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Jimmy Chua

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Advent John the Baptist

Advent

Definition of Advent from the Wikipedia

Advent is a season of the liturgical year observed in many Christian churches as a time of expectant waiting and preparation for both the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus at Christmas and the return of Jesus at the Second Coming. Advent is the beginning of the Western liturgical year

Christians use the four Sundays and weeks of Advent to prepare and remember the real meaning of Christmas.

Advent is a season of hopeful anticipation of God's breaking into our world and our time

History of Advent

it was certainly in existence from about 480 – and the novelty introduced by the Council of Tours of 567 was to order monks to fast every day in the month of December until Christmas

In the medieval Roman Catholic church there were several Councils of Tours, that city being an old seat of Christianity, and considered fairly centrally located in France.

The theme of the Lectionary for each of the Sundays in Advent:

Advent 1 The Patriarchs Advent 2 The Prophets Advent 3 John the Baptist Advent 4 The Virgin Mary Christmas Day The Christ

Advent first Advent Birth of Christ

and second Advent Second Coming

The Advent Wreath

Widipedia

he concept of the Advent wreath originated among German Lutherans in the 16th Century.[7] However, it was not until three centuries later that the modern Advent wreath took shape.[8]

📷Advent wreath as designed by Wichern

Research by Prof. Haemig of Luther Seminary, St. Paul, points to Johann Hinrich Wichern (1808–1881), a Protestant pastor in Germany and a pioneer in urban mission work among the poor as the inventor of the modern Advent wreath in the 19th century.[9] During Advent, children at the mission school Rauhes Haus, founded by Wichern in Hamburg, would ask daily if Christmas had arrived. In 1839, he built a large wooden ring (made out of an old cartwheel) with 20 small red and 4 large white candles. A small candle was lit successively every weekday and Saturday during Advent. On Sundays, a large white candle was lit. The custom gained ground among Protestant churches in Germany and evolved into the smaller wreath with four or five candles known today. Roman Catholics in Germany began to adopt the custom in the 1920s, and in the 1930s it spread to North America.[10] Professor Haemig's research also indicates that the custom did not reach the United States until the 1930s, even among German Lutheran immigrants.

Our experience in relation to John

The Advent wreath is usually a circle of greenery with five candles rising from it. There are four candles on the outside that are purple (sometimes one is pink) and the candle in the middle is white. The candles are lit in the same order each week so that by the fourth week, the candles have burnt down by different amounts. (The pink candle can be lit on the third Sunday, known as Gaudete or 'Rose Sunday'.)

The theme of the Lectionary for each of the Sundays in Advent:

Advent 1 The Patriarchs Advent 2 The Prophets Advent 3 John the Baptist Advent 4 The Virgin Mary Christmas Day The Christ

2. John the Baptist

2 Now when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples 3 and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?” 4 And Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: 5 the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. 6 And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.”

7 As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds concerning John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? 8 What then did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Behold, those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses. 9 What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 10 This is he of whom it is written,

“ ‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face,

who will prepare your way before you.’

11 Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 12 From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force. 13 For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John, 14 and if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come. 15 He who has ears to hear, let him hear.

16 “But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to their playmates,

17 “ ‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance;

we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.’

18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ 19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is justified by her deeds.”

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

first lesson

John the Baptist

seen and meet christ his mission is to proclaim christ .

yet he is in prison and cannot do anything

Messenger for the king in prison

John the Baptist was imprisoned by Herod Antipas, the tetrarch of Galilee and Perea. Herod Antipas was a son of Herod the Great, who had been king of Judea and the surrounding regions during the time of Jesus' birth. After Herod the Great's death, his kingdom broke up into smaller territories over which his sons ruled. Herod Antipas received Galilee, and it was He who ordered John's arrest.

While the gospel of John makes only a passing reference to the imprisonment of John the Baptist (), the other Gospels all tell us that Herod had John imprisoned on account of John having rebuked him over his sin, particularly over Herod's taking his brother's wife. Luke's account is the briefest, simply stating:

"But Herod the tetrarch, being rebuked by him about Herodias, his brother’s wife, and about all the evil things Herod had done, added this to everything else—he locked John up in prison"().

It was the plotting of Herod's wife Herodias, however, that led John' execution

The Greatest Prophet John The Baptist

(11:2-3) John the Baptist: John's perplexity was caused by his picture of a stern Messiah. John was in prison and he heard about the works of Christ. Note two points.

