Prepare Him Room (Christmas Eve 2023)
Series: Prepare Him Room | Text: Luke 2:6-20
Speaker: Pastors Ryan Paulson and Esteban Tapia
December 24, 2023: On Sunday, Pastors Ryan Paulson and Esteban Tapia completed our teaching series for the Advent Season, Prepare Him Room (season four of our messages from the Gospel of John). The final message in this series is from Luke 2. We hope this sermon series has blessed you during the Advent/Christmas season.
Holding Words
Author David Benner says, “It’s so hard for many of us to encounter things we can’t fix...That’s the trouble with living in a broken world. The problems are simply too vast and our solutions are, at best, half-vast… But note how God seems to relate to these vast problems. God’s response seems to be to come alongside those who are suffering and hold their pain, not eliminate it. Perhaps there’s a lesson in that for fixers. Perhaps it’s an invitation to stand with God in holding things that we can’t fix. But, this is where the real miracle enters this process–in that holding, we become shaped in the image of Compassion. Maybe that’s the ultimate point of the encounter with unfixable realities.”
Consider:
What are you holding today? This may be a burden or it may be a dream…
Are you trying to hold onto it tightly, do your own fixing, or fulfill your own plan?
What would it feel like to release these things to God, stand with him, and allow him to hold what is weighing you down?
Share:
In your heart, share with God whatever you are holding. What is God calling you to that you long to hold out to him?
Ask God to give you a word that describes what you are holding.
Open your hands and picture that thing sitting there, waiting for God to come alongside and carry that burden or dream with you.
Present your “holding word” to God with confidence that he loves you perfectly, passionately, and unconditionally.
Affirm:
Write your holding word on a note card and place it in a location where you will see it every day.
Ask the Spirit for guidance and strength as you surrender your holding word to him.
Search me, O God, and know my heart!
Try me and know my thoughts!
And see if there be any grievous way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting!
Psalm 139:23-24
The Examen
When, in the last year, have you seen God’s hand at work? When and where have you felt his presence? When have you felt joy? Have there been times of sadness or desolation? The following practice is called “The Examen”. It is based on steps described by St. Ignatius Loyola in his “Spiritual Exercises,” perhaps the most influential book about prayer ever written.
As you reflect on 2023, walk through the following steps, allowing God to reveal himself in your life in a new way.
Step 1: Become aware of God’s presence.
Look back on the events of the year (day) in the company of the Holy Spirit. It may seem confusing to you — a blur, a jumble, a muddle. Ask God to bring clarity and understanding, to show you where He was at work.
Step 2: Review the day with gratitude.
Gratitude is the foundation of our relationship with God. Walk through your year (day) in the presence of God and note its joys and delights.
Focus on the gifts. Look at the work you did, and the people you interacted with. What did you receive and what did you give? Pay attention to small things — provision, sights, and seemingly small pleasures. God is there in the details.
Step 3: Pay attention to your emotions.
One of St. Ignatius’ insights was that we can detect the presence of the Spirit of God in the movements of our emotions. Reflect on some of the feelings you experienced this past year (day).
Did you feel boredom? Elation? Resentment? Compassion? Anger? Confidence? Joy? What is God saying to you through these feelings?
In this reflection, God will most likely show you some ways that you fell short. Make note of these sins and ask for forgiveness from God. Is there someone that you need to ask forgiveness from? Or offer forgiveness?
Are you frustrated? If so, perhaps this means that God wants you to consider a new direction in some area of your life.
Are you concerned about a friend? Perhaps you could reach out to him/her in some way.
Step 4. Choose one feature of the year (day) and pray about it.
Ask the Holy Spirit to direct you to something that God thinks is particularly important. It may involve a feeling, positive or negative. It may be a significant encounter with another person or a vivid moment of pleasure or peace. Or it may be something that seems rather insignificant.
Look at it. Pray about it. Allow the prayer that it provokes to arise spontaneously from your heart, whether it’s intercession, praise, repentance or otherwise.
Step 5. Look toward tomorrow.
Present your entire self to God.
Ask God to give you light for tomorrow’s challenges. Pay attention to the feelings that surface as you survey what’s coming up.
Are you doubtful? Cheerful? Apprehensive? Full of delighted anticipation? Allow these feelings to turn into prayer.
Seek God’s guidance. Ask Him for help and understanding. Pray for hope.
Ask God for forgiveness, protection, wisdom and help.
Do all this in the spirit of gratitude. Your life is a gift, and it is adorned with gifts from God.
