Sermons from Good News: Let's enjoy the season

 

Church 11/25/2023

Offertory scripture:

It’s always good to give God thanks for how good He is and has been.

Sermon message:

Thesis: Let’s enjoy the season.

Unfortunately the number of people who aren’t enjoying this season is increasing.

Business, loneliness, stress/pressure/demand

There are people who have lost the reason to enjoy this season.

Today we will take steps to enjoy the season.

Point #1: Keep focus on Jesus. Focus on the Christmas story if that helps.

Be reminded of Jesus’s birth. Focus on His life while He was here on earth.

Remember His teachings. Obey them.

These things will help you enjoy the season.

Forgetting those things which are behind (forgetting what’s around me right now), pressing forward toward the prize that is Jesus.

Philippians 3:13-14

Consider when Peter was walking on water. When he kept His eyes on Jesus, he stayed above the water. When he focused on his circumstances instead of Jesus, he began to sink.

Without Jesus, this season is meaningless. But with Him, this season has meaning.

Hear what Jesus had to say:

John 3:16

John 14:6

Jesus can help you deal with and overcome the things that threaten to drag you down.

Philippians 4:13

Point #2: Submit to God and resist the devil.

The enemy will try to drag you down. But do the above and the devil will flee from you. James 4:7

1 Peter 5:8

The question: who is right: Satan or God?

The answer: God is right and Satan is wrong.

James 4:7

When Jesus is in the wilderness, Satan tempts Him. Jesus submits to God by speaking His word.

So can we.

We need to know the word of God so we can speak it against the devil.

John 10:10 the devil tries to steal and kill and destroy your life. But Jesus comes so that you can have it to the full.

Mark 11:23 if you have faith and do not doubt, you can speak [whatever it is you wish that is also in accordance with God’s will], and it shall come to pass.

We should look at intrusive thoughts and treat them like the mountain referenced in Mark 11:23. Submit to the giver of life and not the taker of life.

God gives joy, and not sorrow.

Nehemiah 8:10

The joy of the Lord is your strength.

Whatever you are going through can be turned around.

Romans 8:28

1 John 4:4

Point #3: Trust God to make this a wonderful time in your life.

Luke 1:37

Nothing shall be impossible with God. Satan is a liar who says things are impossible. But the Bible says that God cannot lie and does not lie.

Let’s therefore trust God.

Proverbs 3:5-6

Mark 9:23

All things are possible for those who believe. Don’t give in to unbelief.

God can turn things around for the better. Trust Him to make Christmas a wonderful time in your life.

So how do we make this a wonderful time.

Point #4: Find a way to give.

A study that was done shows that givers are happier people.

God is a giver.

Decide to be a giver.

Luke 6:38