Isaiah 6:13 “And though a tenth remains in the land, it will again be laid waste. But as the terebinth and oak leave stumps when they are cut down, so the holy seed will be the stump in the land.”
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Isaiah 11:1 “A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit.”
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Luke 2:30-32, 34-35 “For my eyes have seen your salvation, 31 which you have prepared in the sight of all people, 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel…34 Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, 35 so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”
 
THE terebinth and oak trees in Israel could be cut down to a stump, lifeless to the eye. But even from a stump, they would become alive with new shoots to again provide life-sustaining food and shelter.
   Isaiah is filled with such images of God’s judgment and salvation. The Spirit inspired the prophet to declare sin’s penalty and then mankind’s rise out of sin into God’s salvation. In their sin, Israel would look dead, apart from God. But then life would come from God’s holy seed, Jesus Christ, the shoot to rise from Jesse’s (David’s father) family.
   We see this prophecy of salvation also in Luke 2. At the ceremony of Jesus’ circumcision, Simeon prophesies Israel’s judgment and then salvation through the boy in Mary’s arms. Salvation, though, would cost the Savior and his mother. Hearts of sin would pierce Jesus, and Mary’s soul would be pierced with grief.
   To the world, Jesus would seem cut down, lifeless on a deadly tree. From the grave, though, Jesus, the shoot from Jesse, would rise to eternally shelter and comfort his own.
   How is your faith today? Does it feel cut down, perhaps lifeless because many things are against you? Might we in the church look at empty pews or into the culture around us to declare, “There is no life here.” Is it possible we are too willing to allow doubt and fear to pierce our minds and strip our faith?
   If so, we must stop and know this: The church is planted to be the Tree of Life. From Genesis to Revelation, a tree of life is the symbol of eternal union with God. God banished Adam and Eve from that tree (Genesis 3:24) He then prepared the world to know Jesus is the way to the tree of life: Revelation 2:7 To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.
   Unwrap and celebrate this Christmas gift of life for your eternal soul. Rejoice in God’s promise that roots and nourishes you in his life everlasting.
 
Prayer: Grow my roots deeply into you, Jesus. Empower my life to faithful fruit. Amen. 

Isaiah 6:1-3 In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted, and the train of his robe filled the temple. 2 Above him were seraphs, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. 3 And they were calling to one another: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.”
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Luke 1:46-49 And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord 47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 48 for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, 49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me – holy is his name.”
 
Isaiah describes the Savior to come in many passages. We will view some of those in the coming days to connect with Luke. But first, let’s see Isaiah’s view of heavenly worship, also expressed in Mary’s praise to the Mighty One.
   To worship God is to magnify him in all he is. Worship is loving obedience and joyful submission. Isaiah saw heaven’s angels singing the three-part, “Holy, holy, holy” to continually worship God’s perfection. Revelation 4:8 records the same worship. God’s glory – his perfect power, beauty, righteousness, love – flows eternally throughout the heavens and earth. Seeing and hearing God’s perfection, Isaiah faithfully worships God through his prophetic ministry amid several kings’ reigns.
   In a different way of revelation, Mary also knew God’s holiness. As with Isaiah, God had chosen her to a remarkable work to reveal his glory to the world. In a sense, she becomes a prophet to proclaim God’s glory through the miraculous display of the virgin birth. From the day of the Spirit’s anointing, all generations have called Mary, “Blessed.” Why? This is not because of what Mary had done or will do. Mary is blessed among women and the human race because God chose her as one very intimate way to reveal his holiness to the world. Yes, Mary faithfully worshiped the Lord with her praise: “The Mighty One has done great things for me – holy is his name.”  Her pregnancy is unplanned, unexpected and even unwelcome in the world’s view. This will cause her many hardships during Jesus’ entire life on earth. But then in deep reverence she speaks as did Isaiah to affirm God’s call. Mary’s words express true, humble devotion. She knows God has chosen her to a most holy and remarkable task.
   Does “holy, holy, holy” now come from our lips, too? This does not refer to singing a hymn, but to heart praises spoken, sung and confessed to declare God is the Mighty One. He has called you to be his own. And in his extraordinary grace, the Holy One of Israel forms you to be holy in Jesus’ blood.
   Indeed, this is a most astonishing truth. Our response is to worship him day and night as we pursue his holiness and declare the magnificent things he has done for us.
 
Prayer: You are holy, holy, holy, Lord. Thank you for making us holy before your throne as we declare, “Jesus is Savior, King, Redeemer.” Amen.
 

