Advent Preaching Series

The SPIRIT Factor

The Advent season brings with it a level of anticipation, of expectancy that is different and set apart from all the other church calendar events.

The Prophet Isaiah says: “For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? (Isaiah 43:19, NLT) It is in your hands. Do you not see what I am doing? Stop looking for the thing that only you have conceived in your mind when I am conceiving a new thing.

The Holy Spirit plays a prominent role in the Advent story and it moves us into unexpected, unforgettable, uncontrollable, undeniable and undeserved places.

Join us, during the Advent Season as we make room for the ‘Spirit’ Factor. Nov 27 - Undeserved Certainty – Isaiah 11

“Out of the stump of David’s family will grow a shoot— yes, a new Branch bearing fruit from the old root. And the Spirit of the LORD will rest on him— the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD. He will delight in obeying the LORD. He will not judge by appearance nor make a decision based on hearsay. He will give justice to the poor and make fair decisions for the exploited. The earth will shake at the force of his word, and one breath from his mouth will destroy the wicked.” (Isaiah 11:1–4, NLT)

Dec 4 - Unforgettable Gift – Isaiah 12 – Baptism

“In that day you will sing: “I will praise you, O LORD! You were angry with me, but not any more. Now you comfort me. See, God has come to save me. I will trust in him and not be afraid. The LORD GOD is my strength and my song; he has given me victory.” With joy you will drink deeply from the fountain of salvation! In that wonderful day you will sing: “Thank the LORD! Praise his name! Tell the nations what he has done. Let them know how mighty he is!” (Isaiah 12:1–4, NLT)

Dec 11 - Uncontrollable Joy – Isaiah 61

“The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me, for the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted and to proclaim that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed. He has sent me to tell those who mourn that the time of the Lord’s favor has come, and with it, the day of God’s anger against their enemies. To all who mourn in Israel, he will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the Lord has planted for his own glory” (Isaiah 61:1–3, NLT)

Dec 18 - Unexpected Worship – Luke 1:39-56

“A few days later Mary hurried to the hill country of Judea, to the town where Zechariah lived. She entered the house and greeted Elizabeth. At the sound of Mary’s greeting, Elizabeth’s child leaped within her, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. Elizabeth gave a glad cry and exclaimed to Mary, “God has blessed you above all women, and your child is blessed. Why am I so honored, that the mother of my Lord should visit me? When I heard your greeting, the baby in my womb jumped for joy.” (Luke 1:39–44, NLT)

Dec 25 - Undeniable Hope – Luke 2:25-35

“At that time there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon. He was righteous and devout and was eagerly waiting for the Messiah to come and rescue Israel. The Holy Spirit was upon him and had revealed to him that he would not die until he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. That day the Spirit led him to the Temple. So when Mary and Joseph came to present the baby Jesus to the Lord as the law required,” (Luke 2:25–27, NLT)