Refresh us (GABC Prayer)

Father,

We come to you this morning, longing to be refreshed.  We know that you are the fountainhead of joy.  Your Word says that in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Jesus, some of us this morning come before you with heavy hearts, with difficult things happening at work, or at home.  Some of us come before you this morning in spite of deep struggles against sin.  Others of us come with burdens and pressure placed upon us by others, demands that we know we can’t meet.

Jesus, you said, “come to me all you are burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”  This morning Jesus, we come to you asking for rest.  We ask for joy to be poured into our hearts, and for our burdens to be lifted. 

Jesus we depend upon you to be in right relationship to the Father.  There is no other way we can stand in his presence without you.  Our sin is darker and deeper than we realize, but your grace is greater than we can imagine.  We depend upon your righteousness to cover us.  God thank you for taking on human flesh, living the life we should have lived, and dying the death we deserved to die.  Jesus, we praise you because of what you have done.

And now Father, we come to under the righteousness of the Son.  We come to ask for fullness of joy overflowing by the Spirit.  Fill us with faith to believe and encourage our hearts.

Father, we ask first this morning, that the proclamation of your Word would be edifying and accurate.  Make our hearts soft and sensitive to your words.  We know that your they are life to us.

Also, we pray for all of the GABC staff, that you would be revealing yourself to them in ways that will fill them with joy and humility in your presence.  Give them a genuine love for your people that is not based on whether they are treated rightly or whether they are liked appropriately, but based on the calling that you have placed on their lives to be shepherds of your flock, bought by your blood.

Father, in our congregation there are those who have ailing parents.  This brings all kinds of challenges.  You say, that we can cast all our cares upon you.  Father, hear our prayers, and take our cares.   We trust you to always do what is right.  We are grateful for the opportunity to provide love and care to the parents who spent years caring for us.   We want to provide a return for our parents, as it says in 1 Timothy.  Fill us with the type of compassion and mercy that Jesus would have if he were physically present.  And God let it not be begrudging, or guilty, but help us to see the joyful opportunity available to us.

Father, we also pray for those outside of our congregation.  We pray for the success of other churches like Friendship Baptist, that you would give the same comfort and encouragement that we are asking you for.  But even more than that, we pray for a gospel centered mobilization of people who will bring glory to your name in this city. 

And we pray for the city of Ames and the surrounding areas, the place in which you have planted us.  Teach us what it means to be salt and light here.  Show us the opportunities for ministry and gospel growth.  Give us courage as we have opportunities to love our neighbors, pray for our enemies, and share the gospel.  We desire for your kingdom to be advanced in the world because your placement of us here.  We want to be part of your mission on the earth to spread your glory to the ends of the earth and to gather a people from every tribe, tongue, race, and language.

And God we pray for our missionaries.  We pray for their protection, body, mind, and spirit.  But even more than protection, we pray what no doubt they are asking you for, that they would be used for the proclamation of the gospel, and the advancement of your kingdom.  Father, hear their request!  Awaken hearts of people in mass, and send workers to the field.  Even people in this congregation today, we lay before you our lives and say, send us.  Take some of the people from this body, and use them as seeds for the gospel to grow in other places. 

Father, lastly, we are always longing for the end of things, when the Son will come and finally make all things new, making all the sad things come untrue.  Every pain and suffering we face reminds us of our living in a broken world.  We are ready for it to be made new, and we know that you are the one to do it.  So Lord Jesus, come quickly.  Bring us our final rest, renew all creation, and be finally glorified in all the earth.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Fall and Rising: Simeon's Prophetic Farewell {Manuscript}

Listen to this sermon here:: Fall and Rising: Simeon's prophetic farewell

Luke 2:22-38 

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.”

³⁶ And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years from when she was a virgin, ³⁷ and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. ³⁸ And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem. ^[1]

PRAYER

On Christmas, we celebrated the coming of the messiah.  The one the world had been waiting for.  Century after century, we had looked for and hoped for the messiah to come, and finally he did. 

