3rd Sunday in Advent

Sermon scripture: Psalm 126
1
When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion,
we were like those who dreamed.
2
Our mouths were filled with laughter,
our tongues with songs of joy.
Then it was said among the nations,
“The Lord has done great things for them.”
3
The Lord has done great things for us,
and we are filled with joy.
4
Restore our fortunes, Lord,
like streams in the Negev.
5
Those who sow with tears
will reap with songs of joy.
6
Those who go out weeping,
carrying seed to sow,
will return with songs of joy,
carrying sheaves with them.

2nd Sunday in Advent

Sermon scripture: Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13
1
You, Lord, showed favor to your land;
you restored the fortunes of Jacob.
2
You forgave the iniquity of your people
and covered all their sins.

8
I will listen to what God the Lord says;
he promises peace to his people, his faithful servants—
but let them not turn to folly.
9
Surely his salvation is near those who fear him,
that his glory may dwell in our land.
10
Love and faithfulness meet together;
righteousness and peace kiss each other.
11
Faithfulness springs forth from the earth,
and righteousness looks down from heaven.
12
The Lord will indeed give what is good,
and our land will yield its harvest.
13
Righteousness goes before him
and prepares the way for his steps.

Remember God’s past mercy (vs.1-2):

I will be found by you, declares the Lord, and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you, declares the Lord, and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile. Jeremiah 29:14

Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.
Psalm 32:1

Listen carefully to God’s Word (vs.8-13):

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.
Jeremiah 29:11

And the effect of righteousness will be peace, and the result of righteousness, quietness and trust forever.
Isaiah 32:17

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.
James 1:17

Psalms for Advent – 1st Sunday

Sermon scripture: Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19
1
Hear us, Shepherd of Israel,
you who lead Joseph like a flock.
You who sit enthroned between the cherubim,
shine forth
2
before Ephraim, Benjamin and Manasseh.
Awaken your might;
come and save us.
3
Restore us, O God;
make your face shine on us,
that we may be saved.
4
How long, Lord God Almighty,
will your anger smolder
against the prayers of your people?
5
You have fed them with the bread of tears;
you have made them drink tears by the bowlful.
6
You have made us an object of derision[b] to our neighbors,
and our enemies mock us.
7
Restore us, God Almighty;
make your face shine on us,
that we may be saved.
17
Let your hand rest on the man at your right hand,
the son of man you have raised up for yourself.
18
Then we will not turn away from you;
revive us, and we will call on your name.
19
Restore us, Lord God Almighty;
make your face shine on us,
that we may be saved.

A Psalm of Grateful Praise

Sermon scripture: Psalm 100
A psalm. For giving grateful praise.
1 
Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.
2 
    Worship the Lord with gladness;
    come before him with joyful songs.
3 
Know that the Lord is God.
    It is he who made us, and we are his[a];
    we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
4 
Enter his gates with thanksgiving
    and his courts with praise;
    give thanks to him and praise his name.
5 
For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;
    his faithfulness continues through all generations.

Acknowledge the Lord: Praise Him alone(vs.1-2):

Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20

not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Hebrews 10:25

Receive the Lord: Confess (know) that He is the only true God (v.3)

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
Psalm 139:14

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. Just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep.
John 10:11,15

Enter the Lord’s presence with a thankful heart (vs.4-5):

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
James 1:17

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
Hebrews 13:8

Praying in the Spirit

Sermon scripture: Ephesians 6:18-20
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.
19 Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel,
20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.

We must pray “in the Spirit”:

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.
Romans 8:26-27

We must always pray:

Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.
Matthew 7:7

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6

We must be watchful in prayer:
Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.
Matthew 26:41

 pray continually,
1 Thessalonians 5:17

We must pray unselfishly:

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. Ephesians 6:18

We must pray for leaders in particular:

As for other matters, brothers and sisters, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you.
2 Thessalonians 3:1