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With Us – God Draws Near
John 1:14,; Colossians 2:9-10
We may have wandered far away from God but He seeks to draw near to us even where we are so may we seek Him and follow Him back home.
WatchNotesDownloadDateTitle
- Dec 2, 2019With Us – God Draws Near
With Us – God Draws NearJohn 1:14,; Colossians 2:9-10We may have wandered far away from God but He seeks to draw near to us even where we are so may we seek Him and follow Him back home.
- Nov 24, 2019Four Building Blocks
Four Building BlocksNeo-Orthodox theologian Emil Bruner once said, “To sin is to go at it alone.” God’s arrival among us addresses a deep need and craving that we all have within: “Can I know that I am one with God?” The Christian story tells us that God moved first, that it was his desire to dwell among us. This wonderful truth has an array of ramifications for us and our world today.
- Nov 10, 2019Forgiveness – A Forgiveness Economy
Forgiveness – A Forgiveness Economy
Colossians 3:12-17
A Christian has a unique response to being hurt by someone: to forgive. Forgiveness is a challenging task for the believer, but God give us the grace to forgive from the heart and to walk confidently in the truth.
- Nov 3, 2019Forgiveness – One and Done
Forgiveness – One and DoneTo err is humanTo forgive...
is even more human.We are not one-and-done in this life. Our sins are forgiven so that we can become what God calls us to be. - Oct 27, 2019Be Rich-Diversity
Be Rich-Diversity1 Timothy 6:17-19We humans are desiring beings that need incentive to make changes. Jesus provides the incentive that we need: that we store up treasures in heaven when we are generous with our resources. This message gives a basic plan for how to excel in generosity.
- Oct 24, 2019Theology Thursday | Law and Gospel
Theology Thursday | Law and GospelAdvent puts out a mid-week podcast in order to make connections, promote God stories, and open up our conversations with the community. Once a month we have a segment called Theology Thursday where we discuss a Christian truth in a format we call Elevator Theology. This week we're talking with Pastor Don about Law and Gospel.
- Oct 20, 2019Be Rich – Dollar Cost Living
Be Rich – Dollar Cost Living1 Timothy 6:17-19 and Mark 12:41-44When we hear the word "Rich" the majority of us don't think that means us. If we're lucky we live from paycheck to paycheck, and the next bill comes due right on payday. Our hope has migrated to hope in stuff and so we hoard what we have hoping to save our way to safety but wealth is so uncertain. Instead, we must commit ourselves to this declaration: I will not place my hope in riches, but in Him who richly provides. Watch what happens to your heart, and then watch God honor that faith by doing something extraordinary in our city, our nation, and, who knows, maybe the world.
- Oct 16, 2019Who Are You Wednesday | Nancy Garrison
Who Are You Wednesday | Nancy GarrisonAdvent puts out a mid-week podcast in order to make connections, promote God stories, and open up our conversations with the community. Once a month, we have a segment called Who Are You Wednesday where we get to know an Advent staff member. This week we'll hear from our Financial Support Guru, Nancy Garrison.
- Oct 13, 2019Be Rich – Side Effects
Be Rich – Side Effects1 Timothy 6:17-19; Proverbs 18:11The Apostle Paul provides a warning to those who trust in their riches: it’ll cause their hope to migrate away from God towards hope in their riches. But, are money and possessions good sources of hope? Today we’ll address the side effects of wealth and prosperity.
- Oct 8, 2019Testimony Tuesday | Garry and Christy Shriver
Testimony Tuesday | Garry and Christy ShriverAdvent puts out a mid-week podcast in order to make connections, promote God stories, and open up our conversations with the community. Once a month, we have a segment called Testimony Tuesday where we get to hear how God has worked and is working in the lives of Advent members. This week we'll hear about Garry and Christy Shrivers. You can find their podcast here: https://www.howtolovelitpodcast.com/
With Us – God Draws Near
John 1:14,; Colossians 2:9-10
We may have wandered far away from God but He seeks to draw near to us even where we are so may we seek Him and follow Him back home.
WatchNotesDownloadDateTitle
- Dec 2, 2019With Us – God Draws Near
With Us – God Draws NearJohn 1:14,; Colossians 2:9-10We may have wandered far away from God but He seeks to draw near to us even where we are so may we seek Him and follow Him back home.
Forgiveness – A Forgiveness Economy
Colossians 3:12-17
A Christian has a unique response to being hurt by someone: to forgive. Forgiveness is a challenging task for the believer, but God give us the grace to forgive from the heart and to walk confidently in the truth.
WatchNotesDownloadDateTitle
- Nov 10, 2019Forgiveness – A Forgiveness Economy
Forgiveness – A Forgiveness Economy
Colossians 3:12-17
A Christian has a unique response to being hurt by someone: to forgive. Forgiveness is a challenging task for the believer, but God give us the grace to forgive from the heart and to walk confidently in the truth.
- Nov 3, 2019Forgiveness – One and Done
Forgiveness – One and DoneTo err is humanTo forgive...
is even more human.We are not one-and-done in this life. Our sins are forgiven so that we can become what God calls us to be.
Be Rich-Diversity
1 Timothy 6:17-19
We humans are desiring beings that need incentive to make changes. Jesus provides the incentive that we need: that we store up treasures in heaven when we are generous with our resources. This message gives a basic plan for how to excel in generosity.
