aDVENT 2020

For God Still So Loves His World

WELCOME TO ADVENT 2020!

Advent is a special time of year on our liturgical calendar. It helps to set the rhythm of the entire year. On the one hand, it is celebrated at the conclusion of our calendar year. So, it has somewhat of a “summary” feel to it since we are bringing our year of worship emphases to a conclusion.

And yet, Advent always has a sense of initiation to it. We are launching once again the celebration of the Incarnation. We are beginning a new liturgical year . . . at the beginning! We celebrate the birth of Jesus and experience the sense of renewal that always brings to us.

This year, we are going to focus our attention on Ephesians 2:1-10 as we explore “his great love for us” (Ephesians 2:4). To set the context of our journey together, we will read the Gospel of John this Advent Season. The story of Jesus is a story of love. John’s Gospel in particular uses the verb form of “love” more than any other Gospel. There are some 60 occurrences of love language in this Gospel. Should we be shocked? After all, Jesus addressed the Apostle John on the cross and he is identified as “the disciple whom he loved” (John 19:26).

Obviously, this Advent emphasis is a further extension of our theme for the entire year of 2020: 

What our world needs now is . . . Love!

ADVENT 2020

November 29, 2020: For God So Loved . . .

John records for us the amazing encounter between Nicodemus and Jesus in John 3. At the heart of this conversation was an exchange about the need for true, spiritual conversion in the heart of every person. This kind of holistic transformation is only possible if a person enters into a personal relationship with the Son of God. That relationship is only possible because God the Father sent God the Son into the world. His motivation? Love!

Sermon Text: John 3:16-21

Reflections on the Sermon/Daily Bible Readings:

-As we begin the Advent Season, let’s reflect on the profound truth that God chose to send His Son into His world so that we might know Him and experience the life He offers us!

-How would you describe the love of God that is revealed through the gift of His Son?

-Notice in our readings this week how Jesus is revealed as the Savior of the world!

Daily Bible Readings

November 30: John 2

December 1: John 3

December 2: John 4:1-26

December 3: John 4:27-42

December 4: John 4:43-54

December 5: Ephesians 2:1-10

December 6, 2020: Why Do We Need God’s Love?

Paul does not mince words in Ephesians 2:1-4. To say we were in bad shape before Christ is an incredible understatement. Here in this text, the Apostle lays out the sad but realistic truth. We have all fallen way short of God’s original desire for us. Our sin has been so pervasive and so destructive that we are deserving of the wrath of Almighty God. Yeah – it’s that bad!

Sermon Text: Ephesians 2:1-3

Reflections on the Sermon/Daily Bible Readings:

-Advent can be a time of both celebration and reflection. Take some time this week to reflect on the sinfulness of humanity that necessitated the Incarnation in the first place.

-How would you describe God’s loving response to our sinful condition?

-In our readings this week, we will hear some profound teachings from Jesus Himself. Interact with these teachings. What is God teaching you as you hear the words of Jesus this week?

Daily Bible Readings

December 7: John 5

December 8: John 6:1-40

December 9: John 6:41-71

December 10: John 7

December 11: John 8

December 12: Ephesians 2:1-10

December 13, 2020: Because of His Great Love for Us!

At the heart of the Christmas Story is . . . love! God so loves us! His love is so great! Being rich in mercy, God demonstrated His love for us in Christ. In Christ, God’s grace is on full display. It is this grace that has provided a path for our eternal salvation. God’s grace is a direct manifestation of His love.

Sermon Text: Ephesians 2:4-9

Reflections on the Sermon/Daily Bible Readings:

-God’s love is on full display at Christmas! He loves His world so much that He has sent His Son to redeem us. Take some time each day this week to thank God for this incredible gift!

-Our salvation in Christ is a gift of God’s grace. Meditate this week on Ephesians 2:1-10.

-In your own words, describe God’s gift of grace that allows us to experience eternal life.

Daily Bible Readings

December 14: John 9

December 15: John 10

December 16: John 11

December 17: John 12

December 18: John 13

December 19: Ephesians 2:1-10

December 20, 2020: God’s Masterpiece

At Christmas, we celebrate God’s greatest gift, His Son! Jesus Christ is God’s Masterpiece! When we accept Jesus into our lives, we begin an eternal journey of life on The Jesus Way. God has prepared this Way for us. In fact, each one of us is God’s masterpiece as well! He has uniquely crafted each one of us for a life of purpose and meaning. What a Christmas gift!

Sermon Text: Ephesians 2:10

Reflections on the Sermon/Daily Bible Readings:

-Reflect this week on God’s ultimate Masterpiece – Jesus Christ!

-How is God opening doors in your life each day for you to participate in His plan for your life?

-What are some good works that you are engaged in?

Daily Bible Readings

December 21: John 14

December 22: John 15

December 23: John 16

December 24: John 17

Christmas Eve, 2020: Love That Will Not Let Me Go!

On Christmas Eve, I will read John’s account of the Christmas Story. John’s account has a cosmic and eternal sense to it. Yet, it resonates with the love of God. God is so concerned about His creation that He decided to personally visit this planet and secure the redemption of all who would follow Him. That is good news worth celebrating. That is what Christmas is all about!

Sermon Text: John 1:1-18

Daily Bible Readings

December 25: John 1

December 26: Ephesians 2:1-10

December 27, 2020: Walking in Love

And so, we bring 2020 to a conclusion. What have we learned this year? We have spent the year exploring what the Bible teaches about love. We now sum it all up as we heed the admonition of these two verses ---- Imitate God and walk in love!

Sermon Text: Ephesians 5:1-2

Reflections on the Sermon/Daily Bible Readings:

-2020 is drawing to a conclusion. How would you describe this year in your life?

-What has God taught you in 2020?

-How much more do you know about love because of our year-long emphasis on love?

-What are some ways God has shown you His love this year?

Daily Bible Readings

December 28: John 18

December 29: John 19:1-27

December 30: John 19:28-42

December 31: John 20

January 1: John 21

January 2: Ephesians 2:1-10