Skip to main content

Advent Sermons || Hope in the Waiting || Micah 5:1-5

Hope in the Waiting | SPB Church Blog

Hope in the Waiting

Advent is a season of anticipation, a time when we prepare our hearts to celebrate the coming of Jesus. This past Sunday, Rev Andrew Irwin unpacked Micah 5:1-5, a passage filled with promises of hope, peace, and restoration. It reminds us of how God works through the humble and unexpected to accomplish His purposes. In the prophecy of a ruler from Bethlehem, we see a picture of Jesus, the Good Shepherd who stands in the strength of the Lord and brings peace that transforms lives.

In his sermon, Andrew drew comparisons between the longing of God’s people in Micah’s day and our own lives today. For centuries, they waited for God to send a saviour, enduring times of uncertainty and hardship. Similarly, we often find ourselves in seasons of waiting, longing for peace, justice, and restoration in a world that feels broken. Yet, just as God’s promise was fulfilled in Jesus, we can trust in His faithfulness as we wait for His return.

Advent reminds us that waiting isn’t passive—it’s active. Andrew challenged us to live out this hope by reflecting Christ’s peace to the world around us. Just as John the Baptist prepared the way for Jesus, we are called to share the good news of His coming and embody His peace in our everyday lives. It’s an encouraging and timely reminder of the role we have to play in bringing the message of Christmas to those who need it most.

We would love for you to listen to the full sermon in this week’s podcast episode. Whether you’re reflecting on how to live out the peace of Christ or simply need a word of encouragement, we hope it will inspire and challenge you this Advent season. The podcast is embedded below for easy access—just press play!

We also warmly invite you to join us next Sunday morning at 10:30 for worship as we continue to journey through Advent together. Then, on Sunday evening at 19:00, we’ll gather for our Carols by Candlelight service, a special time to sing, reflect, and celebrate the Christmas story. And don’t forget to mark your calendars for Christmas Day worship at 10:30 as we celebrate the birth of our Saviour together.

We can’t wait to welcome you to St Paul’s & St Barnabas, whether in person or online. Let’s come together to reflect on the hope we have in Jesus and share that hope with our city.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Opportunities To Gather and Grow || SPB NOTES || Coming up to Winter 2024

As we enter a season full of opportunities to gather and grow, I want to encourage everyone to participate in the life of our church. Hebrews 10:24-25 reminds us, “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another.” Gathering is a vital part of our faith, and these events are designed to strengthen our fellowship, prayer life, and outreach efforts. Each event, whether it’s our community prayer meeting, the winter coat project, or the Advent services, is a chance for us to come together as the body of Christ, using the unique gifts God has given us. 1 Corinthians 12:12-14 highlights that we are all members of one body, and every part is needed to function as God intended. When we gather, pray, and support the church’s work, we not only bless each other but our entire community. I encourage you to engage deeply in these events and find where you can serve. Whether it’s helping ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Looking Ahead for the Week beginning 10th March 2024

As we enter the reflective season of Lent, St. Paul's and St. Barnabas are buzzing with activities that cater to our congregation's spiritual growth and community spirit. Let's explore this week's schedule and the upcoming Holy Week preparations, inviting everyone to participate in these meaningful occasions. This Week's Fellowship and Worship Opportunities Monday with the Vestry Our week begins with the Vestry meeting on Monday, 9th March, at 7:30 PM. The Vestry members gather to deliberate on matters that shape our church's life and service We invite all those involved in these duties to be present and for everyone to pray for them! Wednesday's Lenten Devotions Midweek brings us together for Wednesday's Lenten evening of prayer and scripture. At 6:30 PM, we'll have our Lent Prayer session, a quiet space to reflect and seek peace amid our week. As we progress through the evening, we invite you to delve deeper into the Word with our Bible Study and I...
Post a Comment
Read more

Community Payer Meeting at St Paul's & St Barnabas

Community Prayer Gathering This past Wednesday evening, we were privileged to gather in the newly refurbished lounge at St Paul’s & St Barnabas for a community prayer meeting. It was a joy to welcome friends from other churches across the area as we united in prayer for our church, our community, and the wider world. The theme for the evening was to seek God's guidance, and blessing for our church and community. Scripture encourages us to pray without ceasing ( 1 Thessalonians 5:17 ) and to come boldly to the throne of grace ( Hebrews 4:16 ), and so we lifted up our voices in faith. During the prayer meeting, we focused on key areas: our local community, the great work of the churches in the area , and personal renewal. Encouraged by the echols of Philippians 4:6 , where we are encouraged to bring our requests to God with thanksgi...
Post a Comment
Read more