This is the story of Luke 2. 

In verses 1-21, Luke tells us the story of the great birth of our Savior.

Today, we’re going to talk about the verses following that part of the story, vv.22-38.  The description of Joseph and Mary bringing the 1 month old Jesus to the temple.  My plan is to simply walk through the passage together today, looking at the details in the text, and attempting to really get a grasp on what the author intended to communicate. 

Then, I’ll make a couple of observations, which hopefully help to tie things together, and draw us into worship him.

VV. 22-24

So, lets get started.  Vv. 22

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.” ^[2]

There are two things going on here, and they are actually a little conflated in the text.  The first is a ritual purification according to the Law of Moses.   We read about it in Leviticus 12.  Whenever a woman had a baby, she was unclean for seven days, and then was to remain confined for another 33 days, totaling 40 days.  During this time, she wasn’t allowed to go into the temple, or touch any of the holy things.  She just had to be by herself.  Once she had completed the 40 days, it stated that she was to go to the temple with a year old lamb and a pigeon or couple turtledove to make a sacrifice to God.  The recommendation in the law was a lamb, but there was a specific provision for the poor.  If she could not afford a lamb, she was to bring a pair of pigeons or turtledoves, which is what she did.

The other thing happening here in the temple is the consecration of the firstborn to the Lord.  As part of the Exodus of the Israelites from Egypt, God commanded that every firstborn man and beast belong to him.  He took claim over them.  So parents, when they went to the temple for purification, the firstborn baby would be consecrated.

Two things you should notice from this are that one, Jesus was growing up in a Jewish law-abiding family.  This idea, actually come up several times in this book.  Luke, the author is writing to a man named Theopholis.  Theopholis was likely a Roman official, to whom Luke was likely writing to defend Christianity against misinformation and slander.  As a representative of the Roman government, Theopholis would have been aware of many rumors that surround Christianity and aware of the fact that Jewish Christians were often the source of some consternation in synagogues and the temple.  At times Christians were thrown out, persecuted, or even killed.  His main concern would have been stability and peace in the area.  Luke recognized this, and makes an effort in his writing to communicate that from the beginning, Jesus was growing up in a family that represented the best of the Jewish world.  A peaceful, humble, law-family.

The next thing you should notice is that Jesus grew up in a poor family.  There were no signs of wealth that he grew up in.  His mom, could not even afford a lamb to offer at the temple, but had to take the cheap way afforded by the Law of Moses, even for the Messiah.  This picture of Jesus is seen throughout the gospels.  He is never seen to be one who has or ever had a lot of money.  He comes from humble, poor background.

Lets go to the next part of our passage.  Verses 25-27

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^[3] …..

Now before we look at what he said, I want to look at Simeon.  So, Simeon is a man to whom, the Holy Spirit and revealed that he would not die until he had seen the “Lord’s Christ,” or “the Messiah,” God’s great Rescuer.  He was waiting for the consolation of Israel.  The two words, righteous and devout indicate a strong commitment to the teaching of the Law and to religious practice.  Both Simeon and Anna (who comes next in the passage) are both identified as being trustworthy, faithful people who represent the best of the Jewish world.  We can trust these people.  They are voluntary true worshippers of God.

Also, notice the three times the Holy Spirit is mentioned as being involved here.  The Holy Spirit was upon him, the Holy Spirit revealed to him, and he came to the temple in the Spirit.  This should identify the strong activity of God in this passage.  Rarely do you see so much Spirit language crammed into a small space.  And remember, that leading up to this point in redemptive history, there had been almost no communication from God for several hundred years.  Prophets had seemed to fall silent.  In the arrival of Jesus, there was a flurry of new activity of the Holy Spirit, and God was working in suprising ways to do something amazing.

So lets look at what Simeon says.  There are two things that he has to say. 