Psalms 24:7-8 Lift up your heads, O you gates; be lifted up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in.  8 Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle. 
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Luke 2:9-14 An angel of the Lord appeared to the shepherds, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”  
 
THE psalmist calls for the King of Glory, the Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle, to enter into the LORD’s domain. In essence, the psalmist calls, “Enter mighty God into your sanctuary. Display your power that we may live in victory with you.” This is an advent call, anticipating the Lord God will come. Known as a “psalm of ascents” it declares the righteous will worship the Almighty God as he enters through Jerusalem’s gates and into his sanctuary.
   Luke then records the King’s glorious arrival into his creation. His glory prophesied and promised, anticipated through the ages came to the shepherds that night. The Almighty God’s power and purity descends from heaven to enter through heaven’s gates  into his domain. Indeed, the earth is the Lord’s and everything in it (Psalm 24:1). The glory – the power, wonder and purity – of the LORD Almighty has come to earth.
   How do you respond to the King of glory? Confess the King and welcome him into your heart, into your life. Arise each day to confess and announce, “The King of Glory has come into my life.” Live in faithful assurance that the King’s glorious gospel reveals his Almighty power to raise your soul to life. Shine the King’s glory into others’ lives, so they know his glory, too. In wonder, you enter into his sanctuary each Sabbath day to know the King has come to his church. In joyful worship you will celebrate the King has prepared for you his glorious home for your eternal life.
 
Prayer: Thank you, King of Kings, LORD of Lords, that you have come into the world to glorify your name. I praise you and rejoice the King of Glory has entered into my heart. In faithful assurance, I await you, King of Glory, to come again, to see your glory fill the heavens and the earth. Amen. 

Luke 2:10-11 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.”
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John 20:16 Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned toward him and said in Hebrew, “Rabboni!”
 
ONE popular Christmas hymn is “Joy to the World.” The angels declare joy has come in Jesus’ birth. Mary Magdalene declares joy is alive before her in John’s report of Jesus’ resurrection. From the angel’s, “I bring you good news of great joy.” to Mary’s “Rabboni!” exclamation we receive a message: Joy to the world! The Lord has come.
   Indeed, Mary represents all of us who love Jesus. Jesus found her chained in despair, captured by seven demons. Jesus released Mary to the joy of salvation in Christ, so she could follow, serve and learn from the Son of God. But then came the cross.
   Mary and the other women who also cared for Jesus and Jesus’ disciples suffered an inexpressible anguish. What sorrow and despair they experienced when they witnessed their beloved Good Shepherd die on the excruciating, cursed cross.           But look! That’s all gone now. Despair is done! Now Mary knows joy has come.
   Yes, our risen Lord has come, and he has made himself fully known to Mary and her friends. Now, even more, the Spirit has revealed the Son to the world - to even you and me. The psalmist of old wrote of this in the advent – the anticipation – of the Messiah: Psalms 14:7 Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion! When the Lord restores the fortunes of his people, let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad!
   God’s promise is fulfilled. Jesus was born. Jesus has lived as a man. Jesus suffered the cross. Jesus died as a man. Jesus rose as the Son of God, Savior of the world. Salvation has come out of the tomb to restore the world. Satan is conquered. Death is done. 1 Corinthians 15:55 “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?”
   Against the culture, out of the norm, out of their past and out of the tomb’s despair, Mary and the others stepped into joy to become the first missionaries, the first ambassadors to represent the risen Christ. Yes, Mary, your despair was deep. But your joy is so much higher! No matter what anyone said to you, you know he lives in you because despair is gone.
   Joy to the world, the LORD is come! Be sure your joy prompts you tell, “Jesus is alive.”
 
Prayer: Thank you, Jesus, for being Joy to the World. Amen.

Deuteronomy 30:1-3 When all these blessings and curses I have set before you come upon you and you take them to heart wherever the Lord your God disperses you among the nations, 2 and when you and your children return to the Lord your God and obey him with all your heart and with all your soul according to everything I command you today, 3 then the Lord your God will restore your fortunes and have compassion on you and gather you again from all the nations where he scattered you.
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Romans 10:9 That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 
 
