Advent Week 2 – The Bethlehem Candle of Humility: Mary
This week is an exegetical sermon looking at Luke 1:26-38,46-56 focusing on the character of Mary. The sermon is titled, “Confessions of the First Christian” and looks at the faith, trust, servanthood, submission, worship, joy, God, and savior of Mary. This sermon was originally preached by Pastor Duane Smets on December 6th, 2009 at The Resolved Church in San Diego, CA.
Advent Week 1 – The Prophecy Candle of Hope: Zechariah
This week is an exegetical sermon looking at Luke 1:5-25,57-80 focusing on the character of Zechariah. The sermon is titled, “The Preparer of the Preparer of Jesus” and looks at the fall of Zechariah, his repentance, and his following prophecy regarding Jesus’ birth. This sermon was originally preached by Pastor Duane Smets on November 29th, 2009 at The Resolved Church in San Diego, CA.
Advent – Week 4 | The Angels Candle: Peace
This is the fourth week of Advent, the Angels Candle dealing with the theme of joy. This year’s text is Luke 1:26-38 and deals with the subjects of the name of Jesus, the title Son of God, and the kingship of Jesus who brings peace. This sermon was originally preached December 21st, 2008 at The Resolved Church in San Diego, CA.
Advent – Week 3 | The Shepherds Candle: Joy
This is the third week of Advent, the Shepherds Candle dealing with the theme of joy. This year’s text is Luke 2:8-20 and deals with the subjects of the nature of shepherds, angels, fear, and the joy Jesus brings. This sermon was originally preached December 14th, 2008 at The Resolved Church in San Diego, CA.
What is Advent?
The word “Advent” comes from the Latin word Adventus, which is a translation of the Biblical Greek word parousia, meaning “coming” “arrival” or “appearing.” Out of the 24 times it occurs in the New Testament, only one of those actually refers to the incarnation or birth of the God-man: Jesus, on earth (2 Pet 1:16). The majority of all the other occurrences refer to the time when Jesus promised he will come once again to earth, a second advent or coming when he will not come as a baby, poor and lowly but as a powerful king full of glory.
Thus interestingly, the Christian season of advent is really a season which anticipates and looks forward to the future day when Jesus will come again. The first coming birth of Jesus is only significant in so far as Jesus isn’t just a figment of our imagination but in fact a real person who is alive because he conquered death and is now currently sitting on a throne as the victorious king awaiting the appointed day when he will advent once again for all his people. To say it in a fancy way, the birth of Jesus is elliptical and eschatological and therefore the celebration of Advent is really a celebration of the reality of the Christian faith and the longing for the appearing of Jesus once again for us.
