SERMON NOTES:  

   Simplify Christmas – Celebrate Christ!
         Advent 2 – “Prepare!”

We simplify Christmas by clarifying our focus - on Christ!

Colossians 3 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

Advent 1 – Coming!
Advent 2 – Prepare!

Luke 3 The word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness. 3 He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
 4 As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet:
“A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him. 5 Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill made low. The crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways smooth. 6 And all people will see God’s salvation.’”
7 John said to the crowds coming out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? 8 Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’

How do you get ready for God?    Repentance - “change of thinking and then acting like it”,
turning from self and self’s ways to Jesus and His ways! 

It is a bold “yes” to God and a bold “no” to all other paths!

Repentance is a step of faith including sorrow for sins, receiving of forgiveness and then acting like it.

Repentance is our friend not our enemy nor an occasional necessity.  It is a way of life!  We get to change our mind, heart and actions toward God again and again and again and again …!

This week’s Remember Verse:
“The time has come; the kingdom of God has come near.

Repent and believe the good news!” - Jesus
Mark 1:15

Simplify Christmas

Celebrate Christ!

How?  Raise your Gaze! Focus on Christ as you simplify Christmas by using the Advent Devotion booklet and the following Scriptures that coincide with today’s Advent sermon, “Prepare”.  Enjoy!

Monday – Luke 3:1-20

Tuesday – Matthew 11:1-15

Wednesday – Malachi 3:1-7

Thursday– John 1:19-34

Friday – Luke 1:57-80

Saturday – Psalm 51

Got questions?  Continue the discussion.  Follow the link @  https://goo.gl/Jd93J7