Dec 15, 2024
Finding Favor with the Father
Series: Christmas
The Christmas story is one we’ve heard so many times, we could probably recite all the details without ever opening the Bible. We’ve got a pretty good handle on the characters and details. In fact, we sing songs about them throughout the Christmas season. Yet, for as familiar with the Christmas story as we may be, there is still much we can learn about God from these experiences.
In Luke 1:26-38, our author focuses in on Jesus' mother Mary. She was an ordinary girl whom God chose to be part of His extraordinary story. Her faithful response to God’s call on her life serves as an example to all of us. Three things stand out: 1) Favored Followers of God Live Faithful Lives; 2) God Gives Grace to His Faithful Followers; and 3) We Should Willingly Pursue God’s Plan for Our Lives.
God’s favor rests on those who believe His Word and trust His will.
Luke 1:26-38
Dec. 15, 2024
To watch the video of this message, click here.
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- Dec 15, 2024Finding Favor with the Father
Dec 15, 2024Finding Favor with the FatherSeries: ChristmasThe Christmas story is one we’ve heard so many times, we could probably recite all the details without ever opening the Bible. We’ve got a pretty good handle on the characters and details. In fact, we sing songs about them throughout the Christmas season. Yet, for as familiar with the Christmas story as we may be, there is still much we can learn about God from these experiences.In Luke 1:26-38, our author focuses in on Jesus' mother Mary. She was an ordinary girl whom God chose to be part of His extraordinary story. Her faithful response to God’s call on her life serves as an example to all of us. Three things stand out: 1) Favored Followers of God Live Faithful Lives; 2) God Gives Grace to His Faithful Followers; and 3) We Should Willingly Pursue God’s Plan for Our Lives.God’s favor rests on those who believe His Word and trust His will.Luke 1:26-38Dec. 15, 2024To watch the video of this message, click here.
- Dec 8, 2024Jesus’ Family Christmas Tree
Dec 8, 2024Jesus’ Family Christmas TreeSeries: ChristmasMatthew provides us with 1 of the 2 genealogies of Jesus found in the New Testament. One might expect that when giving the record of the royal line of descent for the Messiah, you would focus on the good and righteous people in His family. Yet, this genealogy is kind of a mixed bag. Yes there are heroes of the faith, but, then there are people with shady reputations. There were ordinary people, good people, and evil people.One of the more peculiar things about Matthew’s list is that he includes the names of 4 women, in addition to Jesus’ mother, Mary. While there is a lot we could unpack here about all the people in the list, I want to focus our attention this morning on the 4 women. Each of their stories show us something about God and His dealings with people. 1) God is Gracious in Spite of Our Sin; 2) Faith Makes Us a Part of God’s Family; 3) Redemption is Received by Those Who Believe; and 4) God Can Still Work in the Worst Situations.God faithfully provided a perfect Savior from imperfect people.Matthew 1:1-17Dec. 8, 2024To watch the video of this message, click here.
- Dec 24, 2023A Courageous Christmas
Dec 24, 2023A Courageous ChristmasSeries: ChristmasMatthew 1:18-25 records for us the occasion when God revealed the upcoming birth of Jesus to Mary's husband, Joseph. The short account gives us the details, but there is even more going on behind the scenes.There is a story behind the story here that I think is important for us to learn from. Joseph demonstrates courage in 3 ways that I believe should be instructive for us today as well: 1) We Should Practice Personal Integrity Regardless of Public Pressure ; 2) We Should Prioritize God’s Will, Not Human Wisdom; and 3) We Should Pursue Sacrificial Action Instead of Superficial Anger.God uses our courageous obedience to accomplish His objectives.Matthew 1:18-25Dec. 24, 2023To watch the video of this message, click here.
- Dec 17, 2023So, How Was Your Day?
Dec 17, 2023So, How Was Your Day?Series: ChristmasWe can tend to take our days for granted, because often, day after day, it’s the same old thing. Then, once in a while, we have a day that really stands out from the rest. Christmas can be either one. When you’re young, it’s an amazing day, full of excitement. But, after a few dozen Christmases, and especially when you’re footing the bill, it can sometimes slide into being another one of those days.How should we respond to Christmas? If someone were to come up to you on Christmas and ask, “So, how was your day?” How will you answer?Mary gives us a great example in Luke 1:46-55. After being told that she would bear God’s promised Messiah, she breaks forth in praise. Her example to us suggests 4 things we can do: 1) Praise God for What He Has Done; 2) Praise God for His Power and Mercy; 3) Praise God for His Justice; 4) Praise God for His Faithfulness.We need to pause and praise God for His gift of a Savior.Luke 1:46-55Dec. 17, 2023To watch the video of this message, click here.
