Advent reminds us that the story of Christmas doesn’t begin with our search for God, but with God’s search for us. We often assume He must be distant, silent, hidden, or far from our everyday lives. Yet Scripture tells a different story: God is the One who seeks. He speaks to exiles, shows up in forgotten places like Nazareth, and draws near to ordinary people who never expected Him. In this Advent series, Wise Men Still Seek Him, we remember that our searching is never the starting point. God has already moved toward us. He wants to be found. And the invitation of this season is simple: open your heart to the God who has already come near.
Men are called to love their wives as Christ loved the church. That's a tall order, because Christ was the man. A one-bullet-point sermon would be Love At All Costs, but what does that mean? A couple manly things to do would be to Provide and Protect. Men should also love with tenderness. Mr. Travis Williams, the leader of Evangel's Men's Fraternity, shares his personal struggles and challenges men to “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong. Do everything in love.” That's 1 Corinthians 16:13-14, the sermon text, and it's on the black bracelets given to men who complete Session 1 of Men's Fraternity, The Quest for Authentic Manhood. From Evangel Church, Houghton, Michigan, October 11, 2015.