Thank you so much for your prayers for the Christmas Tea last Tuesday night. I felt it did go well — their music was amazing for preparing hearts. I was only 5 minutes over my time, and so often at night, I feel like I’m dragging — like a book on .5 time! The tech guy was great, but the sound did not come up when I played the Karla Faye Tucker clip, so after 30 excruciating seconds I prayed out loud: “Father, please let them hear her!” And it came right on – and the women gasped. He hears our cries. 65% of the attendees were guests so now we pray they might be willing to come to this church to do my guide on “Examining the Claims of Jesus” beginning in January. I thank you sooo for your prayers.
This is one of my favorite top five sermons from Keller.
We belong to a God who is real, who left heaven to come and rescue us, who became flesh, who became killable.
I love the line in his sermon when he talks about how when the hero in myths leaves, everything goes wrong, but he comes back in the nick of time. I feel that is where we are in our world today. As Tolkien told Lewis: “Every story that moves that heart does so because it taps into the true story and moves us, however shakily, toward the true harbor.” Perhaps my favorite is Camelot — my parents took me to see it on Broadway as a teen. You may not know the story — but a woman meets a wonderful man and does not know he is the King — they marry, but she is unfaithful. So many parallels. Two more favorites are below. We really do have a Prince who is coming to rescue us as in Cinderella, and we really do have one who laid down his life for us as Duncan did for Cora in The Last of the Mohicans.
Keller has more than one sermon called Myth Became Fact, so you may think you have heard it before but will find it a bit different. Here are the links to both the right sermon and the right transcript — if the first link to the transcript does not work, please use the second, which is our church website, but you’ll need to scroll down the homepage and download the transcript before Tuesday or go to past sermons!
Myth Became Fact - Timothy J. Keller
Sharon tells me the link below works, but you have to scroll down the page, click on resources, and then look above to find the transcript. And you have to do it before tomorrow or the new sermon will be up. I’m working with the web people to find an easier way. Thanks for your patience.
Sunday:
1. Share a way you experienced the love, power, or beauty of our Lord in the last week. 2. Share a movie, fictional story, or true Old Testament story that points to Christ in some specific way, and explain how.
Monday: The Text
3. Read John 1:14-18
A. Meditate on verse 14. What do you think He was like before He came flesh?
B. Why was this humbling? Why did He do it?
C. Compare John 1:14 with 1 John 1:1 — what point is John trying to get across?
D. What is the paradox of John the Baptist’s words in John 1:15? How could Jesus come both after him and before him?
E. Most commentators believe that “grace upon grace” is the abundance of blessings heaped upon us through Christ. Name a few He has heaped on you!
Tuesday: Point 1: He Really Came to Earth! (The Word became flesh)
4. Listen up to when Keller says, “So we’ve already come a ways to our second point,” or read to the bottom of page 3.
A. What particularly stands out to you and why?
B. There is a doctrine that explains the whole Bible in a nutshell. What is it? Why does it explain it.
C. How can you see the promise of the King returning in Genesis 3?
D. How did J. R. R. Tolkien say you will see wonderful movies differently if you embrace this doctrine?
Wednesday: Point 2: The Eternal Became Reality (We beheld His glory)
5. Read or listen up through “The vision of God is the most exciting and the most satisfying experience possible.” (Near the end of page 6)
A. What stands out and why?
B. Why would the whole idea of beholding God Himself have dumbfounded the Jews? (See Exodus 19-20)
C. Keller tells us that many think of God as cranky and angry. Yet Jesus said, “If you’ve seen me you’ve seen the Father.” How should that change that view of God?
D. God designed our universe so that all the planets revolve around the sun, and He designed us so that our lives work best when the Son is the center of our universe. How in alignment is your life right now with that? (I know, for me, my greatest regrets come from time out of alignment.)
E. Meditate on this: “Underneath the fear of God is a great desire for beauty.” How do you see that in your soul?
F. Why can we come near to God but Moses could not?
G. Keller says Jesus purchased His Church through His blood. What does that mean to you?
Thursday: The Now and The Not Yet
6. Read or listen through receiving Jesus as deliverer and king (near the bottom of page 8)
A. What stands out and why?
B. What does 1 Peter 1:8 tell us? Keller asks if we can really feel His love. For me it has been moments, but not constant, for my sin gets in the way. I’m eager to hear how it is for you.
C. What did Keller mean by how we mistake the river for the ocean? What did he mean when he said “the little drops inflame your thirst but cannot possibly fulfill it.” Give an example from you life. Here’s one from mine:
I was madly in love with Steve, yet so angry with him in the first year of our marriage because I still felt unfulfilled. Here I am, angry with him because in the morning at my parents’ cottage he had tried and failed to get up on waterskis. He asked me if it was really that important, and I said, “YES!”
I thought: How can I be happy if I am married to a man who cannot waterski? (Fuzzy picture as I had to take a picture of a picture — but you get the idea. So embarrassing — but that was me apart from Jesus!)
D. Yet even as we mature in Christ, it seems each decade we are embarrassed by our last decade. This missing chapter in our life is, so often, that Jesus is real –something that we know and yet do not fully realize, but as we do, we mature. How has that become truer in your life?
Friday: He Came Through The Roof
7. Read or listen to the end.
A. What stands out and why?
B. Keller asks, “Are you so distracted you don’t have time to behold Him?” What helps you move beyond distractions? How could you increase this?
C. What was his point with Don Quixote? Who are the Aldonzas in your life that you could start treating at royalty? Even this Christmas?
Saturday:
8. What is your take-a-way and why?
107 comments
I think my great son-in-law David fixed my blog in the nick of time on a Sunday morning. So thankful for him!
Thank You Lord for David, Dee and hearing our prayers! ❤️😊🙏
Amen Sharon!💕🙏
I am glad it is working now, Dee. I did notice that the fonts are not what they were before when I copied and pasted them to a Word document. Not a big deal on my end.
So thankful that the event you spoke at went well. I had goosebumps when I read about you praying out loud and the audio started working. The Holy Spirit was at work! May this answered prayer make a strong impression in the hearts of the women who were in attendance that there is a God who hears our cries.
Yes — I think He was behind that, Bing, even though I felt desperate for the first 30 seconds.
YAY!!! Thank you David
Sunday:
1. Share a way you experienced the love, power, or beauty of our Lord in the last week. 2. Share a movie, fictional story, or true Old Testament story that points to Christ in some specific way, and explain how.
Richard and I went to a nearby city to do some shopping last Saturday. I woke up that morning feeling a little out of sorts. But I got ready, and we were about halfway there when I felt like I was about to throw up, but I did not. The ride was rough as I could feel pain in my back and my diaphragm areas. I stuck it out for 3 hours running to the restroom at a Wal-Mart twice and throwing up once. Throughout this experience, I kept praying, “Lord, have mercy. Please let me make it until we are home.” God used my husband to care for me-paying at checkouts, loading what I have bought, getting me something to drink, etc., and letting me recline and rest in the car on our way home. I went directly to bed when we got home and had a hard time getting comfortable. By evening, the illness, whatever it was, slowly receded. I went to bed and prayed for a good night’s sleep and the Lord was merciful. Although I did not feel 100% better, I got up the next day and went to church. I sensed His love for me even if I felt like I was just going through the motions. He is the God of the mundane and sick days of my life. He is ever-present. As I type this tonight, I am much better and cannot figure out what I had yesterday and why.
I think of Sense and Sensibility and Colonel Brandon played by the late Alan Rickman. Marianne sought another “prince” in Willoughby but in the end, it was the patience and unconditional love of Colonel Brandon that won her heart
Oh — sounds like a miserable time, Bing, but glad you made it home. Jane Austin definitely has hidden Christ themes!