Something to God, and something to Mary.  Lets read it

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.” ^[4]

 

Imagine what Simeon must have felt, as he first heard from the Spirit, that he was going to see God’s chosen one before he died.  So many years of waiting for the Messiah, the Great Rescuer.  Full of excitement, waiting forhim to be revealed.  And finally, the wait was over.  He says, now I can die!

Its interesting to me that there appears to be a parallel of the relationship of the old covenant to the new in this picture of Simeon.  Its hard for me to believe that it wasn’t intentional, so I want to point it out.  We see a man, who’s entire life seems to be built around pointing to the coming of the Messiah.  He represents all the good things of the old covenant.  He was righteous and devout, and walked in the Spirit.  Yet, he was not afraid of what would come as result of the Messiah arriving, namely his death.  Actually he invited it and looked forward to it, because the end of his life, meant that his goal and purpose had been fulfilled, and that God was saving his people.  In the coming of Jesus, there was clearly an ending point for his life, but not a conflict or disagreement with the coming age, rather a fulfillment of his purpose. 

All of redemptive history leading up to this point existed to anticipate and point to the coming of the savior of the world.  The law was put there for the same reason, to point to Jesus. Romans 10:4 says that “Christ is the END of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes,” This is the type of relationship that we’re talking about.  One that exists to point to Christ, and thus ends when Christ is revealed.  It finds fulfillment in the coming of Christ, no disagreement or conflict, but purpose.  The law was in essence waiting for the Messiah to be revealed, so that it could die.

Verse 30-32 speaks about the fact that the salvation of God was coming for all people.  The Israelites had these echoes of a coming Messiah, since they first were constituted as a people.  Their entire existence was dedicated to the fulfillment of God’s promise to crush the head of the serpent.  Jesus was to be the glory of Israel, the King.  The pinnacle.

He was also to be a light of revelation to the Gentiles, it says.  Sometimes, there can be the impression that the Gentiles were a last minute addition to God’s people, but prophecies throughout the Old Testament predicted that one day this would come.  Every time you see the word “nations” in the Old Testament, its talking about gentiles.  Isaiah 52:10 says, “The Lord has bared his holy arm before the eyes of all the nations, and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God.” The light that would be seen by Gentiles through Israel.  This prophecy is explaining to us, that the salvation brought by Jesus is not just for the Israelites, but for all people.  This prophecy is about us receiving the gospel.

So, Simeon, was glad to die, because he had seen the Messiah, the one who would fulfill all the predictions of the Old Testament, bringing salvation to the world.

After this we read the following,

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.” ^[5]

His father and mother marveled at what was said about him.  Without doubt, wouldn’t you?  Imagine bringing this baby, having an old guy walk up take the baby in his arms, looking at him and says, finally, I can die, I’ve seen God’s salvation!

Now up to this point, the passage has been relatively benign in its statements.  Salvation of God has come into the world, and it’s a wonderful thing.  The long awaited Messiah is finally here…. But what is this?

“This child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel”

And..

“For a sign that is opposed”

What this is pointing to is the fact that Jesus is going to be extremely polarizing.  This is not a salvation for every single human being in the world.  For some, Jesus is the source of a great fall.  Meaning many people are not going to simply embrace him, rather some will be very opposed.  This part of the story may not have been expected.  This is not a sentimental, Universalist type of Messiah.  Jesus came as a figure about which people would separate, and divide from one another as a result of.  Deep conflict would happen because of this child Jesus.  Even Mary was going to experience this first hand. 

Beyond that, he would be a sign to be opposed.  He was to take a similar path to that of Isaiah in the Old Testament, who was sent to preach to a people who would never respond to his preaching.  He was a sign from God, that people would oppose, not receive.  Instead of finding resolution and consolation, they put him to death.

This polarizing nature of Jesus was “so that,” we read, internal thoughts of people’s hearts would be revealed.

So what’s this talking about? 

