I am speaking the truth in Christ—I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit—that I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh. - Romans 9:1 –3 (ESV)

When it comes to Romans 9-11 many people want to skip over it. It deals with a few subjects that can be not only difficult to understand but controversial. The outline and explanations of God's work in salvation in Romans 1-8 lay out this grand landscape of what God has done. Romans 12-15 give us direct and practical applications to live out this new life of faith, but in the middle people see some theological doldrums, Romans 9-11 . These chapters contain some important pieces that connect us to the character of God, situate us in the Biblical storyline, provide us assurance, and motivate us to live out the mercies of God.

Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls. - 1 Peter 1:8 –9 (ESV)

The angels told the shepherds that their message was 'Good news with great joy.' We throw around the word 'joy' in our decorations and songs of the season, but what is 'joy'? Is it the warm feelings and happiness that we are to find in this season? Does it come from the gifts or celebrations we attend? What happens when the season isn't filled with joy but sadness? How do we find it again?

For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified. - Romans 8:29 –30 (ESV)

When it comes to cars there are people that want to know all the specs and there are those that just want it to run. (The details of horsepower, fuel injection, compression ration, head pressure, and gear ratio are music to some people's ears. To others that list sounded like a bunch of words that were indistinguishable from a flux capacitor or oil flange.) At one level both those positions work with a car. Even knowing a little about a car can help you maintain it. And give you some basic understanding when something goes wrong.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” - Luke 2:13 –14 (ESV)

During this season we see the word 'Peace' beautifully adorned cards and pictures. We echo the words of angels as we sing about peace. We watch the peaceful snow-covered scenes in the movies of the season. We fantasize about experiencing those moments in one of the most frantic, busy, stress-filled times of the year. What ever happened to Peace on Earth?

In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. - 1 John 4:10 –11 (ESV)

What part of Christmas celebrations are you most looking forward to? Receiving presents? Giving presents? Spending time with family and friends? We all desire to be loved, especially around Christmas time, but we want that love expressed in different ways for it to seem meaningful to us. Some people call this your 'love language'.

Built into Advent is true love. It is love that has been expressed. It has been given not just to those who 'deserve' it or to those who will return it, but has been given to rebels in their rebellion. It's a love that is grander than we can imagine.

Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all, for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God. Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. - Acts 20:26 –28 (ESV)

How many churches did you pass in your travel yesterday or today? I bet for most of us we would have a hard time counting or remembering. In some places they seem to be around every corner with different names and stripes of Christianity. That wasn't the case in the early years of Christianity. One city meant one church. It meant one mission - the spread of the gospel and the encouragement of the faith. This week we want to pause and think about our place and our mission in God's greater story.