"Christmas 2.0: What the Second Advent of Jesus Means Now and Then"

“Christmas 2.0” What the Second Advent of Jesus Means Now and Then
We schedule our life’s activities by some type of calendar: civic, school, family, etc. Advent, and Christmas are part of the Christian Church Year which is actually a calendar for the worship life of the church. This historical calendar has been used as a way for the church to remember “the story of Jesus” by marking time around Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. For instance, we celebrate Christ’s birth on Christmas, remember Christ’s death on Good Friday, sing of the resurrection on Easter Sunday, and speak of the coming of the Spirit on Pentecost.

The church year begins with The Season of Advent, the four Sundays before Christmas. Advent means “coming.” In the season of Advent, we focus on the coming of Christ into the world (past), in our hearts (present), and the “second coming” (future). That’s why we can sing, “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel,” Joy to the World! The Lord Is Come,” and “Soon and Very Soon,” all during Advent.

In this series of sermons titled, “Christmas 2.0” we will focus on the second advent or coming of Jesus. What does that mean for us now and what will it mean then? We will look at the second advent of Jesus from the following perspectives:

December 1 -- How Will Jesus Come Again? Matthew 24:29-31
December 8 -- When Will Jesus Come Again? Matthew 24:36-44
December 15 -- What Will Happen When Jesus Comes Again? Matthew 25:31-46
December 22 -- Why Will Jesus Come Again? Revelation 21:1-7

For His Glory!
Pastor Joe

Sunday's Sermon Text, November 10, 2013 (Ephesians 6:10-18)

 This Sunday I will conclude a series of messages from the book of Ephesians. Join us for life-changing worship!

For His Glory!
Pastor Joe

This week's text is . . .
Ephesians 6:10-18, New International Version (NIV)

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.

11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.

12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.

14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place,

15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.

16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.

17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.