Read 2 timothy 4:1-8
1 I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: 2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. 3 For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, 4 and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. 5 As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.
PONDER
- Consider what it looks like to love Christ’s appearing. This week, have you treasured things that are eternal or things that are temporal?
- During Advent, we are intentional to remember to anticipate: remember Christ’s first coming in order to anticipate when He comes again.
PRAY
- Father, help us to love and proclaim truth. Guard us from itching ears, from false teachers, and from wandering into myths.
- Father, strengthen us to run the race you have set before us and to keep the faith.
- Father, turn our hearts to love Christ’s appearing over the present age.
- Father, this Advent season, lead us to remember and celebrate that Jesus has come in order to long for and anticipate when He comes again.
- Father, prepare me to gather with my church and worship you. You alone are worthy to be praised. To you be the glory!
Sing: Listen to this week’s songs on Spotify
Sing: Listen to songs for Advent on Spotify or on Youtube
PRactice
Gather! Sunday at 9:30am or 11:00am.
5 Practices to Gathering Well:
- Be Present – The first step to gathering well: Gather!
- Be Early – Prioritize the gathering with your time. Don’t be late. The practical discipleship of this priority can be profound for you and your family.
- Be Prepared – Ponder, pray, sing, fast, and praise are all good ways to prepare.
- Be Uncomfortable – Sit with different people. Sing loud. Challenge routines. Gather on mission.
- Be Responsive – Don’t just be hearers of the word, be doers. Pray. Ponder. Repent. Change. Practice. Respond in action. Too often we gather to affirm what we already hold, rather than be taught, rebuked, corrected, or trained in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16). Gather to be transformed.