WatchNotesDownloadDateTitle
- Oct 27, 2019Be Rich-Diversity
Be Rich-Diversity1 Timothy 6:17-19We humans are desiring beings that need incentive to make changes. Jesus provides the incentive that we need: that we store up treasures in heaven when we are generous with our resources. This message gives a basic plan for how to excel in generosity.
- Oct 20, 2019Be Rich – Dollar Cost Living
Be Rich – Dollar Cost Living1 Timothy 6:17-19 and Mark 12:41-44When we hear the word "Rich" the majority of us don't think that means us. If we're lucky we live from paycheck to paycheck, and the next bill comes due right on payday. Our hope has migrated to hope in stuff and so we hoard what we have hoping to save our way to safety but wealth is so uncertain. Instead, we must commit ourselves to this declaration: I will not place my hope in riches, but in Him who richly provides. Watch what happens to your heart, and then watch God honor that faith by doing something extraordinary in our city, our nation, and, who knows, maybe the world.
- Oct 13, 2019Be Rich – Side Effects
Be Rich – Side Effects1 Timothy 6:17-19; Proverbs 18:11The Apostle Paul provides a warning to those who trust in their riches: it’ll cause their hope to migrate away from God towards hope in their riches. But, are money and possessions good sources of hope? Today we’ll address the side effects of wealth and prosperity.
- Oct 6, 2019Be Rich – Congratulations
Be Rich – Congratulations1 Timothy 6:17-19Paul gives an unusual command to Christians who are “rich in this present world,” that they should excel in the grace of generosity and service. We might suggest that this command is for someone else because we don’t feel all that rich. But, according to 99% of the rest of the world, we are rich. Even so, what is the opportunity for the Christian who is rich in this present world? Over the next few weeks, we’ll examine the remainder of Paul’s command to the rich among us.
Swiss Army Knife – Reconciliation
Matthew 5:21-26
(Reconciliation) will almost certainly involve climbing down from the high pedestal on which you have placed yourself, abandoning your position of superiority over the person you are angry with. But genuine humans don't live on pedestals; they have their feet on the ground, on a level with everybody else.
- NT Wright
- NT Wright
WatchNotesDownloadDateTitle
- Sep 15, 2019Swiss Army Knife – Reconciliation
Swiss Army Knife – ReconciliationMatthew 5:21-26(Reconciliation) will almost certainly involve climbing down from the high pedestal on which you have placed yourself, abandoning your position of superiority over the person you are angry with. But genuine humans don't live on pedestals; they have their feet on the ground, on a level with everybody else.
- NT Wright - Sep 8, 2019Swiss Army Knife – Bible Study
Swiss Army Knife – Bible StudyMatthew 7:24-27What narrative are you building your life on? Is this narrative going to sustain you? Or, does it have weaknesses? Do these weaknesses function as blind spots? The answer is "Yes, we all live by some narrative, whether we realize it or not," and that narrative is not always our own."...he thought his mind was his own. Never his own until he makes it Christ's; up till then, merely a result of heredity, environment, and the state of his digestion. I became my own only when I gave myself to Another." - C.S. Lewis
- Sep 1, 2019Swiss army Knife – Fasting
Swiss army Knife – FastingMatthew 6:16-18Fasting provides that "low hum" of discomfort in our bodies, convincing us to keep deliberately working on our faith. There is a benefit to struggle in secret rather than struggling before the eyes of others. We find that in secret our ego evaporates and we are lead to deeper contentment."The only purpose of such practices (as fasting) is to make disciples more willing and more joyous in following the designated path and doing the works required of them." - Dietrich Bonhoeffer
- Aug 25, 2019Swiss Army Knife – Prayer
Swiss Army Knife – PrayerMatthew 6:5-14Jesus gives is an alternative to the attention seeking public prayer of his time. Rather than pray to impress others he tells us to pray in secret where we can have our attention on God alone. Christs example to us, the Lord's Prayer, prompts us to pray with a template of Presence, Purity, Power, Provision, Pardon, Protection."Prayer is one of life's great mysteries. Most people pray at least sometimes...At its lowest, prayer is shouting into a void on the off-chance there may be someone out there listening. At its highest, prayer merges into love, as the presence of God becomes so real that we pass beyond words and into a sense of His reality, generosity, delight and grace." - NT Wright
- Aug 18, 2019Swiss Army Knife – Giving
Swiss Army Knife – GivingMatthew 6:1-4From the beginning, Christian give, not just to "keep the band together," but because giving was a part of who they were. Giving re-frames one's entire worldview about life that God hasn't formed a stingy world but one where you can give a significant portion away and never go without. If we give or choose not to...it reveals our God.View the video shown in this sermon: http://youtu.be/INif7NPg22M
- Aug 11, 2019Swiss Army Knife – Being with Children
Swiss Army Knife – Being with ChildrenMatthew 18:1-14When the disciples needed a lesson, Jesus used kids as an object lesson. Jesus tell us that children are the best image for who we should become. Children help us to unlearn corrosive things and seek out purity, kindness, wonder, and creativity."In a day when children were viewed as inferior and patriarchs ruled with an iron fist, Paul, contrary to the prevailing culture, calls parent and child into a space of mutuality in the Lord." - David Fitch
- Aug 4, 2019Swiss Army Knife – Miyagi, Manning and Mimetics
Swiss Army Knife – Miyagi, Manning and MimeticsEphesians 2:8-10, Matthew 5:1-2, Ephesians 4:22-24, Philippians 4:8-9Grace is not opposed to effort. We are saved by grace but we are also called to action.- Practices highlight an important aspect of faith. That is, we learn in motion not just in learning environments. - Practices address a gap between our "Christian knowledge" and our actual "Christian action." - Practices develop our community. We "mimic" the faith of one another.Would you follow you if you had a chance?
