Merry Christmas!
Month: December 2024
Christmas Story
Merry Christmas!
Two Year Gospel Study Week 52
Luke 2:22-40; “Simeon and Anna”
What is the meaning of the name, Jesus? Do we fully comprehend what this name means? In Hebrew it is Yeshua. It literally means Yehovah, Jehovah, Yahweh saves. “God Saves.” This is the name given to Jesus. A precious name. “God Saves” is a powerful name, a mighty name and a remarkable name, a name that blesses all who call upon Him, a name that declares God is the One who saves us.
Every time we speak His name we are reminded of the truth that God has broken into our world and stepped in to save us. We need this divine intervention. It is God who saves us and not we ourselves.
In today’s story we see Jesus, Mary and Joseph at the temple and are introduced to Simeon. The Holy Spirit told him he would not die before seeing the Messiah. Simeon was in the temple as Mary, Joseph and Jesus entered and Simeon was prompted by the Holy Spirit to know this baby was the promised Savior. Simeon takes Jesus in his arms and speaks, “Sovereign Lord, now dismiss your servant in peace, for my eyes have seen the salvation which you have prepared in the sight of all nations, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and the glory of your people Israel.”
Simeon was thrilled to be holding God’s promised Savior in his arms and to know God’s promise was right before his very eyes.
Then Simeon blessed them and to Mary he added, “This child is destined to cause the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against so that the thoughts of hearts will be revealed.”
The good news: God is fulfilling all He promised, but there’s also a warning that the fulfillment of the promise of a Savior comes at a great cost – that many will not receive what God so graciously offers. This is a prophetic word about the later years of Jesus’ ministry.
Jesus will grow in favor with God and men, but when He begins His ministry there will be a division that will occur because many will not receive what Jesus has to offer. This is still true today. Many will not admit their need for a Savior.
God loves humble people. He opposes the proud and pride will get in the way of many from believing.
Simeon also prophecies to Mary, “And a sword will pierce your own soul.” Words that were fulfilled for Mary – a mother that experienced unbelievable sorrow and incredible grief. She would watch her son die on the cross, see Him rejected by many and Simeon gives her a heads up on what’s to come.
In verse 36 – We are introduced to Anna. Anna was a prophet who also recognized Jesus as the promised Messiah and comes up to the group. She gives thanks to God and spoke about Jesus to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Israel. What a day of joy this was as the realization of God’s promises are being fulfilled in Jesus.
This is also for us today, an indication of what is to come. Just as they yearned for Jesus to come, we too yearn for His return. Through the fulfillment of the promise of a Savior – We too can trust the promised fulfillment of His return.
This day IS coming! There will be a day for us like there was for Simeon and Anna when we behold the One whom the Father promised. And like Anna and Simeon we too will rejoice!
This story reminds us that God keeps His word! Just as they saw baby Jesus face to face, we too on His return will see Him face to face in His full glory! And there will be endless rejoicing!
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St. Luke’s Account is part three of our Two Year Study of the Gospels. This book written by Luke, a non-Jew, offers a unique perspective into the story of Jesus’ life.
This study is great for large group, small group or home group study.
Merry Christmas
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Christmas Message
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Christmas Eve Message
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Christmas Sunday: The Great Good News!
Scripture: Luke 2: 1-20
The Christmas Story is familiar to most of us – a story we’ve heard over and over, year after year. When something becomes so familiar we can easily be deceived into treating it too casually without the awe and gratitude this story should cause in our hearts. Familiarity can cause us to forget this is a REAL story, with REAL people and our REAL Savior.
So let’s look at this very familiar story in Luke 2:1-20 with new eyes and new ears and new hearts. May we experience and receive THE GREAT GOOD NEWS as the best gift ever given.
As Pastor reads the Christmas Story he shares insights about the location of where Jesus was born, and other interesting historical information, even specific insights into the shepherds in the fields and the intended use of their lambs.
Mary and Jospeph arrive in Bethlehem for a census, Jesus is born, and then the angels announce the Great Good News to the shepherds. When the angels broke through the skies the shepherds went from experiencing great fear at the appearance of the angels to great joy because of the Great Good News they were told.
“You will find the Babe wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” The Shepherds hurried off to find Jesus – an encouragement for us, too! Have you found Him? That is our prayer, that you find and know Jesus for The Great Good News has come, Jesus the Messiah!
The host of angels fills the sky above the shepherds singing, “Glory to God in the Highest!” Praising God in this Christmas season is a calling to us as well.
Let us hurry to find Him, seek Him and adore Him. The shepherds’ desire to find Jesus is to be our attitude too. Let this familiar story touch your heart in new ways this Christmas.
After seeing baby Jesus in the manger the shepherds spread the story about what the angels had told them and about the baby they met. May we also, like them, share the Great Good News of a Savior.
The Great Good News is:
⁃ Real – this really happened, this is true. There is overwhelming evidence from both believers and skeptics that the Messiah is real.
⁃ Risen – He is risen and this victory is ours.
