Sermon Notes: Advent Series 4 (Love) | English & Iban

 

Advent Series (4) — LOVE

Fr. Walter Macdaniel Nakan | 21.12.2025

Text: Isaiah 7:10–16; Romans 1:1–17; Matthew 1:18–end

Title: Love is… God is with us.

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I. Introduction: The Gospel as Personal Power

● The Apostolic Mandate: Borrowing from Paul (Romans 1:14–17).

○ We are "obligated" to share this Gospel with everyone (wise/foolish, in/out of the church).

● Defining the Power: The Gospel is the "power of God."

○ It is not an impersonal force or an abstract idea.

○ It is a Person: Immanuel (God with us).

● The Theme of Love: Moving beyond transactional or emotional "love."

○ True love is defined by Presence and Persistence.

II. Persistent Love (The Past: Isaiah 7:10–16)

● The Context of King Ahaz: Judah is under siege; Ahaz is in deep trouble.

● Fragmented Devotion: * Ahaz uses "false piety" (refusing a sign) to hide his secret alliance with Assyria.

○ Reflective Point: Do we praise God on Sundays but rely on our own "alliances" when life gets manageable?

● God’s Response: He does not withdraw. He insists on being present.

○ "Immanuel" is given as a sign of God's refusal to leave us to our own devices.

○ The Present Tense: God says, "He is with us."

III. The Consistent Sign (The Fulfillment: Matthew 1:18–end)

● Dual Fulfillment: * Prophecy often works in layers: A sign for Isaiah’s time and the ultimate sign in Christ.

○ Consistency is the highest mark of love. God remains consistent through history.

● God in our Weakness: * For Mary, a betrothed young woman, a pregnancy was her "lowest point" and a moment of crisis.

○ God’s presence turned that crisis into the source of peace and joy.

○ Comfort: God is present in our weakness, not just our strength.

IV. Application: Love is Immanuel

● The Anchor of Advent: Love is the reason for our Hope, Peace, and Joy.

○ Hope: Because God loves us.

○ Peace: Because of God's love (John 3:16).

○ Joy: Knowing God is patient in judgment (2 Peter 3:9).

● The "Empty Tank" Principle:

○ We cannot share a love we haven't experienced.

○ We struggle to love ourselves/others because we are running on empty.

● The Power of Salvation: This power is personal. It is God filling our "tanks" so we can overflow to others.

V. Conclusion: A Call to Silence

● Turning to Immanuel: This Christmas may be overwhelming or lonely.

● The Invitation: Take a step back from the crowd.

○ Go to Jesus in the silence.

○ Remember: He is the power of salvation that fills you.

● The Final Promise: Where Jesus is present:

○ Hope becomes reality.

○ Peace becomes real.

○ Joy becomes everlasting.

○ Love overflows.

Amen.

                                                                                                                                                                    

Advent Series (4) — PENGERINDU

Fr. Walter Macdaniel Nakan | 21.12.2025

Text: Isaiah 7:10–16; Romans 1:1–17; Matthew 1:18–end

Title: Pengerindu nya…Tuhan enggau kitai.

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I. Pemuka: Injil nya Kuasa ti Semak/Personal enggau kitai

● Pesan ari Rasul Paul: Nundaka jaku Paul (Rome 1:14–17).

○ Kitai bisi “tanggungjawap” nusui berita manah ngagai semua orang (pintar/beli, dalam/luar gerija).

● Reti kuasa nya: Injil nya meh “kuasa Allah Taala.”

○ Ukai kuasa ti jauh tauka semina idea ke enda ulih disagam.

○ Kuasa nya Iya Empu: Immanuel (Tuhan enggau Kitai)..

● Berambai jaku ka pengerindu: Mansang ngelui ari semina ngerundingka “pengerindu” nya bebalas tauka semina ari pengasai ati.

○ Reti pengerindu ti bendar lebuh orang nya Keras sereta bisi Semak.

II. Pengerindu ti Keras (Jeman dulu: Isaiah 7:10–16)

● Perati ari konteks cherita Raja Ahas: Judah benung dikelulung munsuh; Ahas benung ditinggang penusah ke besai.

● Bebagi Pengarap: Ahas ngaga diri nyadi “orang ke bepengarap” (ngenggaika tanda) kena ngelalaika niat iya ti dulu besekungkul enggau menua Asiria.

○ Perundingka tu: Kati kitai semina bepengarap maya hari Minggu tang udah nya manggaika “pengering” kitai ba utai bukai ti ulih “mantu” pengidup kitai?

● Tu saut Allah Taala: Iya enda nguing. Iya keras deka begulai semak.

○ "Immanuel" nyadika tanda Allah Taala enggai ngelakka kitai kediri empu.

○ The Present Tense: Allah Taala nelah, “Iya bisi enggau kitai”.

III. Kelai ke Konsisten (Dikamatka: Matthew 1:18–ujung)

● Dua kali dikamatka: Jaku benabi suah beripih: Tanda dikamatka maya Isaiah lalu pengujung iya dikamatka maya Kristus.

○ Kelai pengerindu ti besai iya nya konsisten. Dalam sejarah bansa mensia, Allah Taala ngayanka diri konsisten enggau jaku Iya.

● Allah Taala dalam pengelemi kitai: Perundingka Maria, tunang orang ke agi dara bungas, tang udah ngandung lalu nya nyadi ke krisis pengidup ti balat “ngemaruhka” iya.

○ Lebuh Allah Taala bisi enggau kitai nya tau ngubah krisis nyadi kebuah pemaik enggau pengaga.

○ Pemerindang: Allah Taala bisi enggau kitai ba pengelemi kitai, ukai semina ba maya kitai kering.

IV. Aplikasyen: Pengerindu nya Immanuel

● Tating kitai ba musin Advent tu: Pengerindu ke nyadi kebuah Pengadang, Pemaik, enggau Pengaga kitai.

○ Pengadang: Laban Allah Taala rinduka kitai.

○ Pemaik: Ketegal pengerindu Allah Taala ke kitai (John 3:16).

○ Pengaga: Nemu Allah Taala lubah deka ngakim ke penguntung kitai empu (2 Peter 3:9).

● Prinsip “tanki puang”:

○ Kitai enda ulih bekunsika pengerindu ti enda kala diasaika kitai.

○ Kitai enda ulih rinduka orang bukai/diri empu laban tanki kitai puang.

● Kuasa ti mai Selamat: Kuasa tu personal. Nya meh Allah Taala ti ngisi “tanki” kitai awakka pengerindu nya tau lilih ngagai orang bukai.

V. Simpul jaku: Kangau awakka Diau Jenuh

● Nguing ngagai Immanuel: Nyangka Krismas tu deka ngasuh kitai lelak tauka keda berasai sunyi.

● Kangau ba kitai: Nyurut ke diri enda lama ari bala mayuh.

○ Diau jenuh enggau Jesus.

○ Ingat: Iya kuasa ti mai selamat lalu ngisi nuan.

● Semaya ke penudi: Dini endur bisi Jesus:

○ Pengadang nyadi nyata.

○ Pemaik nyadi amat.

○ Pengaga tau meruan.

○ Pengerindu lilih.

Amen.