- Dec 10, 2023When God Leaves You Speechless
Dec 10, 2023When God Leaves You SpeechlessSeries: ChristmasChristmas is supposed to be a wonderful, joyous time of year. But, there are sometimes things going on in our lives which make it difficult to be joyful. Struggles and trials can definitely hinder any desire to celebrate.Today's message is a look at events surrounding another birth which took place shortly before Jesus’ – that of John the Baptist. John’s parents give us some examples, both positive and negative, of how to continue to seek God even during times of suffering. We learn that we should: 1) Serve God in Times of Struggle; 2) Rejoice in What God Reveals; 3) Don’t Let Doubts & Disappointment Derail Your Faith; 4) Give God the Glory for the Good in our Lives.Continue to seek & serve the Lord, even in times of struggle – trust Him and His promises.Luke 1:5-25+57-66Dec. 10, 2023To watch the video of this message, click here.
- Dec 3, 2023What’s in a Name?
Dec 3, 2023What’s in a Name?Series: ChristmasIn the Bible names were frequently given to express something about a person or circumstance. For instance – Isaac means “laughter” and was named so because Sarah laughed when told that she would have a son. Samuel means “heard by God” as a sign that God heard his mother’s prayer.In a prophecy from the book of Isaiah, we find 4 names given to Jesus, some 700 years before He was ever born. Each of these names tells us something about how God interacts with us in important areas of our lives. 1) Wonderful Counselor - Jesus desires to give us guidance in the decisions of life; 2) Mighty God - He has the power to see us through the difficulties of life; 3) Eternal Father - Jesus desires to take care of our ultimate destiny in life; 4) Prince of Peace - He is able to grant us peace in the disturbances of life.The Names of Christ reveal the greatness of God’s gift to us.Isaiah 9:6Dec. 3, 2023To watch the video of this message, click here.
- Dec 25, 2022Sheep, Shepherds, and the Savior
Dec 25, 2022Sheep, Shepherds, and the SaviorSeries: ChristmasThe Christmas story is very familiar to us. We know about Mary & Joseph, their trip to Bethlehem, that there was no room in the inn and that they stayed in the stable where the baby Jesus was finally born. We’re familiar with the wise men and most of the events surrounding that first Christmas. But, what can escape our notice is that this most significant event in human history was first announced to some of the least significant people of that time – the shepherds!These shepherds were forever changed by what they heard and saw. They were regular guys, who were receptive to God’s revelation, they responded, and rejoiced at His truth. The same can be true for each of us today.Receive God’s Good News and respond in faith.Luke 2:8-20Dec. 25, 2022To watch the video of this message, click here.
- Dec 18, 2022Do You Hear What I Hear?
Dec 18, 2022Do You Hear What I Hear?Series: ChristmasAs you listen to the sounds of Christmas around you, particularly the Christmas story, what do you hear? In the words of a familiar Christmas song, “Do You Hear What I Hear?” Luke 1:39-45 contains three things we need to hear: 1) Hear God's Joyful Promises; 2) Hear God's Voice of Blessings; and 3) Hear God's offer of Salvation.God does what He says.Luke 1:39-45Dec. 18, 2022To watch the video of this message, click here.
- Dec 11, 2022The Imitation Game
Dec 11, 2022The Imitation GameSeries: ChristmasThe greatest gift of Christmas is Christ – His birth, His life, His death & His resurrection. All of this works together to provide God’s offer of forgiveness and salvation from sin through faith in His Son. But, there is another aspect of God’s gift to us in Christ – it’s found in His example to us. Jesus is the perfect example of how God would have us live our lives. We won’t go wrong by imitating Christ.In Paul's letter to the Philippian church, he calls us to 1) Imitate Christ’s Example; 2) Imitate Christ’s Actions; and 3) Acknowledge Christ’s Sovereignty.We should have a Christ like attitude of humility .Philippians 2:3-8Dec. 11, 2022To watch the video of this message, click here.
- Dec 4, 2022The Incomparable Christ
Dec 4, 2022The Incomparable ChristSeries: ChristmasThe month of December rightly finds us focusing on the birth of our Savior. But, this Christmas season I want to make sure we focus on Christ, not just on Christmas. We understand Christ and His relationship to Christmas. In Colossians 1:15-20, Paul helps us broaden our focus. There we see: 1) Christ and His relationship to God – Jesus is fully God! 2) Christ and His relationship to Creation – Jesus is the Creator & Sustainer! And 3) Christ and His relationship to the Church – Jesus is the Chief of the Church!The Son of God is supreme over all, sustaining all, and seeking to reconcile all.Colossians 1:15-20Dec. 4, 2022To watch the video of this message, click here.
