C – Christian Giving – 2 Corinthians 9:7Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. H – Honoring God for His gift – 2 Corinthians 9:15 Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift. R – Remembering the poor – Proverbs 28:27He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse. I – Inquiring of Him – Matthew 2:2Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. S – Singing His praises – Luke 2:13And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, T – Thanks giving – Revelation 19:7 Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. M – Making room for Him – Luke 2:7And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. A – Accepting the gift – John 1:11He came unto his own, and his own received him not. S – Sacrifice for others – Romans 12:1I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
Thoughts on Christmas The problem with Christmas is the concentration on the celebration, rather than on the reason for the celebration. Will there be a Christmas after the Rapture occurs? Christmas … carried away with the babe in the manger Easter … hung up with the man on the cross
Let’s consider the life of the Lord Jesus … The greatest of all teachers … He fulfilled the will of God Matthew 7:28-29 And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine: For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. Let’s just consider what he did and said … (Just looking into John) John 4:34 Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work. John 5:36But I have greater witness than that of John: for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me. John 9:4I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work. John 10:25 Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father’s name, they bear witness of me. John 10:37-38 If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not. But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him. John 11:45 Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on him. John 15:24If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin: but now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father. John 17:4 I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do. John 19:30When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.
2 Corinthians 9:15 Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.
Had Christ not come that Christmas Eve Himself with men to dwell All would e lost, no hope – no light He darkness to dispel. No Saviour and no sacrifice To pay the price of sin, No precious blood to cleanse my heart And keep me pure within,
No righteousness except my own – No pardon I could claim, No avenue of prayer to God Through Jesus’ Mighty Name! No comfort in my deepest need No lamp to light my way, No One to understand and care To keep me day by day.
No hope, no peace, no Advocate To intercede for me, And what of Satan’s subtle snares – Would I have victory? No grace of God, no mercy shown No love to warm my soul, No Heaven, no crown, no Christ to meet, No purpose and no goal.
O world of misery and woe What deep and dark despair – Had God not sent His Only Son Our sin and shame to bear. But Christ HAS come – O Glorious Day, That Babe in swaddling dress Grew up to be my Saviour Lord, My Hope and Righteousness!
QUESTION? What have you done with Christ since you heard about Him?
Luke 2:8-38 4 groups or types of people in the above text. All of them had the knowledge that a Christ/Messiah child had been born. Simeon (vs 25) Anna (vs 38) Yes, they all knew, but what did they do with their knowledge? Matthew 2:1-3 Introduces 2 groups or types: Herod the King and Jerusalem. Herod was troubled. The puppet Jewish King of Rome. A tyrant … he was his own god. Nobody would dethrone him! (many are like him today…they are their own god.) Jerusalem was troubled. Religion was a way of life. Don’t rock the boat. Go to temple every Sabbath, Make all the proper sacrifices and offerings. Be good, God, if he still existed would reward them. Remember, they hadn’t heard from God for over 400 years. (Does this sound like anybody you know?). Matthew 2:4 Introduces a third type. Chief Priests and Scribes … The Religious! They knew the Scriptures. To be born of a virgin, in Bethlehem. BUT WHO SAYS IT’S HAPPENED? (Religious leaders today have the Scripture! Christ Jesus died, was buried and rose again, returned to Heaven and is coming again!). BUT WHEN? Sure, He’s coming but not in our life time … 2 Peter 3:3-7 Matthew 2:1 The forth group or type … The Wise. The wise are prepared … remember the parable of the ten virgins Matthew 25:1-13 The (Magi) Wise men (Probably Jews) came from the east and had knowledge of the Scripture, Seeking the Messiah, the King of the Jews. Matthew 2:2 They had a sign, ‘seen His star’ they knew something special had occurred. (we Have signs around us today) They searched, inquired, trying to find Him. Matthew 2:11 Finally, after a long search they found Him. They searched, They found, They fell down and worshipped, They gave gifts… Matthew 2:12 They continued to obey!
Do you remember the Question? What have you done with Christ since you heard about Him?