Talk to Jesus like a friend. End the Examen with an honest conversation with Jesus..
The Examen is most frequently practiced on a daily basis. Now that you have reflected on the past year, try practicing the Examen for a few minutes at the end of each day. When we pay attention to God’s movements in our lives, we stand amazed at his power, comfort, and unending love.
Imaginative Scripture Reading: John 13:1-17
We studied John 15 Sunday, so each day this week will be a spiritual practice that will help you to abide more deeply in Christ. For more Spiritual Practices, please visit our website: https://www.efcc.org/resources/
Imaginative Scripture Reading allows us to experience Scripture as if we were there; walking where others walked and experiencing God in a fresh way. Follow the steps below to practice Imaginative Scripture Reading using a passage that Pastor Ryan taught from a few weeks ago: John 13:1-17.
Start by being silent. Just be still and listen for God’s voice.
Read the following passage. Pay attention to the details and picture yourself in the story asking the following questions:
What do you see?
What do you feel? Physically - are you warm, or cold?
What do you smell?
What do you hear?
What do you feel emotionally?
Where are you in the story? Which character did you identify with most?
Allow your whole person to identify with the story.
What is God showing you about yourself?
What is God showing you about him?
Before the Passover celebration, Jesus knew that his hour had come to leave this world and return to his Father. He had loved his disciples during his ministry on earth, and now he loved them to the very end. It was time for supper, and the devil had already prompted Judas, son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. Jesus knew that the Father had given him authority over everything and that he had come from God and would return to God. So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he had around him.
When Jesus came to Simon Peter, Peter said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”
Jesus replied, “You don’t understand now what I am doing, but someday you will.”
“No,” Peter protested, “you will never ever wash my feet!”
Jesus replied, “Unless I wash you, you won’t belong to me.”
Simon Peter exclaimed, “Then wash my hands and head as well, Lord, not just my feet!”
Jesus replied, “A person who has bathed all over does not need to wash, except for the feet, to be entirely clean. And you disciples are clean, but not all of you.” For Jesus knew who would betray him. That is what he meant when he said, “Not all of you are clean.”
After washing their feet, he put on his robe again and sat down and asked, “Do you understand what I was doing? You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and you are right, because that’s what I am. And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you. I tell you the truth, slaves are not greater than their master. Nor is the messenger more important than the one who sends the message. Now that you know these things, God will bless you for doing them.
After reading the passage slowly a few times, spend some time being still. Don’t try to manufacture answers at this point - just be still and listen. Journal what you hear from God. How are you experiencing his presence? Where do you feel challenged? Do you sense an invitation from God? Conclude in silence, listening for God’s voice of promise, love and affirmation.
Practicing the Presence of God
(Reminder: on Sunday we studied John 15 which teaches about abiding in Christ so let’s put it into practice! Each day this week you will be given a spiritual practice that will help you to abide more deeply in Christ. For more Spiritual Practices, please visit our website: https://www.efcc.org/resources/)
Brother Lawrence, a 17th-century Carmelite monk, is one of the best-known voices on intimacy with Christ. He called this solitude of the heart, “Practicing the Presence of God.”
Following a near-fatal injury during the Thirty Years War, Brother Lawrence entered a Carmelite Monastery in Paris, crippled, and became their cook. While his daily routine included completing the mundane tasks of a cook, he did so with a passion to know and be known; for his Lord to be ever present in every part of every day. During his almost fifty years as a monk, he was sought out by monks and outsiders alike due to the beauty of his soul. He was said to be, “never hasty nor loitering, but did each thing in its season, with an even, uninterrupted composure and tranquility of spirit. He claimed that this was not spirituality, but the practice of the presence of God in all ways and in all times.”
Practicing God’s presence begins with noticing. Noticing draws our attention to the creation that surrounds us and the Creator who has formed a beautiful tapestry of goodness, mercy and grace right before our very eyes. Noticing takes our attention off of ourselves and invites us into the presence of the Almighty. Following are some ways to notice God all around you.
Go for a walk outside.
Breathe deeply and slowly.
Listen.
Smell.
Look.
Feel.
Ask God to reveal himself.
Call out names of God.
Call out his blessings.
Be still and know.
Practicing God’s presence is “developing habits for discerning an awareness of God’s presence.” The Bible uses phrases such as “abiding”, “remaining in Christ”, “walking with God” and “keeping in step with the Spirit”.