- Jul 30, 2019Reluctant to Repent
Reluctant to RepentJonah 4Jonah was angry that God relented, it seemed "very wrong" to him. Jonah the "son of truth" could not fit this response into his ideology. Perhaps this is the reason he ran and was reluctant. He expected God to be tough on the proud, like Obadiah reveals one step back in the biblical narrative. God "relented" and decided to be compassionate.God interacts with Jonah, seeking to reason with him. The book ends with a question to Jonah and we wonder what Jonah will do. Goldingay says that the writer ends the book without Jonah's answer because we are intended to answer it for ourselves. Jonah is polemical book, seeking to lead us to transformation and change.
Crossing Over
Jonah 3
Through Jonah's modest message, the great city of Ninevah enacts corporate repentance before God. The writer brings a sharp contrast between Jonah's slow response and Ninevah's rapid response. In Jonah 1, the prophet called himself "Hebrew," literally "crossed over one." Jonah uses this term to conceal himself to the sailors. The term in the Hebrew connotes "sin." Without saying specifically what he did, Jonah admits "in disguise" his own guilt.
"This word emerges again in Jonah 3:6 when the king ""took off"" his robe in order to show repentance. Brown says he ""crossed over"" from royalty to penitent.
Transformation in our lives looks similar. Instead of concealing ourselves like Jonah, we cross over like the king and the rest of Ninevah."
WatchNotesDownloadDateTitle
- Jul 21, 2019Crossing Over
Crossing OverJonah 3Through Jonah's modest message, the great city of Ninevah enacts corporate repentance before God. The writer brings a sharp contrast between Jonah's slow response and Ninevah's rapid response. In Jonah 1, the prophet called himself "Hebrew," literally "crossed over one." Jonah uses this term to conceal himself to the sailors. The term in the Hebrew connotes "sin." Without saying specifically what he did, Jonah admits "in disguise" his own guilt."This word emerges again in Jonah 3:6 when the king ""took off"" his robe in order to show repentance. Brown says he ""crossed over"" from royalty to penitent.Transformation in our lives looks similar. Instead of concealing ourselves like Jonah, we cross over like the king and the rest of Ninevah."
- Jul 14, 2019A Reluctant Prayer
A Reluctant PrayerJonah has been called the reluctant prophet. He was reluctant to follow God's call to preach against the city of Ninevah.
- Jul 7, 2019Reluctance makes us run
Reluctance makes us runReluctance Makes us RunJonah 1Jonah, obviously uncomfortable about his commission from God, chooses to go as far away as possible --Ninevah. But, he couldn't outrun God. God, because of his grace, chases him down.Scholars note both the "downward" direction of Jonah's journey and the "eastward" path towards Tarshish. The book of Genesis uses a similar "eastward" trope to illustrate humanity's journey away from Eden.Jonah is read on Yom Kippur (day of atonement). Which is rich with theological hope for us. As Erica Brown suggests, "The reading suggests that it is indeed never too late to identify alternate roads to integrity, authenticity, and intimacy with God . . . we may give up on ourselves. God, however, does not give up on us."
- Jun 30, 2019A Reluctant Story
A Reluctant StoryA Reluctant StoryJonah 1:1-3Jonah is a story that accomplishes more than it probably should. Jonah is not a protagonist; he doesn't fit into Joseph Campbell's hero framework. Theologian George Landes suggest that "no fewer than sixty-three places in the text where the author's deliberate or inadvertent withholding of information poses at least some interpretative issue for the reader and, in addition, thirteen places where narrative features create a dissonance in the logic or coherence of the story.""Even though the story doesn't fit into a predictable story pattern, we choose no to ignore it. It invades us; it slips through our defenses and seeks to take us captive.Its discomfort might be by design. Jonah is discomforted. We are discomforted. We are tempted to accuse Jonah of reluctance, but in the end, we are confronted by our own reluctance.Jonah can be dated earlier or later in the Old Testament story. Jonah's name is mentioned in the Old Testament history books (2 Kings 14:25). Ninevah isn't a significant city at the time though, nor would they have threatened Israel as a mighty empire. Jonah's visit there would have been strange. If Jonah visited Ninevah after the Assyrians invaded Israel, his visit has a different significance.Reluctance has many faces: either indifference or bitterness. Nevertheless, God pushes Jonah and seeks to deal with his reluctance."
Road Trip With God – A Guide for the Journey
Numbers 9:15-23
Moses had already gone through a 40-year spiritual wilderness journey with God (dealing with his anger and dark side, with solitude shaping him) and was therefore equipped to guide Israel on the similar journey they were to take; God sent cloud by day and fire by night to guide Israel; God provides guides and companions for our spiritual journeys
"The best guide for any journey is one who has made the journey him-or or herself-perhaps multiple times-and thus knows something about the terrain, the climate, the beauties, dangers and challenges present at each point along the way. Part of what qualified Moses to lead the people of Israel out of their bondage was that he had already been on his own journey out of bondage and into the freedom to follow God fully."