So thankful you are better, Bing. I love this: I think of Sense and Sensibility and Colonel Brandon played by the late Alan Rickman. Marianne sought another “prince” in Willoughby but in the end, it was the patience and unconditional love of Colonel Brandon that won her heart.
Oh Bing, hope you are feeling better now.
What a trooper you were to hang in there and so glad you are feeling better.
Ugh! Sounds like a “trying” day for you! Glad you are better ♥️
Thank you, all! I am much better. Maybe eating too much sugary stuff along with navigating a stressful week.
1. Share a way you experienced the love, power, or beauty of our Lord in the last week.
Friday, as I drove to work (so darn early), I saw the most beautiful sunrise. The sun was bursting through the clouds, which were small, puffy, and tight together. I thanked God for the beauty and remembered the scripture about Him making the heavens and earth in all its glory.
2. Share a movie, fictional story, or true Old Testament story that points to Christ in some specific way, and explain how
I always love the hidden meaning in the song “Here Comes Santa Claus.”
“Santa Claus knows we’re all Gods children, if we just follow the light…”
So when I went to look up the lyrics I found a different “set.” I’ve heard these too. I wonder if someone made changes, or which came first? I don’t have time to research. It was written by Gene Autry and I’ll post the original set. Anyone know the answers here? Interesting!
“Peace on earth will come to all, if we just follow the light
So let’s give thanks to the Lord above ’cause Santa Claus comes tonight”
Here comes Santa Claus, here comes Santa Claus right down Santa Claus Lane
Vixen and Blitzen and all his reindeer pullin’ on the reins
Bells are ringin’, children singin’, all is merry and bright
So hang your stockings and say your prayers ’cause Santa Claus comes tonight
Here comes Santa Claus, here comes Santa Claus right down Santa Claus Lane
He’s got a bag that’s filled with toys for boys and girls again
Hear those sleigh bells jingle jangle, oh what a beautiful sight
So jump in bed, and cover your head, ’cause Santa Claus comes tonight
Here comes Santa Claus, here comes Santa Claus right down Santa Claus Lane
He’ll come around when chimes ring out, it’s Christmas time again
Peace on earth will come to all, if we just follow the light
So let’s give thanks to the Lord above ’cause Santa Claus comes tonight
Here comes Santa Claus, here comes Santa Claus right down Santa Claus Lane
Vixen and Blitzen and all his reindeer pullin’ on the reins
Bells are ringin’, children singin’, all is merry and bright
So jump in bed, and cover your head, ’cause Santa Claus comes tonight
Peace on earth will come to all, if we just follow the light
So let’s give thanks to the Lord above ’cause Santa Claus comes tonight
So let’s give thanks to the Lord above ’cause Santa Claus comes tonight
Here’s the whole song:
This made me smile, Laura. I may have told this story before but when Annie was six, and her first Christmas with us, she gave Steve some musical Santa socks and wanted him to wear them Christmas Eve. A guest pastor had a rather terrible sermon putting down Santa Claus (with so many children in attendance getting upset). Then Steve crossed his legs and accidentally caused “Here Comes Santa Claus” began to play throughout the sanctuary. He tried to stop it, but it just went on to the next song, “Up On the Housetop.” In retrospect, I thought the Lord had a sense of humor. I think approached in the right way, with Christ at the center, there’s room for Santa. I happen to love the movie Elf.
Oh, I love these lyrics, Laura! What a beautiful praise of God’s artistry in the sunrise! I love this story of Steve and the Christmas socks!! It is great to see the way God can get our attention!!
Oh, my goodness Dee that is so funny. God was putting that guest pastor in his place 🙂
Hahaha, Dee! What hilarity Steve caused, but I am sure God was in that! I hope the guest pastor saw God’s humor and kindness in sending God winks, especially to the children.
Oh Dee…what a great story. I had to read it to Jim and he just laughed!
Too funny!!! Thanks for the laugh 🤣
Love this story Dee!
Could one of you try opening the PDF of the sermon? I can open it, but then I could do it last week and many of you could not. Thanks — trying to work out the quirks wth my website people.
Dee, the sermon notes came up for me as, could not be found and the transcript just has a page about your church.🤷🏻♀️😏
Thanks for your help, Sharon. Let me ask you two more questions to help me communicate with my website people.
When you click on the actual sermon arrow, can you hear it?
The first link to Myth Became Fact just came up with “could not be found.” Right
The link that says The Orchard is our church page — but if you scroll to the bottom, you should see the sermon plus a link that says resources — when you click on that, and look above it, you should see a link for the transcript. Do you?
Thanks sooo much for your help. I so want this fixed! It all works for me, but obviously, just for me!
Ok, the sermon just says “could not be found,” but you’re absolutely right about the Orchard Church page…the sermon is there and the transcript when you click on resources!👍😊. YAY!
Sunday:
1. Share a way you experienced the love, power, or beauty of our Lord in the last week.
I have a book called The Loveliness of Christ which is a a book composed of different sayings from Samuel Rutherford taken from letters he wrote to friends and members of his congregation who were scattered abroad. It’s a small book but so impactful and I only read a page or two each day as part of my devotions. This time of year tends to be bitter/sweet for me and I have realized the importance of persevering in the word and keeping my focus on Him. One saying I read this last week was exactly what I needed…”I know, we may say, that Christ is kindest in His love when we are at our weakest; and that if Christ had not been to the fore, in our sad days, the waters had gone over our souls.”
I’m so thankful for His love and grace that carries me through and keeps my head above water…such an amazing God!
2. Share a movie, fictional story, or true Old Testament story that points to Christ in some specific way, and explain how.
The OT story that stands out to me is Joseph and just as God sent Joseph to save his family and many people, He sent Jesus to save the world. Joseph said to his brothers in Genesis 50:20, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people.”
Thank you for sharing this book, Sharon. And your answer to 2. is a beautiful example of the way God allows us to go through trials and rejection, yet His ultimate plan intends it all for good. How I pray that I never underestimate HIM and His faithfulness.
Hugs to you Sharon during this bittersweet season.
Thank you Julie. 🙂
After your post I checked out books by Samuel Rutherford — esp looking for modern translations. What do you recommend?
Dee, I only have the one book and it was originally printed in 1909 and then they stopped printing it. It was recompiled by Ellen S. Lister in 2022 and there are some footnotes explaining the old English.
1. Share a way you experienced the love, power, or beauty of our Lord in the last week.
This is a bittersweet time for me the past two years, as our wedding Anniversary is Dec. 18. Yet, God has such a way a showing His Power and Glory through family and friends. Darcy is taking me on wonderful Christmas adventure and we attended a life group at her church. Yesterday, I received a lovely long text from my granddaughter, Maddi. She is lovely. She and her brothers have all sent me sweet notes and I am so grateful. It is their dad that who has not contacted any of us for over a year. Thankfully, in spite of this very difficult time, God is working in all of their hearts and making these grown children more tender and loving.
2. Share a movie, fictional story, or true Old Testament story that points to Christ in some specific way, and explain how.
I love books and I have several that have such meaningful Christmas messages. One is “The Real Twelve Days of Christmas”. It goes through the song: The Twelve days of Christmas and shows how each line represents scripture. I also love “Christmas Day in the Morning” by Pearl Buck. It is just a lovely inspirational Christmas story of a sweet family.
Patti, such a hard time all around for you and your family. Hugs
Thank you dear Julie. God has this in His hands and His time. (though it is hard for me to understand ) God is good.
Patti, praying that you feel His love lifting you day by day.
Thank you dear Sharon. Praying this for you and all of our blog sisters, as well. 🙏💕
Patti! I bought the Pearl Buck story for my grandson this year. Love that!
I’m so glad your grandchildren are staying in touch. Of course they love you!
