November 24, 2022

Dear Central Church, 

You really know how to roll out the red carpet! I want to say from the bottom of my heart how thankful I am for the way you have welcomed the Snodgrass family into your family. The last few days have been filled with so many expressions of kindness and generosity. You have gone above and beyond to make us feel welcomed in our new home. From all of us, Thank you! 

I’m excited to begin a new sermon series this Sunday as we kick off the Advent season. For hundreds of years, the church has told the story of Jesus, beginning with the anticipation of his arrival during Advent and climaxing in the good news of his resurrection at Easter. We are beginning this journey together, and I can’t think of a better way to start my preaching ministry. 

Advent is the four Sundays leading up to Christmas that help us to recover what it must have been like for the Jews to anticipate God’s promised Messiah. They were longing, hoping, and praying that God would do what he said he would do. Ultimately, God did, but not as anyone expected. So many in the first century did not recognize who Jesus was and missed out on what God wanted to do among them. 

Although we have the benefit of knowing the full story of Jesus as revealed in Scripture, we also live in anticipation of Christ’s second coming. It’s been 2,000 years since he ascended to the Father, but the Bible teaches that his return is imminent. It could be today, tomorrow, or 1,000 years from now. God’s people are to live expectantly and wisely, filled with the hope that comes from knowing Christ. That’s why Paul writes this to the church in Rome: 

“This is all the more urgent, for you know how late it is; time is running out. Wake up, for our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.” Romans‬ 13‬:11,‬ NLT‬‬‬‬‬

Did you hear the good news of Christmas? Our salvation is near! What is it that you have been praying for? What is it that you have been longing for? How are you wanting to see God move in your family and in your community? Salvation is near. God is reconciling, redeeming, and renewing the world. Salvation is on its way, but it may not come as expected. So…wake up! 

Don’t forget to pick up your Let Us Adore Him devotional book. The first week’s reading begins this Sunday. 

I hope you have a great Thanksgiving, and I look forward to worshiping with you on Sunday at 10am! 

Until He’s Finished, 

Pastor Mark