Ruth Haley Barton. Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership: Seeking God in the Crucible of Ministry.
"Moses had traversed the wilderness territory of his own soul for forty years, and he knew how to find God there." Ruth Haley Barton. Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership: Seeking God in the Crucible of Ministry.
Seek out and have a conversation with a spiritual companion or guide who has been on a similar journey.
WatchNotesDownloadDateTitle
- Jun 9, 2019Road Trip With God – A Guide for the Journey
Road Trip With God – A Guide for the JourneyNumbers 9:15-23Moses had already gone through a 40-year spiritual wilderness journey with God (dealing with his anger and dark side, with solitude shaping him) and was therefore equipped to guide Israel on the similar journey they were to take; God sent cloud by day and fire by night to guide Israel; God provides guides and companions for our spiritual journeys"The best guide for any journey is one who has made the journey him-or or herself-perhaps multiple times-and thus knows something about the terrain, the climate, the beauties, dangers and challenges present at each point along the way. Part of what qualified Moses to lead the people of Israel out of their bondage was that he had already been on his own journey out of bondage and into the freedom to follow God fully."Ruth Haley Barton. Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership: Seeking God in the Crucible of Ministry."Moses had traversed the wilderness territory of his own soul for forty years, and he knew how to find God there." Ruth Haley Barton. Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership: Seeking God in the Crucible of Ministry.Seek out and have a conversation with a spiritual companion or guide who has been on a similar journey.
- Jun 2, 2019Road Trip with God – Do We Gotta Go
Road Trip with God – Do We Gotta GoExodus 14:10-20The Israelites had to be convinced to go on the journey to the Promised Land and to not turn back. They moved from being unaware of their situation, to an awareness, and finally to a turning point at which they were willing to venture forth in a new direction toward a new location. For them, it was a move out of slavery in Egypt and its gods toward a Promised Land with Yahweh.God defeated all the gods of Egypt to set his people free. They still needed to have the courage to leave Egypt and not go back. "Awareness always calls us to take responsibility for responding to what we are seeing-which is another reason that many of us seek to avoid awareness for as long as we can." Ruth Haley Barton. Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership: Seeking God in the Crucible of Ministry. God made a way for them across the Red Sea, illuminating their path forward and guarding them from attack behind.Consider if there are any gods you need to walk away from.
- May 26, 2019Lets Go Called By God
Lets Go Called By GodExodus 3:1-17Hearing God's call and beginning to go on the journey/road trip with God; Moses began the journey of leading the Israelites to freedom at the burning bush; Israel moves from pre-awareness to awareness to a turning point of setting out on a journey; vision of a Promised Land; Moses and Israel begin a journey of becoming the people God made them to be."As Elizabeth Barrett Browning wrote in her famous poem: Earth's crammed with heaven, and every common bush afire with God; but only he who sees, takes off his shoes-the the rest sit around it and pluck blackberries. If spiritual leadership is anything. it is the capacity to see the bush burning in the middle of our own life and having enough sense to turn aside, take off our shoes and pay attention!" Ruth Haley Barton. Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership: Seeking God in the Crucible of Ministry.St. Ignatius' practice of consolation and desolation to discern where we are spiritually; "God's will for us is generally for us to do more of that which gives us life (John 10:10) and to turn away from those things that drain life from us and debilitate us." Barton; Deut. 30:19-20; Also, assessing who you are and who God is calling you to be and having the courage to follow this calling.
Hidden Figures – Women of Honduras
Philippians 1:1-6
The Honduras mission has been growing every year. Advent has been going for 10 years. We cannot stop now. As more and more of Advent gets behind and supports this mission (prayerfully, financially, physically), these village can blossom and carry on the work of Christ to its completion.
WatchNotesDownloadDateTitle
- May 12, 2019Hidden Figures – Women of Honduras
Hidden Figures – Women of HondurasPhilippians 1:1-6The Honduras mission has been growing every year. Advent has been going for 10 years. We cannot stop now. As more and more of Advent gets behind and supports this mission (prayerfully, financially, physically), these village can blossom and carry on the work of Christ to its completion.
- May 5, 2019Hidden Figures – George Muller
Hidden Figures – George MullerGeorge Muller (1805-1898)Matthew 6:7-8Pray what is on your heart with honesty and simplicity; the Lord knows what you need.George Muller was a Christian evangelist and director of the Ashley Down Orphanage in Bristol, England. He cared for 10,024 orphans during his lifetime, and provided educational opportunities for the orphans to the point that he was even accused by some of raising the poor above their natural station in British life. He established 117 schools which offered Christian education to more than 120,000. He was often known as a man of simple prayers with profound results.He prayed the prayer of faith, with directness and simplicity. His prayers were without elegance or flash, and the Lord responded. There are hundreds of incredible examples. He would pray for money for the orphanages and money was at his doorstep. He would pray for materials and materials would arrive.On one occasion (among many) the orphanage had run out of milk and food. Muller went before all the children at lunchtime and said, “Watch what God can do.” He then prayed for God to provide food for the children. Immediately after there was a knock at the door and a milkman’s wagon broke down in front of his orphanage. All the milk was given to the orphanage so that it would not spoil. Immediately after that, a bread truck arrived with the same issue. All the children and staff were well fed.
