The Guide for the Week of December 4th – 10th, 2022
The Second Week of Advent
Bible Passage for the Week
Deuteronomy 27:1-10
Romans 12:14-21
Isaiah 40:1-11
Psalm 51
Verse to Memorize
Matthew 1:23
Catechism Questions
Q. Who was Jesus’ adopted earthly father?
A. Joseph who was descended from King David became the husband of Mary and was Jesus’ earthly father.
Q. When Joseph heard that Mary was with child before they were married what did he do?
A. Because Joseph was a righteous man, he planned to send Mary away quietly.
Q. Why did he not send her away?
A. An angel appeared to Joseph in a dream telling him to take Mary as his wife because the child was from the Lord.
Q. What did the angel tell Joseph to name the child?
A. Jesus
Q. What does the name Jesus mean?
A. Jesus means Jehovah is Savior. Jesus saves His people from their sins.
Q. What did Joseph do after his dream?
A. He awoke took Mary as his wife and named the baby Jesus just as he had been commanded to do.
People to Pray for:
Church: Christ Church Cincy
Pastor Joseph Bayly
Ministry: Sports Fan Outreach
Civil Magistrate: Jeffersonville City Council
Notes for Parents:
Bible Passage for the Week
Deuteronomy 27:1-10
Moses in this passage is giving final instructions to the Hebrews before they make their way into the promised land. He instructs them that when they enter into the promised land they were to set up stones with the law written on it. They were not to forget the commands of God when they entered into prosperity. They were to be a people of the Word.
God’s people are people of the book. We are called by the Holy Spirit working through the word of God. We are taught how we may be saved in the word of God. And it is the word that teaches us how to live. Therefore, we ought to treasure the word.
This is especially true in times of prosperity. When things are going terrible and you have no where to turn, the bible is such a comfort but it is easy when things are going well to neglect the word of God. It is easy to get busy with life and forget your need for the word to dwell in you richly. It is especially important that you have the word in you when things are going well because it is in those moments that you will be tempted to sin. Satan loves to come trip us up when we are running fast. He loves to knock us down when we are riding high. Prosperity is always accompanied with temptations that bring ruin.
Therefore, be near the word of God all the time. Read it. Meditate on it. Sing it. Memorize it. And Live it.
Romans 12:14-21
Each week as we have worked through Romans 12, I have reminded you that this chapter comes in the context of the entire book. Romans is a book about the sinfulness of man and God’s grace to forgive sin. We must never forget where we were and who we would be without God. We have been forgiven much. We who were enemies of God are now called beloved in Christ. God loved us and did us good when we were wicked sinful enemies to his reign. He made us his friends through his blessing and kindness to us. Therefore, it is only fitting that our response would be to show this same kindness to our enemies. Paul says here we are not to seek vengeance on those who hurt us. We are not to curse them. We should not speak evil of them, spreading gossip about them to get revenge. We should not repay evil for evil. If you are repaying evil for evil, you are still committing evil.
Instead we are to bless them. We should speak well of them and to them. We should speak truth to them. We should pray for them. We should do good to them. We should treat them as we would want to be treated. If an enemy is in need, we should help them.
Now this is a very hard thing to do. Its easy to be good to those who are good to us. But we all from childhood instinctively know how to repay evil for evil. When one of your children takes a toy from his brother, you will see this instinctive drive for revenge play out. Yet Christianity teaches us to rise above our sin nature. It teaches us to fight this knee-jerk reaction. But it is hard.
Why is it hard? Think of the reasons why we have a hard time obeying this command of Jesus.
1. We think that if we do not get vengeance then no one will take care of us. We will always be abused.
2. We think that there will not be any justice. If I don’t do this then this person will get away with it.
3. We think that if I forgive my enemy, then God might forgive them. And there will be no justice.
These thoughts are really thoughts of unbelief and accusations against God. We accuse God of injustice if He shows mercy to our enemies. We accuse God of not caring for us, therefore we must care for ourselves.
These are sins against the God, the Father who created us, sustains us, provides for us, and sent his Son to die for us. This is a sin against Christ who while we were enemies laid down his life for us. And it’s a sin against the Holy Spirit who changed us from enemies to God and caused us to be born again to a living hope.
We need to remember how much God has done for us and how much of a debt we owed. We need to remember His kindness. And then we can let his kindness flow from us to others. Furthermore, we can trust that God will get vengeance against evil. God will deal justly. He is a good father who will protect his children.
