Sermon: A Love that Reconciles

Christmas evokes mixed emotions: hope and despair, joy and sadness. Isaiah foretold a king who would bring hope and eliminate violence and destruction, leading to a true understanding of God. Jesus fulfills this promise, inviting us to abandon sin and selfishness. Through his Spirit of wisdom, we can be a blessing and build up rather than hurt and tear down. He is both the humble king we desire and the powerful king we need.

This Sunday, we continue our Advent series, “Incarnation in Isaiah.” God promises His people that amidst the brokenness of life, a Messiah is coming to the rescue. As they waited, they faced a choice: to trust God’s promises or the fleeting hope of the world. What will we choose as we live in the already-but-not-yet of Christ’s kingdom?

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This Sunday, we'll begin *Incarnation in Isaiah*, our Advent sermon series from the book of Isaiah. As God's people face a seemingly insurmountable challenge, their biggest test will be one of faith: do they trust God? Will God's promise of a sign bring hope to them then? How about us now?Isaiah 7.10-17

We know God promises to save eternally but have you ever wondered what that looks like in the day to day? This week as David continues to flee from Saul, we'll see God work through others, answer prayers, and strengthen his people's faith ... all showing that He is a God who saves in this life and the next.

Who do you align with? As the Book of Samuel continues, David evades danger in one place only to find it in another and alignment proves key. As King Saul threatens and retaliates to secure allegiance, David, anointed and innocent, provides safety and care for those who align with him. Through this we learn that alignment with God and his purposes will be opposed ... but there's safety in Jesus.

If you've ever been in distress, debt, or known discontent, then you'll know exactly the group of people that gathered around David as he was fleeing from King Saul. Somehow as nothing was going right in David's life, others still found safety by being near him and trusting in his God.

When things go wrong, it can be hard for us to know where to turn for safety, provision, and refuge. In fleeing from King Saul, David has the same dilemma. He has no food, no weapons, and the King is after him. It's a bad situation and he’s done nothing wrong. Yet, David not only runs from Saul. He runs to refuge in the Lord's house. Once there, David finds refuge like no other.

Loyalty.In the kingdom of Israel, tensions are escalating as Saul relentlessly pursues David, raising the stakes for Jonathan as he grapples with conflicting loyalties.Will he stand by his father and his own claim to the throne, or will he align himself with David, God’s chosen King?Similarly, we are faced with a similar choice by Jesus - where do our loyalties lie?Will we follow Him unconditionally, even if it means sacrificing something, or will we be swayed by wanting to rule over our own lives?Jesus also promises us that by choosing to follow Him, we will discover true life and fulfillment beyond measure.