December Sermon Preview

Forsythe Church of Christ

Hello friends! Here is a preview of the sermons at Forsythe Church of Christ coming in December. We are beginning a study of Dr. Luke’s Gospel that will culminate sometime around the end of April 2025, Lord willing. To become familiar with Luke, you can watch The Bible Project’s overview in two parts. Links: Part One Part Two

The texts chosen will coincide with the Narrative Lectionary, although we will freely veer from that as we think it is necessary.

December sermons will draw from the themes of Advent: Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love. The Bible Project has a good explanation of Advent if you are interested HERE. Instead of traditional Advent passages, however, we are going to begin our study of Luke.

So, in summary, we will be following the Narrative Lectionary, but not fully. We will pursue the themes of Advent, but not as they are usually presented. And we will conclude around Easter but maybe not ON Easter. Got it? I’m not sure I do.

Someone suggested that one can read a chapter per day in Luke, starting December 1st, and concluding on Christmas Eve. Sounds like a good reading plan for December to me.

December 1 - HOPE

Luke 1:1-25, 57-66; 3:1-20 are the texts for this sermon. It’s a large section and we will summarize a good bit of it. The story of the birth of John the Baptist and the events surrounding is filled with hope. We will observe the emergence of hope when God moves to bring about His will. Ultimately, though, John’s mission is to pave the way for the ultimate hope for all humans, the arrival of the Messiah.

December 8 - PEACE

Luke 1:26-56 is the announcement to Mary that she would give birth to a son. The angelic message changes Mary’s life. It doesn’t look very peaceful. There are questions, the potential interruption of her engagement to Joseph, the unlikely story she has to tell her parents… all are disruptive to her life. However, in Mary’s submission to God and in her song, we see the peace found in God’s movement to bring Jesus into their lives, and ours.

December 15 - Children’s Program

Our children and young people will be in charge of the worship service on this date. We always look forward to this presentation!

December 22 - JOY

Luke 2:1-20 The Savior is born and joy is pronounced in the heavens, experienced by the shepherds, and shared with us.

December 29 - LOVE

Luke 2:21-40 Joseph and Mary’s love for God is demonstrated by taking Jesus to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord. Two special servants who love God have been waiting to see the Messiah for themselves. First Simeon, then Anna. Both have a message for Mary and Joseph. As we enter a new year, how will our love for God help us to see Jesus in the coming months?

Those are the themes we will be spending time with as we close out the year together. I look forward to studying with you.