- Apr 28, 2019Hidden Figures – St Columba of Iona
Hidden Figures – St Columba of IonaMark 5:1-20; Luke 9:1-6Hitting "rock-bottom" can be a place for purifying our faith and discovering from Jesus what matters most in life.Saint Columba's story is an encouragement to look at what matters most in life according to God’s desires. Have we lost our way? Are we distracted by trivialities? Are we doing what matters most for His kingdom?
Fret and Faith
2 Corinthians 12:7-10
God's grace minimizes our worry over our faith because our salvation and the efficacy of the Church don't rest in our faith but in God's abundant grace.
WATCH: LOU Pixar short film: https://youtu.be/nqN-DjeOVvs
WatchNotesDownloadDateTitle
- Apr 14, 2019Fret and Faith
Fret and Faith2 Corinthians 12:7-10God's grace minimizes our worry over our faith because our salvation and the efficacy of the Church don't rest in our faith but in God's abundant grace.WATCH: LOU Pixar short film: https://youtu.be/nqN-DjeOVvs
- Apr 7, 2019Fret and Failure
Fret and FailureGod can use our failures for good so there is no need to worry about failure, we just need to be obedient.
- Mar 31, 2019Fret and Family
Fret and FamilyDeuteronomy 7:6-13God's faithfulness minimizes our worry over our family because we know God is faithful to His promises towards our family members.
- Mar 24, 2019Fret and Finances
Fret and FinancesMatthew 6:25-34God's love minimizes our worry over finances because we can rest in the fact that God loves us far more than the sparrow for whom He provides.
- Mar 17, 2019Fret and the Future
Fret and the FutureIsaiah 46:5-11God's sovereignty minimizes our worry over the future because we can trust His powerful hand and good plan.
Key Ingredients – Spiritual Transformation
Mark 1:14-15
This passage is the first "sermon" that Jesus preached, but it also highlights some vital truths: the Christian life always leads to lasting and profound change.
The practice is to use 3DM's Circle drawing. Link: http://micahcobb.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/1000049837-e1410583453670.jpg
Here is a video explaining the circle. Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gr81lSRNKpU
WatchNotesDownloadDateTitle
- Mar 10, 2019Key Ingredients – Spiritual Transformation
Key Ingredients – Spiritual TransformationMark 1:14-15This passage is the first "sermon" that Jesus preached, but it also highlights some vital truths: the Christian life always leads to lasting and profound change.The practice is to use 3DM's Circle drawing. Link: http://micahcobb.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/1000049837-e1410583453670.jpgHere is a video explaining the circle. Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gr81lSRNKpU
- Mar 3, 2019Key Ingredients Eagerness for Action
Key Ingredients Eagerness for ActionMark 6:6b-13The life of discipleship is a life committed to action. Jesus sent his disciples out on meaningful and challenging mission so they could represent God. They engaged creatively and uniquely within each micro village to address their individual needs. We all have areas where Jesus sends us, let’s be eager to act out our faith.The practice for eagerness to action is one that James Bryan Smith prescribes in The Good and Beautiful Community, chapter 1: “2X4” which encourages a Christian to spend two hours with God each week and to also engage in 4 hours (or 4 tasks) that help others. We’ll encourage our people to seek regular ways to help others.
- Feb 24, 2019Key Ingredients – Biblical Inheritance
Key Ingredients – Biblical InheritanceMark 8:27-30This passage is the heart of Mark’s gospel, the focal point that the previous content has pointed towards and the moment that all that remains will support. Jesus is the fulfillment of Israel’s long and winding story. This confession by Peter would have helped to center Jesus’ disciples within their ancient text for their modern day experience. We have that same opportunity as modern believers: to see the Bible not as an object from the past, but as an inheritance to live into.The practice for this value is to memorize Revelation 21:1-5, which is a tight passage about the fulfillment of the Biblical story. We encourage you to memorize and to recite this verse once per day in order to meditate on our future hope.
- Feb 17, 2019Key Ingredients: Connecting to Leaders
Key Ingredients: Connecting to LeadersMark 14: 3-6This passage shows Jesus’ vulnerability for others, even before his sacrifice on the cross. Jesus is transparent, accessible, kind, accepting, and pardon-giving. Our paid and lay leadership needs to follow the way of Jesus: not hidden behind titles or tasks, but to be well-known and convincing enough for people to hand us your burdens.The practice for this value is for both leaders and laity to be eager to meet. We should provide some “how-to’s” for laity to follow when requesting time with staff. Staff needs to be challenged to carve out regular invitations for people to connect.
- Feb 10, 2019Key Ingredients – Non-Judgemental Christianity
Key Ingredients – Non-Judgemental ChristianityMark 1:16-20Jesus’ invitation to his first disciples was compelling. He opened a door, presented a compelling life, addressed them in a way they could understand, etc. Ministry in Jesus’ name needs to be done in Jesus’ way, too.The practice for this ingredient is “Curiosity Field Trips.” At times, we tend to navigate life with people we solely agree with. Jesus was busy affiliating with people not like him. Try to read books outside of the norm, visit new places where you might be an outsider, and strike up conversations with people who are different than you. You can be convinced of your Christian faith and curious about outsiders’ experience, at the same time.