Sunday:
1. Share a way you experienced the love, power, or beauty of our Lord in the last week. – Whenever you join a new group, like Joe and I did with the Church Hill Senior Center, you can feel a little out of place since the others have known each other and have made a connection. But this last week, we went to Pigeon Forge for a couple of nights with the group and went to Dollywood and other places. We felt so welcomed and loved by them. They all have the love of Christ in them and show it by welcoming others, outsiders right in. Just like Jesus who welcomed those who did not ‘fit’ the mold. This group has done the same thing for us.
2. Share a movie, fictional story, or true Old Testament story that points to Christ in some specific way and explain how. – I don’t watch enough movies to pick one out, but I think Isaiah 52 and 53 points to Christ. It tells us we were sold and will be redeemed without money. We have been comforted and redeemed. His holy arm has been bared for all the nations to see. We need to prepare ourselves and wait for the Lord to go before us. We will be escorted with the Lord before us and the God of Israel will be our rear guard. The Lord’s servant will act wisely and will be high and lifted up and shall be exalted. He was despised and beyond recognition. He carried our sorrow and griefs, and we thought God had left him. It was what he came to do, he was pierced for our transgressions and crushed for our iniquities, and all this brought us peace. His wounds are our healing balm. Thank you, Jesus, for coming to this world and taking my place.
Love your entire post, Julie!! Tennessee is such a friendly place! I love the people of that area! So love how welcoming they are!
I love all of this:
Isaiah 52 and 53 points to Christ. It tells us we were sold and will be redeemed without money. We have been comforted and redeemed. His holy arm has been bared for all the nations to see. We need to prepare ourselves and wait for the Lord to go before us. We will be escorted with the Lord before us and the God of Israel will be our rear guard. The Lord’s servant will act wisely and will be high and lifted up and shall be exalted. He was despised and beyond recognition. He carried our sorrow and griefs, and we thought God had left him. It was what he came to do, he was pierced for our transgressions and crushed for our iniquities, and all this brought us peace. His wounds are our healing balm. Thank you, Jesus, for coming to this world and taking my place.
I love that she brought Isaiah 52 out as well as 53.
Monday: The Text
3. Read John 1:14-18
A. Meditate on verse 14. What do you think He was like before He came flesh? – I think he was powerful and holy. Seeing all that His Father was creating. Learning from the best in a way. He was being trained and groomed from the start. He had full view of all that was going on and preparing himself as much has his holiness could for when the time was right for him to come in the flesh and save us.
B. Why was this humbling? Why did He do it? – It’s humbling because he took my sinful place which I don’t deserve. He did it because he loves us unconditionally and wants us to have what he had, being with his Heavenly Father for all eternity.
C. Compare John 1:14 with 1 John 1:1 — what point is John trying to get a cross? – He wants us to know without a doubt that Jesus was here from the beginning. Everything in this world is, was and always will be Jesus.
D. What is the paradox of John the Baptist’s words in John 1:15? How could Jesus come both after him and before him? – God’s plan all along was to have John the Baptist lead the way, open up the hearts of the people. To get used to the idea of a Savior. It’s telling us that Jesus has always been and was just waiting for the Word from the Father that it was time to come. But John the Baptist, crazy as he may have appeared, opened the eyes and hearts, and maybe closed some of the same, so that the people would recognize that Jesus was different, that Jesus was the Savior of the world. Jesus has always been, John the Baptist had to come in the flesh first, for the Most High and Holy Jesus to be seen as the Savior.
E. Most commentators believe that “grace upon grace” is the abundance of blessings heaped upon us through Christ. Name a few He has heaped on you! – Life everyday I wake up; Financial provisions now and as a single mom years ago; Unspeakable peace in trying situations.
Monday: The Text
3. Read John 1:14-18
A. Meditate on verse 14. What do you think He was like before He came flesh?
I think He was just like He was in the flesh, except unseen.
B. Why was this humbling? Why did He do it?
”He gave up His divine privileges; He took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When He appeared in human form, He humbled Himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a a cross.” Philippians 2:7-9
I remember Vernon McGee likening it to us being born an ant.
He did it because He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness.
C. Compare John 1:14 with 1 John 1:1 — what point is John trying to get across?
That Jesus did come in the flesh, as they saw Him with their own eyes and touched Him with their own hands and that He existed from the beginning.
D. What is the paradox of John the Baptist’s words in John 1:15? How could Jesus come both after him and before him?
When he said “Someone is coming after me who is far greater than I am, for He existed long before me.”
It was through Jesus that God created everything and therefore He was from the beginning and He stepped into our world/wrote Himself into our story and was born after John the Baptist.
E. Most commentators believe that “grace upon grace” is the abundance of blessings heaped upon us through Christ. Name a few He has heaped on you!
He blessed me with parents who modeled the love of Christ, a godly husband and best of all the gift of eternal life.
Vernon McGee! That made me smile.
3. Read John 1:14-18
A. Meditate on verse 14. What do you think He was like before He came flesh? He was light and pure like a prism. Beauty radiating from Him.
B. Why was this humbling? Why did He do it? He was bathed in purity and goodness and came to the muck of this world at first totally dependent. For me because He knew I couldn’t cross into heaven without Him paying for my sins
C. Compare John 1:14 with 1 John 1:1 — what point is John trying to get across?that Jesus was real and came to earth as flesh and blood and John was blessed to be eye witness.
D. What is the paradox of John the Baptist’s words in John 1:15? How could Jesus come both after him and before him? Jesus was born after JTB but was also before him. Jesus was with God from the beginning and only later came to earth as flesh and blood.
E. Most commentators believe that “grace upon grace” is the abundance of blessings heaped upon us through Christ. Name a few He has heaped on you. My salvation and forgiveness of sin, the Holy Spirit, the ability to pray directly to God with no need for a priest to go on my half, no need to continually offer animal sacrifice, accepted as His daughter.
“came to the muck of this world totally dependent” great picture
1. Share a way you experienced the love, power, or beauty of our Lord in the last week. I love this time of year when I can listen to Christmas carols (the good ones that speak of Jesus’ birth) these songs remind me of His love, power and beauty and I’m able to listen to them all day at work. It’s the only time we listen to Christian music and I love it!
2. Share a movie, fictional story, or true Old Testament story that points to Christ in some specific way, and explain how. The story of Ruth and Boaz in the book of Ruth. Boaz is Ruth’s kinsman redeemer and he marries Ruth even though she is a foreigner and not a born Jew. Boaz points to Christ as our redeemer even though we are not Jewish and have nothing to offer Him.
Dawn, As I read back in the posts I see I shared the same Old Testament story as you did. Blessed me to be on the same page that you are. 😊
Love the story of Ruth and Boaz. Thank you both, Dawn and Bev. I also love the old Carols that speak of Jesus. They sing to my soul.
3. Read John 1:14-18
A. Meditate on verse 14. What do you think He was like before He came flesh?
I really have no idea! Kind, loving, gentle? He wanted to be here with us , right? He must have felt sorry for us? He knew we needed help so He came?
B. Why was this humbling? Why did He do it?
He had “the life” in heaven! He wanted us to as well. He couldn’t leave us to be with the evil one.
Sunday:
1. Share a way you experienced the love, power, or beauty of our Lord in the last week. 2. Share a movie, fictional story, or true Old Testament story that points to Christ in some specific way, and explain how.
—Last Saturday evening we had friends over who years ago took us to one of the first live presentations of Behold the Lamb by Andrew Petersen. Since 2020 we have been watching the live presentation from the Ryman Theater in Nashville on TV together. So on Saturday evening we were again richly blessed by the love, power and beauty of our Lord as we listened to the incredibly well done and spirit filled music and testimonies shared in the performances of the program.
—I love the old testament book of Ruth which tells the story of Naomi bringing her alien daughter-in-law Ruth with her back home to Israel and how God moved to provide Boaz as the kinsman redeemer when he marries Ruth and takes care of Naomi and Ruth bringing them into a right standing with Israel God’s chosen people. The story is full of love and grace demonstrated and is a clear picture of Jesus as our Redeemer who takes us as his bride.
