for seeking a judge,

for crying out for an earthly king,

for running to idols, golden and gleaming—

when all the while, You alone could save us.
And we praise You, Jesus, our promised Redeemer, for You came!

Yours was a humble beginning:

A poor couple traveled to Bethlehem,

only to find no room at the inn,

for the Son of Man would have no place to lay His head.
“Glory to God,” the angels cried out,

a great star shone overhead,

shepherds and kings journeyed to see You,

a swaddled newborn, lying in a manger.
Hope wrapped in flesh, You dwelt among us,

the Spirit of the Lord resting firmly upon You,

bringing wisdom and understanding,

counsel and might,

knowledge and a fear of the Lord.
You judged with righteousness,

demonstrated faithfulness,

offered us forgiveness,

and stood in our place when the wrath of God poured down.
You died and rose again,

Son of the Most High,

and You are returning to reign.
So we hope once more, crying out to you, our Savior: Jesus, come quickly!

Defeater of Death, Victorious King,

seated at the right hand of God,

You plead and pray for your people,

who are no longer separated from the Father,

for You, Jesus, are the way!
Return again,

making right every wrong,

wiping away every tear,

and healing every wound.
Return again, Precious Savior and Righteous King,

not through the womb of a virgin,

but on a white horse, sword in hand,

this time not as a babe,

but as our Conquering King.
Keep our hope secure in You until the end of our days, Lord.

And in this season when the things of this world can blur our vision and steal true joy,

stir in us an undeniable anticipation.
As we celebrate that You came,

cause us to cry out for Your coming.
Oh, that we may have our request and that You would fulfill our hope.
In Jesus’ precious and holy name,

Amen.

Weekend Recap – Resurrection Realities

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My 11/27/16AM sermon, Resurrection Realities from John 20:1-18, is now online.  The narrative of this passage is Jesus rising from the dead.  Peter and John learn that He has risen and run to the tomb to check things out.  They examine the evidence and respond by believing.  Jesus then interacts with Mary Magdalene, addresses her doubts, and sends her with a mission to tell the others that He’s alive.  The sermon got at the reality of the resurrection and how it compels us to engage in mission.

I hope it encourages you.

Gospel Friday – Blessed in Christ

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All praise to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, because He has blessed us with every spiritual blessing we could possibly dream of in Christ. (Ephesians 1:3)

You’re blessed today, as a believer, with things like:

  • having your sin erased
  • having God’s wrath towards you removed
  • being declared righteous
  • being born again
  • being made holy
  • destined for glory
  • being made right with God
  • having abiding life in the here and now
  • being redeemed with precious blood
  • being raised from death

So, thank God for these amazing blessings and walk tall today because of who you are In Christ.

Happy Thanksgiving

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Happy Thanksgiving. While this day will have all kinds of fun with family, friends, football, and food, don’t forget to give thanks to the Lord.  I’ve enjoyed using a Gratitude Guide that I wrote for Crestview this season.  I hope it encourages you to give thanks to the Lord.  Have a Happy Thanksgiving.

Gratitude Guide

Weekend Preview – Jesus Rose From the Dead and Sent Us Out

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This coming Sunday, we’ll continue making our way through the Gospel of John, settling in John 20:1-18.  The narrative breaks into Peter and John’s footrace to the empty tomb and then Jesus talking to Mary Magdalene.  To put it simply: when Jesus rose from the dead, this good news was meant to be shared.  John believed these things as an eyewitness.  Mary was sent with the news.  I hope you’ll join us at Crestview this Sunday, 11/27, 10:15AM to help us celebrate our Risen King.