Illuminate Community Church

This week’s Advent theme is love, beautifully captured in John 3:16.   “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.”    The depth of God’s love is seen in His plan of redemption, which began in theGarden of Eden after the fall of humanity. When Adam and Eve sinned, their relationship with God was broken, and sin and death entered the world. But even then, God promised a Savior in Genesis 3:15, foretelling that the offspring of the woman would crush the serpent’s head. This prophecy pointed to Jesus, who would bear the cost of sin through His death on the cross and triumph over Satan through His resurrection. This sacrificial love reflects God’s unyielding desire to restore His relationship with us.   Through the incarnation, God’s love became visible and relatable. Jesus, theWord made flesh, came to live among us so we could truly understand God’s heart. His birth, life, death, and resurrection reveal God's lengths to demonstrate His love and meet humanity’s deepest needs. Romans 8:32 assures us that if God did not spare His own Son but gave Him for us all, He will graciously provide everything we need. This Advent season, may we be filled with awe at the love of God and inspired to share that love with others.

This Sunday’s Advent theme explores the concept of joy as presented in the great birth announcement given by angels. Joy, unlike happiness, is not based on favorable life events but rooted in a relationship with Jesus. Biblical joy persists through all circumstances, anchored in the character and promises ofGod. This is why the angels’ announcement of Jesus’ birth in Luke 2 was such a momentous declaration of "great joy" for all people—introducing a joy that comes through Christ’s presence and God’s redemptive plan rather than worldly pleasures or success.   The announcement reveals God’s profound presence through Jesus, as proclaimed to humble shepherds, demonstrating that this joy is accessible to all, not just the esteemed or powerful. This choice reflects God’s tendency to reach out to the overlooked and marginalized, who respond with attentiveness and faith. Jesus, described as Savior, Christ, and Lord, fulfills centuries-old promises of salvation, establishing Him as the foundation of a lasting joy that transcends temporary sorrows. This joy, embodied in Christ, transforms hardship into a pathway for spiritual growth, as seen in Romans 5:3-5, where suffering builds character and hope.   Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.   To experience this enduring joy, Jesus instructs His followers to obey His word and remain in His love (John 15:9-11). Obedience is not restrictive but brings believers closer to God, enabling them to experience His guiding presence. Remaining in His love, as Henri Nouwen suggests, means knowing oneself to be unconditionally loved by God. This realization brings a joy that surpasses life's challenges, offering Christians a steady assurance that their worth and ultimate fulfillment are found in God’s love and salvation.

We may recognize peace symbols and awards like the Nobel Peace Prize, yet the world remains full of conflict, with major wars raging. The Bible's concept of peace, shalom, is deeper than just the absence of conflict; it’s the restoration of our relationship with God. C.S. Lewis argued that the true meaning of Christmas is often buried under sentimentality, but at its heart, Christmas is about reconciliation between humanity and God. As the angels proclaimed at Jesus’ birth, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom He is pleased.” This peace is available not through human efforts but through Christ's forgiveness, bridging the gap between us and God.   Jesus is our peace with God. Romans 5:1 reminds us that, “since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” It is not a matter of being “good enough” but trusting in Jesus’ sacrifice for us. Our biggest problem—separation from God—has been solved through Christ’s death and resurrection. This peace then frees us to pursue harmony in our relationships with others. In the first century, Christianity united Jews and Gentiles, breaking down walls of hostility and forming a new community in Christ. Paul encouraged the early church to live at peace with one another, reminding them that all are welcome in God’s family.   Like others, soon you will gather with your family. It’s not always what you dream it would be. We need help! Knowing we are on good terms with God allows us to become like Jesus. We can model His attitude of humility that brought us peace with our Creator. Consider approaching your loved ones with kindness, patience, and a willingness to forgive. You can’t control others, but you can change the room temperature by setting aside differences, overlooking offenses, and showing compassion.    "If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone." Romans 12:18 This is made possible when you approach people with the mindset of Jesus.    We have peace with God and peace with others, and through Christ, we can also be at peace with ourselves. When Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you,” He offered us a lasting peace not dependent on external circumstances. This peace helps us face life’s challenges with the security of knowing we are loved by God. It’s not the absence of hardship, but the presence of God with us that enables us to experience peace amid life’s storms. By grounding our hope in Him, we gain a peace the world cannot give, a peace that endures all things.

“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone.” Isaiah 9:2 As Christmas nears, the Advent season begins, focusing on Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love to prepare us for Jesus' birth. We start with the message of hope, a gift from God that comes alive in the prophetic words of Isaiah, written centuries before Jesus' arrival. Isaiah foretells a light emerging from the overlooked region of Galilee, home to Nazareth, where Jesus was raised. This surprising choice illustrates God's way of working through the unexpected to bring His hope to a dark world. Isaiah's prophecy captures the contrast between Israel’s focus on Jerusalem and the Messiah’s emergence from humble Galilee, a place of little renown. Jesus’ birthplace and upbringing defy expectations, marking Him as a beacon of divine hope arising from humble beginnings rather than grandeur. His birth in a simple setting, with shepherds as witnesses, underscores that God’s work often goes unrecognized by those preoccupied with worldly appearances. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; 1 Corinthians 1:27 Jesus embodies hope as both fully human and divine, described in Isaiah’s prophecy as a child born and a son given. His human experience connects Him to our struggles, as Hebrews reminds us, while His divinity fulfills God's redemptive plan. This dual nature means He is not merely an extraordinary man but our Savior, worthy of worship. The resurrection challenges any dismissal of Jesus as an ordinary figure, anchoring our belief in His lordship. Isaiah names Jesus as Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace, each title revealing His unique role. Jesus, the Wonderful Counselor, provides divine wisdom and comfort, guiding us beyond our limited understanding. As Mighty God, He wages a spiritual battle for our souls, not with force but through sacrificial love. His role as Everlasting Father assures eternal protection, provision, and guidance. He is the Prince who brings us peace with God. Through these gifts, God offers true, abiding hope that transcends earthly limitations, calling us to trust in His enduring character amidst life’s darkness.

Paul closes his letter to the Ephesians by emphasizing the practical application of our faith in a discussion about the "Armor of God." In chapter 4, Paul urges believers to "walk in a manner worthy of the calling" they have received. In chapter 6 he reminds us that there is an enemy who wants to push us off the path. Paul’s message reminds believers that they are in a spiritual battle. In fact, the world’s turmoil is a direct result of being under Satan’s influence.   Paul addresses several key points about Satan: he is a real and dangerous enemy, adept at deception and causing doubt, yet ultimately, he is under God's control. Satan is constantly trying to undermine believers by making them question God’s word and goodness, but his power is limited, as shown in the story of Job. Jesus' power, in contrast, is ultimate, and he easily triumphs over Satan in both the Gospels and Revelation. Believers must rely on God’s strength, not their own, in spiritual warfare. Like children who depend on their parents' strength for protection, Christians access the power of God when they rely on Him, rather than their own ability.   Paul’s command to "put on the full armor of God" emphasizes that believers have access to divine protection, but they must actively use it. The armor, including the belt of truth, breastplate of righteousness, shield of faith, helmet of salvation, and sword of the Spirit, represents both a defensive and offensive strategy against Satan's attacks. He underscores the need for believers to know, trust, and apply the truth of God’s word in their lives. Prayer, too, is essential for spiritual resilience. As Paul requests prayer for boldness in his mission, he encourages believers to also seek boldness in their own lives, knowing that they fight from a position of victory, with Christ as their ultimate source of power!