What a great tradition, Bev. Have you become aware of the great talent of Peterson’s daughter, Skye. I love her “I Am Not My Own.”
Yes We have come to appreciate her work from seeing her on the Behold the Lamb Christmas special programs. I read her bio on the program this year and she has established herself working as a song writer with some amazing musicians beyond her dad.
Tuesday: Point 1: He Really Came to Earth! (The Word became flesh)
4. Listen up to when Keller says, “So we’ve already come a ways to our second point,” or read to the bottom of page 3.
A. What particularly stands out to you and why? – God’s promise from the beginning of creation has come to us and saved us. And because of this promise coming true, we can always believe what God tells us. His Word never fails. The other thing I completely agree with is that there is a timing of when things make sense. Like Tim Keller was saying when a chapter in a book is missing, you can’t grasp what you are reading. I’ve come to know that God’s Word will reveal itself to me the more I read it and ask for understanding and wisdom. I remember the time when ‘the veil was torn’ made so much more sense to me. The picture of what truly happened was so much clearer. I’ve read that before and didn’t think much about it until clarification was given and I absorbed it.
B. There is a doctrine that explains the whole Bible in a nutshell. What is it? Why does it explain it. – The doctrine of Incarnation. Tim Keller says…”The Divine One, the One who is beyond all time and space, has come down into nature and taken upon himself a human nature, and truly became one of us and dwells with us.” Jesus coming and living among is our Hope. Our hope of a future with our Heavenly Father. We have to be reminded over and over what Jesus really did for us. We can’t just hear all the frilly stuff, the feel-good stuff, we need to hear the guts and glory of the whole Bible. It’s the only way to get the whole picture
C. How can you see the promise of the King returning in Genesis 3? – Keller mentions Genesis 3:16 but I’m not really seeing his promise of return. Not sure what I’m missing.
D. How did J. R. R. Tolkien say you will see wonderful movies differently if you embrace this doctrine? – I think he is saying that if we hold tight to this Incarnation doctrine, that our joy is because Christ came and lived among us, that no matter what we see or watch, our joy will not end with the last line of the movie or book. But our joy is so deep, it will last and be in us until our last breath. People will not be able to understand this joy in us if they have not grasped this truth. I think sometimes myself, man this peace I have in a rough time, is only because of Jesus. It can only come from him. If I don’t grab it, I will be overcome with such sadness and grief to the point I don’t want to get better. But with His Joy I can and will overcome it all. Just like his promise, that nothing is impossible with God.
Love hearing about the time the veil was torn and things became so much clearer.
Wednesday: Point 2: The Eternal Became Reality (We beheld His glory)
5. Read or listen up through “The vision of God is the most exciting and the most satisfying experience possible.” (Near the end of page 6)
A. What stands out and why? – How honored and blessed we are to behold the glory of God. For us to have Jesus walk among us. What a feeling that would have been. But the people had him there and still didn’t recognize his brilliance, so I wonder if we would have.
B. Why would the whole idea of beholding God Himself have dumbfounded the Jews? (See Exodus 19-20) – They had heard the accounts that God was so glorious that it would kill them to be near him that close. So now they are like what, why is it ok now. But I think it’s because our center is Jesus. But if you don’t have Jesus as your center, would God’s glory still be too much to handle? Since we need Jesus to get to God, we need to have a relationship with him, or we still would be told to back away. God cannot be near sinful people and that’s what Jesus came for, to remove our sins so we can hold on to His glory.
C. Keller tells us that many think of God as cranky and angry. Yet Jesus said, “If you’ve seen me you’ve seen the Father.” How should that change that view of God? – God is just. And when you don’t agree with justice, you think that person is just being mean and angry. But no, there is an order that has to be given, whether it’s a good or bad outcome for us, it has to be done. Our choices bring consequences, and the outcome may not be what we think we deserve, but thankfully we have a just God who knows what is needed and how it should be done. He doesn’t want to be the ‘bad guy’, but we have been told over and over in His Word what is right and wrong. No parent wants to see their child suffer or pay the consequences of bad choices, but it is the only way, hopefully, they will really see the love of their parent.
D. God designed our universe so that all the planets revolve around the sun, and He designed us so that our lives work best when the Son is the center of our universe. How in alignment is your life right now with that? (I know, for me, my greatest regrets come from time out of alignment.) – I’m becoming more aligned but still get off course. But I’m grateful for the nudge and accountability that comes to pull be back in alignment.
E. Meditate on this: “Underneath the fear of God is a great desire for beauty.” How do you see that in your soul? – What I see is my perspective, my judgement is changing. I want to be at the point that I see everyone as he sees them. I don’t want any judgmental thoughts to come in, I want others to see God through me and feel the love from me that God is giving me. I’m the head of the Benevolence team at our church and I don’t usually see the people that come in for help since I’m not in the office much, but this last week, a couple came in with piercings all over and tattoos everywhere I could see. I had to get past what most think, including me, when they see all that and see only the couple struggling and in need of help. In the end, they were God’s children, just like me and were very appreciative and grateful for the help. I want that beauty in my life all the time, and slowly I’m getting there with the help of my gracious and loving Father.
F. Why can we come near to God but Moses could not? – Because of Jesus. Our sinful ways have been taken from us and put on Jesus, the only way that allows us to get close to God. As I’m writing this, I’m thinking, man we have it a lot easier than the Israelites. Our sins were washed away because of Jesus, and they didn’t get that. They had to carry their sins and walk upright with the help of a prophet who they didn’t agree with. We get Jesus guiding the way for us.
G. Keller says Jesus purchased His Church through His blood. What does that mean to you? – I still can’t grasp completely why He chose me as part of His Church, but he did, and it amazes me each time I think about it. He loved me so much even though he knew I would and will fail him. But that didn’t matter to him. He grabbed me and hugged me and showed me that it is ok, that he will help me get to the point I need to be at. But until I get there, he continues to show me grace, mercy and love. Thank you, Jesus, for your unconditional love.
3.
C. Compare John 1:14 with 1 John 1:1 — what point is John trying to get across?
He was always with the Father; of the Father.
D. What is the paradox of John the Baptist’s words in John 1:15? How could Jesus come both after him and before him?
He says He comes after him but came before him too. It’s because He is God!
E. Most commentators believe that “grace upon grace” is the abundance of blessings heaped upon us through Christ. Name a few He has heaped on you!
Although I lost my father at a young age, I have never been without. I am blessed by a strong, smart husband, a roof over my head, food, and clothes. I have never suffered for a job. I am grateful and thankful. Thank You Lord.
4. Listen up to when Keller says, “So we’ve already come a ways to our second point,” or read to the bottom of page 3.
A. What particularly stands out to you and why?
The part about the king landing and getting together an army and leading them out of the darkness stands out to me. I’m actually part of that army of His! Wow. Makes me feel good inside.
B. There is a doctrine that explains the whole Bible in a nutshell. What is it? Why does it explain it.
The doctrine is the Incarnation. It explains who the “hero” is, who will save the world.
C. How can you see the promise of the King returning in Genesis 3?
I’m confused here. Genesis 3:16 talks about the woman wanting to control the man. She will forever have to bear children in pain. Did he mean John 3:-16? that makes more sense to me. God gives His only Son and if we believe in Him we will never die.
D. How did J. R. R. Tolkien say you will see wonderful movies differently if you embrace this doctrine?
It the one true story. You will live with a joy that supersedes everything else. The joy continues beyond the movie. It doesn’t die or fade away for you.
You are right, Laura. Should have been Genesis 3:15! See if that makes more sense.
Got it!
