(Truth) – The Way of God

Intro: In Isaiah 65:16 God is called the God of truth. Truth is the opposite of false and means honest, valid, exact, correct, and accurate. Because God is by nature truth, everything He says, promises, and does is true.

I. Truth is the way of God. Truth is part of God’s armor. We are to keep truth around us at all times like a belt. (Eph. 6:14) By God’s truth we defeat the Devil. It sets us free!

 a. God’s word is always perfectly true. (142) Psalms 119:142 (NKJV)  Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, And Your law is truth. There is never a mixture of error or untruth.

 b. There is joy in God’s word. Psalms 119:143 (NKJV)  Trouble and anguish have overtaken me, Yet Your commandments are my delights.

 It brings joy to our hearts, it refreshes us. God’s word restores your soul and brings joy to you. 

 c. Understanding God’s word brings life.  Psalms 119:144 (NKJV)
¹⁴⁴ The righteousness of Your testimonies is everlasting; Give me understanding, and I shall live. The word of God fills our lives with power.

     God’s word pleases us and gives us wise advice. It shows us the path of blessing.

II. God’s word sanctifies us. John 17:17 – 19 (NLT)
¹⁷ Make them holy (sanctify them) by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth.
¹⁸ Just as you sent me into the world; I am sending them into the world.
¹⁹ And I give myself as a holy sacrifice for them so they can be made holy by your truth.

 a. God’s word sets us apart and separates us from the world to be pure and holy, fully consecrated to God and His way of truth. When His word becomes the priority in our lives we will be set free.  John 8:31-32 (NLT) ³¹ Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings.

      ³² And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

 b. As we read, meditate, and study God’s word the Holy Spirit takes the word and sets us apart for God’s use day by day as we grow in our sanctification until the great and glorious day of our eternal sanctification. 1 John 3:2-3 (NLT) ² Dear friends, we are already God’s children, but he has not yet shown us what we will be like when Christ appears. But we do know that we will be like him, for we will see him as he really is.
³ And all who have this eager expectation will keep themselves pure, just as he is pure.

III. We must choose God’s truth.  Matthew 7:13-14 (NKJV) ¹³ "Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. ¹⁴ Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.

 a. The way of sin and error is broad and leads to destruction. Majority of people choose this way. They are led by their own decisions and the advice of others. This is the way of deception and error which leads to death and hell.  Remember Adam and Eve! (Gen. 2&3)

 b. The way of truth is narrow and difficult, not because God’s truth is difficult to understand or because it’s hard to become a Christian, but because there is only one way and few choose to walk that narrow way. But Salvation comes only one narrow way, thru Jesus!

      John 14:6 (NKJV)  Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

    

Invitation: The truth is you must be born again as Jesus said in John 3:3 or you will never see the kingdom of God or experience eternal life. You are born again when you confess your sins and ask Jesus to forgive you and save your soul for Heaven. After salvation we are to live our lives based on the truth of God’s word so we can fully experience all God wants us to.

God’s Way - (Faith)

Scripture Text Heb. 11:1

Intro: God tells in His word about the ways by which He works. One of those ways by which God works is the way of faith. Faith in God’s eyes is the way of righteousness, “the just shall live by faith.”  (Hebrews 10:38) The bible gives us God’s definition of faith.

I. God’s definition of faith.  (Hebrews 11:1)

Hebrews 11: 1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

a. The dictionary says that Faith is “confidence or trust in a person or thing.” But biblical faith is more than that. The word "substance” means the foundation, assurance, title-deed, and guarantee of things hoped for. The word "evidence" means proof or confirmation of the things hoped for that is not seen with physical eyes.

b. The person who holds the title-deed to property actually possesses the property. It is his already. Certainly from God's perspective, we already possess His promises; He has already seated us in heavenly places, and we already possess eternal life. It is not that we are going to possess it; we already possess it. We are convinced that we have what God says even if we don’t see it in the physical realm. Faith in God’s word supersedes all worry, doubt, and fear.

II. We are made righteous by faith.  Romans 4:1-3 (NLT) ¹ Abraham was, humanly speaking, the founder of our Jewish nation. What did he discover about being made right with God? ² If his good deeds had made him acceptable to God, he would have had something to boast about. But that was not God’s way. ³ For the Scriptures tell us, “Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith.”

 a. No amount of good works will make anyone righteous in God’s eyes. If works could make us right we would have something to boast about before God. We are made right with God when we by faith believe His word just as Abraham believed God and then God counted him as righteous. When we believe God’s word concerning His Son Jesus and we ask Him to forgive our sins we are made right with God and we have peace with God.

