ECC-Evangelical Covenant Church
Welcome to the season of Advent, a word that means "arrival". Join us as we explore themes of exile and hope in the Hebrew Scriptures, and the promises delivered to us in the coming of Christ, when "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us." (John 1.14)
We worship together each Sunday morning at 10:30am on Facebook, YouTube, or in person.
O Come, O Come Emmanuel: Conquering the Grave
December 5, 2021
Second Sunday of Advent
Pastor Stacey Littlefield
Ezekiel 37:1-14 NIV
Write your main take away from this week's sermon below:
A question to ponder.
Read the parable of the prodigal son in Luke 15.11-32. As you do, consider the suggestion from the interpretation from the sermon today that this parable can be applied to Jesus as the "prodigal" (wasteful, extravagant) Son who gave all for us. Where do the parallels work? Where do they fall short?
A question to ponder.
Below are the passages referenced as images of Exile in Scripture. Pic a few and read them. Where do you see Exile in these passages? What can they teach us about Exile and the way God uses it in our lives?
Genesis 3.23cf; 27.42-45; Exodus 1.1-14; Jonah 1.1-3.2; Mark 1.1-8; Matthew 2.13-15; Hebrews 11.16cf
A question to ponder.
Re-read Ezekiel's vision in 37.1-14. Notice how many times the words "breathe", "breath", "wind", and "spirit" occur in the passage. Those words are all translated from the Hebrew word, ruach. What do you think that tells us about this vision? What is necessary for this vision to become a reality? What does this mean practically?
Quotable.
Read the fuller quote from Brother Lawrence below. How does it "hit" you? Do you agree or disagree with him? Why? Where in his words might you find comfort and encouragement?
"Come to the Lord, ask Him not to deliver you from your pain, but ask Him for strength to bear this thing. Ask Him to give you a deep, strong love for Him. Ask Him to give you everything that would please Him. Ask Him to give you what He will and to do with you what He wishes, as long as He pleases.
“A prayer like that is a little difficult to pray. Such a prayer is against the nature of the soul, but it is one very acceptable to God. It is a sweet prayer of resignation to those who love the Lord. Love sweetens pains. And when a Christian loves God, he can suffer for His sake, joyfully and courageously.
"I beseech you to do jus that. Comfort yourself with the Lord. He is the only Physician who can meet all our needs. The Lord Jesus is the Comforter of the ill, the Father of the afflicted. He is always ready to help you; but His help comes according to the way He desires and not the way you desire.
"He loves you. He loves you infinitely more than you can imagine. So what should you do? Love Him. Then, seek to obtain your comfort from Him and Him alone."
(Brother Lawrence, Practicing His Presence, p.94)
A practice to engage:
Commit to praying this prayer* as God leads--one or two days a week, or every day through the week before Christmas. Once you have made the commitment, write your commitment to prayer in the "notes" section below.
Father, Creator of everything in heaven and on earth,
I pray that out of your glorious riches You may strengthen us with power through your Spirit in our inner being, so that Christ may dwell in our hearts through faith. And I pray that we, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that we may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Now to You who are able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to your power that is at work within us, to You be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
*adapted from Ephesians 3:14-21
Second Sunday of Advent
Merciful God, who sent your messengers the prophets to preach repentance and prepare the way for our salvation: Give us grace to heed their warnings and forsake our sins, that we may greet with joy the coming of Jesus Christ our Redeemer; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.