1. Share a way you experienced the love, power, or beauty of our Lord in the last week. 2. Share a movie, fictional story, or true Old Testament story that points to Christ in some specific way, and explain how. As we remembered my granddaughter last week, on what would have been her 2nd birthday, we were sad and yet I was able to get a photo of her baptism printed and hung in my house nearby the shelf holding an orchid we were given at her funeral. I’m anticipating the blooming of the orchid any day. This is the last photo in my phone of her with my son, DIL, and her two brothers. In the photo my husband and others have heads bowed in prayer and Lucy is holding out her hand to my husband. Such a sweet memory. I started following Katie Davis Majors on social media after hearing an interview with her on Family Life Today (inspiring). She shares a post about gratitude and grief which touched me in a way I hadn’t considered before. She talks about being grateful for the experience (person) you are grieving and how the gratitude can grow bigger than the grief. Not just the gratitude for the person or experience but gratitude for how God is using both gratitude and grief to shape you into HIS image through it all. 2. The story of Joseph is my all time favorite Old Testament story. The parallels in their lives are incredible and clearly the work of our sovereign God. From the Gospel Coalition article online, the parallels are: 1. He is the object of his father’s special love. 2. He had promises of divine exaltation. 3. He was mocked by his family. 4. He was sold for pieces of silver. 5. He was stripped of his robe. 6. He was delivered up to the Gentiles. 7. He was falsely accused. 8. He was faithful amid temptation. 9. He was thrown into prison. 10. He stood before rulers. 11. His power was acknowledged by those in authority. 12. He saves his rebellious brothers from death when they realize who he is. 13. He is exalted after and through humiliation. 14. He embraces God’s purpose even though it brings him intense physical harm. 15. He is the instrument God uses at the hands of the Gentiles to bless his people. 16. He welcomes Gentiles to be a part of his family. 17. He gives hungry people bread. 18. People must bow their knee before him.
Oh, Chris! My heart aches for you, as I read about the loss of your precious granddaughter. Thank you for sharing this and how the Lord has touched you through Katie Davis Majors. I have not read about her recently and I am going to look this up. I so appreciate you sharing this about gratitude and grief and your entire post. May our Mighty God continue to comfort you and heal your heart, filling it with gratitude. You have blessed me today.
How I love how we minister to one another on this blog!
Agreed. Such an encouragement!
God bless you Chris. What a beautiful post. 🥲
Chris, we both chose Joseph 😊 I love all the points you brought out…so good.
What Katie Davis Majors shared is so well put and what I experienced in our loss…praying for you and your family.
Chris, what a beautiful story you have of your granddaughter. And the testimony of Katie. I have read some of her articles and she is a very lovely Christian. thanks for sharing about Joseph and the parallels of his life with our Lord. I have a friend who is grieving the loss of her some 20 years ago this month. So painful to watch her re-live that time every Christmas season. This touched me, too: She talks about being grateful for the experience (person) you are grieving and how the gratitude can grow bigger than the grief. Not just the gratitude for the person or experience but gratitude for how God is using both gratitude and grief to shape you into HIS image through it all. Thanks for the info on her interview. Perhaps, in good timing, I can share this with my friend.
Oh Chris! How you have blessed me this morning. Thank you! I am starting to be in the season instead of being with Him. I am sorry for your loss of your grand daughter. That is tough. I never knew this about the Joseph story. How interesting and amazing at the same time. Merry Christmas. He is with us. 😘
Tuesday: Point 1: He Really Came to Earth! (The Word became flesh)
4. Listen up to when Keller says, “So we’ve already come a ways to our second point,” or read to the bottom of page 3.
A. What particularly stands out to you and why?
It’s all so good but the quote he used from Tolkien stood out to me…”To reject (the one story that’s the truth) leads either to sadness or wrath…if you reject it, you’ll live all your life in despair…down comes the curtain, and you’re out in the darkness…”
I cant help but think of my loved ones who have rejected the truth and are out in the darkness…so I continue to pray and ask the Lord to give them pliable hearts.
B. There is a doctrine that explains the whole Bible in a nutshell. What is it?
The doctrine of the Incarnation.
Why does it explain it.
That God became flesh and dwelt among us.
C. How can you see the promise of the King returning in Genesis 3?
God is telling the serpent (Satan) in the garden that he’s returning, sending His Son, born of a woman who will suffer a bruise but be victor over you…fatally bruise your head. As Keller says, “He’s going to win.”
D. How did J. R. R. Tolkien say you will see wonderful movies differently if you embrace this doctrine?
You’ll see them through the truth and be in the light.
I pray for them with you, Sharon.
I join you in praying for all of our children and their souls. I love your prayer of giving them pliable hearts, Sharon. So good.
Monday: The Text
3. Read John 1:14-18
A. Meditate on verse 14. What do you think He was like before He came flesh?
—We have a pastor friend who said if you try to figure God out you will lose your mind. He was saying it just isn’t possible because the infinite omniscience and omnipotence of God is just simply beyond our comprehension. In a way this question pushes me to that thinking. When I start trying to think about the triune God of infinite past I just can’t figure Him out. All I can say is that we know Jesus was perfectly one with God his Father and with the Holy Spirit.
I liked Laura’s very honest answer to this question. “I really have no idea!” 😊
But some of the other answers I read here were good insights to the person of Jesus.
B. Why was this humbling? Why did He do it?
—My advent reading this morning by Paul David Tripp was on this particular aspect of the humility of Jesus. He said the Christmas story is a destination story of the Son leaving his place in Heaven and it happened because of the sacrificial love of the Father and the humble willingness of Jesus. It was incredibly humbling on the part of Jesus because he left his rightful place as God
“It would have taken great humility for Jesus to leave his rightful place as God…. But he willingly emptied himself of all those rights and privileges, because he didn’t come for himself—he came for us.
He also said “Jesus did what he did not because of something special he saw in us, but because of something holy and pure that was inside him.”
“Jesus humility is our hope”. Powerful thoughts this morning.
C. Compare John 1:14 with 1 John 1:1 — what point is John trying to get across?
—That Jesus was really a person in the flesh with a body that they saw and touched. But through him they saw and experienced the glory of God the Father in his grace and truth.
D. What is the paradox of John the Baptist’s words in John 1:15? How could Jesus come both after him and before him?
—He was acknowledging that Jesus was eternal and alive from eternity past but now was coming in the flesh after John.
E. Most commentators believe that “grace upon grace” is the abundance of blessings heaped upon us through Christ. Name a few He has heaped on you!
—Salvation from sin and death. Hope, wonderful hope of eternal life that will be lived out in eternity with Him. The Holy Spirit present and living within my own person to encourage, strengthen, protect and guide me.
4. Listen up to when Keller says, “So we’ve already come a ways to our second point,” or read to the bottom of page 3.
A. What particularly stands out to you and why?
B. There is a doctrine that explains the whole Bible in a nutshell. What is it? Why does it explain it. Incarnation God became flesh and mankind was able to see His glory He’s no longer distant and as in Moses time unable to see His face.
C. How can you see the promise of the King returning in Genesis 3? Vs 16 I can’t I get more from prior verse that says He will crush your head.
D. How did J. R. R. Tolkien say you will see wonderful movies differently if you embrace this doctrine? Because movies aren’t true. Even feel good movies after they are over we can go back to duldrums. The Bible is true God became flesh and came to earth, died for our sins, rose triumphantly over death and will return again and defeat all evil.
That is true about secular movies, yet Tolkien’s quote to Lewis is “Every story that moves the heart does so because it taps into the true story, the story that was before the dawn of time, and moves us, however shakily, toward the true harbor.”
Thank you for clarifying for me. I’ve struggled with this message.
Read or listen up through “The vision of God is the most exciting and the most satisfying experience possible.” (Near the end of page 6)
A. What stands out and why? When he talked about what is my center and what i orbit around. I can get things out of proper order, why haven’t I planned better this month, why do I feel overcommitted some times in the day.
