Series B Advent, Christmas & Ephiphany
November 30, 2008 - First Sunday in Advent Mark 11:1-10: Jesus entry into Jerusalem was the beginning of a week that lives in history forever and ever. He rode into Jerusalem in peace and within the week through his death and resurrection He restored peace between God and sinners. That's the good news that brings us a sure hope. That is also the good news that we are privileged to share with others.
December 7, 2008 - Second Sunday in Advent Mark 1:1-18: John the Baptist was the announcer and preparer for the first Advent of Christ. He called people to repentance and baptism and even though his work was so special and so important, John did not seek glory for himself but rather pointed to Jesus. May we also with words and actions point others to Jesus.
December 14, 2008 - Third Sunday in Advent John 1:6-8; 19-28: John the Baptist gave a bold and clear witness to Jesus as the true Light of the world. That was very important work. We are privileged to join John with our bold and clear witness that Jesus is the true Light of the world who came into our world to rescue people living in spiritual darkness.
December 21, 2008 - Fourth Sunday in Advent Luke 1:26-38: When Mary received the amazing message from the Angel Gabriel she responded with these memorable words: "I am the Lord's servant. May it be to me as you have said." What words of faith! What an encouragement for us to respond in faith to God's promises in Christ and to share our certain hope of salvation with others who need to hear some good news.
December 28, 2008 - First Sunday after Christmas Luke 2:22-40: Simeon had been waiting his whole life to see the Lord's Messiah and when he did with his own eyes he praised God with words familiar to Christians: "Lord, now let your servant depart in peace for my eyes have seen your salvation!" Likewise Anna, age 84, was privileged to see God's promise of a Savior come to pass and couldn't help but share this good news with all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem. What marvelous encouragers for us to also speak confidently and clearly about our hope in Jesus!
January 4, 2009 - Second Sunday after Christmas Matthew 2:1-12: The wise men were ablaze when they saw God's star in the sky and traveled a long distance to see for themselves what God had done to save His people. We can also be ablaze and shine like stars (Philippians 2:15) to point to Jesus, the true Light of the world.
January 11, 2009 - First Sunday after Epiphany Mark 1:4-11: John the Baptist, as important as he and his work were, resisted the temptation to make a name for himself, but rather pointed to the One who was greater than he. Faithful witnesses do not seek glory for themselves but rather point to Jesus, the true and only-begotten Son of God and Savior of the world.
January 18, 2009 - Second Sunday after Epiphany John 1:43-51: When Jesus called Philip to join Him, Philip followed and then found Nathanael and told him that he had found the Messiah. When Nathanael was skeptical Philip simply invited him to come and see for himself. Our role as witnesses is not to argue about who Christ is, but rather to invite people to come and experience Christ for themselves.
January 25, 2009 - Third Sunday after Epiphany Mark 1:14-20: When Jesus called His first disciples He told them that they would be fishers of men. When Jesus calls us to follow Him He invites us also to be fishers of men. The disciples went from fishing for fish to fishing for lost souls. What a privilege to follow their lead and be modern day fishers for lost souls. May we be ablaze for such opportunities!
February 1, 2009 - Fourth Sunday after Epiphany Mark 1:21-28: The news of Jesus casting out an evil spirit spread quickly throughout Galilee. How did it spread so quickly? It spread because witnesses shared what they had seen. We have also experienced "Jesus at work" in our lives and the lives of others and look for opportunities to share this good news.
February 8, 2009 - Fifth Sunday after Epiphany Mark 1:29-39: The disciples saw Jesus heal Peter's mother-in-law and many more sick people in that same place. The power and authority of Jesus so greatly impacted the disciples that they couldn't help but speak about the things they had seen and heard. May we show that same kind of zeal in our witnessing!
February 15, 2009 - Sixth Sunday after Epiphany Mark 1:40-45: Jesus cleansed a man suffering from a serious skin disease and asked him not to tell anyone about it. The healed man could not refrain from telling everyone he met about what Jesus had done for him. Jesus does not ask us to be quiet in our witness but rather to speak boldly of what He has done for us and how much He means to us.
February 22, 2009 - Transfiguration Sunday Mark 9:2-9: Peter, James and John were privileged to see Jesus in blinding and dazzling splendor as the Son of God. That was an experience they would never forget or stop sharing with others. We have also seen the light of Jesus and experienced His power in our lives. May we never forget that truth or stop sharing it with others.