TODAY is the first day of the season in the church known as Advent. “Advent” means arrival, expectation and appearance. You could include “revelation” as God reveals himself through the personal arrival of his expected Son, Jesus Christ of Nazareth. Even though we are at the end of our calendar year, it is the beginning of the new year in the church. Appropriately Advent is about beginning.
   As Bible passages around Jesus’ birth from Isaiah, Luke and Matthew are most commonly read during this season, you likely wonder how Deuteronomy and Romans would be appropriate for Advent scriptures. In truth, the entire Bible is about Advent. God’s Word records the expectation of the Messiah. Now that he has come, we live each day with sure expectation Jesus is coming again to establish the new heaven and earth. The church’s purpose in the Advent season is to remember God has kept his promise to come, and know he will keep his promise to come again.
   These promises are the connection between Deuteronomy – a book of the law – and Romans – an epistle to declare grace has fulfilled the law. See Deuteronomy’s commands and promise in “take them (the law) to heart” and “when you and your children return to the Lord your God and obey him with all your heart and with all your soul … then the Lord your God will … gather you again from all the nations.” Then compare with Romans’ words, confess with your mouth and believe in your heart…you will be saved. In the law and the gospel, God reveals the faithful heart that loves God is the key to living with God. God’s promise in Deuteronomy to gather you is fulfilled in Romans’ way to gather us with a believing heart.
   In addition, Moses wrote seven times in Deuteronomy to “Love the Lord your God.” Then he added this promise in Deuteronomy 30:20 For the Lord is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.  A heart obeying and loving God was then the key to living with God. 
   Then Jesus graciously came to fulfill that promise. He preached the gospel to prepare the church for the time he will send his angels and gather his elect. (Mark 13:37a) God is Emmanuel. He has come through the law. He has come through the gospel. He is with us now in Spirit as we confess with our hearts we love and believe in him. Proclaim with your mouth and in your heart, “I am a sinner. Forgive me Lord. Jesus is risen from the grave and ascended to heaven. Jesus saves.” You can then faithfully expect Jesus’ second coming will be your great reward.
 
Prayer: As we await your Second Coming, Lord Jesus, we pray we do so with our hearts full of love, that we may joyfully live in your commands. Amen.
 

Acts 16:1-3 Paul came to Derbe and then to Lystra, where a disciple named Timothy lived, whose mother was a Jewess and a believer, but whose father was a Greek. 2 The brothers at Lystra and Iconium spoke well of him. 3 Paul wanted to take Timothy along on the journey, so he circumcised him because of the Jews who lived in that area, for they all knew that his father was a Greek.
 
PAUL and Silas are on the move to meet with people to whom Paul and Barnabas had ministered in Lystra, Derbe and other areas. They will then continue to evangelize the gospel into new areas. On his earlier visit to Lystra, Paul had spoken the Spirit’s healing to a lame man. (We wonder if he ran out to meet Paul!) People had also threatened harm to Paul and Barnabas.  
   It is likely that Timothy, Timothy’s mother, a Jewess and believer, and his grandmother had responded to the Spirit’s awakening on Paul’s first visit. Paul later wrote of their faith in 2 Timothy 1:5 I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also. Timothy’s mother and grandmother were Jews who had become Christians. But Timothy’s father was a Gentile. Because of his father’s influence, Timothy was not circumcised.
   Why then, did Paul recruit Timothy to be an evangelist for the gospel of grace and then circumcise him as the law demanded? The apostles had become resolute that salvation did not require circumcision. Did Paul reverse this doctrine?  
   Paul explains his reason and methods in 1 Corinthians 9:19 Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. 20 To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. Paul’s method was to enter a town to meet people in their culture, so he could open a conversation that would lead to teaching the gospel of salvation in Jesus. To speak of life-changing truth to people, we must be willing to find a way to develop a personal connection with them. People must trust who you are, so they are willing to hear you.
   Paul and the true gospel teachers remained steadfast that one was saved as Paul preached the true doctrine he later wrote in Ephesians 2:4-5: Because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions – it is by grace you have been saved.
   Timothy, a disciple, was willing to dramatically adjust his life to the Spirit’s call. Think of it. To agree to go with Paul, Timothy was willing to submit to the immediate circumcision and the probable physical persecution to come. This is a take up your cross faith. The Spirit had certainly anointed Timohty with faithful submission and determination.
   We can praise God, the Spirit joined these three men into a new, powerful partnership that would affect the world. All churches that exist in the Western World today have their roots in the gospel ministry of Timothy, Silas and Paul.
 
   

Acts 15:36-41 Some time later Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us go back and visit the brothers in all the towns where we preached the word of the Lord and see how they are doing.” 37 Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark, with them, 38 but Paul did not think it wise to take him, because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in the work. 39 They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus, 40 but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord. 41 He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.
 
