Amid the baubles, the festive menus and the endless seasonal sales, do we still remember what the coming of Jesus actually was? This first Advent sermon takes us back to the garden of Eden and stops at one short sentence that God speaks not to Adam and not to Eve, but to the serpent (Genesis 3). Without that sentence the whole story would end after three chapters, with it, we know that the first good news was spoken in the very middle of human failure. Listen, and catch the first scent of Christmas, entirely unlike the one drifting through the shopping centre.
Discussion questions
For your small group or for personal reflection after the sermon.
- In Genesis 3:15 God tells the serpent there will be enmity between him and the woman and between their offspring. What do you think the words about the crushed head and the bruised heel mean?
- The serpent begins with "Did God really say?", then lies about the consequences and makes a false promise. In which modern temptations do you recognize the same pattern?
- After the sin come shame, fear and blaming others. Which of these companions of sin shows up most often in your life, and how do you deal with it?
- God does not curse the man but the serpent, and the woman who was deceived first becomes the beginning of his defeat. What does this scene teach you about God's grace toward those who have failed?
- The sermon calls this verse the first gospel, fulfilled in the birth, death and resurrection of Jesus. How does this perspective change the way you think about Christmas?
- The speaker compared every decision to choose God against the whispers of the evil one to a blow struck against the devil. In what specific situation this week do you want to deliberately stand on God's side?