B. Why would the whole idea of beholding God Himself have dumbfounded the Jews? (See Exodus 19-20) because in exodus God.s Presence descended as a fir, the mountain trembled mightily. They had to put limits around the mountain to keep people from getting to close. The people were afraid of God for fear if they got to close He would kill them.
C. Keller tells us that many think of God as cranky and angry. Yet Jesus said, “If you’ve seen me you’ve seen the Father.” How should that change that view of God? Jesus came to earth full of grace and truth. They Him laugh, heal, correct, and teach.
D. God designed our universe so that all the planets revolve around the sun, and He designed us so that our lives work best when the Son is the center of our universe. How in alignment is your life right now with that? (I know, for me, my greatest regrets come from time out of alignment.) not in the rotation I’d like it to be. I let myself get distracted by lesser things
E. Meditate on this: “Underneath the fear of God is a great desire for beauty.” How do you see that in your soul? The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. It makes me think of being under His wing of protection where He directs my day and decisions. Pleasing Him with my time is what brings peace and joy. I don’t know I see it but I need to feel it. So the beauty turns out to be Him and His Presence being felt.
F. Why can we come near to God but Moses could not? Jesus opened that door for me.
G. Keller says Jesus purchased His Church through His blood. What does that mean to you? It means that Christ’s death paid the once and for all time the payment for my sin tearing down the veil in the Holies to give direct access to God.
Love this from Judy:
Pleasing Him with my time is what brings peace and joy. I don’t know I see it but I need to feel it. So the beauty turns out to be Him and His Presence being felt.
Amen! So perfectly said, Judy. Thank you. The beauty is Him. His Presence is felt.
Wednesday: Point 2: The Eternal Became Reality (We beheld His glory)
5. Read or listen up through “The vision of God is the most exciting and the most satisfying experience possible.” (Near the end of page 6)
A. What stands out and why?
When he talks about God being the center of all things, the source, everything turns on His own glory and goodness and then he asks “what is your center?”
That was convicting as I look within my own heart and ask myself…is He the center or am I? Why the struggle? Keller turns it back to the doctrine of Incarnation as a reminder…He sent His Son who became flesh but was also God…He became approachable so I can bring my struggles and He understands.
B. Why would the whole idea of beholding God Himself have dumbfounded the Jews? (See Exodus 19-20)
Because God was unapproachable…get to close and He’ll kill you.
C. Keller tells us that many think of God as cranky and angry. Yet Jesus said, “If you’ve seen me you’ve seen the Father.” How should that change that view of God?
Through seeing Jesus and what He did for us we see God as well…He covered our sins, no longer hostile and we’re able to be in His presence.
D. God designed our universe so that all the planets revolve around the sun, and He designed us so that our lives work best when the Son is the center of our universe. How in alignment is your life right now with that? (I know, for me, my greatest regrets come from time out of alignment.)
It’s great until I want to be in control and therefore the center…it doesn’t work😏
E. Meditate on this: “Underneath the fear of God is a great desire for beauty.” How do you see that in your soul?
When I make Him the center, desiring His presence in my life and dying to self, all is well. There’s a peace and joy that is indescribable
F. Why can we come near to God but Moses could not?
Jesus, the God Man.
G. Keller says Jesus purchased His Church through His blood. What does that mean to you?
I am redeemed and have the privilege of being in His presence all the time…eternal life.
Monday: The Text
3. Read John 1:14-18
A. Meditate on verse 14. What do you think He was like before He came flesh?
Not limited in power and time. He shared the Father’s glory without limit.
B. Why was this humbling? Why did He do it?
He did it for me and to please the Father.
C. Compare John 1:14 with 1 John 1:1 — what point is John trying to get across?
He is confirming their eyewitness of God who became flesh among humans. Their senses were fully engaged in knowing Christ( which we have seen, heard, and touched literally and “tasted” metaphorically of His goodness).
D. What is the paradox of John the Baptist’s words in John 1:15? How could Jesus come both after him and before him? Jesus was before time and before John (Genesis 1) and came after John’s birth. John was 6 months older than Jesus.
E. Most commentators believe that “grace upon grace” is the abundance of blessings heaped upon us through Christ. Name a few He has heaped on you!
Daily forgiveness of my sins, Christian parents, A husband who loves the Lord, Daily strengthening, direction, provision; So many second “chances”; Friends; His daily companionship; this blog; our church, the body of Christ universal (love hearing stories of our missionaries through watching videos during the service); answered prayers in perfect time. And many more!
Tuesday: Point 1: He Really Came to Earth! (The Word became flesh)
1. Listen up to when Keller says, “So we’ve already come a ways to our second point,” or read to the bottom of page 3.
A. What particularly stands out to you and why?
“We decided to be our own masters. And in a sense, what we did when we did that, was we pulled our roots out of the only soil, the soil of his presence, the only soil which can really nourish the greatness that he put into us at the beginning. And so when we decided to be our own king, the king left…But He promised to be back!
I am glad that the true King will be back! This is my greatest hope!
B. There is a doctrine that explains the whole Bible in a nutshell. What is it? Why does it explain it.
The doctrine of Incarnation. the Divine One, the One who is beyond all time and space, has come down into nature and taken upon himself a human nature, and actually and really become one of us and dwells with us.
B. How can you see the promise of the King returning in Genesis 3? To the serpent, God said, “ He shall bruise your head and you shall bruise His heel”.
The crushing of the head of Satan is a picture of Jesus’ death on the cross defeating sin and Satan.
C. How did J. R. R. Tolkien say you will see wonderful movies differently if you embrace this doctrine?
The doctrine of Incarnation brings to us the fact of Jesus behind all the myths that we see in movies. We leave a movie or a play with earthly joy but then it will pass. Only when we see that it points to Jesus and the truth about Him can these feel-good movies help us see what they are there for. The hero, the prince, and the king in a movie would come and rescue us but they would all die. Only Jesus, our true hero, prince, and king can rescue us for good and for eternity.
Wednesday: Point 2: The Eternal Became Reality (We beheld His glory)
5. Read or listen up through “The vision of God is the most exciting and the most satisfying experience possible.” (Near the end of page 6)
A. What stands out and why?
The presence of God is not a cozy tea date with God “Jack Frost nipping at your nose”. He is gracious as He is holy.
B. Why would the whole idea of beholding God Himself have dumbfounded the Jews? (See Exodus 19-20)
“…they know that the presence of God is the most potent and dangerous substance, the most dangerous thing in the universe.” God forewarned Moses and the Israelites not to come too close to Him because His glory would kill them. How could it be different for them?
A. Keller tells us that many think of God as cranky and angry. Yet Jesus said, “If you’ve seen me you’ve seen the Father.” How should that change that view of God?
Because of what Jesus has done for me, God will see me through Him. Jesus exemplifies all that is good and gracious. That is who the Father is as well.
B. God designed our universe so that all the planets revolve around the sun, and He designed us so that our lives work best when the Son is the center of our universe. How in alignment is your life right now with that? (I know, for me, my greatest regrets come from time out of alignment.)
I get unaligned/misaligned with Jesus and have been experiencing a greater awareness of those times now and I am thankful. It keeps me humble and dependent on Him and thankful for His great mercy when I mess up or go rogue.
C. Meditate on this: “Underneath the fear of God is a great desire for beauty.” How do you see that in your soul?
This reminds me of Aslan: “Who said he is safe? But he is good.” When God created us in His image, everything was good. Then sin entered the scene and it was never the same. My fear of God leads me to please Him because I know that in trusting and obeying will I see His goodness and His beauty. My soul yearns for the latter though I shiver at the thought of His holiness and awesome if I were to come before Him. My prayers have never been the same also when I remember who God is. I can come to Him confident of a listening ear and answered prayers.