Isaiah 40:1-11
It is the second week of Advent. The time that the church by remembering the first coming of Christ looks forward to the second coming of Christ. The anticipation of Christmas is a foretaste of the anticipation of life everlasting. Each week during advent our scripture readings during the worship service will showcase an Old Testament prophetic passage pointing to the first coming of Christ and the promises that come with him. This week, Isaiah foretells of the forerunner to Christ, John the Baptist. John the Baptist was the last and greatest of the prophets to come before Christ. What makes him the greatest of the prophets is that the Old Testament prophets foretold of him and he got to see Jesus Christ with his own eyes. The other prophets all looked forward to Christ but did not get to see them in their own day.
Isaiah’s prophesy of John the Baptist showcases the purpose of John’s ministry which was to act like a herald of a King. Heralds would sound the trumpet and let everyone know that the monarch was coming. He would call them to get ready. Make the paths straight. Keep your eyes open. Dress the part.
John would prepare the way by preaching Repent for the Kingdom of God is at hand. He foretold that the King was coming who would forgive sins. What a comfort it would be to know that the King was coming not in judgement but to bring mercy. Those who repent have eternal life.
We get to continue to proclaim this message now that Christ has come. We are still preparing the way for the Lord as we go forth into all the world making disciples. One day our King will return. And this time it will be for judgement. Those who are not ready will be destroyed. But for those who love Him, it will be such a comfort.
Psalm 51
God is so good that He can bring good from evil. Psalm 51 is an example of this. King David sinned greatly. He committed gross evil in adultery and murder. God was gracious to him and granted him repentance. Psalm 51 is his song of repentance. We get to read it and benefit greatly. Many throughout the centuries have joined in this prayer of repentance of their own sins. David’s sin and subsequent repentance then in the hands of God has been used for our good.
This does not mean that we should do evil so that grace may abound but it does mean that we should join in with this Psalm and confess our sins to the Lord knowing that He is faithful and just to forgive us. He will if we are humble do good to us even though we have been evil.
Catechism/ Memory Verse
The Catechism questions will prepare the children for next week’s sermon. Lord willing, we will be preaching through God’s call to Joseph to be the adopted father of Jesus. Joseph sets an example for us of a man willing to obey God even when it would cost him.
People to Pray for:
Christ Church in Cincy is pastored by Joseph Bayly. Please pray for their growth in number and maturity. Pray for Joseph as he pastors. They have had a lot of sicknesses in their church, some of them being long-term illnesses. Pray for God’s healing and comfort.
Sports Fan Outreach is a group of preachers that go to sporting events and preach the gospel. We have done work with them before at the Kentucky Derby. They attend a lot of the college bowl games and super bowl. Pray that God would give them wisdom as they preach and soft hearts to the listeners.
Lastly, we are praying again for the city council of Jeffersonville. Pray that God would grant our church favor with the council in the work we do. I want to encourage you to write a letter or email to them just encouraging them in their work. Let them know they are being prayed for.
Christmas Carol Spotlight
Come, thou long expected Jesus,
born to set thy people free;
from our fears and sins release us,
let us find our rest in thee.
Israel's strength and consolation,
hope of all the earth thou art;
dear desire of every nation,
joy of every longing heart.
Charles Wesly was the brother to famous preacher and leader of a movement given the derogatory title “methodist,” John Wesley. John may have been the more famous of the two at the time, but Charles’ work lives on in many churches, not just those of the Methodist denomination. Charles wrote a great many of the beloved hymns that we sing.
It was in 1744, Charles Wesley considered Haggai 2:7 and looked at the situation of orphans in the areas around him. Like many of us, he was overcome at the evil of the day and suffering. Unlike many of us, this moved him to the scriptures and then to pour out his soul in praise. From this came, the great Advent hymn, “Come, thou long expected Jesus.” As we approach Christmas, we are both celebrating the first coming of Christ in which He defeated sin on the cross and look forward to His final return and the completion of the victory as evil becomes no more. In the meantime, we live in obedience to Christ’s commands and seek to see His kingdom expand until it fills the entire earth. Our living between the two advents, is not passive but active.
Deuteronomy 27:1-10
Romans 12:14-21
Isaiah 40:1-11
Psalm 51
Verse to Memorize
Matthew 1:23
Catechism Questions
Q. Who was Jesus’ adopted earthly father?
A. Joseph who was descended from King David became the husband of Mary and was Jesus’ earthly father.
Q. When Joseph heard that Mary was with child before they were married what did he do?
A. Because Joseph was a righteous man, he planned to send Mary away quietly.
Q. Why did he not send her away?
A. An angel appeared to Joseph in a dream telling him to take Mary as his wife because the child was from the Lord.
Q. What did the angel tell Joseph to name the child?
A. Jesus
Q. What does the name Jesus mean?
A. Jesus means Jehovah is Savior. Jesus saves His people from their sins.
Q. What did Joseph do after his dream?
A. He awoke took Mary as his wife and named the baby Jesus just as he had been commanded to do.
People to Pray for:
Church: Christ Church Cincy
Pastor Joseph Bayly
Ministry: Sports Fan Outreach
Civil Magistrate: Jeffersonville City Council
Notes for Parents:
Bible Passage for the Week
Deuteronomy 27:1-10
Moses in this passage is giving final instructions to the Hebrews before they make their way into the promised land. He instructs them that when they enter into the promised land they were to set up stones with the law written on it. They were not to forget the commands of God when they entered into prosperity. They were to be a people of the Word.