The people with whom Jesus interacted had their lives exposed.  Whether they were irreligious or religious.  The religious people were confronted with their hoping in good works to save themselves.  They were confronted with their pride, and with their hypocrisy.  They believed that they could actually keep the law, and were therefore able to judge the works of others. 

So, to help them see, Jesus taught the level of righteousness God truly expected of them.  One that looked not only to the external, but to the heart.  God not only condemns adultery, but lust.  He condemns not just murder, but hate.  He does not expect forgives 7 times, but 70 X 7.  He expects that the weightier matters of law would be of primary importance.  Small things like whether to tithe spices should not overtake the bigger matters of mercy, justice, and faithfulness. 

To those who desired power, Jesus demonstrated a worldview that puts the humble and poor in a privileged status.  The last shall be first, and the first shall be last.  There is nothing that it is going to upset those who desire wealth and power and honor than to say that they should be the first to do foot washing.  And he showed, that he fully intended to serve and die, not be served, build an army and defeat the Romans.

He also had a habit of poking holes in people’s notions of what the Messiah was supposed to be.  He would say things like you can’t be my disciple unless you’re willing to eat my flesh and drink my blood … or that a disciple must be willing to hate his father and mother … Or that his disciples should be willing to take up a cross – accept a death sentence… And then he would say that he was going to die.  If you could not live with ambiguity and a lack of full understanding around Jesus, you would likely not continue to believe he was the Christ.

Jesus was polarizing.

Today, if people actually view who he is, he continues to be polarizing, an exposer of hearts.

What does he expose about yours?

Is it lust?  Do you justify your usage of porn, by saying, “well at least I’m not committing adultery.”

Is it anger?  Do think your anger is any less of a deal than actually murding that person?  Jesus, say “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ ²² But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire. “^[6]

Or, do you change the name for your anger and hate to “frustration,” and assume that it makes it okay for you to be the way?  Do you justify your wish for vengeance, thinking that you’ve done nothing wrong if you haven’t acted on it?

What about forgiveness?  Do you forgive your enemies?  Or only the people you care about?  Do you push off forgiveness, because you think your grudge is justified?

What about anxiety?  For some of you worry is what Jesus exposes?  If you’re honest you worry about money all the time.  You fear running out, you fear not having shelter or food or clothing.  Or You worry about what you’re going to do in the future.  You’ve got this major, but no job.  Or, you worry about how you’re going to handle the death of a loved one.  Jesus says, do not be anxious.

Are you self-righteousness.  Perhaps you feel closest kinship with the Pharisees.  You don’t think you’re really that bad of a person.  You value holiness very highly, and expect it from other people, but you leave gaping holes in your own holiness.  You worry about little things like whether someone uses certain so-called cuss-words, or whether they drink a beer on special occasions, but then slander people behind there back – missing the point that mercy, kindness, and love.  Are you a white-washed tomb?

Covetousness?  Coveting is simply wanting something that doesn’t belong to you.  We all deal with this.  Do you covet your freinds large bank account or salary, do you wish you had someone else’s house, someone else’s car, someone else’s talents or abilities, like hittinga golf ball 320 yards, or ability to focus when they’re studying, and get a 4.0 at the end of the semester.  That is coveting?  If you are not satisfied with what you have, you are coveting something that is not yours.

Do you love?  The real question is whether you have followed the two greatest commandments, to love God with your whole heart, and to love your neighbor as yourself.  Jesus demonstrated what this looks like.  His perfect holiness should convict you of your lack of love for people.  Are we willing to die for people even while they hate you?  To serve people, when you deserve to be worshiped.  Or do you tend to hate them when they hate you?