Following are 13 images that portray what it means to practice God’s presence. These are not once-and-done actions, but rather ongoing practices. Choose a few to read, ponder and practice during the time that you have remaining then look for ways to continue to practice these throughout the rest of your day.
Abide: John 15:4-5
Love: Matthew 22:37-40
Set your mind: Romans 8:5-6
Walk (in step with the Spirit): Galatians 5:16, 25
Set your heart: Colossians 3:1-2
Rejoice: Philippians 4:4, 1 Thessalonians 5:16
Pray: 1 Thessalonians 5:17
Give thanks (in all circumstances): 1 Thessalonians 5:18
Run (with endurance and perseverance): Hebrews 12:1-2
Submit/Offer (yourself): Romans 12:1-2
Press on: Philippians 3:12-14
Dwell: Philippians 4:6-8
Remember (God’s faithfulness and provision): Deuteronomy 8:2-3
“Men invent means and methods of coming at God’s love, they learn rules and set up devices to remind them of that love, and it seems like a world of trouble to bring oneself into the consciousness of God’s presence. Yet it might be so simple. Is it not quicker and easier just to do our common business wholly for the love of him?” Brother Lawrence
Before the end of the day, share your experience with another person.
Lectio Divina: “Scripture Reading”
We studied John 15 Sunday, so each day this week will be a spiritual practice that will help you to abide more deeply in Christ. For more Spiritual Practices, please visit our website: https://www.efcc.org/resources/
Lectio Divina or “Scripture Reading” is slowly reading through a passage of Scripture, setting aside our agendas, and listening for God’s voice. This practice encourages conversational intimacy with God, taking us through five steps that encourage our spiritual formation and connection to our Creator over simply gaining information.
1. Silencio (Silence):
Make yourself comfortable in a place that is free from interruptions. Begin with silence, humbly asking your Heavenly Father to quiet your heart and make you aware of His loving presence. When you are ready, begin reading.
2. Lectio (Read):
In this first reading, simply open yourself to the presence of God. Read the passage slowly and prayerfully, allowing short pauses between sentences. Take in the words and the overall flow of the passage. Follow with silence as you listen for God’s Spirit.
John 15:1-17: The Vine and the Branches
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. This is my command: Love each other.
3. Meditatio (Meditate):
During the second prayerful reading, listen for a particular word or a phrase through which God wants to speak to you. Silently meditate on that word or phrase. Reflect on why God would highlight this for you today, ask Him any questions that come to mind, and note things that seem important as you meditate on what He has given you.
4. Oratio (Prayer):
In the third prayerful reading, listen now for your Father's invitation, and respond from your heart. Is the invitation to let go of something, or to take hold, to do, or to be? Following the reading, continue listening then respond from an honest heart.
5. Contemplatio (Rest):
The fourth prayerful reading is to simply rest in your Father’s love. Let the words wash over you, allowing the Spirit to draw you close and fill you with His love, grace, and peace. Linger in this place of deep connection as you are filled and refreshed for your continuing journey. Take the God given word, phrase or image with you as something that you can return throughout the day, reminding you of your Father’s infinite love.
It’s An Abiding Life
Series: Prepare Him Room | Text: John 15:1-17
Speaker: Pastors Ryan Paulson and Esteban Tapia
December 17, 2023: On Sunday, Pastors Ryan Paulson and Esteban Tapia continued our latest teaching series for the Advent Season, Prepare Him Room (season four of our messages from the Gospel of John). The next message in this series is entitled It's An Abiding Life. We hope this sermon series blesses you as we move through the Advent/Christmas season.
Experience God More Closely through Loving Obedience
Q: “Now Doctor, isn’t it true when a person dies in his sleep, he doesn’t know about it until the next morning?”
Q: “The youngest son, the twenty-year old, how old is he?”
Q: “Were you present when your picture was taken?”
Q: “She had three children, right?”
A: “Yes.”
Q: “How many were boys?”
A: “None.”
Q: “Were there any girls?”
Q: “How far apart were the vehicles at the time of the collision?”
Q: “Doctor, before you performed the autopsy, did you check for a pulse?”
A: “No.”
Q: “Did you check for blood pressure?”
A: “No.”
Q: “Did you check for breathing?”
A: “No.”
Q: “So, then is it possible that the patient was alive when you began the autopsy?”
A: “No.”
Q: “How can you be so sure, Doctor?”
A: “Because his brain was sitting on my desk in a jar.”
Q: “But could the patient still be alive nevertheless?”
A: “It is possible that he could have been alive and practicing law somewhere.”
