Embodied Presence

We’re taking a break from our series in 1 & 2 Peter to join millions of our sisters and brothers in the faith in celebrating the Advent Season — something the Church has done for centuries. Advent comes from the Latin word adventus which comes from the Greek word parousia. Parousia in the Scripture references Christ’s second coming (cf. Matthew 24:3, 27, 37, 39; 1 Corinthians 15:23; 1 Thessalonians 2:19; 3:13; 4:15; 5:23; 2 Thessalonians 2:1,8,9; James 5:7,8; 2 Peter 1:16; 3:4,12; 1 John 2:28). This is why — to many evangelical protestants surprise — the Church has always celebrated Advent with a dual focus on both the celebration of Christ’s first Advent and the anticipation of his second.

This Sunday we explored the reality-altering and totally necessary doctrine of the Incarnation. Not only was the Incarnation necessary for the atonement of sins, it’s also the means by which God expresses his all-encompassing love for humanity. The Incarnation of Jesus reminds us afresh of how vital it is that we are an embodied creation — designed to flourish by being ‘in the flesh’ in the presence of both God and others.

Give the sermon, ‘Embodied Presence,’ a listen and we hope to see you this week at a Family Meal and/or a DNA group to dive even deeper.