God’s people are people of the book. We are called by the Holy Spirit working through the word of God. We are taught how we may be saved in the word of God. And it is the word that teaches us how to live. Therefore, we ought to treasure the word.
This is especially true in times of prosperity. When things are going terrible and you have no where to turn, the bible is such a comfort but it is easy when things are going well to neglect the word of God. It is easy to get busy with life and forget your need for the word to dwell in you richly. It is especially important that you have the word in you when things are going well because it is in those moments that you will be tempted to sin. Satan loves to come trip us up when we are running fast. He loves to knock us down when we are riding high. Prosperity is always accompanied with temptations that bring ruin.
Therefore, be near the word of God all the time. Read it. Meditate on it. Sing it. Memorize it. And Live it.
Romans 12:14-21
Each week as we have worked through Romans 12, I have reminded you that this chapter comes in the context of the entire book. Romans is a book about the sinfulness of man and God’s grace to forgive sin. We must never forget where we were and who we would be without God. We have been forgiven much. We who were enemies of God are now called beloved in Christ. God loved us and did us good when we were wicked sinful enemies to his reign. He made us his friends through his blessing and kindness to us. Therefore, it is only fitting that our response would be to show this same kindness to our enemies. Paul says here we are not to seek vengeance on those who hurt us. We are not to curse them. We should not speak evil of them, spreading gossip about them to get revenge. We should not repay evil for evil. If you are repaying evil for evil, you are still committing evil.
Instead we are to bless them. We should speak well of them and to them. We should speak truth to them. We should pray for them. We should do good to them. We should treat them as we would want to be treated. If an enemy is in need, we should help them.
Now this is a very hard thing to do. Its easy to be good to those who are good to us. But we all from childhood instinctively know how to repay evil for evil. When one of your children takes a toy from his brother, you will see this instinctive drive for revenge play out. Yet Christianity teaches us to rise above our sin nature. It teaches us to fight this knee-jerk reaction. But it is hard.
Why is it hard? Think of the reasons why we have a hard time obeying this command of Jesus.
1. We think that if we do not get vengeance then no one will take care of us. We will always be abused.
2. We think that there will not be any justice. If I don’t do this then this person will get away with it.
3. We think that if I forgive my enemy, then God might forgive them. And there will be no justice.
These thoughts are really thoughts of unbelief and accusations against God. We accuse God of injustice if He shows mercy to our enemies. We accuse God of not caring for us, therefore we must care for ourselves.
These are sins against the God, the Father who created us, sustains us, provides for us, and sent his Son to die for us. This is a sin against Christ who while we were enemies laid down his life for us. And it’s a sin against the Holy Spirit who changed us from enemies to God and caused us to be born again to a living hope.
We need to remember how much God has done for us and how much of a debt we owed. We need to remember His kindness. And then we can let his kindness flow from us to others. Furthermore, we can trust that God will get vengeance against evil. God will deal justly. He is a good father who will protect his children.
Isaiah 40:1-11
It is the second week of Advent. The time that the church by remembering the first coming of Christ looks forward to the second coming of Christ. The anticipation of Christmas is a foretaste of the anticipation of life everlasting. Each week during advent our scripture readings during the worship service will showcase an Old Testament prophetic passage pointing to the first coming of Christ and the promises that come with him. This week, Isaiah foretells of the forerunner to Christ, John the Baptist. John the Baptist was the last and greatest of the prophets to come before Christ. What makes him the greatest of the prophets is that the Old Testament prophets foretold of him and he got to see Jesus Christ with his own eyes. The other prophets all looked forward to Christ but did not get to see them in their own day.
Isaiah’s prophesy of John the Baptist showcases the purpose of John’s ministry which was to act like a herald of a King. Heralds would sound the trumpet and let everyone know that the monarch was coming. He would call them to get ready. Make the paths straight. Keep your eyes open. Dress the part.
John would prepare the way by preaching Repent for the Kingdom of God is at hand. He foretold that the King was coming who would forgive sins. What a comfort it would be to know that the King was coming not in judgement but to bring mercy. Those who repent have eternal life.
