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Sunday Preview – 11/27/11

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This coming Lord’s Day, we will jumping into John 1:1-2 and seeing 3 truths about Jesus.  In prepping this sermon, I was remembering how well-served we have been through Athanasius.  Here’s some background articles on him and a link to the Athanasian Creed.  We come this Sunday to worship Jesus, fully God and fully man, born to save us from our sins.  Come ready to look heavenward.

What Christmas Is All About…

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…from someone who researched the matter fully:

The Birth of Jesus Christ

2:1 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

The Shepherds and the Angels

8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

14 “Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. 17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

— Luke 2:1-20

Is ‘zat you Santa Claus?

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Lots of confusion about, as the guy asks on top of the Polar Express on one’s “opinion on the big man”. Kevin DeYoung gives us great help with this two part series on Santa Claus with the Baby in Bethlehem. Here’s his brilliant conclusion:

So this Christmas, give gifts if you like. We will in our family. Receive them all with thanksgiving. But do not forget what we need most–salvation from our sins. This is one gift the real St. Nicholas would not have overlooked. In fact, I’m convinced, if given the opportunity, he would have loved to be there with the shepherds and the angels, bowing down around the manger in Bethlehem. And I bet he would have brought a present too.

Kevin DeYoung “Santa Claus with the Baby in Bethlehem” (Part 1, Part 2)

A Gift Idea (yes, it’s do-able even this late in the game)…

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…a gift of grace in the words we say. In a blog post from earlier this month, C.J. Mahaney offers this wise counsel: “Buying the appropriate Christmas gift for someone requires that we know and study them. But this is no less true of our conversations.

So as you consider certain individuals, and seek to buy meaningful gifts for them, also consider how you can give them grace through your words.”

It’s not too late, you can impart this gift every day.

Now is the time…

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…to invite people to church…

So says Doug Wolter:

I saw this statistic today and thought it was worthy to share:

Top Five Times People Are Open To Considering Matters Of Faith…

* #5 – After the birth of a baby (28%)
* #4 – After a natural disaster (34%)
* #3 – After a major national crisis i.e. 9/11 (38%)
* #2 – During the Easter season (38%)
* #1 – During the Christmas season (47%)

Might be a time to see if others would join you to celebrate the Savior!

Weekend Recap – Peace

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Today’s in the books and to recap the Lord’s day, had a fine AM, looking at Peace from Luke 2:13-14. Our world’s definition of peace and the peace that comes from God are two different things. Jesus came so that we might have open access to God Himself. It is only through Jesus, who came to save His people from their sins, that the unrighteous are made righteous. It was an amazing morning.

Tonight, our church gathered and we worshipped using Andrew Peterson’s Behold the Lamb of God music. Our people always walk awed by God and His descending to earth for us through this musical. At any rate, we’re full. Looking forward to a great week celebrating these foundational truths.

Weekend Preview – Peace

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Tomorrow, Lord willing, we will look at Luke 2:13-14 and the announcement by a group of the heavenly host giving glory to God and proclaiming peace through the birth of Jesus Christ. So…peace will be our theme.

Here’s a great quote on peace to prep you:

Graeme Goldsworthy in Prayer and the Knowledge of God:

Peace is not an inner calm and serenity (although it may from time to time produce this effect), but our reconciliation with the God we have offended by our rebellion against him. (p.166)

Our issues with lacking peace aren’t so much about others as the vertical relationship we have with God. Therefore, come Sunday, planning to see the reconciliation offered you through Jesus.

Help for Your Christmas Get-Togethers…

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…from Peacemaker Ministries (Peacemeal Weekly Devotional):

In many situations, the best way to resolve a conflict is simply to overlook the personal offenses of others. This approach is highly commended throughout Scripture:
“A man’s wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense” (Prov. 19:11; cf. 12:16; 15:18; 20:3).

“Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam; so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out” (Prov. 17:14; cf. 26:17).

“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins” (1 Peter 4:8; cf. Prov. 10:12; 17:9)

“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love” (Eph. 4:2).

“Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you” (Col. 3:13; cf. Eph. 4:32).