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FAMILY NEWSKIDS' COAT GIVE AWAY NEEDS HELP locating children that do not have a winter coat. We have been collecting coats all year, and we can buy a coat if we do not have the right size, but we need your help finding kids in need. See Tracey Brewer or Lana Fox if you need information. NO SERVICES SUNDAY NIGHT DECEMBER 24: Christmas Eve is a family time for many of us, and people will be out of town or having family get togethers, so our class that is usually held at 6:00 P.M. will be canceled for that night. CONGREGATIONAL MEETING on JANUARY 7: It has been a long time since we have had a congregational meeting. We need each to know where we are financially; what is being done with our money; how those ministries are doing; and whether we want to continue them. We have a proposal to make to the congregation about a special event to be held in June to reach out to our neighborhood and to the community of Dowagiac. Please plan to be here for the potluck that will be held that day, and then plan to stay over for the congregational meeting. It will not last too long, because we also go to Timbers that day. TODAY'S LESSON
INTRODUCTION:
A. We live in an age of skepticism. Much skepticism about the Bible. Is it true?
I. SHEPHERDS
B. The Christmas story is equated to Santa Claus. 1. Much of the story is traditions, not biblical fact. 2. There are reasons why characters are in the Bible. A. They never saw a star.
II. THE “WISE MEN FROM THE EAST”
B. They were Jewish. C. They had an angel give them a message — Jewish identification of Bethlehem. A. “Magi” is a Persian astrologer, a Gentile — Only use of word is here. Could be Arabia,
III. THE REAL PURPOSE OF THE CHRISTMAS STORY
....India, Assyria, or a Mede. B. Tradition says there were three, Bible does not say — names indicate symbols — Melchior, ....Gaspar, Balthazar — gold, frankincense, myrrh. C. Went to Jerusalem. Herod sent them to Bethlehem. D. The “star” was not a celestial star (Matthew 2:9). 1. No one saw a celestial star. Magi are astrologers. 2. Shekhinah — Exodus 13:21; 24:17; 40:38 3. Not a comet, supernova, or aurora A. Jesus came to save Jew and Gentile people.
B. The birth of Jesus fulfilled all prophecy. 1. Isaiah 7:14; Micah 5:2 (see Matthew 1:23)
C. What do you do with these prophecies (100 +)?
2. Hosea 11:1 (see Matthew 2:15) 3. Jeremiah 31:15 (see Matthew 2:18) 4. Isaiah 40:3 (see Matthew 3:3) 1. You cannot say he controlled his life to fulfill them.
2. How much are you willing to ignore? 3. If you believe, why would you not act? THE BACK PAGECOUNTING THE COSTIn Luke 14:26 – 35 Jesus gave one of his most difficult teachings. The subject is priorities, and what he really deals with is discipleship. We discussed the difference between saying “I am a Christian” and saying “I am a disciple” in our sermon on December 3. In this passage Jesus expands on discipleship. He starts out in verse 26 by saying that we have to prize Jesus more than “father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brothers and sisters and even his own life.” The King James uses the word “hate” in this verse, but the Greek word does not mean to despise, it means to put first. Jesus then goes to common sense examples to show us what this view of discipleship is all about. He first of all talks about building something, and he says that before you start construction you make sure you have enough money to buy the materials (verses 28 – 30). He talks about political judgment by saying that when you take on an opponent you make sure you have enough support to win (verses 31 – 32). He then goes to material possessions and says that we need to be willing to give up possessions to be a disciple of Christ (verse 33). Jesus ends the discussion by pointing out that if salt has been diluted so that it has no saltiness, there is nothing you can do with it. You cannot even use it in the garden (verse 35). When we get so busy with our family responsibilities, our political beliefs, and/or our material possessions that we do not participate in spiritual opportunities we become just like everyone else. We have lost our saltiness and we blend in with the world around us. As we come to the end of 2017, let every one of us look at how we are using our time, where our priorities are, and what we are doing to build our discipleship to Christ. Do not pass up the worship service, the Bible classes, the ladies' class on the third Saturday of each month, and the opportunities to be a part of the work here. We need workers and support people. No one is paid here to do the work of the church. Jesus needs you to be a disciple. There is a cost, but the rewards are out of this world. — John Clayton Our sign by the street!
Sign saying inspired by Star Wars and www.sayingsforchurchsigns.com |