III. Abraham our example of faith. Romans 4:15-25 (NLT) ¹⁵ For the law always brings punishment on those who try to obey it. (The only way to avoid breaking the law is to have no law to break!) ¹⁶ So the promise is received by faith. It is given as a free gift. And we are all certain to receive it, whether or not we live according to the law of Moses, if we have faith like Abraham’s. For Abraham is the father of all who believe. ¹⁷ That is what the Scriptures mean when God told him, “I have made you the father of many nations.” This happened because Abraham believed in the God who brings the dead back to life and who creates new things out of nothing. ¹⁸ Even when there was no reason for hope, Abraham kept hoping—believing that he would become the father of many nations. For God had said to him, “That’s how many descendants you will have!” ¹⁹ And Abraham’s faith did not weaken, even though, at about 100 years of age, he figured his body was as good as dead—and so was Sarah’s womb. ²⁰ Abraham never wavered in believing God’s promise. In fact, his faith grew stronger, and in this he brought glory to God. ²¹ He was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever he promises. ²² And because of Abraham’s faith, God counted him as righteous. ²³ And when God counted him as righteous, it wasn’t just for Abraham’s benefit. It was recorded
²⁴ for our benefit, too, assuring us that God will also count us as righteous if we believe in him, the one who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. ²⁵ He was handed over to die because of our sins, and he was raised to life to make us right with God.

 a. Even the good works of Abraham trying to keep God’s commandments were nothing in God’s sight because none can perfectly keep them.  What made Abraham righteous in God’s eyes was when he believed what God had told him. Abraham’s faith in God expressed his obedience even though he couldn’t yet see it with his eyes. His faith and trust in God’s word was credited as righteousness and he was considered worthy by God.

b. Abraham was often confronted with situations that seemed cruel. He was promised a son when from a human standpoint his body was considered “as good as dead.”

     Yet he did not waver or weaken through unbelief regarding the promise of God. (vs:19-20)

 IV. We are to live by faith.  Hebrews 10:38 (NLT) ³⁸ And my righteous ones will live by faith. But I will take no pleasure in anyone who turns away.” Since we are saved by faith, we also live by faith and not by what we see with physical eyes.

a. Faith is the only thing that will please God. Living by faith will affect every part of our lives, from our families, to our workplaces, and to our involvement in church, to our prayers being answered and to our relationship with God. The secret of closeness to the Lord is with those who have put their total trust in Him. Only those who live by faith in God’s promises enjoy a close growing relationship with Him that others do not have because “without faith it’s impossible to please God.” (Heb. 11:6)

Conclusion: Abraham’s faith speaks for all who want to know God’s way of faith. Abraham lived by a simple truth: if you trust in what God says at all times regardless of the situation you are the one whom God will teach His ways and all things will be possible to you. Mark 9:23 (NKJV)  Jesus said to him, "If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes."      

      Invitation: Without faith in Jesus Christ as your personal Savior you can never see the kingdom of God or enter therein. If you have never confessed your sins to Jesus and asked Him to forgive and save you, now is the day of salvation for you if you exercise faith in Him alone for your salvation. If Jesus is your Savior and Lord, are you living a life of growing faith in God? That’s His way! It’s the only way that is acceptable to God.

The Ways of God

Scripture Text: Isa. 55:6-11

Intro: By His nature, God is eternal and supreme. He is the Sovereign Almighty God. He is perfect in all His ways. We are flesh and blood, created by God and placed in the context of time by Him. His ways are different than our ways. If we value the opinions and approval of society more than God’s ways we are doomed to fail this coming year. Victory and success come when we look to God’s word and seek His ways in our lives.

I. God makes Himself available. 

Isaiah 55:6 (NKJV) Seek the Lord while He may be found, Call upon Him while He is near.

 a. People might say God is always available but scripture says He is not. In the old and new testament there are times people sought God but He said it was too late. Jeremiah 11:14   "So do not pray for this people, or lift up a cry or prayer for them; for I will not hear them in the time that they cry out to Me because of their trouble. Luke 19:43-44 (NKJV) 

⁴³ For days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment around you, surround you and close you in on every side,
⁴⁴ and level you, and your children within you, to the ground; and they will not leave in you one stone upon another, because you did not know the time of your visitation." We are not to presume upon God, His ways are not according to our thinking. God says there are some things that need to be in place if God is to hear us and respond the way He wants to. We must be seeking God with all our heart and soul while we still can!