G. Why can we come near to God but Moses could not?
Because Jesus made that possible. The sacrifices in the OT and before Jesus came in the flesh, could never be enough to do away with sin. But when Jesus came, He satisfied all that was required for us to come near before God. He took the penalty we deserved. When He looks at us, He only sees our elder brother, Jesus.
D. Keller says Jesus purchased His Church through His blood. What does that mean to you?
That I was once a slave to sin. I longed to be free, but I couldn’t afford the price. Jesus bought me for the required price- His blood. His death, my life. Paid in full, of a new name written in the Book of Life!
Thursday: The Now and The Not Yet
6. Read or listen through receiving Jesus as deliverer and king (near the bottom of page 8)
A. What stands out and why?
Because his center, everything turns around and turns upon holiness and truth and righteousness. But in our case, everything turns upon comfort, fulfillment, and our own joy. And so when we get together, there’s this tremendous trauma. There’s this tremendous antipathy.
B. What does 1 Peter 1:8 tell us? Keller asks if we can feel His love. For me, it has been moments, but not constant, for my sin gets in the way. I’m eager to hear how it is for you.
“Though you do not see him with the eye, yet you love him. And believing you rejoice with joy, unutterable and big with glory.”
I was struggling with something I did yesterday and started to think how stupid I must have come across to some people. This voice tells me that I have fallen short and am not worthy. Lies. Accusations. From the enemy. Yet, when I go back to focus on Jesus, I feel His love. I can acknowledge my perceived shortcomings and come before Him and seek His face and approval instead of man’s. Then the lies fly away out of the windows of my mind, and I rejoice in Jesus who loves me no matter what.
C. What did Keller mean by how we mistake the river for the ocean? What did he mean when he said “The little drops inflame your thirst but cannot possibly fulfill it.” Give an example from you life.
I can be easily satisfied with the little drops of the world’s source of happiness. I can be petty and make a mountain out of a molehill. Things in this world never satisfy and that is a fact for me- my heritage, my family, my jobs, and my positions were all measured by the world’s standards. And they have always come short. As a Christian, I can look at a successful ministry as the epitome of life. I have always dreamed of marrying either a missionary, a pastor, or a doctor. My husband, Richard, was a missionary with the Navigators and has been a pastor for many years. I look back and although the year we were called to pastor a small church was exhilarating; the ensuing years were difficult and not what I envisioned it to be. Only later did I realize that these rivers of joy can be a vast ocean of delight if looked at from the perspective of Jesus being its center. I saw the challenges and difficulties from a different perspective and my joy became a true joy
D. Yet even as we mature in Christ, it seems each decade we are embarrassed by our last decade. This missing chapter in our life is, so often, that Jesus is real –something that we know and yet do not fully realize, but as we do, we mature. How has that become truer in your life?
I do not base my joy anymore on people, circumstances, status, etc. in life. Jesus is all who matters, and He brings along every good and perfect gift from above.
I love your post, Bing. Jesus is all who matters. My week has been unusually busy and I’m far behind but will try to catch up or at least enjoy all of your posts as I’m able. Praying for everyone to have a beautiful Christmas and the joy of the gospel at their celebration.
Your desire as a young woman to marry a missionary or a pastor reveals your heart — and your perspective about a challenging ministry and how you see it differently as you have matured are wonderful, Bing.
I am very behind this week again. So thankful to come to this blog and be filled with the true joy of our Savior. How I desire and need to feel close to Him. I agree with Chris and Dee. Jesus is all who matters. He is our all. Oh, Bing, I am always touched by your story of you and Richard. Two hearts entwined in Jesus and His love. I am praying that He will be the center of Christmas here in my new surroundings. I thank God for each of you and the beautiful, pliable hearts that wrap around the heart of the Season and every Season: Jesus. Your posts lift my heart.
FRIDAY & SATURDAY
—It’s Friday and my last couple weeks have been full of events. I just simply haven’t had time to fully answer the blog questions. I could outline the reasons but it would feel to me like I am making excuses. It isn’t just a thing of busyness but rather I’ve experienced meaningful things that have enriched the true meaning of Christmas this year. Concerts, Church events, grandchildren events, and time intentionally taken to be with friends.
In many ways as I have taken time each morning for my Bible reading and in the Advent study that I have been doing this year I have been richly blessed by the truths and the reality of the Incarnation of Jesus. I finished Keller’s sermon this morning and it capsulizes so well the wonderful truth of Jesus coming to earth as a baby and breaking into our world in the flesh and bringing down the glory of God. In doing so He made the way for us to move out of our sinfulness and into his righteousness.
Keller said “And he can melt us and change us and turn us toward him. And that’s the reason why this unbelievable privilege belongs to anybody who approaches God, through Jesus Christ, we beheld his glory. The vision of God is the most exciting and the most satisfying experience possible.” I have certainly found that to be true.
This Christmas season I personally determined I would not let distractions have their way in keeping me from the beauty of having my focus on Jesus.
I pray that my sisters on this blog will experience the richness of the Incarnation and the incredible blessing of a Christmas focused on Jesus now dwelling with us in our daily lives and in his revealing the glory of God our Father. Hope has been a theme that has resonated with me in the last few weeks. And I am thinking that will become my word for 2025.
Romans 15:13
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.”
This a a beautiful post and prayer, Bev. Thank you for the richness of love you have in your heart for the Lord. Love this and I am praying it, as well. This Christmas season I personally determined I would not let distractions have their way in keeping me from the beauty of having my focus on Jesus.
Thank you for your prayers, Bev. It means a lot to me to find women like you in this blog who pray the Scripture for others. I have always loved Romans 15:13. A friend just shared this same verse a couple of weeks ago with me.
I agree with Bing…thank you🙏
Beautiful, Bev!
Thank you for this. I love your word and the verse. I may adopt for myself
Thank you, Bev. I need prayer and hope. Merry Christmas everyone. I pray you have a joyful, peaceful week.
A. Meditate on verse 14. What do you think He was like before He came flesh?
He was the Word. The tent/body He dwelled in sounds common, yet those who could really “see” Him, could see His Glory. So much to comprehend!
B. Why was this humbling? Why did He do it?
He is the Word; He is God Almighty, the Alpha and Omega. He has always been. He became a mere man, yet He was sinless. He put Himself in our world and took on the punishment for our sins, so that we may have fellowship and eternal life in Him.
C. Compare John 1:14 with 1 John 1:1 — what point is John trying to get across?
Jesus was there in the beginning. The Trinity was the WORD. Father, Son and Holy Spirit. All One. He was truly divine and truly human.
D. What is the paradox of John the Baptist’s words in John 1:15? How could Jesus come both after him and before him?
Jesus was before John the Baptist, as Jesus was always from the beginning. He was born on earth after John the Baptist, yet John the Baptist prepared the way for Him.
E. Most commentators believe that “grace upon grace” is the abundance of blessings heaped upon us through Christ. Name a few He has heaped on you!
He died for my sins; He loves me where I am and prods me to where He wants me to be; I am so unworthy, yet He refines me; He has given me love through my parents and mentors throughout my life; I was encouraged to know Him and love Him at a young age; In spite of many failures He has not given up on me or let go of me. He forgives. He gives. He is never offended.
Thursday: The Now and The Not Yet
6. Read or listen through receiving Jesus as deliverer and king (near the bottom of page 8)
A. What stands out and why?
B. What does 1 Peter 1:8 tell us? Keller asks if we can really feel His love. For me it has been moments, but not constant, for my sin gets in the way. I’m eager to hear how it is for you.
“You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy.”
1 Peter 1:8 NLT
I think there is a difference in “feeling” and “knowing.” I know He loves me even though I don’t feel He should. As Keller says, “You don’t see Him literally, but you love Him. This is something that’s available in Jesus.”
C. What did Keller mean by how we mistake the river for the ocean? What did he mean when he said “the little drops inflame your thirst but cannot possibly fulfill it.” Give an example from your life.
