How should we respond to the birth of the King? I. We are called to be in the center of God's will (vs. 8) II. We are called to fear not (vv. 9) III. We are called to rejoice (vv. 10-13) IV. We are called to praise (vv. 14-19) V. We are called to experience and know the King (vv. 16-21) Conclusion: Has the King's birth changed your life?…

God keeps and honors His promises to His people I. God fulfilled His promised miracle to preserve His people. (Isaiah 7) a. Preserve them from destruction b. Preserve them from hopelessness II. God fulfilled His promised miracle to deliver His people (Isaiah 7) a. The "miracle" of Judah's deliverance b. The miracle of humanity's deliverance in Chri…

The First Coming is part of an eternal plan that we do not deserve but are a part of anyway. I. The First Coming occurred even though God knew our rebellion. a. He knew before creation. b. He knew in the garden. II. The First Coming occurred, in part, because of us and in spite of us. a. Because of humanity's rebellion. b. Because He doesn't give u…

I. Christ the Eternal. (John 1) a. He pre-existed creation. (John 1:1) b. He was the agent of creation (John 1:3, Colossians 1:16). c. He is the Alpha and Omega (Revelation 1:8, 22:13). II. Christ the God-Man. (John 1:1, 14). A. What doesn't this mean? 1. He was NOT half-man and half-God. 2. He was NOT just a man. 3. He was NOT just divine. 4. He d…

Theme: In order for us to raise up this generation in Christ, we must be a reflection of Christ. Point 1- We must be unleashed for Christ. Verse 5. Point 2: We must commit ourselves to the lord every day. Verse 6. Point 3: We need to give this generation a firm foundation on Christ verses 6-9. Point 4: We must then continue to train ourselves so we…

Because we are a church seeking truth by embracing an authentic relationship with Jesus, we share the gospel locally and abroad. I. We are called to be a spiritual "preservative" locally and abroad. (vs. 13) a. We must retain our flavor b. We must avoid pollution II. We are called to be a light in the darkness locally and abroad (vs. 14) III. We ar…

God is drawing the most unlikely of people into serving for His Kingdom, including you. I. We are called to minister to the most unlikely of people, even when others will criticize us. (vv. 1-3) a. Loving others will get people talking. b. Loving others will bring you criticism. II. We are called to minister to the most unlikely of people, especial…

What right do we have to be angry at God's justice and mercy? I. Just as His thoughts are not our thoughts, His justice and mercy are not our justice and mercy. a. Jonah wanted vigilante justice b. Jonah wanted vindictive retribution II. Just as Jonah would rather die than truly live, humanity chooses resentment over reconciliation. a. Resenting ot…

Theme: God can raise us up from self-inflicted ruin I. Repentance precedes restoration (vv. 1-4) a. Jonah reached a literal and figurative bottom b. Jonah brought about his decent c. Jonah was lifted up by God through repentance II. Dead-ends precede new directions (vv. 5-6) a. Jonah was facing literal and metaphorical death b. Jonah found hope fro…

Theme: Embrace God's leading for your life. I. God's leading for our life sometimes will clash with our plans (vv. 1-3) a. His thoughts are not our thoughts b. His ways are always better than our ways II. God's leading for our life will sometimes initially bring conflict (vv. 4-10) a. Storms of our own creating b. Rebellion of our own creating III.…