Pastor’s Corner December 2013

The following was published in our monthly newsletter, the Redeemer Report.

It’s time to celebrate Advent at Redeemer!

The English word “Advent” is derived from the Latin advenire, “to come to.”  Advent has to do with the Lord’s coming to us.  The Lord has come to us (at the birth of Christ), and is continually with us (Immanuel = God with us).  We look forward to His finally coming in glory some day.Advent is a time to reflect upon all of these ways in which the Lord comes to us, but especially the purpose of His coming- to save us from our sins.  Please remember that the purpose of Advent is not to imagine ourselves to be living at the time immediately preceding Christ’s birth and to somehow imagine that we are waiting for him to come.  It is not time for a spiritual game of “let’s pretend.”  Neither is the purpose of Advent to think sentimental thoughts about the baby Jesus.  There is no spiritual power in any of this.  The purpose of Advent is to reflect upon the significance of Christ’s coming and what we are called to do in response. Advent is also a time to  look forward to Jesus’ certain return- an expectation that compels us to be about His Kingdom work now.

This year I will bring a special 4-message Advent themed sermon series that takes it’s cue from John17:18 – “As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world.”

Jesus came and did many things during his time on earth.  As He says in John 17:18, He sends us to do like He did.  What did Jesus do?  A great many things.  He gave Himself as the perfect sacrifice for our sins.  He preached the gospel and brought salvation.  He showed compassion and mercy.  He spoke the truth (as He is the Truth) and confronted lies.  He brought peace and calm with His eternal insight and perspective.  So, from these actions of Jesus when He came as a man, I will bring messages to hopefully encourage us to go in to the world and do like Jesus did, by His grace and power.  Please pray for God to make our hearts receptive to these four messages.

12/1  John 17:18  Jesus Sends us to Bring the Gospel

12/8  John 17:18  Jesus Sends us to Bring Compassion and Mercy

12/15 John 17:18 Jesus Sends us to Bring the Truth and confront Lies

12/22 John 17:18 Jesus Sends us to Bring Peace and Calm

Advent is a blessed time of year for our church and other Christians across the globe.  Come ready to worship, reflect, and react.  We start our official Advent observation and reflection this Sunday morning, try not to miss any of the special events during this month.

In the Lamb,

Pastor Tony Felich