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.

December 9 2012 Experiencing Christ At Christmas

EXPERIENCING CHRIST AT CHRISTMAS
Luke 2:8-20

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

Five Wonderful Facts.

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 Savior has been born to you, He is Christ the Lord.

Examples:

• The stormy sea. Matthew 14:27

• At His resurrection. Matthew 28:10

• 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 sins.

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 wants to recover our lost position.
Luke 2:11 - A Savior 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 life a ransom for many.

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

4. God can reproduce His life in you.
Luke 2:14 - 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.
Luke 2:16-17 - 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 26 2011 When You Feel You're Sinking

When You Feel You're Sinking

Matt. 14:22-32
Verse 30 -But when he saw he wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, Lord save me.

LESSONS FROM JESUS WHEN I'M SINKING

1. Storms come to God's best people.

Verse 22 – Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of Him to the other side.

2. The Lord of the storm is praying.

Verse 23 – He went up into the hills by Himself to pray.

John 17:9 – I pray for them.

3. He is watching.

Verse 24 – The boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves.

Matt. 10:30 – Even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.

4. He will also come to us. 

Verse 25 – During the fourth watch of the night, Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake.

5. He will help us.

Verse 32 – When He climbed into the boat, the wind died down.

Heb. 13:5 – Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you.

John 14:1 – Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, trust also in Me.

WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I'M SINKING

1. Have courage.

Mark 6:50 – Jesus said to them, take courage, it is I, don't be afraid.

2. Take a risk in Faith.

Verse 28-29 – Lord, if it is You , Peter replied, tell me to come to You on the water. Come, Jesus said. So Peter got out of the boat, walked on the water and came to Jesus.

3. Stay focused on Jesus.

Verse 30 – But when Peter looked around at the high waves, he was terrified and began to sink. Save me Lord, he shouted.

4. Don't doubt.

Verse 31 – Immediately Jesus reached out His hand and caught him. You of little faith He said, why did you doubt?