1. What John had heard was that the works of Christ were works of love.

He knew that the Messiah was to baptize with both the Spirit and fire—the Messianic fire of judgment.

He had heard that Jesus was doing the loving works of the Spirit and that people were mobilizing around Him in huge throngs, but he had heard nothing about the fire of Messianic judgment.

It seemed that Jesus was fulfilling only half of the Messianic prophecies.

He was perplexed and questioning, so he sent two emissaries to Jesus for an answer. Note: despite John's puzzlement and questioning, he still believed in the truth. ⇒ He believed in the promises of Scripture concerning the Messiah: "Art thou He?" (cp. ). ⇒ He was committed to seek after God's Messiah: "Do we look for another?" ⇒ He was willing to have his faith confirmed in Jesus as the true Messiah. The fact that he asked the questions shows this.

2. John was questioning Jesus' Messiahship. John was the one who sent two of his disciples to question Jesus (), and it was to John that Jesus sent His answer (). John wondered if Jesus was the true Messiah. There were several reasons for his questioning Jesus. a. John was perplexed. His idea of the Messiah did not match what Jesus was doing. Jesus was not mobilizing people into a great army to free Israel from Roman domination (see Deeper Study #2—). He was not the stern Messiah pictured by the prophets (see note—• ).

b. John was in prison. He expected to be involved in the overthrow of the Roman conquerors and in the establishment of Israel as a free nation, yet he was languishing in prison. He could not understand why the Messiah did not free him. Had he not been the prominent forerunner for the expected Messiah?

c. John needed assurance. He needed his faith strengthened. The saints of the Scriptures were mere men with passions like we experience. They, too, needed the Lord to occasionally confirm their faith. Even the strongest sometimes need the word and presence of the Lord in a special way. Picture John's concept of the Messiah and his languishing in prison, and his need is clearly understood. Preacher's Outline and Sermon Bible - Commentary - .

What do we learn

Like John the Baptist we are messengers for the Lord.

John was great because of the Message not Who he is yet

Like John we are imperfect and not completely know Christ . We dont need to completely know christ to Proclaim Him

Even those who spoke, proclaim and met christ did not completely understand Christ -

No one is exempt from doubt and dissappointment go wrong in our life. Things health

Situations and expectations can and will go wrong in our life. Things health

finances and freedom can be taken anytime.

We should not fear nor be ashamed because we may not understand or have questions about Jesus. In fact, it is good to make absolutely sure in all matters concerning our salvation. We should seek and ask unashamedly (). (ESV) 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.

we need to ask the Lord . Advent is about fasting and asking God in this season.

John ask when he has questions we need to ask .

Many things happen where we could not understand. Preacher's Outline and Sermon Bible - Commentary - .

Like John we can gp through suffering and hardship Christianity brings Joy amidst the hardness of life.

World is full of suffering.

2. Following Christ can be costly and trouble.

personal freedom may be compromised even death . most the apostles except John

were Martyred. Christianity is not prosperity Gospel. It is the Gospel that saves the World.

1 Peter 3:13-17

English Standard Version Chapter 3

13 Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? 14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, 15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, 16 having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. 17 For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.

(ESV) 12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.

Brother John Chang I spoke with 12/14/19 have metastatic Cancer.

It is sometimes difficult to understand why we have to go through so much trouble, especially some of us. We need to approach Christ in those times, coming to Him in His Word and in prayer (; ; ). Preacher's Outline and Sermon Bible - Commentary - .

Follow Christ things will happen. Dissapointmnet can come suddenly.

(ESV) 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

Like John Jesus Spoke to us with His Word

. Our concept of Christ may be only what we envisioned

Church is not what we are here to get. But where we are to give and be a part of.

Things happened as Christian

Many concepts of Chritianity we carry withs us.

Christimas, answered prayer and eternal life.

Yet true christianity is the Pearl of Great price.

John Get Reassurance. We got Reassurance

3.. Christ reassured John

Greatest of the Prophets

Jesus spoke as the Messiah. His words and the power of His message were evidences that Jesus was the Messiah. There were no greater words and no greater lessons than the words and the lessons Christ taught. He is recognized as one of the greatest, if not the greatest, teacher of all times. This is one of the proofs that He is beyond question the Messiah.