 II. God’s way is for us to rid ourselves of all He opposes.  Isaiah 55:7 (NKJV) Let the wicked forsake his way, And the unrighteous man his thoughts;

 We know from experience that wickedness and evil bring destruction. We must abandon not only our wicked ways but our unrighteous thoughts. God will never bless or condone sin.

Psalms 66:18 (NKJV) If I regard iniquity in my heart, The Lord will not hear.

III. God’s way is mercy and grace. (V:7b) Let him return to the Lord, And He will have mercy on him; And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon.

 a. When we forsake sin and evil and turn to the Lord He will have mercy and He will abundantly pardon us. Forsake means we quit the sin and evil we are committing.

b. Why will God pardon our sins?  Isaiah 55:8-9 (NKJV) ⁸ "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways," says the Lord. ⁹ "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts. God's way is different from man's way. His ways and thoughts are higher than ours.  Pardon is God's way. It is not man-made. No man could ever have devised it. Repenting and turning away from confessed sin in our lives brings God’s mercy. God in His mercy is willing to forgive us and remove the penalty that we deserve. God’s grace gives us what we do not deserve and that is exemption from His judgment. God in His wise ways can justly forgive us because His perfect and righteous Son Jesus Christ paid for our sins by shedding His precious blood on the old rugged Cross. Ephesians 1:7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.

IV. God’s way is in and through His word. Isaiah 55:10-11  ¹⁰ "For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, And do not return there, But water the earth, And make it bring forth and bud, That it may give seed to the sower And bread to the eater, ¹¹ So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.

 a. Every expression of the ways of God in the bible seems to go directly against the ways of man. You remember Peter in his human way of thinking was ready to prevent the sacrifice of Jesus because a wise teacher and good friend might be lost in death. (Matt. 16:22-23)

     The cross was God’s way. Peter’s ways were not God’s ways. Jesus died sacrificially so that He would rise to live again and provide eternal life for all believers for centuries to come.

    Since man’s ways are not God’s ways we must daily read God’s word and seek His ways for every  decision we will have to make in this life. When we do God has promised in these verses that His word will produce fruit in our lives. By reading and obeying His word we will accomplish His will for our lives and we will discover that His ways are truly greater than ours.

Invitation: God says to be forgiven by Him you must confess and repent of your sins against Him and ask Jesus to forgive you and save you from Hell. God says there is no other way to be forgiven but through His Son Jesus Christ. John 14:6 (NKJV) Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

If you have been forgiven by God’s grace His way for you now is: Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. (Ephesians 5:1)

Top Priority for the New Year - 2016

            

Scripture Text

Matthew 6:33

      Intro: In this one verse of scripture Jesus tells us what the key to a successful year and life is. But what is Jesus talking about when He tells disciples of His to seek first God’s kingdom and righteousness? When we do what Jesus commands in this verse we will have all our needs met.

I. Seek first God’s kingdom. (Matt. 6:33a)

 a. Seek first means it must have the priority over all else in our lives.

  Seek means to go in search or quest of. Seeking God’s kingdom starts with a new birth. Jesus said” you must be born again.” (John 3:3) John 3:16 (NKJV)  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. Jesus tells us how to be born again. After we enter the kingdom through the salvation that Christ gives us we are to seek to live our lives in submission to God’s will for each of us.

II. What is God’s kingdom?

  a. It is basically where God as King rules over all that belongs to Him. It’s where He has supreme authority over those in His kingdom. We are His servants, Christ purchased us.

b. The kingdom of God Romans 14:17 (NKJV) is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Romans 14:18 (NKJV)  For he who serves Christ in these things is acceptable to God and approved by men.