- Feb 3, 2019Key Ingredients – Hospitality
Key Ingredients – HospitalityMark 5:21-43The key to hospitality is to host. To gather people within the Christian life and to be a carrier or “host” of the Jesus-centered life.Jesus, is both mobile and present in these passages. He’s never in a hurry, but addresses two, unique issues from two different women from two different parts of the social map. He was present and was eager to help.The practice for Hospitality for us will be to bless 3 people a week. Either with a word of encouragement, a material blessing, or doing something to lift their burden.
The Squad That Practices Together
Luke 10:1-24
The Christian life calls us to share about God’s love as a community. Just as Jesus broke down his disciples into working pairs, modern-day disciples join with one or two others to practice the faith, together. More than a worshiping or a learning group, a practicing group is a small, agile group where one can be known, can know others, and can work together in a life of service.
Notice that Jesus sent the disciples “to every town and place where he was about to go.” (Luke 10:1) How incredible of a task was this… to go ahead of Jesus to prepare a way for him. Imagine the close connection each discipleship group had while in service to Jesus’ mission. Imagine how well they knew each other and how much of a blessing it was to have someone you could count on.
We are given a chance to go in Jesus’ name with others at Advent. The best group size for this opportunity is a group with 2-3 people. We offer the T.I.E. groups that commit to the BELLS missional practices or mentoring groups which focus on helping to ground us into an early, growing Christian faith.
WatchNotesDownloadDateTitle
- Jan 27, 2019The Squad That Practices Together
The Squad That Practices TogetherLuke 10:1-24The Christian life calls us to share about God’s love as a community. Just as Jesus broke down his disciples into working pairs, modern-day disciples join with one or two others to practice the faith, together. More than a worshiping or a learning group, a practicing group is a small, agile group where one can be known, can know others, and can work together in a life of service.Notice that Jesus sent the disciples “to every town and place where he was about to go.” (Luke 10:1) How incredible of a task was this… to go ahead of Jesus to prepare a way for him. Imagine the close connection each discipleship group had while in service to Jesus’ mission. Imagine how well they knew each other and how much of a blessing it was to have someone you could count on.We are given a chance to go in Jesus’ name with others at Advent. The best group size for this opportunity is a group with 2-3 people. We offer the T.I.E. groups that commit to the BELLS missional practices or mentoring groups which focus on helping to ground us into an early, growing Christian faith.
- Jan 20, 2019The Squad that Learns Together
The Squad that Learns TogetherMatthew 22:36-40The greatest commandment according to Jesus is to love God and love others. We learn how to do this in the different group ministries at Advent Pres. In fact, groups teach us about loving God, others, creation, and the self.The greatest commandment according to Jesus is to love God and love others. We learn how to do this in the different group ministries at Advent Pres. In fact, groups teach us about loving God, others, creation, and the self. There is a movement from joining a group to full participation: adoration, acclimation, and activation.Joining a group teaches us to love well, the way God wants.
- Jan 13, 2019Squad at Worship
Squad at WorshipColossians 3:15-17The Christian community gathers together to worship. Worship services give us a chance to return praises back to God, to be inspired in our faith, and to draw others into the life of the church.If you're in town on Sunday, try to be at worship. A regular practice of praise helps to keep one's life devoted to God and aware of our opportunity as Christians.
- Jan 6, 2019Squad – In the Faith
Squad – In the Faith2 Corinthians 13:5A key word that we’ll focus on for 2019 at Advent is Connection. The local church is a collection of Christians, on mission together. Within a church, there are different sizes of communities that serve different purposes. Our goal is to steer people into three different communities: a worship community, a learning community, and a practicing community.Although we enter into Christianity by God’s invitation and call, we are also encouraged to examine our faith. We start out 2019 with a chance to do some personal examination.Are we genuine in our Christian practice today?
Enjoying Christmas Gatherings…From Scratch
Matthew 2:1-12
The first Christmas drew an interesting guest list. Jesus promised that his sacrifice would draw all sorts of people to himself. Our orientation to Christianity should open us up to all people instead of closing us off to a certain, like-minded few.
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- Dec 24, 2018Enjoying Christmas Gatherings…From Scratch
Enjoying Christmas Gatherings…From ScratchMatthew 2:1-12The first Christmas drew an interesting guest list. Jesus promised that his sacrifice would draw all sorts of people to himself. Our orientation to Christianity should open us up to all people instead of closing us off to a certain, like-minded few.
- Dec 16, 2018Giving Gifts from Scratch
Giving Gifts from ScratchMatthew 2:1-12Gift giving has changed from buying things to "Giving things that truly have great meaning and show great love for the individual." - Cara DavidThe Magi gave a gift because they saw who Jesus was. May our gift giving result in our loved ones "being seen" No matter what is given, may it create sacred moments of friendship and love.
- Dec 2, 2018Being Christmas People…From Scratch
Being Christmas People…From ScratchEzra 3:10-13The new temple brought an array of responses: crying (it didn't resemble the past) and cheers (it was a sign of potential for the future). Advent is at a similar crossroads. Advent celebrates a birthday by honoring the past without being held captive by nostalgia, we have a chance to imagine a bright future.Jesus' first appearing brought great hope and profound upheaval. A community shaped by Christmas brings both peace and disruption.
