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Dec 05, 2021

Advent 2021 - WITH - Peace

Passage: Luke 2:22-35

Speaker: Brian Land

Series: Advent 2021

Category: Grace Brevard

We are angst-filled peace-hungry people, vainly trying to control our worlds with the expectation that doing so would finally give us internal rest. The Lord, knowing our anxieties and arrogant and false view of our personal sovereignty, radically lowered himself by becoming one of us, born a lowly outcast child in order to bring us, the truly lowly outcast children, true deep internal peace that isn’t dependent on our outward surroundings, costing us nothing (free grace fully paid at Christ’s cost), and costing us everything (giving up my fruitless pursuit of being my own king).

THEME:

We are angst-filled peace-hungry people, vainly trying to control our worlds with the expectation that doing so would finally give us internal rest. The Lord, knowing our anxieties and arrogant and false view of our personal sovereignty, radically lowered himself by becoming one of us, born a lowly outcast child in order to bring us, the truly lowly outcast children, true deep internal peace that isn’t dependent on our outward surroundings, costing us nothing (free grace fully paid at Christ’s cost), and costing us everything (giving up my fruitless pursuit of being my own king).

 

CENTRAL TEXT:

Luke 2
22 And when the time came for their purification according to the Law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every male who first opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”) 24 and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the Law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.” 25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. 27 And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, 28 he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said,

29 “Lord, now you are letting your servant[fn] depart in peace,
according to your word;
30 for my eyes have seen your salvation
31 that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and for glory to your people Israel.”

33 And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him. 34 And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed 35 (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”

WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS:    BL

 

New People     If you are new, we are really glad you are here and we invite you to pick up a “welcome bag'' by the front door and put your contact information in the offering box.

 

Prayer    We have prayer every Wednesday here at the building from 11:30 - 12:30, open to the community. Come join us if you would like to prayer, or would like to be prayed for. You can put a prayer request into the offering box if you’d rather.

 

Kid Bags    If you are a family with littler kids, we’ve made some Advent bags for you. Grab one for yourself and one to give to another family that may enjoy one.

 

Finances -     Every week we include a financial update in our email and on the screen. We believe that we as a church family come together in our giving, as an act of worship as well as support the gospel in our town. We have 4 ways in which you can give: through text, mail, online or by putting it in our offering box.

 

Giving Tree -     There is a Giving Tree in the Info Area with ways you can give to folks locally. Each color ornament represents a different organization in town that could use your help. Pick up an ornament and drop off the gift by December 12th. 

 

Strassners -     Strassners come up so we can cry and pray for them

 

Advent -    Our Christmas Eve Service this year will begin at 5:00 with a dessert potluck. Bring something sweet to share. We’ll have to-go boxes so you can also take some home with you.

ADVENT READINGS:  The second candle of the Advent wreath is the Peace Candle

Reader #1 - “Advent is a time of waiting.  During this season, we remember and celebrate Israel’s waiting for the birth of the Messiah, who is Jesus Christ, the Son of God.  And in this season, we also remember that we, the Church, are in another, larger season of waiting: waiting for Christ to return, as he said that he would.  In this sense, we are in-between advents.  And last week, the first candle was lit, the Hope Candle, which invites us into a hopeful anticipation of the Coming King. And now, this second candle is the Peace Candle, reminds us that Jesus is the Prince of Peace, restoring our relationship with God.

Reader #2 - Our Old Testament reading comes from the prophet Isaiah, chapter 9:

2c The people who walked in darkness
have seen a great light;
those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness,
on them has light shone.

6 For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 Of the increase of his government and of peace
there will be no end,
on the throne of David and over his kingdom,
to establish it and to uphold it
with justice and with righteousness
from this time forth and forevermore.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.

Reader #3 - Our New Testament reading this morning is also the central text for this morning’s sermon. It is from Luke 2

Luke 2

22 And when the time came for their purification according to the Law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every male who first opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”) 24 and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the Law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.” 25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. 27 And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, 28 he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said,

29 “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace,
according to your word;
30 for my eyes have seen your salvation
31 that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and for glory to your people Israel.”

33 And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him. 34 And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed 35 (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”