  In God’s kingdom there is always perfect righteousness; a place where God’s will is always done. In God’s kingdom there is Peace, the kind that Jesus gives. (John 14:7) In God’s kingdom there is His perfect peace and we to allow His peace to rule in our hearts. (Col. 3:15) In God’s kingdom there is Joy. Christian joy is no mere gaiety that knows no gloom, but is the result of the triumph of faith over adverse and trying circumstances, which, instead of hindering, actually enhance it. Joy is a fruit of the Holy Spirit! God’s kingdom within believers brings assurance, confidence, and security in the love and care of God. It means to know that God will take care of us no matter the problem or circumstance. It means to be absolutely assured of victory through Christ. to know that God will allow nothing to overcome or defeat us.

III. Where is God’s kingdom at this time? Luke 17:20-21 (NKJV)
²⁰ Now when He was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He answered them and said, "The kingdom of God does not come with observation;
²¹ nor will they say, 'See here!' or 'See there!' For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you."

a. Until Jesus returns and sets up God’s kingdom here on earth, His kingdom is now in the hearts and lives of His people that have been born again and have been purchased by the blood of Christ. We Christians are to allow God’s will to be done in all that we think, say, and do here on this earth. We do not question His authority over us nor do we argue with Him. We are to pray for His kingdom to come and his will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. (Matt. 6:10)

IV. We are to seek God’s righteousness. (Matt. 6:33b)

 a. Righteousness means to be in a right relationship to God.  God’s righteousness comes from faith in Jesus Christ as (2 Cor. 5:21). Because Jesus has made us the righteousness of God The believer is to work out the righteousness that is characteristic of God’s kingdom. Seeking the kingdom of God involves a continued hungering and thirsting after righteousness. (Matt.5:6)

      Joshua 1:8 (NKJV)  This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

 We must also positively seek holiness in righteous living as a part of our daily lives. The continual seeking for God’s righteousness through His word is similar to that of the seeking face of God. A true believer is never falsely content with what he has in Christ, but is continually seeking to know Him better so he can be empowered to live for Him.

  So, as we: “Keep seeking the kingdom of God by meditating on His word” and speaking it over our lives. God’s word changes us and shapes our lives into His perfect will for us. When our priority is spiritual, God will take care of the material things we need, for where God guides, He provides.

     This is God’s “social security” program. The believer’s responsibility is to live for the          Lord as He commands in His word, trusting God for the future with unshakable confidence    that He will provide. We are called to live one day at a time: tomorrow can worry about its own things. We simply trust God our Father to do exactly what He said He would do each day of our lives that remain on this earth.

    Conclusion: Because God the Father has already declared followers of Jesus Christ fully righteous - fully holy - in Christ ... God expects us to live in daily righteous obedience to His word, and the leading of the Holy Spirit.  If we "miss the mark", there is forgiveness and restoration, though God's discipline may be experienced in the process.  Yet God still expects His children to ever diligently keep striving to walk in righteous obedience to Him, no matter how many times they "miss the mark." As we heed His words He made a promise that He would meet all of needs and we would never be without as long as we seek His way of life and His rule in our hearts.

Invitation: You can never be completely successful in this life or the one to come unless you have entered God’s kingdom by being born again through faith in the shed blood of Jesus on the Cross as payment for your sins against a Holy God. This coming year may you seek first God’s kingdom and His righteousness all year long and you will be successful!

