Advent Preview

This first Advent post, meant to be read on December 1st, went live on November 26 because I am teaching my adult Sunday School class the significance of Advent.  

Here are some Advent How to Resources:

• Shepherd on the Search is like Elf on the Shelf with a focus on Jesus instead of Santa.

• The Dawning of Indestructible Joy Daily Advent Devotional by John Piper.

• Daily Advent devotionals posted at www.drodgersjr.com.  There will be one for families with children and one for teens and adults.

The devotional below will be reposted on December 1 and from that day until Christmas there will be daily Advent posts.

The first reading is for families with children.
The second reading is from the book Good News of Great Joy at Desiring God 

Empty Stable

Taken from http://partofthemain.wordpress.com/2011/12/01/the-empty-stable-waiting-for-jesus-then-and-now/

Right now we are beginning the season of Advent. At the end of Advent is Christmas. The word “advent” means “coming.” It is the season when we remember the coming of Jesus Christ, God’s only son, into the world. Have you ever waited for something for a long time? God’s people had been waiting for a very long time for God to send a Savior to them and keep all of his promises. That Savior was Jesus–who was born long ago in a stable in Bethlehem. The baby Jesus would grow up to save all of God’s people. Yet that is not all of the good news. It was God’s plan to send Jesus to the world twice. He came long ago and he is coming back again. Like the people of Israel, we are waiting for him to come.

Jesus, thank you for coming down into our world! As we learn about your coming help us to see what you have done for us. Help us to be ready for you to come again. Amen.

Bible Readings: Psalm 130; 1 Thessalonians 4:15-18

Another Advent Reading Plan is Good News of Great Joy
by John Piper

You can watch an introduction video and/or download the whole book at www.desiringgod.org/books/good-news-of-great-joy
You can also get the daily reading at https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/prepare-the-way

What and Why of Advent

Originally Published in 2017.

The word Advent finds its root in the Latin word Adventus.

WHAT IS ADVENT?
There are two different ways Advent can be celebrated.
Churches can have Advent readings and candles in each of the four Sundays leading up to Christmas.
Individuals can do Advent readings and activities beginning December 1 through December 24.  This is what West Cannon is doing this year (2017).  Starting December 1 go to www.drodgersjr.com/search/label/Holidays

This word Advent has several definitions that will help you understand why using an Advent devotional/reading during this time of the year is helpful.  These definitions are taken from www.latin-dictionary.net/search/latin/Advent.  My thoughts are in italics.

1. arrival, approach - Advent celebrates the arrival of the Messiah - Jesus Christ, God in the flesh.  It also reminds Christ-followers of the anticipatory hope we have that Jesus is coming again.
2. invasion, incursion - Advent reminds us of our sin problem.  While Jesus did come as a baby in a manger, His purpose was to save sinners (1 Timothy 1:15).  He did this through his life, death, resurrection, and ascension.  He came for God's glory and so that we could have victory over sin.
3. ripening - Of the four definitions given this is the one that might seem the most strange at first.  However when you consider one of Merriam-Webster's definitions of "ripening" - to bring to completeness or perfection along with Galatians 4:4-5; Romans 5:6-8, it provides a great visual reminder.  The time was ripe for Jesus' birth.  
4. visit, appearance - Advent is about so much more than a baby in a stable.  It is about the appearance of God's grace, Jesus, who brings salvation (Titus 2:11).  It also reminds us that Jesus will appear again (Titus 2:13).

We are not commanded to celebrate Advent throughout the month of December.  However, we are told to consider who Jesus is and what He has done for us (Hebrews 3:1-2; Hebrews 10:19-25; Hebrews 12:3).   

HERE is an article that gives Seven Reasons to Celebrate Advent. 

Use this Advent season to do what we should be doing all the time, glorying God by making much of Jesus Christ.  

This Sunday, November 26, 2017 the Sunday School class I teach at West Cannon Baptist Church is going to learn more about the What, Why and HOW of Advent.  I will also share advent resources and devotionals here beginning this Saturday, November 25.

Chapter 3 of Holiness - Holiness

Welcome to the 3rd week of reading the book Holiness.

This week's chapter is Holiness.

For general info about the reading schedule go to 

http://drodgersjr.blogspot.com/p/t4g2018.html

It is my prayer that God is using this book and especially God's Word

to help you grow in holiness.

Here are the questions for this first chapter.

GENERAL (Questions for each chapter)

1.  What is a quote or two from Chapter 3 that stood out to you?

2.  What was something this chapter said about God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit?

3. What was something this chapter said about man?

4.  What was something this chapter said about how a Christian is to live?  

Think general and specific applications.

SPECIFIC (Questions specific to this chapter)

5.  What is holiness NOT?

6.  Why is holiness so important?

FINAL QUESTION

7.  What is the most significant thing that you learned from this chapter?

For more specific questions on this chapter through chapter 10 

go to www.chapellibrary.org/files/2914/3941/1948/HO1-SG.pdf

Additional Resources:

Tim Challies wrote about this second chapter on his blog

https://www.challies.com/reading-classics-together/reading-classics-together-holiness-sanctification/