December 20 2015 Revealing The Purpose Of Christmas

REVEALING THE PURPOSE OF CHRISTMAS

Luke 2:8-20

Luke 2:10 – I bring you good news of great joy.

Five Wonderful Purposes of Christmas:

1. God reaches out to every person.

Verses 8-9- And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.  An angel of the Lord appeared to them.

Job 36:7 – He does not take His eye off the righteous.

Isaiah 64:8 – We are all the work of God’s hand.

2. God releases your fears.

Verses 10-11 – Do not be afraid, A Saviour has been born to you, He is Christ the Lord.

Examples:

• Storm tossed sea Matthew 14:27
• At His resurrection Matthew 28:10
• At the last supper John 14:27

1 John 1:9 – If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sin.

John 16:33 – But take heart, I have overcome the world.

Matthew 6:33 – Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all those things will be given to you as well.

3. God recovers your lost condition.
Verse 11 – A Saviour has been born to you.

Luke 19:10 – Jesus said, for the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.

Matthew 20:28 – I did not come into the world to be served, but to serve and give My live a ransom for many.

John 12:47 – I did not come to judge the world, but to save it.

4. God reproduces His life in you.
Verse 14 – Peace to men on whom His favor rest.

John 10:10 – Jesus said, I have come that you might have life and have it to the fullest.

2 Corinthians 9:15 – Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift.

5. God needs your response.

Verses 16-17 – So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph and the baby, who was lying in a manger.  When they had seen Him they spread the word.

John 6:47 – I tell you the truth, he who believes has everlasting life.

June 21 2015 Letting God Meet Your Needs

LETTING GOD MEET YOUR NEEDS 

God's Answer to Your Greatest Needs 

Matthew 6:9-13 9“This, then, is how you should pray: “‘Our Father in heaven,  hallowed be your name,  

WHAT GOD'S NAMES TELL ME

1. God wants to SUPPLY MY NEEDS

Genesis 22:14 "God is my provider." ("Jehovah-Jireh")

Philippians 4:19 (Ph) "God will supply all that you need from his glorious resources in Christ Jesus.  "

2 Peter  1:3 (LB) "As you know Him better, God will give you, through His great power, everything you need  for living a truly good life. "

My most urgent need:

2. God wants to FORGIVE MY FAULTS

Jeremiah 23:6 "God is my Righteousness.  " ("Jehovah-Tsidkenu")

Isaiah 43:25 (GN)  'I am the God who forgives your sins, and I do this because of who I am."

Romans 3:23-24 (LB) "All have sinned... yet God declares us 'not guilty of  offending Him if we trust in Jesus 

My worst fault-

3. God wants to RELIEVE MY STRESS

Judges 6:24 "God is my Peace " ("Jehovah-Shalom")

1 Corinthians 14:23 (RSV) "God is not a God of confusion but of peace.  "

John 14:27 (LB) (Jesus)"The peace I give you isn't fragile like the peace the world gives. So don't be 

My greatest stress:

4. God wants to HEAL MY HURTS

Exodus 15:26 "God is my Healer" ("Jehovah-Rophe")

Psalm 147:3 "God heals the brokenhearted and binds up their

2 Corinthians 5:17 (LB) When. someone becomes a Christian he becomes  a brand new person inside.  He is not the same anymore.  A new life has begun!"

My deepest hurt:

Psalm 33:21 (LB)"No wonder we are happy in the Lord!.  We trust  His holy name!"

December 21 2014 What Difference Does Christmas Make?

WHAT DIFFERENCE DOES CHRISTMAS MAKE?

John 3:16 (LB)  "For God loved the world so much that He gave His only Son..."

Because Jesus came at Christmas ...

1.  MY PAST CAN BE FORGIVEN

Romans 3:23-24 (LB)"All of us have sinned... yet now God declares us `not guilty' of offending him IF we trust in Jesus Christ who freely takes away our sins."

2 Corinthians 5:17 (Ph)"If anyone is in Christ, he becomes a new person altogether; the past is finished and gone, everything becomes fresh and new."

2.  MY PRESENT PROBLEMS CAN BE MANAGED

Philippians 4:13 (GN)"I have the strength to face all conditions by the power Christ gives me."

Romans 8:32 (Ph)"... God gave us his own son - can we not trust such a God to give us ... everything else that we need?"

3.  MY FUTURE CAN BE GUARANTEED

Hebrews 2:14-15 (GN) "... Jesus became like us ... (to) set free those who were slaves all their lives because of their fear of death."

Three Christmas Gifts to you from God

1. Ephesians 1:4-7 (GN)"Let us praise God for the FREE GIFT he gave us in his Son... we are set free, our sins are forgiven."  
2. John 14:27 (LB) (Jesus) "I am leaving you with a GIFT; peace of mind and heart... so don't be troubled or afraid."  
3. Romans 6:23 "... the GIFT of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord."

Have you accepted these gifts?

April 13 2014 God's Love From The Cross

God's Love From The Cross

John 13:1 – Having love His own who were in the world, He now showed them the full extent of His love.

John 3:16 – For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

Four Ways God Wants To Love You From The Cross

1. God wants to supply my need.

Philippians 4:19 – God will supply all that you need from His glorious resources in Christ Jesus.

2 Peter 1:3 – As you know Him better, God will give you, through His great power, everything you need for living a truly good life.

John 14:14 – If you ask anything in My Name, I will do it.

2. God wants to forgive your faults.

Isaiah 43:25 – I am the God who forgives your sins, and I do this because of who I am.

Romans 3:23-24 – All have sinned, yet God declares us not guilty of offending Him if we trust in Jesus Christ.

1 John 1:9 – If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins.

3. God wants to relieve your stress.

1 Corinthians 14:23 – God is not a God of confusion, but of peace.

John 14:27 – The peace I give you isn’t fragile like the peace the world gives, so don’t be troubled or afraid.

4. God wants to heal my hurt.

Psalm 147:3 – God heals the broken-hearted and binds up their wounds.

2 Corinthians 5:17 – When someone becomes a Christian, he becomes a brand new person inside. He is not the same anymore. A New Life has begun!

Psalm 33:21 – No wonder we are happy in the Lord. We trust in His Holy Name.

Romans 5:8 – God demonstrates His own love for us in this, while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

March 2 2014 How To Experience Peaceful Living

How To Experience Peaceful Living 

Galatians 5:22-23 – But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

Proverbs 14:30 – A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.

Three Kinds Of Peace:

1. Spiritual peace.

Romans 5:1 – Since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

2. Emotional peace.

Colossians 3:15 – Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since you were called to peace.

3. With people around us.

Romans 12:18 – If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

God’s Promise: John 14:27 – Peace I leave with you, my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

Five Keys To God’s Peace:

1. Obey God’s principles.

Psalm 119:165 – Great peace have they who love your law.

2. Accept God’s pardon.

Micah 7:18 – Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression

I John 1:9 – If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins.

3. Focus on God’s presence.

Isaiah 26:3 – You will keep in perfect peace, him whose mind is steadfast.

Psalm 46:1 – God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.

• Be still.
• Realize that God is God.

Psalm 46:10 – Be still and know that I am God.

Philippians 4:7 – And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

4. Trust God’s purpose.

Proverbs 35:6 – Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.

• Trust.
• Acknowledge.

Philippians 4: 12, 13 – I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed, or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want, I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.

5. Ask for peace.

Philippians 4:6,7 – Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, present your request to God, and the peace of God will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

Luke 8:14 – The seen that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way, they are choked by life’s worries.

1 Peter 5:7 – Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.