Christmas is coming and most of us have special plans. Relatives are coming or we are going to visit them. Diner plans, shopping plans, what to get for who, plans … Plans are good, but they must not be short ranged. We must also plan for the future .. what about next year, or 2, 3 or ever 5 five years from now? ….. Consider Joseph: Joseph had plans … pledged to a young virgin .. marriage … raise a family …train his sons in carpentry … await the coming of the Messiah. Matthew 1:18-20. Yes, he was a just man, righteous, (right with God) walking according to the Laws and Commandments, trusting in the coming of the Messiah, offering in faith the required sacrifices Leviticus 4:27-35. Things were going good for Joseph. A beautiful young virgin was soon to be his wife and a life of obedience to God…. BUT then a monkey wrench … How did Joseph know about Mary’s Problem? How did he discover her secret? Luke 1:26,39,56, 2:1-5 SHE WAS WITH CHILD! Did she tell him? Perhaps a friend? Or maybe he just noticed! Plans change. ..What should he do? He considered God’s Word! (WE should always consider God’s Word). What to do … PUBLIC EXAMPLE Leviticus 20:10 – PRIVATELY Deuteronomy 24:1 BUT God had extraordinary Plans! Joseph no doubt knew Isaiah 7:14, 9:6. He just didn’t know about his part in them. Something to remember as we travel life’s road, living for God: God only expects obedience!
God had a special way to communicate His plans to Joseph… Through a dream an angel reminded Joseph of the prophecy Matthew 1:20-23. Joseph obeys Matthew 1:24. Notice three things about Joseph… A just man… In the Linage of David… Obedient to God
Today, God speaks to us … Thru His Word, Matthew 1:21-23 Thru circumstances, Matthew 1:18 Thru our feelings Matthew 1:24
AS we make plans, always remember God has plans for us.
Have you ever had a serious problem? What did you do? Worry about it or take it to God? Mary was a young Jewish woman, a virgin who was espoused to a Jewish man named Joseph. Her future looked bright with a wedding on the horizon. Then she was faced with a problem. Read Luke 1:26-33 Yes, Mary faced a problem … vs 28 An Angel’s Greeting … vs 29 Mary considers what he wants … vs 31 She is to bare a son … vs 34 Can’t be, impossible, not married … vs 37 With God, nothing is impossible … vs 38 Mary’s response … Notice what she didn’t do … She didn’t worry what people would say … She didn’t worry what her parents would say … She wasn’t even worried about what Joseph would say … God called, she responded … in faith!
But what about all the details? God called … she responded, trusting God. With God nothing is impossible.
Fathers Day, in the United States, holiday (third Sunday in June) to honour fathers. Sonora Smart Dodd, whose father, a Civil War veteran, raised her and her five siblings after their mother died in childbirth. The first Fathers Day was celebrated on June 19, 1910, the month of the birthday of Dodd’s father. In 1924 U.S. Pres. Calvin Coolidge gave his support to the observance, and in 1966 Pres. Lyndon B. Johnson issued a proclamation that recognized the day. It became a national holiday in 1972, when Pres. Richard Nixon signed legislation designating the third Sunday of June as Fathers Day.
There are over 850 references to Father in the Scripture and over 810 to Fathers. Many are to God the Father. Needless to say, all of them will not be looked at now. However, Genesis has 3 important ones worth knowing: A man should establish his own family. Genesis 2:24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh. They lived in Tents and herded cattle. Genesis 4:20 And Adah bare Jabal: he was the father of such as dwell in tents, and of such as have cattle. They established music. Genesis 4:21And his brother’s name was Jubal: he was the father of all such as handle the harp and organ. Paul reaffirms Genesis 2:24. Ephesians 5:31For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. And then gives this advice: Ephesians 6:4 And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Colossians 3:21Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.
Most of all, be a father, not a friend. Friendly, but your children need the authority of a father.
Easter Sunday, most of what we do on this day is based on man’s traditions, not the Word of God.
We should remember that it is NOT Easter, but Resurrection Sunday! Many profess to believe that the Lord Jesus rose again. But just what do they believe? Some Questions: 1 How did the Lord Jesus rise from the dead? 2 What type of body did He rise with? 3 Where did the body go, and where is it now? 4 Just what did the resurrection prove?
