Hello Advent Family,

Have you ever thought about the impact that a single person can have? The Bible is filled with examples of individuals whom God has used to do amazing things. We tend to remember the big stories like David or Paul or Moses. There are lots of other examples on a smaller scale of how God used individuals to make a significant impact. Lets look at a couple of examples in Philippians 2 together today.

I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you. 20 I have no one else like him, who will show genuine concern for your welfare. 21 For everyone looks out for their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. 22 But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel. 23 I hope, therefore, to send him as soon as I see how things go with me. 24 And I am confident in the Lord that I myself will come soon. 25 But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, co-worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs. 26 For he longs for all of you and is distressed because you heard he was ill. 27 Indeed he was ill, and almost died. But God had mercy on him, and not on him only but also on me, to spare me sorrow upon sorrow. 28 Therefore I am all the more eager to send him, so that when you see him again you may be glad and I may have less anxiety. 29 So then, welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor people like him, 30 because he almost died for the work of Christ. He risked his life to make up for the help you yourselves could not give me.

Timothy and Epaphroditus both had tremendous impact both in the life of Paul and in many churches that they ministered to as well. These examples are reminders for us that God wants to use us to have tremendous impact for His kingdom as well. One person who its willing can be used by God to do amazing things. Imagine what God can do through an entire church filled with activated and willing followers of Jesus!

In His Grip,

Pastor Dave

Hello Advent Family,

Do you ever think about who you represent with your life?  We represent our family, our employer, maybe we represent a team whose jersey we wear.  The Bible speaks a lot about how we represent Jesus.  The opinion others have about Jesus will often come from how they view us.  Let’s look at Philippians 1 together today.

Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel 28 without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God. 29 For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him, 30 since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have.

We are reminded to conduct ourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel, but what does that really mean?  We should be people of grace and forgiveness because that is at the heart of the gospel.  We should be people of love because Love is central to the gospel.  We should be people of obedience because Jesus modeled that for us in His journey to the cross.  We should be people of gratitude because of the gift of the gospel.  Most of all we should remember who it is we represent.  We are the only “Jesus” that the world will see.  May we represent Him well through the grace and strength of God.

In His Grip,
Pastor Dave

Hello Advent Family,

Do you know that according to the Bible we are at war? We have an enemy who is on the prowl looking to devour us – I Peter 5:8. Our enemy is a Thief who is looking to steal kill and destroy us. – John 10:10. We don’t often think this way but there are lots of reminders in the Bible about this. Let’s look at one of them found in Ephesians 6 together today. 

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 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.

We are reminded to prepare ourselves for battle and to put on our armor so that we are ready for the schemes of the devil. Too often we simply journey through life without paying any attention to the battle that is going on over our hearts and passions and desires. Slowly over time we wander from our first love, Jesus and embrace other things. The battle can be subtle which is why it is often easy to ignore but we must stay ready. Put on your armor the battle belongs to the Lord!

In His Grip,

Pastor Dave

Hello Advent Family,

Have you ever noticed a child imitating their parent?  Maybe they try to look act or dress like their parent.  I can remember doing this as a child.  My dad was a builder so I wanted to get toy tools and “build” things myself.  My parents played tennis and bowled so I wanted to do those things as well.  Did you know that the Bible actually tells us to imitate our Father, God?  Let’s look at a brief passage in Ephesians 5.

 Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

God is a God of love it is His very nature.  We are called as His beloved children to imitate Him in that way.  We have the opportunity and the responsibility to share His love with the world.  We need to copy His love and paste it on to people that we encounter as we walk through life.  When we do that well others learn that our God is a God of love.  When people experience that irresistible love they want to be a part of it as well.  Today make it a special point to imitate you Father.  Look for a special way to share His love with someone else. 

In His Grip,
Pastor Dave

Hello Advent Family,

The other day one of the younger kids from the school was talking to me.  He asked, “Pastor Dave there is a lot of work to do in the church do you get tired of doing it all yourself?”  I explained to him that I don’t do it all in fact my job is to try and do none of it.  He looked at me with wide eyes and then I showed him the following passage from Ephesians 4.  Let’s look at it together today

11 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. 14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. 16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

I explained to this young boy that my job is to equip or help prepare God’s people to do the work of the church.  The church really only functions well when everyone is fulfilling a role.  Serving, loving, giving, teaching others, and above all sharing their faith with the world.  According to Paul, churches will grow when every supporting ligament does its part.  My prayer is that we will all be activated and watch and see what God does in and through our lives.

