Bible Study Notes 12/10/2024

Word Alive! Bible Study ©2024

Season of Advent - The Meaning and Joy of Advent © 2024

Concord Baptist Church of Boston in Milton

Conley Hughes, Jr., Senior Pastor

Tue., 10 Dec. 2024 Lesson 1

Anticipation! –  Our faith in Jesus Christ is all about relationship. Daily we should desire to know Him more. One way to learn more about Jesus, is to understand His love for us, and why His mission in the world is so important. Everyone who has ever lived , has inherited an “imperfect” world. There is much good in the world, but good alone does not make our global environment perfect. The Scriptures teach us that this duality of good and not-so-good has come as a result of sin that pervaded the lives of our original human ancestors. We read the Scriptures, the only remedy for the brokenness and imperfection sin has brought, is through the life, ministry, redemptive death, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. God the Creator, sent His only Son, to free us from the penalty of sin – and to restore our relationship and  faith in Jesus as Lord and Messiah.  Advent a term which comes from the Latin word, Adventus – which means, “Coming” or Arrival.” This period in the Christian faith begins four weeks before Christmas (Nativity) Day. We Christians should use this period, to read Scriptures concerning both the birth of Jesus as Messiah; and the second return of Christ to earth. Reflecting on each of these events and sacred prophecies, which describe the coming of  Jesus,  is filled with hope and anticipation.  In His letter to young Timothy, Paul was likely speaking of Jesus when he said: “That is why we labor and strive because we have our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people , and especially of those who believe.” (1 Timothy 4:10, NIV).  From the earliest times, Christians believed Jesus was concealed and revealed in both the Old and New Testaments, which comprise the Holy Bible. Many early Christians pointed to God’s mentioning to Moses of a prophet who would come in the flesh to proclaim His words. (Read, Deuteronomy 18:17-19, NLT). Although Moses was not the Messiah, parallels existed between his mission and that of Jesus. Each had Hebrew ancestry. Each of them was a law giver: Moses the Ten Commandments; Jesus a New Commandment; Each was placed in a tiny vessel at birth: Moses a basket; Jesus a small animal trough. Each of the infants was threatened with death: Moses by a Pharoah; Jesus by King Herod. Seven weeks after the Israelites journeyed in the wilderness, the Law was given. Seven weeks after His  Resurrection, the Holy Spirit was given to the believing follower of Jesus. The prophecies of Jesus came during bleak moments in the lives of God’s people, but the promise of the Messiah’s coming brought much hope and anticipation. (Read, Isaiah 9:2-5. NLT).   However dire circumstances are, the sovereign authority of Jesus will bring compassionate understanding and rule. (Read, Isaiah 9:6-7, NLT).  In reading the story of the Savior’s birth, we must find the time and space to pull back the curtain of time so we can see the full picture. This is why the reading both the Old and New Testament events are essential tour understanding of God’s plan. The Birth of Jesus is not a quick and casual story, but each passage of Scripture opens and enlarges our understanding of how our redemption has come. We will note as we read scriptures, pray, and reflect on the birth of Jesus, much joy will come to us. The Birth of Christ, and the events surrounding the coming of our Messiah, will always bring light to our paths. Like Joseph, we will rise up and rejoice with God’s messenger who brings us hope and assures us God is with us! (Read, Matthew 1:20-23, NLT).

Key Verses:

Deuteronomy 18:17- 19, NLT

“And the Lord said to me, “They are right in what they have spoken. I will raise up for them a prophet like you from  among their brothers. And I will put my words in His mouth, and He shall speak to them all that I command Him. And whoever will not listen  to my words that He shall speak in my name, I myself will require it of Him.”

Isaiah 9:2-5, NLT

“The people who walk in darkness will see a great light. For  those who live  in a land of deep darkness, a light will shine. You will enlarge the nation of Israel, and its people will rejoice. They will rejoice before you as people rejoice  at the harvest and like  warriors dividing the plunder. For you will break the yoke of slavery and lift the heavy burden from their shoulders. You will break the oppressors rod, just as you did when you destroyed the army of Midian. The boots of the warrior and the uniforms bloodstained by war will be burned. They will be fuel for the fire.”

Isaiah 9:6-7, NLT

“For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government  will rest on His shoulders . And He  will be called: Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His government and its peace will never end. He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of His ancestor David for all eternity.  The passionate commitment of the Lord of heaven’s Armies  will make this happen!”

Matthew 1:20b-23, NLT

“The angel said, “Do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit. And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.’ All of this occurred to fulfill the Lord’s message through His prophet: “Look! The virgin will conceive a son, and they will call him Immanuel, [meaning]  God is with us."