Have you bought into something other than Jesus?  Have you bought into singing songs rather than buying into worship?   Do you come to church to network not worship?  Do you come to church primarily to use your abilities or express yourself, and not primarily to worship?  Do you mainly come to say hello to friends?  Do you come mostly out of sense of obligation or a desire to be a good person, or do you come out of an overflowing joy for and desire to worship God?  These are all examples of idolatry, that are easy to hide, because being friendly is good, using your abilities is good, gathering on Sunday morning is good, building business relationships is a good thing.  But if you make that the main thing, you have made an idol.  Because, if it were bad for business, or you had no friends, or you couldn’t use your abilities, or the music is terrible, or the speaker has a long neck, big lips, and looks funny – if that’s all true then you don’t come. 

Here is what I am trying to get at.   All these things, that you have happening in your life… Jesus did not have…  And Jesus, because he is holy, perfect, full of love and grace, exposes our lack of holiness.  This is why Jesus is so polarizing.  Because no one likes to see how ugly they are.  We all hate it.  Its embarrassing, we loathe ourselves, makes us have “low self-esteem,” zaps our energy.  If people knew all our worst secrets, they would not want to work with us, be our friends, use our talents, or listen to our advice.  We would be very lonely indeed. 

And not only that, but the more we understand about God, the more we realize that he is absolutely and perfectly just.  If he is going to be absolutely and perfectly just, than he must punish wrongs that are against the most important, most real being in the universe.  These wrongs that we commit, are not just against each other, but we violate his law, we rebel against him, we run away from him, we hate him.  The cosmic center of the universe, who is absolutely just, cannot simply excuse the wrongs of a rebel insurrectionist.  He must bring the full weight of his wrath down upon it, or he ceases to be just.

So, when our sin is exposed, without God’s help, we hate God and we are hated by others.  Not too pleasant.  No one like this.  Jesus was perfect… and we are not.

But Jesus demonstrated something more than just justice.  Jesus brought mercy. 

When Jesus came, he was not just showing how to be a good person.  He was living a perfect life before God as a replacement for you.  He was acting as your representative before God.  He lived the life we should have lived. 

And because he did, it made us angry, and we killed him.  Yet in the sovereign wisdom of God, this death was actually the sacrifice that paid for our sins.  Just like the lambs in the Old Covenant, Jesus was the sacrifice that took our sin.  So he not only lived the life we should have lived, but he died the death we deserved to die … for us.

So this passage that we’re looking at this morning, should remind you that Jesus’s perfect life exposes sin.  It did it throughout his time on earth.  Some hated him, others ran to him.  He was polarizing.  The people who ran to him, recognized there need and saw the answer they had longed for.  Those who hated him, had the same need, but refused to acknowledge it. 

I hope this morning, Jesus has exposed your sin to you.  And I hope just as much, that you are clinging to his righteousness not your silly attempt.  Because to those who know him, who have been united to him, who have faith in him, the revelation of your sin should drive you to worship Jesus, and be more grateful for his amazing gift of righteousness.  IT should not make you run and hide, or try harder.  It should drive you to your knees to say, “God I need you, oh I need you, every hour I need you.  You are my one defense, you are my righteous, Oh God how I need you.”

Before God, we stand not because we’ve been good people, but because Jesus was perfect.  We stand before God not because we took our spanking, and were punished for our sin, but because Jesus took the punishment, the entire eternal wrath of God upon himself.  Every blessing we experience is because Jesus lived the life we should have lived and died the death we deserved to die.

Advent Season Worship (GABC Prayer)

God,

I love this season.  It is such great opportunity for us to spend time reflecting upon the anticipation of the birth of Christ – the thousands of years the universe sat and waited.  It held its breath, waiting for the coming of the Messiah – the promised one, the great redeemer!  Creation had been waiting and longing for something.

We all have known that something is not right.  All kinds of terrible things have plagued our world: Pestilence, drought, famine, war, cruel dictators, self-centered corrupt governments, mean and hateful people, thieves, liars, murderers, cancer, debilitating diseases, death.  The effects of the fall list could go on and on.  The story of life on earth is very much one of pain, suffering, and death.  And we all contribute to this death in our own ways.  We dismiss our own sins, and being not that serious, thinking that they hurt no one of consequence.