⁃ Returning – the reality is that He is returning. He is coming back – we have a forever life ahead of us!
⁃ Response – God loved us so much He was willing to take on human flesh, live the perfect life we could not, willingly give Himself for us on the cross in a most inhumane way as the sacrifice for our sins. Then He rose victorious from the grave….THAT demands a response! One of repentance and belief. A response of receiving the Great Good News by walking with Him, following Him, surrendering to Him and watching what He will do.
Receive Him today as your Savior!
The Christmas story is not simply a story of our culture – it is the story of God’s love to each one of us.
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Two Year Gospel Study Week 51
Luke 1:57-80; “John’s Story”
Pastor Dodge explores Luke’s account of John the Baptist in today’s study. It’s a story that starts with the miraculous pregnancy of Elizabeth who was well past her child-bearing years, yet God was faithful to His promise to her husband Zechariah.
In today’s text John is born and it is the 8th day after his birth, the day that the baby boy would be circumcised and named. Their family and friends are sure the baby boy will be named a family name after Zechariah. However Elizabeth follows through with what the angel Gabriel had told her husband when the angel had announced they would have a son. And Elizabeth states the child would be named John just as the angel told them to name him.
Since the angel’s visit to Zechariah he had become unable to speak because he doubted the word of God through the angel. As family is saying how can you name him John, Zechariah writes on his tablet that the child’s name is John and he is instantly healed and able to speak. He praises the Lord and everyone joins in thanking God for this miraculous healing.
The story is a reminder that God has never stopped doing things. He has never stopped acting. He is moving constantly and revealing himself to men, women and children. He is the Living God. He is near and He does these things still today!
Zechariah is a priest – with some holy speculation – it is possible he is the one who may have circumcised John that day. We read that Zechariah is filled with the Holy Spirit. From the beginning of the Last Days which began with the coming of Jesus when Mary became pregnant God has been filling people with His Holy Spirit – men, women, young and old. Not just then, 2000 years ago, but still today.
Zechariah is filled with the Holy Spirit and then prophecies the coming of the Messiah, the fulfillment of God promises of a Redeemer. Zechariah goes on to prophecy over his son as the one to prepare the way for the coming Messiah.
John grew up and became strong in the Spirit. He lived in the wilderness until he began to appear publicly to the people of Israel.
We read in all 4 gospels about
JOHN’S CHARACTER
1. Prophetic – John was prophetic in his actions and his behavior. Wearing a camel hair garment and a leather belt – an outfit that harkened back to the prophet Elijah – John like Elijah calls people back to God.
2. Courageous – John called all to come back to God. He even told the religious. He told soldiers, prostitutes, tax collectors, even a king. John did not back down from courageously speaking God’s of all needing a Savior.
3. Humble – John knew his life belonged to God. He knew his life was not his own. We too are called to be humble before God because a humble heart is open to receive what God desires to impart.
JOHN’S MESSAGE
1. Sin – John taught the unpopular message that God takes sin seriously. Sin is rebellion against God. All have sinned and all of us need a Savior. Sin is treason against God.
2. Repentance – repentance is the proper response to recognizing that “I am a sinner.” Repentance is a 180 degree turn around – it’s an about face in one’s life and it is turning back to God. Repentance is also a change of mind in the way we look at our sinful nature.
3. Salvation – John taught that God keeps His word and redeems us by sending His Son to save us all through faith in Jesus. John points us to Jesus – our Savior who brings us Salvation.
In our lives we too are to prepare the way for Jesus’ return, He is coming, and so we prepare by living for Him alone.
⁃ Prepared.
⁃ Changed.
⁃ Renewed.
⁃ Inviting Jesus into our daily living.
⁃ Reflecting on Him.
⁃ Living out of the Good News.
He transforms us
and on the last day
He will raise us!
Until then we are to serve, follow and grow in Him who is Lord of our lives.
Our website – https://www.awakeusnow.com
Watch the video from our website! https://www.awakeusnow.com/2-year-study-of-the-gospels-upper
Watch the video from our YouTube Channel!! https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTaaqrC3dMOzMkhPyiNWwlJRpV6Bwpu01
St. Luke’s Account is part three of our Two Year Study of the Gospels. This book written by Luke, a non-Jew, offers a unique perspective into the story of Jesus’ life.
This study is great for large group, small group or home group study.
The Gospel According to Matthew – Week 39
This teaching is from Matthew 26:26-39 and Exodus 6:6-7
Our story continues today with the Lord’s Supper.
Jesus is going to make it clear that He is the Passover Lamb who lays down His life for all people of all time.
Pastor overviews the Passover meal: why it was done, what the purpose was and shows us how Jesus changed the script that had always been spoken during this meal since the time of Moses.
Taking the bread Jesus says, “Take eat; this is My body.” Then after that He took the cup saying, “Drink from it, all of you, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.”
