Shake It Up! Light the Way (2018-1202, message)
1-2
Dec 2018, Christ Mountain Top, Advent 1
Praying
the Psalm, NONE – invitation, confession, pardon
the Psalm, NONE – invitation, confession, pardon
Children/Advent
Wreath, Jeremiah 33.14-16, signs
Wreath, Jeremiah 33.14-16, signs
Message,
Luke 21.25-36
Luke 21.25-36
Blessing,
1 Thessalonians 3.9-13
1 Thessalonians 3.9-13
Chaos
The news – politics, disaster, war,
violence
violence
The season – simply having TIME
Close to home –
suicide of a young person or
parenting in general
parenting in general
waiting for a medical diagnosis or
treatment
treatment
job loss
uncertainty of college applications
or romantic desire
or romantic desire
wild rabbits surfing on sheep (2017 news)
Jesse’s ring tone, from a video game,
“Chaos”
“Chaos”
Today’s
texts highlight chaos in the world, chaos that is preliminary to God’s arrival:
texts highlight chaos in the world, chaos that is preliminary to God’s arrival:
Heaven and earth pass away
Distress from the sea
Signs in the sky
Fainting with fear
A day that springs on us like a trap
And
all of it preliminary to the arrival of the Son of Man. That arrival is what we
call “Advent” and that is what we focus on in this season – not the past,
first, Advent but the coming Advent.
all of it preliminary to the arrival of the Son of Man. That arrival is what we
call “Advent” and that is what we focus on in this season – not the past,
first, Advent but the coming Advent.
The
sense of judgment. The world faints with fear. Yet, we all know that we need
some judgment. This world is NOT right and we need to be made right. So
judgment comes as good news. It gives us hope.
sense of judgment. The world faints with fear. Yet, we all know that we need
some judgment. This world is NOT right and we need to be made right. So
judgment comes as good news. It gives us hope.
In
chaos:
chaos:
Can’t see the future
Can’t navigate with hope
Need to light the way
Light
the way with signs
the way with signs
So often we miss the obvious
Even now, buds are set on
rhododendrons
rhododendrons
We do not have to wait until March
for signs of spring
for signs of spring
· A
couple hundred young people gathering to console & celebrate the life of
their friend, learning to practice what Paul calls “grieving with hope”
couple hundred young people gathering to console & celebrate the life of
their friend, learning to practice what Paul calls “grieving with hope”
· Unexpected
friendships formed in cancer treatment
friendships formed in cancer treatment
· The
generosity of God through God’s people when we have fallen on hard times
generosity of God through God’s people when we have fallen on hard times
· Learning
more about ourselves – and appreciating the gift of who we are – while waiting
for the right college or romantic fit
more about ourselves – and appreciating the gift of who we are – while waiting
for the right college or romantic fit
There
is light at the end of the tunnel, and it ain’t the train
is light at the end of the tunnel, and it ain’t the train
Zoe,
looking for the frisbee in the dark – flashlight
looking for the frisbee in the dark – flashlight