Last Sunday we began Advent by concluding a sermon series on the six Great Ends of the Church, focusing on “the exhibition of the Kingdom of Heaven to the world.” What an appropriate way to begin Advent, the season in which we prepare to celebrate God’s bodily exhibition of the Kingdom of Heaven in the person of Jesus Christ. This Sunday, and throughout Advent, we will continue to examine what it means for the people of God to proclaim, through its very presence, the Kingdom of Heaven to the world, to show experientially what that Kingdom is like, and to invite others to join us in the Kingdom.
This week our Advent focus is on the gift of Peace. It is difficult to look around us and find any reason for peace. Many of the things we have depended upon to help us feel safe and secure have been crumbling before our very eyes: jobs in jeopardy, the threat of terrorism, our country embroiled in two seemingly endless wars, political turmoil. It seems as though everywhere we turn there is reason for worry. It is easy to feel as though we are living one step from disaster. And yet, the church is called to experience and to exhibit to the world a peace that is beyond our ability to comprehend, a peace that is ours regardless of the turmoil around us.
It was to people living on the margins of society that Jesus spoke these words: “Do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear” (Luke 12:22). But how is that possible? Did Jesus have his head in the clouds? Was he not in touch with reality? Did he really mean what he said, or was he merely waxing poetic? How can we not worry when we live in such a worrisome world?
As you prepare for worship on Sunday, please read John 10:7-10 and Luke 12:22-34 and ponder these questions:
How would you describe an abundant life?
Do you feel like you are living an abundant life?
What are you worried about?
What would it take for you to be able to stop worrying?
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