For this Sunday here’s what you can do: Pray that the Church does not get caught into material with the Advent Season.
This post isn’t entering the fray about whether Christmas is or isn’t something Christians participate in. But it is suffice to say that in the culture around us at this time there’s many ads, commercials and social and cultural factor that can be about buying gifts, commercialism, and its easy to get caught up with purchasing and acquiring physical things.
While physical things are important I think it is important it doesn’t drive our life. So this week it might be good for prayer meeting to mention that as a prayer that as a church people don’t get caught up with materialism. But even as we seek that prayer the truth is some might already be caught up with this all 4 seasons and not just during Winter, Christmas/Advent season. So it might be good to pray for the body of believers to see if there’s any idolatry of materialism in one’s heart.
I realize bringing up this prayer requests must be done with care. I don’t mean to pray this in a spirit of rushing judgment of others. But its important to pray we focus on Christ more this season. Maybe in certain situations some of us can’t ask this prayer directly without others questioning our motives but we can always pray for all of us as the Church focus on Christ more this season.
The Domain for Truth 
Amen! We need to focus on Jesus. That is, it.
Blessings.
[…] This Sunday at Church: Pray that the Church does not get caught into material with the Advent Season… […]
Reblogged this on Talmidimblogging.
Amen. Take away our hearts from the love of this world, LORD!
Amen Jeff! How was your Lord’s day?
It’s glorious! I preached on 1st John concerning the Parousia as motivation to abide in Christ.
[…] This Sunday at Church: Pray that the Church does not get caught into material with the Advent Season […]
Amen…really am blessed by the call to prayer and the wisdom of when and how to avoid unnecessary offense in the body…may we all be faithful in intercessory prayer that glorifies our Living Savior. Bless you indeed.
I am with you on this! Are you reading an Advent devotional this year?! I have a book but it is starting on Dec 1 and my crazy brain is like no, it should start today! Arg, my brain drives me crazy!!!
What’s the book called?? We haven’t picked a book yet and we normally do!!
The one I am going to read to for Nathan and I is Dawn of Redeeming Grace by Sinclair Ferguson, it’s new this year and is a really beautiful look at Matthew. The one I am reading individually is The First Days of Jesus by Kostenberger and Stewart. I absolutely LOVED their book The Final Days of Jesus.
Totally agree!
Thanks! How is your Energy level today??
Seems to be a little better each week! Thanks for asking!
Good reminder during this season. ✝️🎄
Aww amen!! I hope your Lord’s Day went well!! Heading home right now after long day of ministry! May we keep focus (and this is by His grace!!)
Praise God for your ministry! May His blessings overflow. 🙏🙂
Amen! J.
Thanks for the good exhortation, brother! Believers can easily get caught up in the commercialism/materialism of the season.
[…] This Sunday at Church: Pray that the Church does not get caught into material with the Advent Season […]
I’ve never belonged to a church that practiced the Advent candle for this 4 week man made tradition. I’ve studied it to try to understand it lasting for so many years.
I did visit a church once that was practicing it. I didn’t see how it edified that body of believers, at all.
Liturgy typically has little substance to it.
But in non essentials liberty and love.
Brother it’s been sooo long that I heard from you!!! How are you????
This is a good message for this time of year
Well said Pastor Jim. Using prayer to help temper our focus during this Advent season, will align us with the true message of the season.
The Christmas Season should be an especially important time to consider/reconsider our relationship with the Father, through Jesus Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit! 👍💗🕊😇🙏
Amen! I pray that our blogging during this Christmas season will be used to minister to people online in the way you described!!! God bless you Roland!!!
Let us keep Jesus as the Reason for the Season!