Pastor shares about the 4 cups of wine during the Passover meal referencing the four verbs in Exodus 6:6-7. Four verbs, four cups of wine:
1. Cup 1 – I will BRING you out
2. Cup 2 – I will FREE you
3. Cup 3 – I will REDEEM you
4. Cup 4 – I will take you as My people
According to what is said in the gospels it appears Jesus spoke the words “drink this cup…” with the 3td cup – the Cup of Redemption. Jesus talks about this cup as “my blood of covenant given for you and for many.” This cup not only reminds us of God’s great deliverance of His people from bondage in Egypt, but it is God’s new covenant of deliverance from the bondage of sin for all people.
The disciples could see something unique was happening. Clearly Jesus is speaking of Himself as the redemption. In the days to come the disciples would look back on this Supper, Jesus’ Last Supper, and they would see it more clearly.
In the next verse, as Jesus finishes this 3rd cup, taking what is written here in Matthew 26:29 and in the other gospels it appears Jesus is saying He will not drink the 4th cup until the day we are all together in His Father’s kingdom (meaning when everything is fulfilled) when he said, ” I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.”
Jesus will take this fourth cup, the Cup that will be celebrated at the “Marriage Feast of the Lamb” on His return. “When I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom,” this is the assurance of His return and a celebration that will never end.
Then Jesus and His disciples head to the Mount of Olives to the Garden of Gethsemane. He tells them that He is overwhelmed to the point of death. Jesus is truly God in human flesh – a real human being going through agony and sorrow at what He knows is to come.
He asks the disciples to stay with him and keep watch or in other words, “Be Awake!” What does it mean to “be awake?” It means to recognize the times, to be ready and prepared, to be one with our Lord Jesus, one with our Heavenly Father and one with the Holy Spirit. Be Awake!
Jesus asks that “this cup to be taken from me, yet not as I will but as you will.” Jesus – fully divine but also fully human speaks to His father and says could we go with another plan? But concludes His request with not my will but your will. This is how we too should pray – praying in God’s will.
We know things that God desires and we can pray in His will without hesitation:
For awakening in our country
For people to come back to the Lord
For people to know the Lord
For those going through difficult days
And holding one another up in prayer
But there are some times when we don’t know what God desires because His ways are far beyond our ways and even Jesus prayed not my will but your will to the Father.
“Thy will be done,” even in the face of overwhelming agony of what was ahead He stilled prayed “Your will, Father” and we are called to pray the same way.
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Advent – Week 3: The Great Revelation
Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25, Micah 6:8
Being in the Scripture is a great place to be because God DOES speak in His Word, both 2,000 years ago and today!
Today’s text from the Bible is a powerful Word, a life-changing Word…
Matthew tells the Christmas story from the vantage point of Joseph, who after finding out about Mary being pregnant decided to divorce her quietly, but…
Joseph receives a visit by an angel in a dream and the angel tells him that he is not to divorce Mary, that she is pregnant by the Holy Spirit, and that he is to name the child Jesus because He will save His people from their sins. Following the dream, Joseph stays engaged to Mary, doesn’t consummate the marriage until after Jesus’ birth, and he names the baby, Jesus.
A virgin birth is implausible if there is no god. But there IS a god! He is the God who reveals Himself in the Scripture and through His Holy Spirit and like in today’s reading, through angelic beings.
What prophets predicted, is fulfilled in the Person of Jesus of Nazareth.
Immanuel: God with us.
Fully human: suffers as our substitute for our sin
Fully God: eternal redemption by His blood
Apart from Christ our lives hold no hope. No matter how good we are it’s not good enough. We cannot save ourselves for we have all sinned and we need the Perfect One to save us. Apart from Jesus – nice guys finish last. With Jesus there is life, forgiveness, peace, strength, joy, hope and the assurance we will live forever with Him.
Today’s Bible story still speaks powerfully to us today. God revealed the identity of Jesus to Joseph – and for us God is still speaking and revealing His identity to each of us through Joseph’s story.
In Joseph we see an example of what a godly person ought to be:
⁃ Our faith is based on the truth that God has revealed to us in His Word
⁃ Our faith is more than head knowledge
⁃ Our faith informs our behavior
Joseph’s example:
⁃ Faithful to God’s Word and wanted to live for God. He knew God is to be trusted, honored and obeyed.
⁃ Merciful in a culture that looked at Mary’s pregnancy as a disgrace, that recommended a public divorce, Joseph did not want to humiliate Mary.
⁃ Obedient to what God revealed in his dream and also obedient to the Word in the Bible of “the virgin will conceive and bare a son” and so he took her as his wife.
⁃ Courageous individual who put family first and God over all. An individual who did what God told him to do despite pushback and persecution. He understood that it is more important to follow God than to worry about public opinion.
Joseph wasn’t saved because he was a good man.
He was a good man because He was saved.
So we too are encouraged to live lives as a response to the incredible gift of the grace and goodness of God in Christ.
Micah 6:8 says:
He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
May we exhibit that kind of a life-style in response to the revelation of who our Lord Jesus Christ is.
Lord Jesus help us live courageous lives for You!
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