Time for Reflection

Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NKJV) 1 To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven:        Winston Churchill said “Christmas is a season not only of rejoicing but of reflection.” The review of the closing year is a very proper, and may be a very profitable, exercise. The newspapers review the events of the year which are of political, financial, or commercial interest. The Christian has, however, higher interests - those which are moral and spiritual. It is desirable that we should take a retrospect of "the time past," with a view of tracing God's providential dealings with us, with a view of estimating our own spiritual progress, and of learning lessons of wisdom and of helpfulness. I. WHAT DOES REFLECTION SUGGEST TO US CONCERNING TIME PAST? a. Its passage has been rapid, yet it has been filled with events of great importance. There have been many things happen this last year, some good and some bad. b. The time past is perfectly irretrievable; we cannot live the expiring year over again. c. Time has left permanent traces upon our character. We are all changed by times’ influences, its lessons - some for the better, some for the worse. Time changes everything!       II. The past is not forgotten by the Lord and Judge of all. In this sense he "requires an account of that which is past." Ecclesiastes 3:15 (NKJV) That which is has already been, And what is to be has already been; And God requires an account of what is past.       III. IN WHAT SPIRIT SHOULD THE CHRISTIAN CONSIDER THE TIME PAST? a. His first and most prominent thought should be of the mercy and loving-kindness of God revealed to him as the days and weeks have passed by.        Psalms 145:9 (NKJV) The Lord is good to all, And His tender mercies are over all His works.       b. Especially should we remember the long-suffering and forbearance which has been displayed towards us by our heavenly Father upon repeated occasions by our failures in duty and by forgetfulness of His Divine love! Psalms 145:8 (NKJV) The Lord is gracious and full of compassion, Slow to anger and great in mercy.       c. We should remember with regret and repentance the opportunities of obedience and usefulness which we have neglected. d. Nor should we lose sight of the discipline which we may have been called upon to endure, and which we should remember, not with a rebellious attitude, but with a submissive spirit. Hebrews 12:5-6 (NKJV) 5 And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: "My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; 6 For whom the Lord loves He chastens (corrects), And scourges every son whom He receives.     IV. IN WHAT SPIRIT SHOULD WE REFLECT ON THE TIME PAST THIS YEAR?     a. We should remember with the spirit of humiliation and shame that we at times have        broken the Law of God, and rejected the words of Christ.    b. We should reflect upon the bad influence which our example of religion has exercised over others, especially over those within our family and social circle.      c. We should consider that we are worse at the end of the year than at its beginning, if we have delayed to repent and then to begin by God's grace a new and better life. Repentance, literally means to turn, it’s the activity of reviewing one's actions and feeling remorse or regret for past wrongs. It generally involves a commitment to personal change and the resolve to live a more responsible and righteous life. V. HOW SHOULD THE REFLECTION OF THE TIME PAST AFFECT THE TIME TO COME? a. We may be helped to realize the brevity of life, and the uncertainty especially of what life yet remains here on this earth. Psalms 39:4 (NKJV)  "Lord, make me to know my end, And what is the measure of my days, That I may know how frail I am.       b. We may be prompted to turn away from the evil which has been indulged in during this past year, and to enter into the holier life and more consecrated service which our Lord approves and is calling us to. Philippians 3:12-15 (NLT) 12 I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. 13 No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us. 15 Let all who are spiritually mature agree on these things. If you disagree on some point, I believe God will make it plain to you.       The sands of time are fast falling; the time to live on this earth is short and fading.       Let the future see our vows fulfilled, our hopes realized, our aims achieved!

        Invitation: As you reflect on this past year what does God see in your life that you need to change and what you need to improve on? Have you given your very best to Him? How is your relationship with Him? Will you spend eternity with Him when you pass from this earth? If you are not sure make sure right now because Hell is hot and eternity is long!

Have a Joyful Christmas

Intro: Christmas should be a time of joy. People tend to multiply activities during this Holiday season and in their busyness they forget the One whose birthday we are celebrating so their joy is not full and complete. They wind up tired, exhausted and depressed when it’s all over.

I. Christmas is about joyously celebrating God’s greatest gift to mankind.  2 Corinthians 9:15 (NKJV)  Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!

a. God gave us His best in His Son Jesus Christ. Jesus left the glories of Heaven and came to earth to save mankind from the penalty and power of sin and give us everlasting life. John 1:14 (NKJV)  And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. John 3:16 (NKJV) 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. John 1:12-13 (NKJV) ¹² But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: ¹³ who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

II. To have a joyful Christmas Jesus should be the focus of our celebration. Matthew 2:1-2 (NKJV) ¹ Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, ² saying, "Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him." Matthew 2:9-11 (NKJV) ⁹ When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was. ¹⁰ When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy.
¹¹ And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

  a. Wise men traveled many miles to find Jesus and they brought their best gifts to Him. They gave Jesus gifts fit for a King. They bowed and worshiped Him. They knew who He was! King of all kings, Savior of the world! As we celebrate Jesus’ birthday He should be the center of all we do. We should worship Him. When we celebrate a person’s birthday we don’t leave them out and give their gifts to someone else, we give gifts to the one whose birthday we are celebrating. 

III. We can give Jesus gifts fit for a King. Deuteronomy 6:5 (NKJV) You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.

 a. We can give Him our love, devotion, worship and attention. The gift that Jesus longs for from His children is an awakened soul that thrills to the joy of His presence. He created us to glorify Him and enjoy Him forever. Psalms 16:11 (NKJV) You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore. Jesus provides the joy, pleasures; our part is to glorify Him by living close to Him and giving Him our hearts in service for Him.

