But when the right time came, the time God decided on. He sent His Son born of a woman. Born as a Jew. To buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law so that He could adopt us as His very own.
Every December millions of people around the world watch the 1946 film It's a Wonderful Life. Although it wasn't a hit when it debuted, it has become a Christmas classic. In a Time magazine essay, Roger Rosenblatt pondered the film's continuing appeal. He concluded that the story is really about friendship. That helps explain why we often still feel choked up as we watch George Bailey's family and friends rally around him in his time of greatest need. Rosenblatt said, "Just when George thinks he's alone in the world, the world shows up to declare its love for him." This is the message of Christmas that opens the door our own Wonderful Life - the joy of knowing Christ and living in His love. Have you received the gift of eternal life that Jesus offers to you? A wonderful life is yours when you know the Christ of Christmas!
Pastor John
Thursday, December 26, 2013
Tuesday, December 17, 2013
Isaiah 9:6
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
This verse from Isaiah is one of the most-often quoted messianic prophecies. It is a prophecy that speaks of Christ's purpose and position. The prophet says, that the government shall be upon his shoulder. The Hebrew word for government here is misrah, also meaning empire. The empire - the kingdom - shall rest upon Him. This is comforting to know that the One in charge has all the righteous attributes of God and the princely position and power to carry out the business of government. This is a rare thing in the world today. Unlike any other governmental leaders, we have a leader that we can worship - One we love to worship. "Come Let Us Worship the King!
Pastor John
This verse from Isaiah is one of the most-often quoted messianic prophecies. It is a prophecy that speaks of Christ's purpose and position. The prophet says, that the government shall be upon his shoulder. The Hebrew word for government here is misrah, also meaning empire. The empire - the kingdom - shall rest upon Him. This is comforting to know that the One in charge has all the righteous attributes of God and the princely position and power to carry out the business of government. This is a rare thing in the world today. Unlike any other governmental leaders, we have a leader that we can worship - One we love to worship. "Come Let Us Worship the King!
Pastor John
Tuesday, December 10, 2013
Romans 8:16
The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God.
Today begins the Christmas Advent, the season for celebrating our Heavenly Father's greatest gift to us - Jesus Christ. We celebrate Christ's birth because it means so many wonderful things to every believer. Today, I will begin the Christmas sermon series All in the Family. I hope to bring relevance to what scripture says about the Family of God and the important part each of us plays in it. From the very beginning, God placed emphasis on the design of His family. You and I - no matter where we're from, what we've done, how obedient we've been - we have a family. We belong. The same God who designed the salvation plan through the Babe in the manger has a design that involves you.
Pastor John
Today begins the Christmas Advent, the season for celebrating our Heavenly Father's greatest gift to us - Jesus Christ. We celebrate Christ's birth because it means so many wonderful things to every believer. Today, I will begin the Christmas sermon series All in the Family. I hope to bring relevance to what scripture says about the Family of God and the important part each of us plays in it. From the very beginning, God placed emphasis on the design of His family. You and I - no matter where we're from, what we've done, how obedient we've been - we have a family. We belong. The same God who designed the salvation plan through the Babe in the manger has a design that involves you.
Pastor John
Luke 1:37
For with God nothing shall be impossible.
The Gospel of Luke is the most complete telling of the story of Jesus. His birth, childhood, baptism and chronology are all covered in the first four chapters of the book. Luke, as a physician (or sort of family doctor), writes with compassion and warmth about the Lord's life. You will notice that he begins the Gospel with Jesus' family ties, starting with the story of the Lord's cousin, John the Baptist, and his mother and father. John the Baptist played a key role in the early years of Jesus' life. He was the one who announced that prophecy had been fulfilled and the Messiah had come. The world at that time needed a miracle. Certainly, many people were wondering about when or if Messiah would come. Well, He arrived in a most wondrous way - miraculously! God proved to humankind that His Son would come in His time and His way. What seemed impossible - the Virgin Birth, angels from Heaven, a new star in the night sky - all paid tribute to the amazing arrival of God's greatest promise. Pastor John
The Gospel of Luke is the most complete telling of the story of Jesus. His birth, childhood, baptism and chronology are all covered in the first four chapters of the book. Luke, as a physician (or sort of family doctor), writes with compassion and warmth about the Lord's life. You will notice that he begins the Gospel with Jesus' family ties, starting with the story of the Lord's cousin, John the Baptist, and his mother and father. John the Baptist played a key role in the early years of Jesus' life. He was the one who announced that prophecy had been fulfilled and the Messiah had come. The world at that time needed a miracle. Certainly, many people were wondering about when or if Messiah would come. Well, He arrived in a most wondrous way - miraculously! God proved to humankind that His Son would come in His time and His way. What seemed impossible - the Virgin Birth, angels from Heaven, a new star in the night sky - all paid tribute to the amazing arrival of God's greatest promise. Pastor John
Monday, December 2, 2013
Psalm 100:4
Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him and bless his name.
It would be awesome if everyone who came to church would do so as the psalmist instructs us to in this scripture. He is saying that upon arrival on church property we are to express our thankfulness, and we are to remain in that state until we enter the church building. Inside the courts (the foyer/lobby in our case) we are to begin our praise. Isn't that a novel idea? Can you imagine breaking out in praise as you enter the doors of the church? That's what the psalmist is saying to do. When we praise, it is in addition to giving thanks that starts when we first arrive. Then, note that the psalmist tells us again to be thankful and to bless God's name. Do remember to lead your families in giving thanks to Him from whom all blessings flow.
Pastor John
It would be awesome if everyone who came to church would do so as the psalmist instructs us to in this scripture. He is saying that upon arrival on church property we are to express our thankfulness, and we are to remain in that state until we enter the church building. Inside the courts (the foyer/lobby in our case) we are to begin our praise. Isn't that a novel idea? Can you imagine breaking out in praise as you enter the doors of the church? That's what the psalmist is saying to do. When we praise, it is in addition to giving thanks that starts when we first arrive. Then, note that the psalmist tells us again to be thankful and to bless God's name. Do remember to lead your families in giving thanks to Him from whom all blessings flow.
Pastor John
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