We’re Ticked and It Mobilizes Us
Acts 16:16-40
Collective Christian anger can mobilize the church towards meaningful work.
After Paul was released from prison in Philippi, he pressed the issue about the punishment he received unjustly. Instead of “cutting his losses” and getting out of harm’s way, Paul insisted on a public apology, bearing witness to the oppressive system that preyed upon the vulnerable.
Speaking truth to power has been part of the Christian tradition, especially as we examine the ways Jesus displayed defiance towards crooked social orders.
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- Nov 11, 2018We’re Ticked and It Mobilizes Us
We’re Ticked and It Mobilizes UsActs 16:16-40Collective Christian anger can mobilize the church towards meaningful work.After Paul was released from prison in Philippi, he pressed the issue about the punishment he received unjustly. Instead of “cutting his losses” and getting out of harm’s way, Paul insisted on a public apology, bearing witness to the oppressive system that preyed upon the vulnerable.Speaking truth to power has been part of the Christian tradition, especially as we examine the ways Jesus displayed defiance towards crooked social orders.
- Nov 4, 2018A Loved One is Ticked
A Loved One is TickedRomans 12:17-21The Christian life does not exempt us from suffering, including having difficult people in our lives. The New Testament provides us with what faithfulness looks like while in community with challenging people.
- Oct 28, 2018The Former Member is Ticked
The Former Member is Ticked1 Peter 2:11-12, 15; Jude 22-23As we commit financially to Advent’s future mission, we also re-commit inwardly to not belittle those who doubt around us, but engage them with a thoughtful and gracious witness.We live in an age where many have left the church due to disappointment. For some, it is their personal experiences that have created resentment, preventing them from wanting to try again. For others, the growing distrust within the public square with the church (due to leadership scandals, sexual misconduct cover-ups, and what is perceived as mixed up priorities).An image emerges with Peter's command; the "silence" of the talk of outsiders is like a dog-muzzle. Believers can live such winsome lives that those who accuse us prove to be "all bark and no bite."
- Oct 21, 2018The Believer is Ticked
The Believer is TickedMatthew 5:21-26; Ephesians 4:25-29A tension exists within the New Testament about the believer and anger. It isn't as simple as "the Christian should never get angry." There seems to be an allowance for the Christian to experience the emotion of anger in the midst of a life of faithfulness.
- Oct 14, 2018Ticked – God is Ticked
Ticked – God is TickedTicked: A Series about AngerAnger is a common emotion for all, but it can be a challenge to know when anger is an appropriate feeling in different circumstances. Some might suggest that we live in an angry culture, where angry people are nearly tearing our world apart. How do we know how to be faithful to God and deal with our angry emotions? This series will seek to answer a few questions about anger and provide ways to deal with and use our anger in a Christian way.God is TickedPsalm 103:8-10; Micah 7:18-19; Psalm 30:5; Genesis 6The issue of whether a Christian can be angry is a complex one. God gets angry in the Bible, so perhaps all of our anger isn't bad. It's important to consider the anger ratio. God's anger lasts a "moment" but favor lasts a lifetime.After considering a God who can be angry (and who is also holy), perhaps our study of anger should consider unhelpful anger versus holy anger.
Grooves – The Last Third
All should seek the good end. Steinbeck said in his East of Eden, "And now that you don't have to be perfect, you can be good."
The final third for the Masculine Path is the journey of descent, of learning the lowliness of humility, wisdom, and legacy. Jacob climbs the first part of his life, but is a background character in the last part. Hebrews says that he needs support to at the end of his life. He’s learned to place his life in another’s hands.
The final third for the Feminine Path is the ascent, the arrival of delayed blessing from obedience. At the end of the story, Naomi is praised by the same women that showed her contempt. She came to Bethlehem empty, but at the end, her arms are full.
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- Sep 23, 2018Grooves – The Last Third
Grooves – The Last ThirdAll should seek the good end. Steinbeck said in his East of Eden, "And now that you don't have to be perfect, you can be good."The final third for the Masculine Path is the journey of descent, of learning the lowliness of humility, wisdom, and legacy. Jacob climbs the first part of his life, but is a background character in the last part. Hebrews says that he needs support to at the end of his life. He’s learned to place his life in another’s hands.The final third for the Feminine Path is the ascent, the arrival of delayed blessing from obedience. At the end of the story, Naomi is praised by the same women that showed her contempt. She came to Bethlehem empty, but at the end, her arms are full.
- Sep 9, 2018Grooves – Second Third
Grooves – Second ThirdGenesis 29:1-35:15 and Ruth 2:1-3:18Loss doesn't necessarily mean "the end." Loss can actually be a grace. For the Feminine Path, this phase of life is the beginning of redemption. Identity is shaped, authority and power is discovered.The second third of the Masculine Path involves a crisis of limitation. The gains one had in the first third of life are taken away or compromised. Gains are hard to come by, even illusive. It might seem that God’s judging someone during this time, but God wants to teach them the way of the cross, the low road. The first half of life was easy for Jacob, he was able to trick others. His time in Paddan Aram was filled with challenge, deception, and struggle.The second third of the Feminine Path involves the beginning of the climbing. Rohr calls it “The work of Body and Soul” when one begins to develop a solid self, a loving community, and an enduring purpose. Naomi’s unique knowledge of the intricacies of Judean culture allowed Ruth to work her way towards Boaz, Naomi’s kinsman redeemer.
