The theme for this week is Our Hope is in His Coming.
- In our call to worship psalm, David declares the joy he feels in being invited to the house of the Lord, where all tribes go up to give thanks.
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- Psalm 122:1-5, 6-9
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- The prophet Isaiah talks about when the house of the Lord is established, and “all nations shall stream to it.”
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- Isaiah 2:1-5
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- Paul tells believers in Rome that salvation is nearer every day — our hope is closer, the day is near.
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- Romans 13:11-14
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- Matthew describes the day of the coming of the Lord and tells us to be ready.
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- Matthew 24:36-41, 42-44
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Yesterday was the first Sunday of Advent, a season of waiting — we wait for the coming of the Lord. Advent focuses on three “comings” —
- Jesus’ arrival in history as the babe born of the virgin Mary,
- His glorious return at the end of the age,
- His intermediate entrance into and presence in our personal lives by his Spirit.
Advent includes looking back and looking forward, looking in wonder at the promises of God from beginning to end. The whole of the Old Testament is the text for Advent.
Yesterday, we celebrated the first Sunday of Advent with the theme of HOPE. Jesus is our hope,
- our hope for the reality of forgiveness,
- our hope for the truth of our true identity,
- our hope for the resurrection, our hope for eternity with Father, Son, and Spirit.