The things of this world will never satisfy or bring us joy.
For many years I compared success/being rich by the world’s standards and it continually frustrated and depressed me. I have a brother who is very successful and rich (according to the world) and I always felt that I needed to achieve what he had in order to be accepted by my family. One day my Dad took me aside and said, “I think you need to know that your relationship with the Lord, being His child, makes you far richer and more successful than your brother or anything this world could offer.” It was a subject I had never discussed with my Dad, so I know it was a word from God that He delivered through my Dad…God knew I needed to hear that and it had a great impact on me spiritually.
D. Yet even as we mature in Christ, it seems each decade we are embarrassed by our last decade. This missing chapter in our life is, so often, that Jesus is real –something that we know and yet do not fully realize, but as we do, we mature. How has that become truer in your life?
Sometimes it doesn’t take a decade 😜. God has shown me just in the last few months that I’ve got to let Him take control and not try and manipulate the situation…not an easy task. But I’m so thankful that God made it evident to me and in His strength I grow and change.
I never heard that story about your brother and your dad. How wise your dad was — how true. Though I would consider you successful not just spiritually, but in all you have brought to children and to others with music, theatre, and art!
Thank you Dee…you’re so sweet and encouraging.
Beautiful story about your dad. I once had the opportunity to speak into my brother’s life in this way, saying something he really needed to hear, and I believe it was the Spirit guiding me as I couldn’t give myself credit for such a thing. Our father was taken from us in his role as authority in our family when my brother was only 5. Our mother lived with two different men after, but neither could possibly be that father we lost, though they tried. After my brother had found his way in a career and family and a home, I was led to tell him how proud I was of him for doing all that he had without really having our earthly father to mentor him and lead through all the process of growing up. He cried. He needed to hear that. He had felt the loss and it was never really spoken between us until then. And now, even greater, he and his family attend a local church together and are growing in their faith. Praise God.
Words of blessing are such a gift — may we all do it this Christmas!
Thank you for sharing Chris. Your brother was so blessed to have you and to hear those words of encouragement that you obediently spoke to him. I praise God with you for your brother and his family’s spiritual growth and faith.
Sharon, thank you for sharing this sweet story of your Dad. He knew your values were eternal not temporal. I love your answer to “D”. (I need to let Him take control. )I would love to hear more about your work with children. So agree with praying the scriptures for one another. 🙏🙏
Sharon, your father’s words of encouragement have spoken to my heart as well. And the comment of Chris below warmed my heart. I have a brother who has struggled with feeling significant these past few years. I need to reach out to him more regularly to offer words of encouragement.
Friday: He Came Through The Roof
7. Read or listen to the end.
A. What stands out and why?
Listening and then rereading this part of the sermon I was convicted of my cynicism.
Dear Lord, please forgive me for giving up and removing myself from people and a situation in my life. Please help me to see them through Your eyes of love and grace. You never gave up on me and I am so grateful. Give me strength to overcome the cynicism that has crusted over my heart. In Your precious name, Amen.
B. Keller asks, “Are you so distracted you don’t have time to behold Him?” What helps you move beyond distractions? How could you increase this?
The quote I read just this morning from Samuel Rutherford…”I urge upon you a nearer communion with Christ and a growing communion. There are curtains to be drawn by in Christ that we never saw, and new folding of love in Him. I despair that ever I shall win to the far end of that love, there are so many piles in it; therefore dig deep, and sweat, and labour, and take pains for Him, and set by so much time in the day for Him as you can: He will be won with labour.”
To behold Him and not be distracted takes intentional labor, a desire to commune with Him, to know Him and His love for me…it’s never ending and the outcome of that will be more of Him and less of me.
C. What was his point with Don Quixote? Who are the Aldonzas in your life that you could start treating at royalty? Even this Christmas?
I don’t need to be a madman or a cynic because of the doctrine of Incarnation. “The myth became a fact.”
Help me Lord to treat the Aldonzas in my life with royalty.
Love your heart.
May we all treat the Aldonzas in our life like royalty!
Friday: He Came Through The Roof
7. Read or listen to the end.
A. What stands out and why?
The ideal becomes real. No longer should I just yearn for the ideal because it has come in the person of Jesus Christ. Everything is complete in Him.
I love the image that comes to mind when Keller said, ” Because our great captain, Jesus Christ, has punched a hole in the roof of the world. And the ideal, his power, has come on into our lives.”
B. Keller asks, “Are you so distracted you don’t have time to behold Him?” What helps you move beyond distractions? How could you increase this?
Yes, at times this is an issue for me. To behold God takes focus, time, and a humble posture.
My little office at home these days looks like a tornado has hit it! This is where I spend most of my work-related tasks as well as my time in the Word and with God. I want to minimize the distractions of paper and to-do lists. I need prayers and a good organizational routine.
C. What was his point with Don Quixote? Who are the Aldonzas in your life that you could start treating at royalty? Even this Christmas?
He saw the beauty in the mess and muck of Aldonza. The Aldonzas in my life are the difficult people, who have had a hard life due to their own doing. -I was presented with an opportunity to minister to someone who by our world’s standards does not deserve it. The person’s situation brings complication and awkwardness to our church and the organization I am actively involved with. This question reminded me that grace and mercy triumph over justice and judgment. I have found peace and direction in proceeding after listening to Keller and answering the questions here.
Saturday:
8. What is your take-away and why?
I do not have to look elsewhere for my prince because the true, ideal Prince has become real to me in the person of Jesus Christ. He is the “air that I breathe”.
The air that I breathe. Yes.
5. Read or listen up through “The vision of God is the most exciting and the most satisfying experience possible.” (Near the end of page
B. Why would the whole idea of beholding God Himself have dumbfounded the Jews? (See Exodus 19-20)
Because they would be harmed if they even got near Him.
C. Keller tells us that many think of God as cranky and angry. Yet Jesus said, “If you’ve seen me you’ve seen the Father.” How should that change that view of God?
Jesus was kind, caring, and loving. He was not cranky and angry.
D. God designed our universe so that all the planets revolve around the sun, and He designed us so that our lives work best when the Son is the center of our universe. How in alignment is your life right now with that? (I know, for me, my greatest regrets come from time out of alignment.)
So funny because I am teaching about the planets’ orbits right now. I have been good recently, keeping in touch, but life happens. For example, I have listened to the sermon a couple of times this week, but can’t seem to get to the study questions. I have completed my Bible app daily devotional, but again, finding it hard to come here. Disappointed with myself and how side-tracked I can get.
Some positive, Christ things have happened at school believe it or not. The “Christians in Action” group, which has been a long-standing club, has gotten back together and are just getting their bearings. I have been an advisor and co-advisor in the past. 12 students came to the informational meeting last week! Clubs must be student led, and this one just hasn’t had the students who wanted to participate until now. I’m also thankful that another younger teacher has agreed to be their advisor. I’m just helping them get started.
And, I nearly fell off my chair when I heard “Go Tell it on the Mountain” resonating through the hallways on the morning announcements one day! I’m not sure who was responsible for that, but the senior class president and VP do the morning announcements, so maybe them? It was so cool hearing, “…that Jesus Christ was born.” in my school. Wow!
But. My home life leaves much to be desired, and although I have a house full of people (our sons, in-laws and her family from Sweden (!)), I am lonely and sad. These are people who do not know Jesus. I don’t really speak well when it comes to talking about my faith. It’s better when I can show them something; I blunder. Our daughter continues to make it difficult with the relationships between the grands. Too much to tell.
So, there is this constant tugging back and forth between Jesus and the season, and life and the family in my face. Is there a place in the Bible I can read about a dysfunctional family and how it ends? How should we be handling the issues presented? I’m guessing you might say Joseph! I need to go read Sharon’s (?) post again about that family and their dysfunction! Also, how it parallels Christ.