      People sometimes get so involved in doing good things around Christmas that they don’t have time for the One they are celebrating. Christmas can become mechanically. It can become habitual, and routine, done with no thought about Christ. Christ should be the center of all we do not only at Christmas time but all year long. There is an eternal reward awaiting those who live their lives as for the Lord in all they do. Colossians 3:23-24 (NKJV) ²³ And whatever you do, do it heartily, (energetically, enthusiastically) as to the Lord and not to men, ²⁴ knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.

The reward of the inheritance simply explodes the human mind. It stretches far beyond and above all that we can ask or even think. It includes a new body that will be eternal, and a new heavens and earth, and positions of enormous leadership, authority, and service for the Lord Jesus.

Conclusion: Oh what a wonderful Savior whose birthday we will celebrate Dec. 25^th. May this be a time of joy and pleasure as we love Him with all our heart, soul, and strength and may we thrill at the joy of His presence in our lives not only at Christmas but for all time!

Invitation:  No one should even celebrate Christmas if they don’t know Jesus Christ as their Savior. What is there to be joyous about if you don’t know your eternal destination!  Make sure you know Him before you celebrate His birth. Don’t be a hypocrite! If you are not saved then ask Jesus to forgive your sins against God and invite Jesus into your life to take charge of it. Then and only then will you have a very “Merry Christmas.”

Reason for the Season

                                                                

Intro: We are now entering what we call the Christmas season and yet so many today do not even know what the reason for the season is. They may know it’s a celebration of the birth of someone called Jesus Christ, but they don’t know who He is or the purpose for which He was born. 

I. The reason for the season began way back at the creation of mankind.  Genesis 3:15 (NKJV) And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, And you shall bruise His heel."

 a. We learn from this verse of prophecy that God Himself spoke the reason for the season. The reason Jesus came to be born was to crush the head of Satan’s power and authority. Satan took over authority of the world through deceiving Adam and Eve by causing them to sell out to him by committing the sin of disobedience and rebellion against God. The consequences of their sin brought about the curse of God which was death for all men and eternal separation from Him. At the Cross Jesus crushed Satan’s head. Colossians 2:14-15 (NKJV) having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. ¹⁵ Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it. 

II. Isaiah’s prophecy teaches us more about the reason for the season.  Isaiah 9:6-7 (NKJV) ⁶ For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. ⁷ Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end, Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, To order it and establish it with judgment and justice From that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.

 a. Jesus by His birth, death, and resurrection will regain and take charge of the entire world government that Satan stole from mankind through his lying deception in the Garden of Eden.

This prophecy about Jesus governing the whole world gives four descriptive names that will reveal His character during His reign on earth.

1. His name will be called Wonderful (“exceptional” or “distinguished”) There is no one like Him, no, nor ever will be. He is perfect, magnificent, and He alone can forgive and save the lost souls of all mankind.  He alone can rule the world in perfect peace and harmony between all peoples.

2. His name will be called Counselor. He is our lawyer before God now and the people in the millennial kingdom will gladly listen to Him as the Authoritative One. In His kingdom many people will be anxious to hear the Messiah teach God’s ways. He teaches us now by the Holy Spirit.

3. His name will be called the Mighty God. Isaiah prophesied that the Messiah would do what no other person had been able to do. Isaiah understood that the Messiah was to be God to have such power and to forgive sin and to rule the world with an everlasting kingdom of peace.

4. His would be called the Everlasting Father. Many people are puzzled by this title because the Messiah, God’s Son, is distinguished in the Trinity from God the Father. How can the Son be the Father? First, the Messiah, is the fullness of God’s essence. (Col. 2:9) Therefore He has all the attributes of God including eternality. Since God is One (even though He exists in three Persons), the Messiah is God. Second, the title “Father” is an expression used to describe the Messiah’s relationship to Israel as Abraham was called father. The Messiah will be a “fatherly” Ruler. This name is not His relationship to the other Members of the Trinity.

 He is said to be Everlasting, just as God (the Father) is called “the Ancient of Days.” Isaiah had in mind the promise God made to David (Isaiah 9:7) about the “eternalness” of the kingdom which God promised would come through his line. The Messiah, a Descendant of David, will fulfill this promise for which the nation of Israel and the world had been waiting. God’s zeal makes it happen!

