Sermon: “Preparing the Way for the Messiah”
Theme: We humbly submit our hearts to God for the stripping away of what separates us from Christ and draws us back into our old hostilities, anxieties, and grudges.
Purpose: The congregation will pray and offer to God their hearts, offering to be released from attachment to control, revenge, and those things that attach them to past hurts.
Scriptures: Philippians 1:3-11 The one who has begun the work in you will bring to completion a harvest of righteousness
Malachi 3:1-4 The messenger will come
Luke 3:1-6 John the Baptist will come to bring a refiners fire.
Questions:
In what ways do we see our faith as “A work in progress?” Why do we schedule ourselves to be so busy, and not set aside time to enjoy the gifts of the Advent season? What is it we are trying to ignore or leave behind? In what ways is there “hard work” to be done, dealing with loss, grief, and change so that we may welcome the gift of Christ’s love? In what ways do we need to focus on our own need to grow so that we may fully enjoy the gift of Christmas? How can we set aside time for spiritual renewal as we approach the gift of Christmas?
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