Pray for continued courage on Dwight
SERMON NOTES: PRAYER REQUESTS
NOVEMBER 28, 2010
Pray for a friend of John Ivers who is
struggling with cancer.
Pray for all who grieve the passing of
John Thiessen's cousin.
Pray for Ama Sabah's father Alex
Akakpo, who will be having eye surgery
later this month.
Pray for Kellie Burriss' Great-Aunt who
has entered a Nursing Home.
Pray for Bob & Carolynn's grand-son
who is going through a difficult time.
Pray for understanding, peace,
acceptance and love for the Tse family.
Prayer of praise from Gail Hall for her
two sons as they grow into wonderful young
men. Pray for the people who helped in
raising them.
Pray for Bill Fink as he looks for a job.
Pray for Stephen Muhia as he struggles
with finances.
Continue to pray for Kevin and Nancy
for their health and recovery.
Continue to pray for Bill Fink’s dad
who is struggling with his health.
Zvorak’s recovery from alcoholism
DEVOTION
This week in the devotion we are
enjoying a study of the “Kingdom of
Heaven.”
We are in the season of Advent. The
word, “Advent” comes from the Latin
word, “Adventus” which means coming.
We are getting ready to celebrate Jesus’
first coming into the world. When Jesus
came into the world heaven broke into
the earth. He was the Kingdom. When
he grew up he taught people about the
Kingdom of Heaven.
The six passages give an introduction to
the Kingdom of Heaven.
Some folks asked that an extra day be
added to this Devotion. Because of your
comments an extra day has been
added. Other comments and thoughts
about the devotion can be E-mailed to
Pastor Paul at: pastor@colpres.org.
Monday, December 6
Read 2 Samuel 7:1-17
This is one of the most important and
least known chapters in the Old
Testament. At this point Israel is at
peace and secure from its enemies.
David expressed a desire to build a
temple for the Lord. Through the
prophet Nathan, God told David that
God didn’t want a Temple. Instead God
told David that God was going to build a
kingdom through David—really a
dynasty. Through David’s off-spring
(see verse 12) this kingdom would be
established.
2 3
God was clear that the success of the
kingdom will last forever as long as the
king follows God.
In the New Testament Jesus was
sometimes called “Son of David.” This
meant that Jesus was following in this
line of kings that God established with
David. Jesus didn’t suddenly appear
with no announcement or no history
before him. God had been preparing for
Jesus’ arrival.
Today as you pray, give thanks for this
deep rootedness of Jesus.
Tuesday, December 7
Read 1 Kings 9:1-9
This story is very similar to the one that
was shared yesterday. At this point in
the Old Testament, King David had died
and a Temple had been built. Solomon,
King David’s son, was promised that the
royal throne that was started with David
would remain forever. (verse 5)
God was clear that the blessing God
gave would depend on people following
the commandments and statues that
God had given to the people.
Ultimately the nations of Israel and
Judah did turn away from God and were
destroyed.
This message of blessing was changed
by Jesus. We don’t teach that God
blesses people who follow God’s laws
and God punishes people who don’t.
Today as you pray, give thanks for all
the blessings in your life.
Wednesday, December 8
Read Matthew 1:1-17
This passage is rarely read in the
church. It is sometimes read at
Christmas pageants that share the story
of the birth of Jesus.
Many of the people listed in this
genealogy of Jesus were kings. The
second genealogy that started with
David and ended at King Josiah listed
many people who were kings. In
sharing this genealogy Matthew was
showing that Jesus ancestors were
kings. Jesus continued the line of kings
that was started with David.
It’s not an accident that only in Matthew
was this genealogy so prominently
displayed. Matthew was very interested
in the kingdom of heaven. He started
out his gospel by showing that Jesus
came from this kingly genealogy.
Jesus was the fulfillment of Israel’s
hopes—a hope that had been destroyed
by the exile in 587.
Thursday, December 9
Read Matthew 3:1-12
In this chapter Matthew moved the story
ahead almost thirty years. Up until this
time the story was about Jesus as a
baby. Suddenly John the Baptist
appeared telling people to repent
because the Kingdom of Heaven had
come near.
Only in Matthew is the phrase,
“Kingdom of Heaven” used. The phrase
occurred 33 times in Matthew’s gospel.
Jesus was the Kingdom of Heaven and
Jesus taught about the Kingdom of
Heaven. John’s task was to prepare
people for Jesus—the Kingdom of
Heaven.
During Advent we prepare ourselves to
celebrate the birth of Jesus. We get
ready for the entrance of the Kingdom
4
of Heaven into the world. How are you
getting ready to celebrate Jesus’
entrance into the world? Today, as you
pray, pray for your own preparations.
Friday, December 10
Read Matthew 4:12-17
The phrase in verse 17 should sound
familiar!! It’s the same phrase that John
used to describe Jesus. Now the phrase
came from Jesus’ lips.
The Greek word that is translated into
English as “kingdom” is “basileia.” The
people of Jesus’ day were familiar with a
kingdom. At the time the Romans and
Cesar were ruling them—that was the
kingdom.
Jesus’ kingdom was far different. It was
a reign or rule. It was a space where
people followed Jesus and his teachings.
If Jesus was present today as an adult
he would encourage all of us to live into
this kingdom.
Today, as you pray, pray for a renewed
appreciation and understanding of this
“basileia.”
Saturday, December 11
Read Matthew 6:7-15
We know of this prayer as the Lord’s
Prayer. Look at how the word,
“kingdom” is used in the prayer. Jesus
prayed that the kingdom comes on
earth as it is already present in heaven.
When we live out the kingdom on earth,
we are experiencing heaven here on
earth. It is as if heaven bursts into
earth.
We have the kingdom to which we can
look forward in heaven. Until we enter
heaven, we are called to live into the
kingdom here on earth.
2 3 4
What can you do today to experience
the kingdom on earth as it is on heaven?
This might seem like an impossible task.
Pray to God with renewed emphasis that
God’s kingdom comes on earth as it
already is in heaven.