Archive for December, 2024
“Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land.”
Jeremiah 23:5, ESV
We find joy in Christ, the promised wise King from David who saves us from sin and reigns forever in righteousness.
Let us always lift up faithful preaching and cultivated hearts for Jesus.
Daniel
For this Sunday here’s what you can do: Pray for the sermon series on Old Testament Narratives and the Coming Christ I taught overseas would be used by God.
This Sunday at Church: Pray for the sermon series on Old Testament Narratives and the Coming Christ I taught overseas would be used by God
There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit.
Isaiah 11:1, ESV
We find joy in Christ, the one who was promised to King David and to bring us into relationship with God, our Creator and Savior.
I enjoy the Christmas season. I enjoy celebrating Advent.
The first week of Advent can be found here. The second week of Advent can be found here.
The third week of Advent is traditionally seen as being a time for looking at joy. This year, I am using some of the readings from the Revised Common Lectionary.
Let’s get into
Sing for joy, Daughter Zion;
Zephaniah 3:14-17, CSB
shout loudly, Israel!
Be glad and celebrate with all your heart,
Daughter Jerusalem!
The Lord has removed your punishment;
he has turned back your enemy.
The King of Israel, the Lord, is among you;
you need no longer fear harm.
On that day it will be said to Jerusalem:
“Do not fear;
Zion, do not let your hands grow weak.
The Lord your God is among you,
a warrior who saves.
He will rejoice over you with gladness.
He will be quiet in his love.
He will delight in you with singing.”
We saw previously that God is our hope and peace, that Christ is our faithful Priestly King prophesied centuries earlier and proclaimed at His birth and before His earthly ministry began.
This week we see the joy that Christ brings. Jesus came to His people, to Jerusalem at the proper time to take away our sin and shame. Our heavenly King came to dwell amongst us, to save us, and to give us full hope of eternity where He will rejoice with us, not condemning us but delighting in us. Let us join in the rejoicing!
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your graciousness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:4-7, CSB
As we await Christ’s second coming, we cast all our anxieties on Him through prayer and thanksgiving, rejoicing in the Lord who saves, giving us hope and peace and eternal joy. Let us worship the King who has come! Let us love our God who dwelt among us and dwells within us by His Holy Spirit to the glory of the Father!
Lord, prepare our hearts for joy by the power of the Holy Spirit that others may see the joy and peace You grant us. Help us to see Your goodness in all things and to proclaim the joy of the cross to a lost and hurting world until Your return!
“Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah.”
Jeremiah 33:14, ESV
God has given us peace through Christ by revealing His love through the cross, and we can have peace knowing He is faithful to keep His promises. Trust in our faithful God.
A voice cries: “In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God.“
Isaiah 40:3, ESV
God has given us peace through Christ by revealing His love through the cross, and it was proof of the prophecies from hundreds of years earlier, even of John the Baptist, showing God’s faithfulness. Our peace comes in knowing His sovereignty and omniscience.
I noticed that today is 12/12/24, and that made me think of the 24 elders around the throne in John’s vision from Jesus.
So, I want to call today Revelation 4 Day as a day to remember that God is sovereign and we will all bow down before Him.
(That should be everyday!)
By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.
1 John 3:16, ESV
God has given us peace through Christ by revealing His love through the cross, and we share that peace and love by doing the same in His name for others to see His love and find that peace.
This could be a helpful series for anyone who would like information about congregational churches.
Daniel
I am finished with this series on the blog on answering objections to congregational authority. Before reading this series check out my “Biblical Support for Church Congregational Authority: Table of Contents.” So here are the table of contents of answering objections to congregational authority:
Objections to Congregational Authority Series Table of Contents
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.
John 13:34, ESV
God has given us peace through Christ by revealing His love through the cross, and now we carry that peace by loving His Church with the same sacrificial love He showed us.
a simple man of God 