Reoriented by Advent: The Promise of Presence and Peace

This week’s texts from Scripture are:

• Isaiah 2:1-5

Sermon Outline:

I. Opening Illustration: The Compass and the Magnets

• Advent as reorientation

• The need for Holy Spirit–led disorientation from the familiar

II. Advent Begins in Darkness, Not Celebration

• Moving beyond countdowns and cozy traditions

• Advent’s foundation: promise and longing

III. The First Promise: The Presence of God (Isaiah 2:3)

• The nations going up to the house of the Lord

• God Himself teaching His people

• The Holy Spirit removes life’s “magnets.”

IV. The Second Promise: The Peace of God (Isaiah 2:4)

• Peace is more than the absence of conflict

• Weapons transformed into tools of fruitfulness

• The Prince of Peace brings true restoration

V. The Result of These Promises: The Praise of God (Isaiah 2:5)

• Walking in the light of the Lord

• Disorientation as the beginning of spiritual clarity

VI. Living as Advent People

• Welcoming a disoriented world with hope

• Being a non-anxious presence

• Embodying the promises of Advent as the Church

VII. Final Application

• Identifying the magnets pulling our hearts

• Allowing Advent to whisper hope: “He has come, and He is coming again.”

• Welcoming guests and witnessing to Christ’s presence and peace.”

Application Questions…

Comprehension Questions

(These will help you open the scriptures and understand the text.)

1. According to Isaiah 2:3, what draws the nations to the mountain of the Lord?

2. How does Isaiah describe the transformation of weapons in verse 4?

3. What does Isaiah 2:5 call God’s people to do in response to His promises?

4. How does the passage depict God as both teacher and judge?

5. What images of future peace and restoration are central to Isaiah’s prophetic vision?

Life Application

1. What “magnets” in your life pull your attention away from Christ and disorient your spiritual direction?

2. How has God used disorienting moments in your past to reorient your heart to Him?

3. Where do you sense the Lord inviting you this Advent to become disoriented from the world’s values?

4. How can you intentionally lift your gaze toward the presence of God this season?

5. What would it look like for the peace of Christ to replace conflict or anxiety in your current relationships?

6. How can you participate in transforming harmful habits or attitudes into tools of fruitfulness and blessing?

7. What practices help you “walk in the light of the Lord” in daily life?

8. Where might God be calling you to act as a non-anxious presence in a chaotic or divided environment?

9. How can you embody the hope of Advent to neighbors, coworkers, or family members who feel disoriented or discouraged?

10. In what practical ways can you help welcome new visitors to your church this Advent so they may encounter the presence and peace of Christ?

If you have questions about this sermon, please don't hesitate to reach out to David.