1 He rose from the dead by the power of God. Our proof in in Scripture: 1 Corinthians 6:14 And God hath both raised up the Lord, and will also raise up us by his own power. We have the testimony of many who not only saw the empty tomb, but saw Him, and touched Him. To accept the scripture as the word of God … is to accept the fact that Jesus did arise.
2 His body had to be physical. The scripture says: Luke 24:30And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them. Luke 24:39 Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. Luke 24:42-43 And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb. And he took it, and did eat before them. Paul points out the difference between the natural body and the spiritual body. 1 Corinthians 15:39-44. The natural (Flesh ad blood) cannot inherit the kingdom, the spiritual (flesh and bone) can! 1 Corinthians 15:50
3 The body of the Lord Jesus ascended into Heaven Acts 1:9-11 And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven. And this same body is coming again to earth. He is currently seated at the right hand of God. Over 13 times the Scripture states that God exists and so does His Christ. This same Jesus bodily, will come again: Zechariah 12:10, 13:6, Revelation 1:7. Remember the Angels said “This same Jesus…”
4 What does the resurrection prove? It proves the power of God Ephesians 1:19-20. It proves that Jesus is the Saviour Acts 10:38-43. It proves the righteousness of God: Sin cannot go to Heaven – Romans 3:23 The debt must be paid but sinners cannot pay it. A sinless one must pay the price Romans 3:21-22, 4:22-24 It proves the resurrection of all men 1 Corinthians 15:20-22 Christ the first fruit. All die because of Adam. All will be resurrected because of Christ. The first was Christ Matthew 28:1-10 Then those who rose with Him Matthew 27:58 Then those who will go in the rapture 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 Then those who rise at His second coming Revelation 20:4-6 Then all after His 1000 year Reign Revelation 20:11-15 All who have ever lived will have an eternal body Philippians 3:21Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself. Some to Honor and Glory to live with Him forever. Some to dishonor and horror, separated from Him forever. Which will you be?
Palm Sunday, or the Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem as it may be called in Orthodox Churches, is one of the Twelve Great Feasts of the liturgical year. The day before Palm Sunday, Lazarus Saturday, believers often prepare palm fronds by knotting them into crosses in preparation for the procession on Sunday.
The Orthodox Church celebrates Lazarus Saturday and claim it is the day before Palm Sunday. Lazarus Saturday, celebrates the raising of Lazarus from the dead by the Lord Jesus. BUT, John 12:1 “Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead.” says it happened before that.
Matthew, Mark, Luke do not comment on Lazarus nor Palm Sunday.
John 11:1-57 records the raising Lazarus from the dead. John 12:1-18 records what we call Palm Sunday.
Because all of Jerusalem had heard of the raising of Lazarus, and because of the Lord’s 3 years of proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom, His teachings, healings, casting out demons and His other miracles, they wanted to proclaim Him king. John 12:13Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord. John 12:17-18The people therefore that was with him when he called Lazarus out of his grave, and raised him from the dead, bare record. For this cause the people also met him, for that they heard that he had done this miracle. But not the Jewish leaders, they plotted to kill Him. John 12:10 But the chief priests consulted that they might put Lazarus also to death;
Whether one celebrates these days is of little matter. They have NOTHING to do with salvation. Read 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 and Romans 10:9-13.
THE RESURRECTION 1 Corinthians 15:12-19 Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not. For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. Christ left his throne in Heaven 2 Corinthians 8:9 Born of a virgin Matthew 1:23, Luke 1:34 Lived a perfect life Luke 2:40,52 No sin could be charged to Him Crucified unjustly Isaiah 53:10-11 Laid in a grave Matthew 27:57-60 Rose from the dead after 3 days and nights Matthew 12:40 Walked the earth 40 days Acts 1:3 Ascended into Heaven Acts 1:9 Will return as He left Acts 1:11
Resurrection of Christ is a FACT: Paul writes 1 Corinthians 15:1-8 There were those in Corinth who denied the possibility of resurrection of dead men. Just as today many deny the possibility of a physical resurrection. Even misquoting scripture: Ecclesiastes 8:10, 9:4,5
Paul refutes these fools: 1 Corinthians 15:36-44
Because Christ rose from the dead in a new body, so also will we rise from the dead with new bodies. 1 Corinthians 15:51-58
