Hello ICC Family!
Many of you have been enjoying the Advent devotional guide that has been available in the lobby the past few weeks. For those of you that have either not had the chance to pick one up or have not had the time to read it, I thought it would be good to share the devotion from yesterday, the 10th. It’s still not too late to start reading, as there are still two weeks left until Christmas! Please join us!
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From Everyday Gospel Christmas Devotional, by Paul David Tripp
Isaiah 11:1-10
Jesus is the grace of God come to earth.
Once on a speaking trip, I stayed at the home of a wealthy family. This family had been wealthy for generations. One room featured a wall full of portraits of past generations of family members. My host explained to me that, in the days before the camera, itinerant painters would travel from city to city in search of well-to-do clients who would sit for a portrait. Since painting a portrait takes time, the painter would typically live with the family, in a guesthouse or guest room, until the painting was complete. In so doing, the painter would get to know the family, particularly the person he was painting. His knowledge of the person influenced his composition of the portrait. Good painters were known for their ability to capture the essence of the lifestyle, personality, position, and work of their subjects.
If you were to “paint” a verbal picture of Jesus, what words would you use to capture who he is, what he came to do, and what he continues to do in and for those who put their trust in him? It may surprise you, but one of the most beautiful and best-known verbal portraits of Jesus is found not in the New Testament Gospels or Epistles, but rather in the beginning of one of the Old Testament Prophets. For generations students of the Bible have wondered at, meditated on, and attempted to understand the meaning and implication of the words of this portrait. Perhaps you have already figured out that I am referring to the picture of Jesus painted by Isaiah:
To us a child is born, to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end,
on the throne of David and over his kingdom,
to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness
from this time forth and forevermore.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this
Isaiah 9:6-7
What an incredible portrait of the one who is our only hope in life and death. Jesus is everything Isiah depicted. Jesus is our source of wisdom, the power by which sin is defeated, the one who adopts us into the family of God forever, and the means by which we have peace with God and with one another. And his kingdom of peace and righteousness will never end…. It is right to say that in Jesus you find everything you need in order to be what you were meant to be, to do what God designed you to do, and to enjoy life as God meant for you to enjoy it. We will spend eternity worshiping and celebrating him. Why not start now?
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Blessings to you all. And know that I am praying for you!
Remember… this evening we will NOT have our fellowship meal at the church, but instead meet there by 5:45 and then drive over to Pinewood Square for caroling. Hope to see you there!
Pastor Aaron
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