THIS is very disappointing, isn’t it? From the time Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul (Acts 11:25), so Saul could help teach the great number of people who were brought to the Lord, the two Spirit-empowered evangelists, teachers and preachers had been inseparable. They celebrated the Spirit’s victories over evil, healed many and delivered financial support to the Jerusalem church. Together they faced violent mobs and even survived stoning.
   But then they argue. John Mark had left them on an earlier mission. Barnabas was Mark’s cousin, so it is easy to understand why Barnabas wanted Mark back on the team. And even more, Barnabas’ very name means son of encouragement (Acts 4:36). His nature was to mentor people toward their potential.
   On the other hand, Paul did not think it wise to take Mark. Apparently these words express a moderate view of Paul’s deep displeasure, possibly deep anger with Mark. Perhaps Paul thought Mark was not a man of integrity to be trusted to do the Lord’s work. Possibly Mark  had left when they had faced strong opposition, and Paul did not want to put Mark in that position again. From a more positive point of view, perhaps Paul was protecting Mark, a younger man, from doing something that would endanger him. Whatever the reasons, the two men who had spent years preaching unity between the Jews and Gentiles in the church could not find the way to unify their relationship.
   Pride seems to be the knife that cut their bonds. Neither one seemed willing to take one more step toward the other’s view. Pride is a great divider. Scripture has many examples of pride’s painful intrusion into God’s creation. For example, pride separated Satan from God’s presence. Isaiah 14:13 You said in your heart, “I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of the sacred mountain.” The Pharisees’ iron-clad pride blinded them to the Son of God, who had come from heaven to meet them face-to-face.
   We are thankful God heals and restores. The Spirit used this division to expand his church. Barnabas and Mark went to Cypress. Paul and his new partner Silas headed for Syria and Cilicia. From this point on Paul’s work is the focus of Acts as the historian Luke traveled with the apostle to witness and record God’s work.
   We are thankful our Lord works through our weaknesses into his strength. We must count Barnabas as one of God’s great workers to establish and expand the church. His encouragement opened the door to Paul’s ministry, and he helped Mark expand his discipleship to write the gospel about Jesus Christ, the Son of God. (Mark 1:1)

 

Acts 15:22-35 Then the apostles and elders, with the whole church, decided to choose some of their own men and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They chose Judas (called Barsabbas) and Silas, two men who were leaders among the brothers. 23 With them they sent the following letter: The apostles and elders, your brothers, “To the Gentile believers in Antioch, Syria and Cilicia: Greetings. 24 We have heard that some went out from us without our authorization and disturbed you, troubling your minds by what they said. 25 So we all agreed to choose some men and send them to you with our dear friends Barnabas and Paul, 26 men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 27 Therefore we are sending Judas and Silas to confirm by word of mouth what we are writing. 28 It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything beyond the following requirements: 29 You are to abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality. You will do well to avoid these things. Farewell.” 30 The men were sent off and went down to Antioch, where they gathered the church together and delivered the letter. 31 The people read it and were glad for its encouraging message. 32 Judas and Silas, who themselves were prophets, said much to encourage and strengthen the brothers. 33 After spending some time there, they were sent off by the brothers with the blessing of peace to return to those who had sent them. 35 But Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, where they and many others taught and preached the word of the Lord.
 
THE church is faithful to God’s purpose. Many Jews wanted to hold to the law of circumcision for Gentile Christians. Gentiles were living in the common habit of sexual immorality and foods that related to idol worship. Each group had to adjust their thoughts to center on God’s commands and his grace of salvation.
   The key to this is understanding it seemed good to the Holy Spirit. They have met to hear Peter’s, Paul’s and Barnabas’ testimony of the Spirit’s action in their lives. The church’s leaders have apparently prayed and sought God’s response. Knowing the Scriptures, the testimony and the Spirit’s revelation, the council submitted to his leading and directed the new converts in Antioch to do the same.
   James and the apostles also recognize God is doing a great work in Antioch. Silas and Barsabbas join Paul and Barnabas. In communion with each other and the Spirit, these four gifted men strengthened and guided the church. Silas and Barsabbas returned to Jerusalem. This tells us others in Antioch became prophets – teaching God’s Word. We will see Silas again soon. In the meantime Paul and Barnabas and many others taught and preached the word of the Lord.  
   This is discipleship. Jesus’ preachers and teachers are growing in number because they are hearing and doing what seems good to the Spirit.

