Reading
Read the sermon here
Questions:
In Australia, some people call the lead up to Christmas ‘the silly season’ because it’s such a busy and stressful time. How does all this busyness and stress impact on your ability to worship Jesus at this time of year?
Prior to the announcement of the impending birth of both John & Jesus, “Plenty of people would have been thinking that following God was a waste of time. That God was either deaf to their cries, or that He did not care. With their world as a dark and hopeless place, it seemed their dreams of God coming to their rescue had come to nothing.” – In which life situations today would people be inclined to think the same?
“God just entered their mess, their darkness. He just waded into this failed, fallen and fractured people, and spoke words of grace.” In what ways can God’s people today reflect his gracious action and character?
Luke 1:71 says the coming Messiah will save us “from all the enemies who hate us” – who are these enemies today, and what are the best ways for Christians to help people see see this clearly?
Read Romans 8:1-4. What has God done to take away condemnation? What does this mean to you?
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If you would like to know more about the hope God brings to people whose lives are a mess, please feel free to comment.
A Sermon & A Study 