We get to continue to proclaim this message now that Christ has come. We are still preparing the way for the Lord as we go forth into all the world making disciples. One day our King will return. And this time it will be for judgement. Those who are not ready will be destroyed. But for those who love Him, it will be such a comfort.
Psalm 51
God is so good that He can bring good from evil. Psalm 51 is an example of this. King David sinned greatly. He committed gross evil in adultery and murder. God was gracious to him and granted him repentance. Psalm 51 is his song of repentance. We get to read it and benefit greatly. Many throughout the centuries have joined in this prayer of repentance of their own sins. David’s sin and subsequent repentance then in the hands of God has been used for our good.
This does not mean that we should do evil so that grace may abound but it does mean that we should join in with this Psalm and confess our sins to the Lord knowing that He is faithful and just to forgive us. He will if we are humble do good to us even though we have been evil.
Catechism/ Memory Verse
The Catechism questions will prepare the children for next week’s sermon. Lord willing, we will be preaching through God’s call to Joseph to be the adopted father of Jesus. Joseph sets an example for us of a man willing to obey God even when it would cost him.
People to Pray for:
Christ Church in Cincy is pastored by Joseph Bayly. Please pray for their growth in number and maturity. Pray for Joseph as he pastors. They have had a lot of sicknesses in their church, some of them being long-term illnesses. Pray for God’s healing and comfort.
Sports Fan Outreach is a group of preachers that go to sporting events and preach the gospel. We have done work with them before at the Kentucky Derby. They attend a lot of the college bowl games and super bowl. Pray that God would give them wisdom as they preach and soft hearts to the listeners.
Lastly, we are praying again for the city council of Jeffersonville. Pray that God would grant our church favor with the council in the work we do. I want to encourage you to write a letter or email to them just encouraging them in their work. Let them know they are being prayed for.
Christmas Carol Spotlight
Come, thou long expected Jesus,
born to set thy people free;
from our fears and sins release us,
let us find our rest in thee.
Israel's strength and consolation,
hope of all the earth thou art;
dear desire of every nation,
joy of every longing heart.
Charles Wesly was the brother to famous preacher and leader of a movement given the derogatory title “methodist,” John Wesley. John may have been the more famous of the two at the time, but Charles’ work lives on in many churches, not just those of the Methodist denomination. Charles wrote a great many of the beloved hymns that we sing.
It was in 1744, Charles Wesley considered Haggai 2:7 and looked at the situation of orphans in the areas around him. Like many of us, he was overcome at the evil of the day and suffering. Unlike many of us, this moved him to the scriptures and then to pour out his soul in praise. From this came, the great Advent hymn, “Come, thou long expected Jesus.” As we approach Christmas, we are both celebrating the first coming of Christ in which He defeated sin on the cross and look forward to His final return and the completion of the victory as evil becomes no more. In the meantime, we live in obedience to Christ’s commands and seek to see His kingdom expand until it fills the entire earth. Our living between the two advents, is not passive but active.
Come, Thou long-expected Jesus,
Born to set Thy people free;
From our fears and sins release us;
Let us find our rest in Thee.
Israel’s strength and consolation,
Hope of all the earth Thou art,
Dear Desire of every nation,
Joy of every longing heart.
Come to earth to taste our sadness,
He whose glories knew no end;
By His life He brings us gladness,
Our Redeemer, Shepherd, Friend.
Leaving riches without number,
Born within a cattle stall;
This the everlasting wonder,
Christ was born the Lord of all.
Born Thy people to deliver,
Born a child and yet a King,
Born to reign in us forever,
Now Thy gracious kingdom bring.
By Thine own eternal Spirit
Rule in all our hearts alone;
By Thine all-sufficient merit,
Raise us to Thy glorious throne,
Raise us to Thy glorious throne.
Born to set Thy people free;
From our fears and sins release us;
Let us find our rest in Thee.
Israel’s strength and consolation,
Hope of all the earth Thou art,
Dear Desire of every nation,
Joy of every longing heart.
Come to earth to taste our sadness,
He whose glories knew no end;
By His life He brings us gladness,
Our Redeemer, Shepherd, Friend.
Leaving riches without number,
Born within a cattle stall;
This the everlasting wonder,
Christ was born the Lord of all.
Born Thy people to deliver,
Born a child and yet a King,
Born to reign in us forever,
Now Thy gracious kingdom bring.
By Thine own eternal Spirit
Rule in all our hearts alone;
By Thine all-sufficient merit,
Raise us to Thy glorious throne,
Raise us to Thy glorious throne.