4. Christ l reaassured John

Jesus demonstrated the power and works of the Messiah. Jesus was saying that His works and concern (love) were the works and concern predicted for the Messiah, and both are unlimited. a. He gave sight to the blind. The blind saw physically and spiritually. They not only knew the truth of the world, but of God as well. b. He made the lame to walk. He caused men to walk physically and spiritually. They moved strongly about, serving both God and man. c. He cleansed the lepers. He made them pure physically and spiritually. They were accepted both by men and God (see Deeper Study #1—). d. He opened the ears of the deaf. He caused the deaf to hear physically and spiritually. They could hear both the voice of men and of God. e. He raised the dead to life. They were given life again physically and spiritually. Whereas they had been dead, they now walked as new creatures before men and Preacher's Outline and Sermon Bible - Commentary - .

Thought 1. Note that Christ did not just profess to be the Messiah, He proved it (). He proved it by ministering to people in the power of God. He showed that God had sent Him to demonstrate two things: 1) That God is (exists), and that He is sovereign. He is above and beyond all and He has the power to override the laws of nature. 2) That God loves man and has provided a way for man to be saved and to live forever. Every time Jesus ministered and healed a person, He demonstrated both things: the sovereign power and the great love of God. Thought 2. Note a critical point. Christ's miracles are the seal of God: He is God's Son, the Messiah, just who He claims to be. His works are beyond question the works of God (; , , ; ). Preacher's Outline and Sermon Bible - Commentary - . Preacher's Outline and Sermon Bible - Commentary - .

Jesus demonstrated the power and works of the Messiah. Jesus was saying that His works and concern (love) were the works and concern predicted for the Messiah, and both are unlimited.

a. He gave sight to the blind. The blind saw physically and spiritually. They not only knew the truth of the world, but of God as well.

b. He made the lame to walk. He caused men to walk physically and spiritually. They moved strongly about, serving both God and man.

c. He cleansed the lepers. He made them pure physically and spiritually. They were accepted both by men and God (see Deeper Study #1—).

d. He opened the ears of the deaf. He caused the deaf to hear physically and spiritually. They could hear both the voice of men and of God.

e. He raised the dead to life. They were given life again physically and spiritually. Whereas they had been dead, they now walked as new creatures before men and God.

f. He preached the gospel to the poor. They who had been so neglected and possessed so little were now receiving the good news of salvation from God Himself. Preacher's Outline and Sermon Bible - Commentary - .

5. Christ / John is the greatest Prophet

We are greater than John

yet the World cannot accept John and Jesus

Every lowly disciple of the new dispensation is greater than John the Baptist. For John did not see the day of Christ; his career came to an end before Jesus entered into His glory. And so the children of the present covenant that have the entire fulfillment of the prophecy, Christ crucified and resurrected, before their eyes, have a still more perfect revelation and a more powerful light than John.

! The humblest believer can know more about God than the greatest of the Old Testament saints!

1.He can know more than Abraham, Moses, Elijah, or Isaiah! It should be noted, however, that this is not favoritism. It is a heavier responsibility for which followers of Christ shall be held more accountable.

2. Believers have the opportunity of more experience with God than John had. The basic difference between believers before Christ and believers after Christ is the Holy Spirit. Believers after Christ have the opportunity to experience God more fully through the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit.

3. we also understand God's revelation more clearly by knowing the Lord Jesus Christ personally and following Him. Positionally, both the Old Testament and New Testament believers stand justified before God. Abraham, a believer before Christ, believed God and was counted righteous or justified ().

They also understand God's revelation more clearly by knowing the Lord Jesus Christ personally and following Him. Positionally, both the Old Testament and New Testament believers stand justified before God. Abraham, a believer before Christ, believed God and was counted righteous or justified ().

4. The Phillipian jailer, a believer after Christ, believed God and was saved or justified ().

5, Positionally, those in the Kingdom of Heaven today stand no more justified before God than John the Baptist. But having the opportunity to know and experience the full revelation of God, the believer of today is unsurpassed in privilege.

However, for this privilege the world today stands much more responsible and accountable. (See note—• .) Preacher's Outline and Sermon Bible - Commentary - . Popular Commentary of the Bible, The - New Testament Volume 1.

English Standard Version Chapter 8

18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. 19 For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. 23 And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.

26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. 27 And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. 28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.

God’s Everlasting Love

31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? 33 Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 36 As it is written,

“For your sake we are being killed all the day long;

we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”

37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

This Generation cannot accept John nor Christ

We are bless more than John

We await the Second Advent and Participate in Gods Kingdom here on earth

We will be overcomers Crown of Life

We helped built Gods KIngdom here on earth

We are Gods kingdom here on Earth

The Holy Temple who awaits our saviour to come.

Come Lord Jesus

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