Dec 24, 2023
A Courageous Christmas
Series: Christmas
Matthew 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 1:18-25
Dec. 24, 2023
 
To watch the video of this message, click here.
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  • Dec 24, 2023A Courageous Christmas
    Dec 24, 2023
    A Courageous Christmas
    Series: Christmas
    Matthew 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 1:18-25
    Dec. 24, 2023
     
    To watch the video of this message, click here.
  • Dec 17, 2023So, How Was Your Day?
    Dec 17, 2023
    So, How Was Your Day?
    Series: Christmas
    We 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 1:46-55
    Dec. 17, 2023
     
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  • Dec 10, 2023When God Leaves You Speechless
    Dec 10, 2023
    When God Leaves You Speechless
    Series: Christmas
    Christmas 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+57-66
    Dec. 10, 2023
     
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  • Dec 3, 2023What’s in a Name?
    Dec 3, 2023
    What’s in a Name?
    Series: Christmas
    In 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 9:6
    Dec. 3, 2023
     
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  • Dec 25, 2022Sheep, Shepherds, and the Savior
    Dec 25, 2022
    Sheep, Shepherds, and the Savior
    Series: Christmas
    The 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 2:8-20
    Dec. 25, 2022
     
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  • Dec 18, 2022Do You Hear What I Hear?
    Dec 18, 2022
    Do You Hear What I Hear?
    Series: Christmas
    As 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 1:39-45
    Dec. 18, 2022
     
    To watch the video of this message, click here.
  • Dec 11, 2022The Imitation Game
    Dec 11, 2022
    The Imitation Game
    Series: Christmas
    The 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 2:3-8
    Dec. 11, 2022
     
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  • Dec 4, 2022The Incomparable Christ
    Dec 4, 2022
    The Incomparable Christ
    Series: Christmas
    The 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 1:15-20
    Dec. 4, 2022
     
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  • Dec 26, 2021Wise Men & Women Still Seek Him
    Dec 26, 2021
    Wise Men & Women Still Seek Him
    Series: Christmas
    Looking at the story of the wise men’s visit to Jesus and His parents we find 3 primary groups or individuals involved in our story.  After taking a look at each of these 3, we’ll consider a 4th person (the most important character in the story), then finally, we’ll examine the 3 kinds of responses to Christ’s birth as portrayed in the story.
     
    Wise men & women still seek Him – Be a Modern Day Magi.
     
     
    Matthew 2:1-12
    Dec. 26, 2021
     
    To watch the video of this message, click here.
  • Dec 19, 2021Humble Beginnings
    Dec 19, 2021
    Humble Beginnings
    Series: Christmas
    This morning, we’re going to look at a familiar Christmas passage – one which gives us some of the few details about the birth of Christ.  We’ll take some time to look at His humble beginning together.  Usually, that’s where things leave off – with little baby Jesus in the manger.  I want us to go further.  You see, it wasn’t just Jesus’ beginning that was humble, but His entire earthly ministry as well.  We are called to that same sort of humility in our lives.  Before we finish, I want us to look forward somewhat.  You see, Jesus’ beginning was humble and almost went without notice, but His return is going to be quite the opposite – it’s going to be spectacular!
     
    God sent His Son to be our Savior.
     
     
    Luke 2:1-7
    Dec. 19, 2021
     
    To watch the video of this message, click hhttps://youtu.be/H81wAN0XPacere.