But when we look at Scripture, we see that you are holy.  Not even the slightest degree of tainted flesh can stand in your presence.  If the only sin we ever committed, was a single covetous thought like, “I wish that money or house or car were mine,” we would have become tainted with sin enough that we could not stand in your presence. 

So, we, your creation, year after year sin not simply against each other, but against you, the most real, most honor-worthy being in the universe.  You deserve all of our admiration and respect, but get rebellion and hatred as a whole.

And yet, throughout history, you have forgiven us.  Instead of instant and immediate destruction you have allowed us to live, and provided good things to us in the midst of our rebellion.  You would pass over the sins of your people.  In the midst of death, there has been a constant testimony of your mercy and forgiveness.

The universe has seen this injustice, and begged to have your perfect righteousness recovered.  How could the creator simply endure ongoing outright rebellion from his creation?  He created them, and deserves all respect and obedience.  Instead, from these tiny insignificant creatures were coming all kinds of nipping and biting, like a little ant.  It bites, but could be smashed instantly at your choice.  Yet you loved us undeservingly and sacrificially.  You continued to endure our biting and rebellion, despite the apparent defamation of your character.

The heavenly host shouted, “God that’s not just.  How can you do that?  Those creatures deserve destruction for what they are doing to you, you are the most infinitely holy God.”

But you said, “wait and watch.”

In your infinite wisdom, you had a plan to solve all these problems.  With the coming of Jesus, his death and resurrection, you spoke in response to this cry for justice, and to the longing for an end to suffering!!   You said, “I will take it.   I will satisfy my infinite wrath, and desire for justice… by pouring it upon myself, and thus I will ultimately redeem the creatures united to me, and justly give them full life and happiness evermore.”

God, we worship you this morning, because there is no one like you.  You are gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, rich in love, and absolutely just.  All the wrath which we, your people, deserve… you have taken all of it upon yourself, and given us a righteousness which we did not earn, but have been given.

The birth of Jesus signifies to us, something amazing, God.  The long awaited, Messiah, has come.  He is the one we and the universe has longed for, the woman’s seed who would crush the head of the serpent, bring justice to your majesty and glory, the one who would ultimately end all the terrible things in this world – making the sad things come untrue.  This person – He has been born.   We worship you, our serpent-crushing, majesty-redeeming, suffering-ending God!

Today, we look forward to our celebration of Christmas, because of what you have done.  Not because of material gifts we will receive and give, or the wonderful blessing of spending quality time with friends and family.

No, we look forward to our celebration of Christmas today, because you are an overflowing fountain of mercy and kindness, because you are full of jaw-dropping-shocking wisdom, because You promised the serpent’s head would be crushed, and you always keep your promises.   

We look forward to Christmas because you came to us in human flesh, in the person of Jesus, fully God and fully man.    You did not come as a king, you came as a humble baby born in a barn to a poor family.   Then, lived a life of poverty and suffering in perfect obedience to the Father – the life we should have lived.  Then you, Jesus, died a painful and shameful death on the cross – the death we should have died.

Our lives revolve around the most perfect and special gift that YOU gave at the incarnation.  You gave us yourself, in the person of Jesus, and changed humanity forever.

Father, as our hearts prepare to hear from your Word this morning.  Empower Michael in his speaking, soften our hearts, open our ears.  Give us understanding, and draw us into worship.  We want more of you God.  You alone are what we have come for, so by your Holy Spirit, give us more.  Not only for our sake, but for the sake of our city.  We want your kingdom to advance here.  We desire our neighbors and co-workers to know you and become participants in your overflowing love and joy with us.  Use us as conduits to bring the people with whom we have contact into your kingdom.

Finally, in this season, God bring us, our families, and our friends into joyful anticipation of Christmas, not be cause of the gifts and family, but into the celebration of the coming of our Messiah – Our King Jesus.

In His name we pray, Amen