BLBS BLBS …Ist Sunday of Advent …Ist Sunday of Advent

“Stay awake!” Matt 24:32“Stay awake!” Matt 24:32

Is 2:1-5Romans 13:11-14 Matt 24:37-44

Is 2:1-5Romans 13:11-14 Matt 24:37-44

…Prepare for the Three Coming of Christ! …Prepare for the Three Coming of Christ!

BLBS ThemesBLBS Themes 1. Walk toward the light

2. Today is a step toward tomorrow

3. Climb the Mountain (Kingdom) of the Lord

4. Level 1 Activities

5. Beginning of the Journey

Is 2:1-5Romans 13:11-14 Matt 24:37-44

Is 2:1-5Romans 13:11-14 Matt 24:37-44

Scripture in DepthScripture in Depth Isaiah 2:1-5

1. Only in YHWH can there be peace (Micah 4)

2. What will happen at the END of HISTORY

3. There will always be WAR

Isaiah 2:1-5 1. Only in YHWH can there be peace (Micah 4)

2. What will happen at the END of HISTORY

3. There will always be WAR Romans 13:11-14

1. Tension between two things Dark/Light

2. Christianity demands tension

Romans 13:11-14

1. Tension between two things Dark/Light

2. Christianity demands tension

Matt 24:37-44Matt 24:37-44 …eschatology – begin with the end in mind! …eschatology – begin with the end in mind!

Themes

1. Jesus as prophet - Destruction of the Temple.

2. Written around 80 AD.

3. Readers were agitated by occupiers

4. On-going delay of Jesus

Themes

1. Jesus as prophet - Destruction of the Temple.

2. Written around 80 AD.

3. Readers were agitated by occupiers

4. On-going delay of Jesus

Gospel of MatthewGospel of Matthew …Jewish Christian Focus …Jewish Christian Focus

Themes

1. Jesus fulfills Jewish Prophesies

2. Written around 80 AD. (Gap writer)

3. Mark and Q (Quelle – Source, 612 of 662 of M)

4. Matthew the Tax Collector

5. Kingdom of Heaven vs. Kingdom of God

Themes

1. Jesus fulfills Jewish Prophesies

2. Written around 80 AD. (Gap writer)

3. Mark and Q (Quelle – Source, 612 of 662 of M)

4. Matthew the Tax Collector

5. Kingdom of Heaven vs. Kingdom of God

Historical ContextHistorical Context …Luke Gospel! …Luke Gospel!

1. Jewish World had fallen apart: Revolt 66-70

2. Jesus direct followers had died

3. Jewish focus on today without tomorrow

4. Who were the true prophets - fulfilled

1. Jewish World had fallen apart: Revolt 66-70

2. Jesus direct followers had died

3. Jewish focus on today without tomorrow

4. Who were the true prophets - fulfilled

Thoughts on LeadershipThoughts on Leadership

What are these reading calling us to?

Live in the darkness facing the light.

What are these reading calling us to?

Live in the darkness facing the light.

…Faith/Life is Lived in the Approach

…the tension of our existence is in direct proportion to the gap between our mountain and the mountain of the Lord. Thomas Winninger, CSMA

…Faith/Life is Lived in the Approach

…the tension of our existence is in direct proportion to the gap between our mountain and the mountain of the Lord. Thomas Winninger, CSMA

TRUTHTRUTH

ExamenExamen

1. Where are you directing me in my life Lord?

2. What about myself to I need to change to move toward the ultimate goal of heave?

1. Where are you directing me in my life Lord?

2. What about myself to I need to change to move toward the ultimate goal of heave?