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Bible Study for the Third Sunday of Advent - December 16th |
Read Luke 3:7-18
Someone’s coming! What wonderful news! Someone’s coming! But I’m not ready!
Parties and visitors are often a part of the holiday season. It is not uncommon to have house guests and family members staying in our homes. There is so much to do to be prepared for guests who are coming. Food needs to be bought and prepared. The house needs to be cleaned and dusted. Decorations need to be brought down from the attic and arranged. We want our house and our table to look their best. We want everything to be perfect!
1. What are other things we do to prepare for guests?
But how do we prepare ourselves? What can we do to make our guests feel important to us? What can we do to indicate to those soon to be arriving that we are excited and glad that they are coming? Our homes can be spic and span clean with all the right decorations, but if our words and actions are not welcoming, will our guests feel “at home”?
In this Advent season, we hear the message of John the Baptist heralding the coming of someone important and calling for preparation and repentance. His words are filled with hope and expectation … and challenge. Are we ready for Christ’s coming?
2. How do we prepare for Christ’s coming into our lives?
John the Baptist reminds us that our lives should reflect the desire to change and to be ready in our hearts for Christ to come. The words of a well-known hymn put it this way:
For not with swords loud clashing, nor roll of stirring drums,
But deeds of love and mercy, the heavenly kingdom comes.
(“Lead on, O King Eternal” Evangelical Lutheran Worship #805)
Our actions, words, and care for others are the fruits of our true preparation for God to come into our lives. But if we are truly honest with ourselves and with God, we must confess that we are never truly ready. Our spiritual homes will never be completely clean through our own efforts. Our fruit will never come to full ripeness. On our own, we can never be truly worthy for God to enter into our lives. We know the truth of John the Baptist’s words: “One who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandal (vs. 16).” On our own, we are never ready.
The good news is that even though we are not ready, God comes still. And in the end, God readies us – forgiving us and cleansing our hearts. The guest becomes the host, and we are welcomed at the table which has been prepared for us. And so we can dare to pray: “Amen! Come, Lord Jesus and be our guest!”
Prayer
Stir up your power, O Lord, and come. Cleanse and prepare us, so that we might reflect your coming in all we say and do. Amen
Someone’s coming! What wonderful news! Someone’s coming! But I’m not ready!
Parties and visitors are often a part of the holiday season. It is not uncommon to have house guests and family members staying in our homes. There is so much to do to be prepared for guests who are coming. Food needs to be bought and prepared. The house needs to be cleaned and dusted. Decorations need to be brought down from the attic and arranged. We want our house and our table to look their best. We want everything to be perfect!
1. What are other things we do to prepare for guests?
But how do we prepare ourselves? What can we do to make our guests feel important to us? What can we do to indicate to those soon to be arriving that we are excited and glad that they are coming? Our homes can be spic and span clean with all the right decorations, but if our words and actions are not welcoming, will our guests feel “at home”?
In this Advent season, we hear the message of John the Baptist heralding the coming of someone important and calling for preparation and repentance. His words are filled with hope and expectation … and challenge. Are we ready for Christ’s coming?
2. How do we prepare for Christ’s coming into our lives?
John the Baptist reminds us that our lives should reflect the desire to change and to be ready in our hearts for Christ to come. The words of a well-known hymn put it this way:
For not with swords loud clashing, nor roll of stirring drums,
But deeds of love and mercy, the heavenly kingdom comes.
(“Lead on, O King Eternal” Evangelical Lutheran Worship #805)
Our actions, words, and care for others are the fruits of our true preparation for God to come into our lives. But if we are truly honest with ourselves and with God, we must confess that we are never truly ready. Our spiritual homes will never be completely clean through our own efforts. Our fruit will never come to full ripeness. On our own, we can never be truly worthy for God to enter into our lives. We know the truth of John the Baptist’s words: “One who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandal (vs. 16).” On our own, we are never ready.
The good news is that even though we are not ready, God comes still. And in the end, God readies us – forgiving us and cleansing our hearts. The guest becomes the host, and we are welcomed at the table which has been prepared for us. And so we can dare to pray: “Amen! Come, Lord Jesus and be our guest!”
- How do you hope to bear fruit in the coming week?
- What does it mean for you to be welcomed at the table of Holy Communion?
Prayer
Stir up your power, O Lord, and come. Cleanse and prepare us, so that we might reflect your coming in all we say and do. Amen
Prayer Petitions for this week
These petitions are offered as guides to prayer for the global, social and outreach ministries of the ELCA, as well as for the needs and circumstances of our neighbors, communities and world. Thank you for your continued prayers for the life and mission of this church.
