Planting Churches among the City's Poor - Volume 1

P ART II: T HEOLOGICAL AND M ISSIOLOGICAL P RINCIPLES AND I NSIGHTS • 133

A. Advent: the Promised Messiah

1. Biblical framework : through the covenant promise of God, a seed of the woman, of Abraham, and of David would come, crushing the head of the serpent, and redeeming God’s people.

2. Exemplar Scripture references

a. For to us a child is born, Isa. 9.6-7 – For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this. b. The days are coming, Jer. 23.5-6 – Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. In his days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell securely. And this is the name by which he will be called: “The Lord is our righteousness.”

c. The One who is coming will reign in righteousness and peace, Isa. 11.1-10.

3. Its meaning in Jesus’ history : the pre-incarnate Word, only begotten Son of God in glory

4. The Season of the Church Year : Advent, the Coming of Christ. Advent anticipates the First and Second Comings of our Lord. God’s prophets foretold his Coming, and angels announced his birth to Mary and the shepherds. We affirm God’s promise fulfilled in the arrival of Messiah in Bethlehem. 5. As to Spiritual Formation : As we await the One who is coming, let us proclaim and affirm our sure and certain hope of deliverance.