Advent

The MAJESTY of Christmas

DECEMBER 10, 2023

Main Scripture: Isaiah 40:1-10

Additional Scriptures: Isaiah 6:5-7, 9:2, 29:13, Hebrews 12:5-6, 1 John 4:16-18, John 16:33

POINTS:

• Advent is a means by which the church repositions itself between a "Once Upon a Time" and a "Happily Ever After.

• Is there a disconnect between what your mouth confesses and what your heart believes about God?

• God does not punish those He loves, He disciplines them. Punishment wants the other person to suffer while discipline wants to help the other person be better.

• Fear has to do with punishment.

• God speaks tenderly to you, telling you that He is with you this Advent season.

• The more we recognize His Majesty during suffering, the more comfort we will feel amid suffering.

• Repentance is not a divine spanking, it’s a divine connection to what is true - Matt Chandler

• We have become so accustomed to Christmas, that we no longer feel the fear that God’s coming should arouse in us” - Dietrich Bonhoeffer.

• To receive His comfort we must worship God for who He is and believe who He says we are to Him.

• Exile may be where you are, but that is not who you are. You are a child of the King.

• To connect our heart to worship God’s majesty we need to worship Him in Community with other believers.

• Worship in a biblical community reminds us of “Me too”.