Jesus Is Coming Series

Advent week one

Jesus is Coming

Isaiah

Mark13:24-37

Introduction-

This morning we begin Advent with a series entitled “Long expected Jesus”

The 4 weeks before Christmas called Advent are designed to slow us down and have us prepare ourselves for Christmas and celebrate with enthusiasm the Birth of our Savior Jesus Christ. Nothing wrong with present buying and food prep and family gatherings, but if we are really going to celebrate Christmas for its intended purpose, we cannot neglect Christ.

I read a tremendous book entitled “The Remarkable Ordinary” by Frederick Buechner. The whole purpose of his book was to slow you down to see the things that are around you and when you do, you experience maybe for the first time things that you have never took time to experience.

Stopping for a moment to see things that lack of time prevents you from seeing. (Sun rise, sun set, Godly moments)

Looking at things that a quick glance you would have missed. (Praying Mantis hanging on a tree or branch)

Looking from the heart, giving heed to detail in a busy and complex world. (Asking how someone is and waiting for an answer with sincere concern)

Listening to sounds that would be drowned out by everyday noise. (Birds, animals in the woods, a clock ticking, enjoying quietness.)

It changes your life and it changes your perspective of life.

That is what Advent is designed to do for the believer- you have to decide if you will take the time, energy, and purpose to let it do that for you.

With the Lords help, we can experience Christmas in a fresh and new and creative way if we allow God time to show us and give us that perspective.

What do you say, you up for an adventure?

Will you allow God to do something new and give Him permission and the time to do it?

Here is the my intended thoughts for this Advent season-

Jesus is Coming

Jesus is Lord

Jesus is the light to this dark world.

This long expected Jesus would change your life. No matter where you are at in your journey of life, He can and will make it better if you let Him.

Jesus is coming-

Over 700 hundred years before the physical Jesus would walk on this earth, God had a plan.

Isaiah 59:19-20- Read form Bible

Acts 2:38-39 New Testament

Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

This promise belongs to you and to your children and to all who are far off, to all whom the Lord our God will call to Himself."

The redeemer was coming

A plan for mankind by which He prophesied and recorded that a redeemer was coming.

The redeemer coming would be a witness. Isa. 55:4

The redeemer coming would provide salvation. Isa. 59:15

The redeemer coming would be an intercessor between God and man. Isa. 59:15

The redeemer coming would have the spirit of God upon him. Isa. 61:1

The redeemer coming would provide freedom from sin and death. Isa. 61;1

The redeemer coming would provide a period of Grace. Isa. 61:1

The redeemer coming would be resurrected by God. Isa. 55:3

These things have all been fulfilled. The redeemers name is Jesus Christ.

For the nation of Israel and the prophet Isaiah, it was the anticipation of the redeemer coming and being prepared to welcome Him in when He comes.

The excitement of a redeemer coming.

The fulfillment of the promise of God.

The recognition of knowing Him when He arrived.

Isaiah never saw the Lord in his lifetime, but patiently waited with anticipation.

For him, Jesus would be hope to the nation of Israel.

For us on this side of the cross, He (Jesus) is the hope of not only Israel but for all who would receive salvation and forgiveness.

The first candle of Advent is Hope.

Hope is something gained by putting your trust in something.

Hope is lost when what you put your trust in has failed or you have lost faith that it will happen.

Even though Isaiah never saw the redeemer come, he never lost faith or in the hope that He was coming. It was a promise he lived, breathed, and died. The fact does not change because he did not see it, it just was not in his timing, it was God’s timing.

We have all kinds of proof that Jesus lived, die, and was resurrected.

At His resurrection, He promised to come back and receive those that have put their faith in the redeemer (Jesus Christ)

So, here we are today over 2000 years later and we are waiting for our redeemer to return.