- Sep 2, 2018Grooves – First Thirds
Grooves – First ThirdsThe first third of the Masculine Path is a Heroic Journey, filled with discovery of power and the formation of the self. The first third of the Feminine Path is a Descent Journey, where one develops a permeable self through the process of waiting and loss.This is particularly important for raising our children; in their early faith formation, two different operating softwares might be at play in the different children of our household.
- Aug 26, 2018Grooves – Necessary Losses
Grooves – Necessary LossesGenesis 11:27-12:9Abram was called out and to be on the move and to manage life in tent camp settings. Instead of moving towards being more settled, Abram embraced the life of the pilgrim.Contrary to our cultural operating software, the life of faith advances by both determined wins and necessary losses. The way of the Christian is the way of the cross, depletion. Before we can have a lifelong vision for discipleship, we must embrace God's goodness in our ups and downs.Will we trust that God is sovereign when we are in the midst of descent?
- Aug 19, 2018Grooves – Shrunken Stories
Grooves – Shrunken StoriesLuke 16:19-31 A mismanaged life leads to a shrunken story.As we take account of our lives, would we conclude that we are living with genuine faith? Have we yielded to God’s leadership in our lives? Do we prop up our own salvation projects?
Conversations with the Creator – Defining the Relationship
The sacraments of baptism and communion are the warp and woof of our conversation with God as we relate to Him ever through covenants fulfilled in Christ.
Sacraments bind God to us, us to God, and us to each other. They are the glue that holds the conversation together. Our conversation with our Creator takes place within the fabric of covenant, the signs of which are baptism and communion.
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- Jul 29, 2018Conversations with the Creator – Defining the Relationship
Conversations with the Creator – Defining the RelationshipThe sacraments of baptism and communion are the warp and woof of our conversation with God as we relate to Him ever through covenants fulfilled in Christ.Sacraments bind God to us, us to God, and us to each other. They are the glue that holds the conversation together. Our conversation with our Creator takes place within the fabric of covenant, the signs of which are baptism and communion.
- Jul 23, 2018Conversations with the Creator – Learning to Listen
Conversations with the Creator – Learning to ListenI Samuel 3:4-14It is important for us to include children in our service with a children's message because in it our children are learning to listen to God and we learn to listen to God through our children's faith. We miss out on the truth and blessing of being God's covenant community if we do not emphasize and train up our children. Contrary to the world, we declare that our children are just as much a part of our community as an adult. In a children's message, our children learn to listen to the conversation with the Creator just like Samuel. At the same time, we, like Eli, learn to listen to God's message to us through the faith of our children.
- Jul 15, 2018Conversations with the Creator – Learning the Language
Conversations with the Creator – Learning the LanguageSinging as an especially corporate activity of the church teaches us the language of our faith, giving our minds and hearts freedom to express love to our Savior.On the great day of salvation for the Israelites when the LORD finally and completely delivers them from the Egyptians through a miracle in the Red Sea, the Israelites prove our Creator-given response by singing praise to God. Imagine this vast sea of people learning the lyrics that their leader Moses wrote for them and then shouting them out. This song was passed down from generation to generation as the people of God learned the language of their soul's salvation. When we sing, we are giving our minds and hearts the pathway to express our gratitude for God's saving work in us and around us. Music has a unique way of calling our whole being into action to respond to God. When we sing, we join with the angels' already ongoing song around the throne of God.
- Jul 8, 2018Conversation with the Creator – God Speaks
Conversation with the Creator – God SpeaksPreaching calls for change by reminding us of what we know, by providing a subversion story, and by steering us towards meaningful work.We see in II Timothy 4 that Paul describes the sufficiency, power, and inspiration of God's Word and its role in Timmy's life. Paul shapes the purpose of God's Word among God's people. This is God speaking into our lives with a power that He breathed into our nostrils at our creation. Immediately following this description, Paul is giving us the main method for delivering this life-giving Word to our hearts: through preaching. Through the hard work and Spirit guidance of the messenger, preaching has power to speak through our minds to our hearts and convict, encourage, rebuke, and equip.
- Jul 2, 2018Conversation with the Creator – We Speak
Conversation with the Creator – We SpeakActs 4:23-31Prayer is our Spirit-provoked reply to God's grace in which we pour out and align our hearts with the Great Listener.
- Jun 24, 2018Conversations with the Creator – Giving
Conversations with the Creator – GivingWe are a part of the body of Christ, we are His representatives on Earth. We are to give back. We are to share, not only our gifts, we are to share our life, our treasures, our time...everything we have. We give as a response as Moses called us to do. We respond with generostity as Paul called us to do. We give because god has touched our lives. He not only made us but he lost us and bought us back again. We give because we are two times His.
- Jun 17, 2018Conversations with the Creator – Joining the Conversation
Conversations with the Creator – Joining the ConversationAs Deuteronomy says, our attitude towards the sojourner is shaped by remembering that we were once sojourners that God welcomed in.Greeting - an announcement of the space, who belongs in it, what happens while we are here, and what shall we do after we leave the space.The book of Deuteronomy stands as the primary example of the dynamism of the Torah tradition whereby old memories are endlessly re-presented, rearticulated, and reimagined in new ways that keep the main claims of faith pertinent and authoritative in new circumstances.”Walter Brueggemann