Acts 15:20-21 Instead we should write to them, telling them to abstain from food polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from the meat of strangled animals and from blood. 21 For Moses has been preached in every city from the earliest times and is read in the synagogues on every Sabbath.”
 
THE apostle James confirmed circumcision was not necessary for Gentiles. Then he exhorted the apostles and all to continue teaching three essential prohibitions of Moses’ law: Reject food polluted by idols. Do not eat meat with blood. Stop sexual immorality – fornication. Why did James focus on these three?
   Regarding the idol meat, the custom of many people in the Roman Empire was to have banquets in buildings dedicated to the various Roman gods. Many people would not know this is a moral problem because it was a common practice. Eating food that had been dedicated to an idol would indicate one worshiped that false deity. Christians are to worship God only. Habits and traditions guide our lives. We must often stop to determine if the things we do in any way reject God’s moral laws and principles.
   The command against eating blood dates back to God’s law to Noah after the Flood: Genesis 9:4 “But you must not eat meat that has its lifeblood still in it.” This was spoken long before the law at Sinai. Yet, it remained in force in the new church.
   Third, to reject sexual immorality refers to fornication. This was so common in the first century culture it was accepted as common morality. Does that sound familiar? Premarital sex is sin, and we need to stand against its common acceptance now. The faithful Jews knew this sin was the beginning of their ancestors’ destruction in the Promised Land. Even before they reached Canaan, Israel’s men began to indulge in sexual immorality with Moabite women, who invited them to the sacrifices to their gods. The people ate and bowed down before these gods. (Numbers 25:1-2) One sin leads to another, and soon evil becomes good. It is written sixteen times in the New Testament Jesus and the apostles specifically condemned this. One example is when Paul admonished the church at Corinth: The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. (1 Corinthians 6:13b)
   We know fornication and eating food used for idol worship remained a great problem in the early church. In his vision to John, Jesus admonishes the church in Thyatira: Revelation 2:20 Nevertheless, I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess. By her teaching she misleads my servants into sexual immorality and the eating of food sacrificed to idols.
   Discipling one another to know and live God’s truth requires persistent effort to understand what God tells us is wrong and what is right.

Acts 15:12-19 The whole assembly became silent as they listened to Barnabas and Paul telling about the miraculous signs and wonders God had done among the Gentiles through them. 13 When they finished, James spoke up: “Brothers, listen to me. 14 Simon has described to us how God at first showed his concern by taking from the Gentiles a people for himself. 15 The words of the prophets are in agreement with this, as it is written:
 
James Quotes Amos 9:11-12
 
Acts 15:18 “After this I will return and rebuild David's fallen tent. Its ruins I will rebuild, and I will restore it, 17 that the remnant of men may seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles who bear my name, says the Lord, who does these things.” 18 (These things) have been known for ages.
 
Then James Decides
 
Acts 15:19 It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God.
 
PETER had testified to the Spirit leading him to Cornelius’ home. Then Paul and Barnabas confirmed God had revealed his power among the Gentiles. The church’s ruling council listened with silent, attentive ears. Who could reject the testimony of these three men, especially Peter and Paul? Jesus had exclusively anointed each of them to lead his church in a particular way. The Lord’s will was being accomplished with their faithful adherence to Jesus’ commands.
   And when debating the ways of the church, there is one more absolutely essential authority the church must consult. This is God’s Word - Scripture’s – authority.
   James speaks that authority. James is Jesus’ half-brother and author of the epistle James. He had been chosen to lead the church in Jerusalem. James’ quote from Amos 9:11-12 is God’s promise to restore Israel from his judgment to create Israel to be the center of the nations’ worship. David’s tent represents God’s covenant to send his Savior through David’s lineage. The tent is God’s covering over his people.
   This is as if God will have a great feast for the world. Once Israel is under his shelter again, he will draw in “Edom” who Israel’s cousins, descended from Esau, Jacob’s twin brother. Then God will welcome all the nations. God’s plan to save the world through Jesus is a plan that moves from Jerusalem to the nations.
   James sees God’s plan for the Gentiles in the prophet’s words. God’s Word is the authority to welcome the Gentiles into the church without circumcision. The debate should end.
   How often do we in our personal lives consult God before resolving a question on our heart? How often does the church? This must be our habit, our purpose. Remember, near the end of his life Paul wrote: All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness. (2 Timothy 3:16) Let’s trust it is for each part our lives. The next lesson focuses on three essential issues in the first century that are still a great problem today.