Category: Messages

With all the hustle and bustle of this week and with Christmas tomorrow, we are glad you chose to spend the time pausing, reflecting, and celebrating with us.

Have you ever wondered what makes Christmas ” the most wonderful time of the year” and the “happiest season of all”? Why is it that 2000+ years after the birth of Jesus, Christmas causes such hustle and bustle? Why is that the malls close, churches get filled up, gifts get exchanged, and parties abound?  What is the big deal about Christmas that causes all of this?  Well, tonight, we will spend a few moments looking at that and sharing with you why Christmas and Jesus’ birth is such a big deal.

On behalf of all the Pastors, we would like to wish you all the happiest and most blessed Christmas ever!

God Bless,

Gary

Scripture: Luke 2:1-20   

Scripture Memory:  Mark 1:4-8 

 John came, baptizing in the desert region and preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.  John wore clothing made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. And this was his message: “After me will come one more powerful than I, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

Journey: I just noticed that we have three “mini” manger scenes in our living room – all from three very different cultures. You would expect them to be different and they are in terms of architecture and dress. But in the “mood” they communicate they are surprisingly the same. All of the scenes portray a setting for the birth of Jesus that is: colorful, clean, rustic, serene – totally predictable. 

Do we know better than that? Have you thought this December about how utterly scandalous it is that the “Christmas story” is about God coming into this world not only in human flesh but in a dirty, smelly, totally ‘low class’ sort of way? Have you thought about the implications of that for life? Why would God come into the world in such a disturbing, unexpected, messy manner? Born in a stable? First hours in a feeding trough?

That’s what we’ll be thinking about this morning as we look into Luke 2 and try to re-imagine the nativity and some of what it means for us.   

Hoping your Christmas is filled with joy AND spiritual gravity,       

Will (for the pastors)

Scripture: Colossians 3:22–4:1 

Scripture Memory:  Psalm 46:4-5

There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
   the holy place where the Most High dwells.
God is within her, she will not fall;
   God will help her at break of day. 

Journey: This past week as I was reading an article on CNN about a Malaysian “pastor” (who is also a homosexual) I took a look at the posted responses of other readers. It went like this in the main: One reader would post a biblical injunction against homosexuality as a lifestyle. Another reader would parry with something like, “The Bible? Do you believe other fairy tales as well?” This didn’t surprise me, it’s pretty typical blog-banter, but several anti-bible tirades did especially catch my eye. A few responses read similar to, “The bible? Although it condones slavery, you still believe that archaic book?”

I don’t know if you are aware of it or not but this view of the Bible (condoning slavery) is a very popular criticism of Scripture and is the precise reason why we’ll spend today thinking about slavery historically and Scripturally.

Although this is not “usual” Sunday morning fare I hope that it will be profitable us as we see more of the brilliance of God’s plans to redeem humanity from our moral messes.       

Please bring a pen and a piece of paper(!), 

Will (for the pastors)

Scripture: Colossians 3:22–4:1; Ephesians 6:5-9 

Scripture Memory:  Psalm 36:7-9

 How priceless is your unfailing love, O God!
   People take refuge in the shadow of your wings.
⁸ They feast on the abundance of your house;
   you give them drink from your river of delights.
⁹ For with you is the fountain of life;
   in your light we see light.

Journey: Today and next week we will deal with one of the “hot” passages of Scripture. The apostle Paul, as he continued to address relationships for followers of Christ, spoke to those who had the title of slave and master (and failed to say some things people today would expect). Today we’ll see how Paul’s instruction applies to the relationship of today’s employee and employee. Next week we’ll consider the institution of slavery historically and biblically against the backdrop of God’s redemptive plan in Christ.  

Blessings,  

Will (for the pastors)

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Scripture Memory:  Psalm 28:8-9

 8 The LORD is the strength of his people,
   a fortress of salvation for his anointed one.
9 Save your people and bless your inheritance;
   be their shepherd and carry them forever. 

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