“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, And whose hope is the Lord. For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, Which spreads out its roots by the river, And will not fear when heat comes; But its leaf will be green, And will not be anxious in the year of drought, Nor will cease from yielding fruit.
The bottom line, I had mentioned this passage because it was prayed and prophesied over me more often than not during the first few years I was at the Vineyard. I remember thinking: "gosh, that sounds nice," without really having any understanding whatsoever about it, let alone how it was supposed to apply to me. The summation of where I am with it now is that this is my life's work. I recently had a dream where, right before waking up, I heard this spoken to me: "come, not as you are, but as you were called to be." I'm aware immediately of what this seems to insinuate: "don't come as you are." (which sounds unbiblical anyway) But that's not the sense I got in this dream this time. I (and you, too) am beckoned to come. But I'm aware that spiritually I've fallen far from where I once was. As for the answer to the question: what am I called to be?" the two that came immediately to mind are: holy and set apart. I know I have been and am called to be those two things.
I hope that even one person gets saved from reading any post in this blog. Even if it's only one person, then this mission is a victory. For now, let's move on to the sermon...
Church 12/22/2024
Offertory scripture:
Jesus is in the house, because He’s in you and me. He will never leave you nor forsake you. He came so we don’t ever need to see the spiritual grace. He saved us from eternal death.
Proverbs 3:9
Honor the Lord with your possessions,And with the firstfruits of all your increase;
Galatians 6:8
For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.
Sermon message:
Thesis: God’s purpose for Christmas.
Christmas trees: evergreen trees stay green and don’t lose their leaves in storms.
Hosea 14:8
“Ephraim shall say, ‘What have I to do anymore with idols?’I have heard and observed him.I am like a green cypress tree;Your fruit is found in Me.”
Christmas trees are symbols of God as that green fir tree. Not symbols of idol worship. God’s protection is always there.
Point #1: God wants people saved.
1 Timothy 2:4
who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
John 3:16-17
16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.
It’s good to remember that Jesus Christ didn’t stay a baby but grew up to be a man. He was tempted like we were. He also was sacrificed on the cross for our sins. He rose again from the dead.
Point #2: Paul explains the purpose of Christmas.
There’s no issue talking about both the birth and death of Jesus Christ, as some claim. We need both for the sake of our salvation.
Philippians 2:8
And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.
But it was not easy for Jesus to be obedient.
Luke 22:44
And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.
Hebrews 12:2
looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Point #3: Jesus was born to die so we could live.
This was God’s purpose for Christmas, for you and me.
How can we repay Him? By giving our lives to Jesus as our Lord and Savior.
Note after sharing the sermon: I couldn't have said this any better.