-Pray for comfort and healing for all members and friends of Immanuel especially Su, Lori, Tyler, Sharon, Nina, Ilene, Barb and the grieving family and friends of Ruth and Joseph.
-Over 68 million people around the world have been displaced from their homes by war, violence, disasters and persecution. Pray for the safety, care and well-being of people who have fled or been forced from their homes and countries, that they have resources to meet their daily needs and find welcoming, supportive communities and congregations to help them find stability and pursue their hopes and dreams.
-Remember in prayer ELCA missionaries accompanying our companions in Estonia, Denmark, Norway, Poland, Sweden and Switzerland; pray the Holy Spirit will inspire and sustain their faith and work of sharing the gospel, growing the church and serving our neighbor.
-In this season of buying and sharing gifts, pray God will help us rethink – for the sake of the world – our traditions, habits and generosity through the influence, opportunities and far-reaching impacts of ELCA World Hunger and ELCA Good Gifts.
-Pray for neighboring congregations and ministries, pastors, synod staff, ecumenical partners and leaders who work together with us to share the gospel, serve our neighbors and communities and grow the church.
-Ask God to help us shape and renew our congregations to be life-giving and imaginative places for people of all ages, abilities, backgrounds and circumstances to gather around God’s word and the sacraments, practice hospitality, build relationships and care for the needs of our neighbor – friend or stranger, member or not.
-Pray for the new Lutheran Men in Mission Disaster Relief Effort, which organizes men to share their skills, experiences and resources to work alongside Lutheran Disaster Response, Lutheran social services, local agencies, communities, individuals and families to repair and rebuild homes damaged by natural disasters.
-Pray the Holy Spirit will strengthen and embolden us to invite others to have faith in the Messiah, Jesus Christ, and to be compelling witnesses to God’s ways, truth, justice and mercy in the world.
-Pray for comfort and healing for all members and friends of Immanuel especially Su, Lori, Tyler, Sharon, Nina, Ilene, Barb and the grieving family and friends of Ruth and Joseph.
-Over 68 million people around the world have been displaced from their homes by war, violence, disasters and persecution. Pray for the safety, care and well-being of people who have fled or been forced from their homes and countries, that they have resources to meet their daily needs and find welcoming, supportive communities and congregations to help them find stability and pursue their hopes and dreams.
-Remember in prayer ELCA missionaries accompanying our companions in Estonia, Denmark, Norway, Poland, Sweden and Switzerland; pray the Holy Spirit will inspire and sustain their faith and work of sharing the gospel, growing the church and serving our neighbor.
-In this season of buying and sharing gifts, pray God will help us rethink – for the sake of the world – our traditions, habits and generosity through the influence, opportunities and far-reaching impacts of ELCA World Hunger and ELCA Good Gifts.
-Pray for neighboring congregations and ministries, pastors, synod staff, ecumenical partners and leaders who work together with us to share the gospel, serve our neighbors and communities and grow the church.
-Ask God to help us shape and renew our congregations to be life-giving and imaginative places for people of all ages, abilities, backgrounds and circumstances to gather around God’s word and the sacraments, practice hospitality, build relationships and care for the needs of our neighbor – friend or stranger, member or not.
-Pray for the new Lutheran Men in Mission Disaster Relief Effort, which organizes men to share their skills, experiences and resources to work alongside Lutheran Disaster Response, Lutheran social services, local agencies, communities, individuals and families to repair and rebuild homes damaged by natural disasters.
-Pray the Holy Spirit will strengthen and embolden us to invite others to have faith in the Messiah, Jesus Christ, and to be compelling witnesses to God’s ways, truth, justice and mercy in the world.
Advent 2017
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Pastor Joanne made a series of videos with a message for each week of the Advent season. Please follow this link to see those messages
Advent videos 2017 |
Lent 2018
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The gospel of John tells the story of Jesus’ death and resurrection in a poignant, dramatic, and unique voice. In this Lenten Bible study, you are invited to enter into John’s world and encounter those who were a part of Jesus’ final days.
Introduction to the Gospel of John Week 1 – Nicodemus: Journey from Darkness to Light Week 2 – Judas: Journey to the Dark Side Week 3 – Peter: Journey to Understanding Week 4 – Mary Magdalene: Journey to Life Week 5 – The Beloved Disciple: Our Journey to Faithfulness |