These questions did not need to be asked or answered because the answer was obvious.
That is the situation Jesus finds himself in the interaction below.
Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.” Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, “Lord, how is it that you will manifest yourself to us, and not to the world?” Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. Whoever does not love me does not keep my words. And the word that you hear is not mine but the Father's who sent me. – John 14:21-24
Jesus doesn’t avoid the question. He responds by restating the principle that a person who loves and obeys him will experience him more through that obedience. The first word in the above passage, “Whoever” is singular in the Greek, “the one having my commandments and keeping them.” In verse 23, answers the question, Jesus makes it plural, not just you Judas, but “anyone” that loves and obeys me.
Believers’ wandering brains come up with questions that sidetrack from the main point. There are conditions placed on experiencing God's unconditional love. This point calls for care in explaining. There are no conditions on being unconditionally loved by God, but experiencing his love, his closeness is revealed under certain conditions. The closeness believers feel with God, their experience of God depends on their love for him lived out in obeying Jesus. In these verses, Jesus explains the Holy Spirit will be manifest in believers who obey. Those will know that God the Father, Son, and Spirit is at home with them.
Pastor John Riley
Hospitable Heart
John 14:26 -But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things . . .
The extra bedroom in my house seems to attract things with no particular place to live. When it is time for a guest, I scramble to put all the stuff in a permanent place. Do you ever do that? I started thinking about how or if I prepare my heart for the Holy Spirit to take up residence in the same way. Though every born-again follower of Jesus has the Holy Spirit living on the inside of them (John 7:38-39; Romans 8:9), every believer is also commanded to continually go on being filled with the Holy Spirit, “Do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit.” Ephesians 5:18
We talk about being prepared to meet Jesus one day, but can we make our hearts hospitable for the Holy Spirit now? The answer is yes, we only have to ask and then watch. The Holy Spirit is anxiously waiting to be invited and make his love and peace known not only to us but to everyone in our lives. We need his help to use the spiritual gifts we’ve been given, to pray for others, to be nudged in the right direction, to accomplish God’s plan for our life, to make us aware of sin that needs repentance and the power to forgive others who sin against us to name a few. We don’t have to clean up our hearts, but he will if we ask.
We can also prepare our hearts by intentional interaction with God, the study of scripture, confessing our sins, and listening to that still small voice of the Holy Spirit. Did you know you can grieve the Holy Spirit? Ephesians 4:30 says, And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. And do not bring sorrow to God's Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption.
Experiencing the power of the Holy Spirit in your life is like putting a turbo engine in an old VW bug. Suddenly that car can do things it couldn’t do before– quickly. The Holy Spirit can help overcome your fears, comfort your anxiety, and help you take risks and leaps of faith that can only be explained by his power and love.
Let's pray Psalm 51:10-12: Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit. Amen.
Blessings, Deb Hill
Room for Peace
Each year I choose a word and a verse for the year to focus on. This year my word has been Shalom and the verse, John: 14: 27 “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. “ It became evident the more I thought and prayed about it, that Shalom was the word to study. Shalom is his peace, and if I am honest, it has redefined my view of peace.
Many times when we think of peace it is temporary and based on circumstances and outcomes. Shalom is a state of wellness, wholeness, and permanence not dependent on the circumstances or outcomes. Philippians 4:7 says “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” I wonder if “surpassing all understanding” is because our finite mind simply cannot make sense of the shalom we experience from an infinite God.
How do we let our hearts not be troubled or afraid? For those of us who battle anxious or fearful thoughts, we might say we can’t help our anxious thoughts. The fearful thought has overcome us long before we have had a chance to let our hearts not be afraid. Could it be that we have held captive the troubling thought and are stuck? We have not “let” His peace in. This practice of shalom has been a work in progress to not let my own heart be troubled. It begins with asking the Spirit for help. It involves learning to rest and wait in a space between the fearful thought and the state of peace. This is where the Spirit can move as we trust.
I have often thought of my life as a house with different rooms. The many parts of my life and emotions are different rooms in the “abode” of my life. The biggest “aha” moment for me was that I wasn’t allowing the Spirit into every room. Do you have some areas of your life you are not allowing the Spirit in? It seems the more we allow the Spirit in, his peace begins to grow. This changes from a dependent peace to a constant shalom.
As we ask the Spirit to lead and guide us, may our eyes be opened to see we have a faithful Comforter who is a permanent resident in every room of our life. Take some small steps today. Shalom!
Tammy DeArmas
