Advent: God With Us
2024
Advent is our annual season of anticipation and hope as we celebrate the coming of Jesus, the Messiah, who fulfills God’s promise to be with His people. In Matthew 1:23, we see the prophecy of Isaiah fulfilled: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel,” which means “God with Us.” The story of Jesus’ birth in Matthew chapters 1 and 2 reminds us of God’s faithfulness to His plan of salvation, from his miraculous conception to His protection from King Herod’s schemes. Through the arrival of Jesus, God stepped into our world, bringing redemption to all who believe. In Advent, we reflect on the profound truth that in Christ, God is truly with us—now and forever.
Rest in Christ
Pastor Mike emphasizes that the genealogy of Jesus in Matthew shows that Jesus came for everyone, including outsiders, and offers rest for our soul’s restlessness. Despite life’s challenges, he reassures us that God is always working, even in silence, and that in Jesus, the work needed for salvation is complete, allowing us to find true rest. He encourages believers to bring their burdens to Christ and invites those who have not yet believed to trust in Him for salvation and peace.