“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” This is how the Bible starts the creation story. Then we read that from chaos God brought order and out of darkness God created light. Ultimately it was out of nothing that God brought forth something. But as great and majestic as all of this is, God’s purposes in creation were much bigger than simply filling the earth with stuff. In Genesis 1:26 God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.” Here the “us” is the triune God speaking within the community that consisted of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The truth communicated here is that God already existed in a relationship with himself and was content within his own community, but that he desired to create us to be brought into fellowship with him and to enjoy him forever.
The relationship that man had with God was made evident in the first three chapters of Genesis. In Genesis 3:8 we see that Adam and Eve used to walk with God in the cool of the day as they enjoyed his presence and lived in perfect communion with him. Yes, God created them to “multiply and fill the earth and subdue it,” but he also created them to have a relationship with him. This perfect communion where man enjoyed God’s presence was short lived as Adam and Eve decided that they would rather strive to be greater than God through disobedience rather than live under God’s authority enjoying his presence. As a result “God sent them out from the Garden of Eden” (Gen. 3:23) away from his presence, to live under the curse of sin, in pain and toil, until they died apart from him.
The rest of the Old Testament is about this hindered relationship that man has with God. God brings forth a people through the seed of Abraham, who become the nation of Israel, but a relationship with him is never fully restored. The tabernacle in the wilderness contained and displayed God’s glory (Ex. 40:34-35), and the glory of the Lord filled the temple (2 Chron. 7:2), but any man who attempted to come near to this glory, with the exception of the high priest, would be instantly killed. Sin created this barrier between man and God. The only relationship man could have with God existed behind a veil, inside a temple, through the sacrifice of bulls and goats.
The coming of Jesus into the world was truly revolutionary. As man was kept from the presence of God, Jesus came as God in the flesh to dwell among us. In the Old Testament, the tabernacle was were man went to meet with God, but now, in Jesus, God came to tabernacle among men. Blood sacrifices were necessary to cover the sins of God’s people, but now, God came in Jesus to offer one sacrifice for sins for all time (Heb. 10:12). Jesus is the God/Man who came to restore a relationship with us, tearing the veil, taking care of the necessary sacrifice, and removing the temple. And now, through his Holy Spirit, God dwells inside all those who have a relationship with him through Jesus Christ.
What we celebrate this Advent season is truly remarkable. God came to restore the fellowship that was lost in the garden. But he came to dwell not just in a building made by man, but to dwell inside of us, restoring his presence to us and allowing us to have a relationship with him once again. It gets better though. Because of Jesus coming to this earth as a man, living a perfect life, dying in our place and rising again, we can look forward to the day when our dwelling place with God will be fully restored. On that day, the pains of this life and the brokenness of sin and death will be no more. For as Revelation 21:4 says, “he will wipe away every tear from (our) eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” This is the glory that we celebrate at Christmas. God coming to earth to dwell among us in Jesus.
Serving Him with You,
Pastor Michael Nelson
Written by Pastor
Michael Nelson
Fighter Verse for the Week
"[And] I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God."
- Revelation 21:3
Announcements:
Congratulations!: Layla Jane was born to Jake and Faith Anne Norman, December 15th. Layla was 8lbs and 19 inches long.
Congratulations!: Walker Roy was born to Ryan and Lucia Wood on Monday, November 24th. Walker was 7lbs and 7oz. Visit our Meal Train HERE!
Christmas Eve Service: Our Christmas Eve Candlelight Service will be held on December 24th at 6:00pm. On this evening, we will read the Christmas story, sing Christmas Songs together and hear a short Christmas message. Make plans to join us and invite your family and friends.
Christmas Schedule: There will be no Sunday School/Equipping Hour on Sunday, December 28th. Additionally, there will be no activities on Wednesday, December 31st.
Advent Devotionals: There are three options for Advent devotions available in our Welcome Center. The first one is free and it is titled, Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus. The second one is $10 and it is titled, Gifts of Grace. The last one is also $10 and it is titled, Come, Let us Adore Him. For an online resource, you can check out Advent is for Adoring Jesus by John Piper. Also, if you are looking for a family Advent devotional, check out The Jesus Storybook Bible Advent calendar and reading plan.
Advent Music: Check out this Advent playlist from the Gettys: Spotify. Here is an Advent playlist from The Gospel Coalition: Spotify or Apple Music.
New Equip Class: Starting on January 11th at 9:15am, there will be a new class called Habits of the Household beginning. In Habits of the Household, we will discover simple practices that we can implement around our daily routines and seemingly mundane moments that will lead to a lifetime of growing closer to God—both for parents and their children. Go HERE for more information about this study.
Lottie Moon Christmas Offering: Every year at this time, we raise funds to support missionaries all over the world who are serving with the International Mission Board (IMB). Our goal at First Baptist Church is to raise $5,000. If you haven’t already, will you consider partnering with us by giving, as we seek to support international missions? You can give on Sunday mornings through one of our offering boxes located in the foyer or the welcome center. Just mark your envelop as “missions” or “Lottie Moon.” Or you can give online HERE. Choose “missions” under the Fund tab. You can find more information about this offering HERE.
Building Remodel: We have officially kicked off our fundraiser! There are commitment cards available in the sanctuary as well as in the welcome center. Feel free to pick up one and return it to one an available basket. If you would like to give a one time or a reoccurring gift, you can do so HERE and select “building remodel.” You can also give through one of the offering boxes at church. Be sure to mark your envelop, “building remodel.” Check out a video highlighting the work done so far.
Men’s Study: On the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month, from 8:00-9:15pm, the church hosts a men’s study through the book, The Measure of a Man. See Clint Blankenship for more information.
Food Pantry: The food pantry is currently in need of some food items. For a complete list of food pantry needs, click HERE.
Awana Bible Club
Awana Clubs are held on Wednesdays throughout the school year. Dinner is at 6:00pm with Awana Clubs starting at 6:30pm. Children can be registered HERE.
Equipping Hour
We have three classes held at 9:15am on Sunday mornings. “Firm Foundations” meets in the Sanctuary, a study in Hebrews in the Fellowship Hall, and a Ladies’ class studying the New Testament meets in the classroom next to the nursery. You can find more information HERE.
Giving
To Give Online, Go HERE.
You can also mail your offering to: 1416 Main Street, Grandview, MO. 64030
Home Groups
Home Groups typically meet on the first and third Sunday of each month. Please contact Pastor Michael if you would like to join a Home Group. You can find more information HERE.
Prayer
An updated Prayer Guide can be accessed HERE.
Prepare for Sunday
Guide for Worship can be found HERE.
Worship Service
Worship Service begins at 10:30am on Sunday mornings. Nursery care for children ages 0-4 years is available during the worship hour.
Livestream
Continue to join us at 10:30am on Sunday mornings.
YouTube: HERE.
Join us and invite a friend or family member to watch with you.
Sunday School
Children and Youth Sunday School take place at 9:15am on Sunday mornings.
Ages 0-2 and 3–k meet in the nursery suite.
Grades 1-3rd meet upstairs in U-5.
Grades 4th-6th meet upstairs in U-6.
Grades 7th-12th meet downstairs in the youth room.