Advent: Sent to Serve
“And the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to Jesus. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written,
‘The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives
and recovering of sight to the blind,
to set at liberty those who are oppressed,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.’
And he rolled up the scroll and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. And he began to say to them, ‘Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.’” - Luke 4:17–21
This sermon series, alongside our study guide, examines why Jesus was Sent to Serve, a baby born to give His life away in service to the world. Jesus said He came to live out this two-pronged ministry, word and deed. The Gospels tell countless stories about how He did that. Now we are called as His disciples to do what He did. He provided a foretaste of the eternal salvation to come when all things broken will be mended. All needs will be met, all oppression ended, all injustice made right, the poor clothed, and the hungry fed.
This is why and how this baby was Sent to Serve, God Himself brings the salvation message though tangible love and provision, giving up His life to make all things new.
- Sent to Serve Study Guide - This study guide coincides and works in tandem with our sermon series. Use it on your own to go deeper into the Scriptures, or use it with others in your Community Group or 3D.
- When Helping Hurts by Steve Corbett & Brian Fikkert - This book shows how some poverty alleviation efforts, failing to consider the complexities of poverty, have actually (and unintentionally) done more harm than good. But it looks ahead. It encourages us to see the dignity in everyone, to empower the materially poor, and to know that we are all uniquely needy—and that God in the gospel is reconciling all things to himself.
- Ministries of Mercy by Tim Keller - This books shows that caring for the widows, the poor, and the disadvantaged is the job of every believer, as fundamental to Christian living as evangelism, discipleship, and worship. But Keller doesn’t stop there. He tackles thorny issues as he shows how we can carry out this vital ministry as individuals, families, and churches.
- Love Walked Among Us by Paul Miller - Jesus' name is recognized the world over. But how many of us fully understand what He was like as a person? Honest, powerful, humble, full of mercy and light―Jesus was love personified, the full potential of what we were intended to be.