In His Grip,
Pastor Dave

Hello Advent Family,

Have you ever witnessed or experienced something that was so incredible that you almost couldn’t believe it? God’s love for us fits in that category. It is so incredible that Paul actually prays for the church in Ephesus to receive power so that they might be able to comprehend God’s unbelievable love for them. Let’s look at his words in Ephesians 3.

14 For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 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, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. 20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen

Paul prays for three things for the church. First that they would be strengthened in the Holy Spirit so that they might come to faith. He then prays that they would be rooted through faith in God’s love. Then he finally prays that the Ephesian church as well as all of God’s people would be strengthened in power so that they could grasp the depth of God’s love for them. I pray this same prayer for all of us today. May we grasp God’s unbelievable love and be overwhelmed by it so much that we cannot help but to share it with the world!

In His Grip,

Pastor Dave

Do you ever just take a moment and reflect on the impact God has had on your life? I spent some time in prayer and reflection this morning just thinking about many of the ways that God has impacted my life. None bigger than the grace He has freely given us. The Bible reminds us over and again of the grace that God has poured out upon us. I think that is because we need to reflect on that truth regularly. We need to be reminded of God’s amazing grace in our lives each and every day. Perhaps one of the best reminders in scripture is found in Ephesians 2, let’s look at it together today. 

As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. 4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

We were dead in our sins and God made us alive. We have been saved by grace that comes exclusively through faith in Jesus. There is nothing that we can do to earn or deserve it. Not only that but God also reminds us of the daily grace He extends to us as He has prepared works for us to do through His grace here on earth. Take some time today and thank God for the amazing grace He has given us. 

In His Grip,

Pastor Dave

Hello Advent Family,

Do you ever think about the fact that you are God’s special possession? He loves us and wants the very best for us. He leaves us with the responsibility to share His love as a blessing not because He needs us to. He longs that we would come to more and more know Him and love Him. He gives us the power and strength of His Holy Spirit within us. Let’s look together at Ephesians 1 today.

When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory. For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, 16 I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. 17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. 18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength 20 he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. 22 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.

To think that the all-powerful God of the universe thinks of us in such a way is humbling. It is also encouraging. If I am God’s and He wants so much for me I should boldly attempt great things for Him. There is no reason to fear because God will make sure that I always end up landing on my feet. I am His and He is with me and watches over me. He gives me His power to know and to serve Him. Today and every day pray that God would give you the strength to boldly attempt great things for Him. 

In His Grip,

Pastor Dave

Hello Advent Family,

We just got back from a great Advent Men’s Retreat in Marathon. We looked at the lives of some of the heroes of the faith and saw how God formed character in them in a variety of ways and circumstances. I often get asked from men when they get back how they can keep up the momentum from a weekend like that. I don’t think the answer is as complicated as we may think it is. Let’s look at a few words from Paul in Galatians 6 together today.

7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8 Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

The reality is that we need to keep doing the same things. You probably won’t listen to quite as many talks in your regular life but the key for me is intentionality. There are talks on a weekend like that but to me the real value is in talking about life and faith with each other. Taking a little time out of the business and chaos of life and intentionally talking with others about faith and life. That is something you can make time for every day. Retreats are great and are a nice boost or jumpstart but the real key is working on our faith lives each and every day. Try it and see what God does in and through your life.

In His Grip,

Pastor Dave

The book of Galatians speaks over and over again about being freed from the law.  Chapter 5 turns a corner though.  Since we are free how are we to live?  Let’s look at the passage together today.  

13 You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. 14 For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other. 16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

Here at Advent we are in the middle of a series talking about the fruit of the Spirit.  The point we have been stressing each week is that the more we are connected to Jesus the more fruit naturally flows out of our life.  The more we rely upon ourselves the more we have a tendency to indulge in the flesh.  Our independence from the law should steer us to dependence upon Jesus.  When we depend upon Jesus that is when we are truly free and not a slave to our own passions and desires.  May we all more and more lives lives that are dependent on Him and share from the overflow of His love in our lives. 

In His Grip,

Pastor Dave