Ordinary To Extraordinary by Pastor Scott
Ordinary to Extraordinary – everyday people called to extraordinary purpose!
For unto us a child is born, a Son is given; the government shall be on His shoulders.
His Name shall be called, Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father,
Prince of Peace!
On Sunday, December 1st we will begin a month of studying Scriptures that tell of the birth of Jesus Christ – the Christ of Christmas comes to everyday people in ordinary circumstances and calls them to extraordinary purposes for the Glory of God and “the weary world rejoices” in the miraculous & wondrous gifts of God!
A simple teenage girl becomes the blessed mother of the Messiah!
A young common carpenter becomes the protector of the Promised One!
An older barren woman becomes the rejoicing one who prepares for the Righteous Ruler!
An old, retired devoted servant of the Lord declares the praises of the Savior – Light of the World!
God called ordinary & unlikely people, hindered by the darkness of this world, into His wonderful light offering them the opportunity to exchange their identity for His extraordinary & unique purposes of redemption.
Does God still move in miraculous ways? Does the Almighty still choose to call ordinary people to exchange their diluted & distorted identities for the extraordinary purposes of their Divine Creator?
Free Advent Books available this Sunday: “Everyday Gospel – Christmas Devotional” by Paul David Tripp
Intro: “I love Christmas. … Yet simultaneously this season makes me sad. The chaotic cultural emphasis on Christmas has flipped the true meaning of Advent upside down. What should be a celebratory and reflective season, in which we rejoice in the incarnation of the Creator and surrender worshipfully to his lordship, has become a frenzied pursuit of manufactured delights. We have exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator (Romans 1:25).”
The themes of creation, fall and redemption can be seen throughout the whole of Scripture; the beauty of life, tragedy of sin and amazing gift of saving grace are evident in the birth of Jesus Christ! How will we respond?
Ordinary holiday: “Ho hum” or
Ornery hoax: “Bah humbug” or
Wonderous worship: “Behold, unto us!”
Let us consider making intentional identity exchanges based in the wonderful gifts of God’s grace
- Everyday understandable doubts exchanged, overcome by hope & extraordinary trust in God.
- Everyday explainable fears exchanged, overcome by faith & extraordinary faithfulness to God.
- Everyday common-sense impossibilities exchanged, overcome by joy & extraordinary humility before God.
- Everyday experiences of drudgery exchanged, overcome by peace & extraordinary devotion to God.
What are you looking for this Advent Christmas season?
Love, Peace, Joy, Faith & Hope are on the horizon.
Here comes Heaven – O Come let us Adore Him!
The peace of the Prince of Peace be with you all,
Pastor Scott