5. His name will be called the Prince of Peace, the One who will bring in His millennial Kingdom and maintain a time of peace in which the nation of Israel and all nations will be properly related to the Lord and there will be no more war. Together, these four titles give a beautiful picture of Jesus ‘character and tells us why Jesus was born and came into this world.

Invitation: Christmas means the birth of Christ who brought salvation and victory over Satan and his powers to all who would believe in His death on the Cross as payment for their sins and those who believe that God raised Him from the dead. Do you have the Prince of Peace in your life?

Have you taken advantage of Jesus’ salvation for your soul? If not now is the time! 2 Corinthians 6:2 (NKJV)  For He says: "In an acceptable time I have heard you, And in the day of salvation I have helped you." Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation. 

Cheerful Giving

2 Corinthians 9:6-10

INTRO: The Christian faith is all about giving. It started with God giving His Son Jesus to us first. Then Jesus gave His life on the cross for us to save us. Then He tells us to do unto others what He has done for us. We all know what people say about giving to God’s work, but what does God’s word have to say. If we are wise we will listen to God’s word and not men. This church began because someone gave to get it started. Others have given to keep it going. Many have been saved because of Christian generosity. You and I were saved because someone gave so we could hear about Jesus and His salvation. We now have an opportunity to bless others through our Lottie Moon International Christmas offering. Jesus said it is more blessed to give than receive! (Acts 20:35)

I. Cheerful givers are enriched (supplied with riches, wealth, abundance) by God. (VS:6-10)

 1. You will be enriched in accordance with what you give. (V:6)

 2. You will be enriched with God's love and approval. (V:7)

You are just like God and His Son Jesus when you give. Think of all who have given to God’s church and His work in the past to give us what we have today. Think of those giving now. All who have a part in keeping God's work going are enriched with God's love and approval.

He loves a cheerful (joyful-jolly- merry) giver.

3. You will be enriched with an abundance of God's grace and sufficient supply toward you. (V:8) God's unmerited favor will abound toward you. You will have a sufficiency in all things and an abundance (plenty – overflow) to give to every good work. (Phil. 4:19)

4. You will be enriched with righteousness that will endure forever. (V:9)

This righteousness endures forever not only through the deeds done for the poor, but in the doer as he is being transformed into Christ likeness, which is God's will for us.

5. You will be enriched with God's resources and He will multiply the seed you have sown. (V:10)

 a. God will increase the fruits of your righteousness. Fruits of your righteousness include God's favor and blessings and the joy, welfare, and happiness your gift brings to others.

6. You will be enriched in everything. (V: 11) Cheerful giving satisfies your soul. God will meet all your needs and more so you will have enough to give liberally (generously) to God's work. 

II. Cheerful giving edifies (builds up) the church. (V:12) It supplies the needs of the saints. The needs of others will be met and they in turn will cause many joyful thanksgivings to God. 

III. Cheerful giving brings glory to God because of your generosity to them. (V: 13)   

  a. Cheerful giving will prove that you are obedient to the gospel of Jesus Christ; That your faith is real. Cheerful giving magnifies the Lord God thru your submission to Him and His will.

IV. Cheerful giving magnifies God thru the glorification of His exceeding grace. (V: 14) Those helped will pray for you with deep affection because of the overflowing grace of God in you. There’s a song entitled Thank you for giving to the Lord. I am a life that was changed.

V. Cheerful giving results in thanks to God for His indescribable gift of Jesus Christ. (V:15) God’s greatest gift is Jesus who brings us eternal salvation and spiritual riches, through His becoming poor. Such a gift is indescribable - “unable to recount or tell fully,” used only here in the NT). Those who have benefited from such a spiritual gift as salvation through Jesus Christ should not hesitate to benefit others with material gifts. It will bring thanks to God!

Conclusion: Christianity is all about giving because that is what Christ is all about. He set the example. Nothing good will ever happen apart from someone giving.   We have an opportunity thru our mission offering to help others hear the gospel and for us to be enriched by God, to edify or build up the church, supply the needs of others, and bring glory and thanks to God for His exceeding grace at work in us and His indescribable gift of Jesus Christ.

INVITATION: Jesus wants to give to you right now. He offers salvation for your soul and He also offers help for whatever circumstance or situation you might be in right now. Jesus can only give to you as you allow Him.