828 Church

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 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, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 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. Luke 2:1-7 ESV
We have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. 1 John 4:14 ESV
God wrote a merciful redemptive role for Himself into the worst part of our story.
“For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him. John 3:16-17 NLT - I don’t come from a line of strong dads...
From the manger to the cross, I see amazing love!
See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. 1 John 3:1 ESV
Biology doesn’t make us family; love does.
In God’s love we see the attributes that mark real love in its purest form!
God’s love is Sacrificial
We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters. 1 John 3:16 NLT
Jesus knew the price for real relationship would be high, and He reckoned the price worth paying.
God’s love is Immeasurable
Rob’s video
I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. Ephesians 3:16-18 NLT
God’s love Endures
Give thanks to the God of heaven, for his steadfast love endures forever. Psalm 136:26 ESV
Christ arrives right on time to make this happen. He didn't, and doesn't, wait for us to get ready. He presented himself for this sacrificial death when we were far too weak and rebellious to do anything to get ourselves ready. And even if we hadn't been so weak, we wouldn't have known what to do anyway. We can understand someone dying for a person worth dying for, and we can understand how someone good and noble could inspire us to selfless sacrifice. But God put his love on the line for us by offering his Son in sacrificial death while we were still living in rebellion.  Romans 5:6-8 MSG

Leaders from the The Zambia Project share with our church family this week!

This is how Jesus the Messiah was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But before the marriage took place, while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit. Joseph, to whom she was engaged, was a righteous man and did not want to disgrace her publicly, so he decided to break the engagement quietly. As he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. “Joseph, son of David,” the angel said, “do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit. And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” All of this occurred to fulfill the Lord’s message through his prophet: “Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means ‘God is with us.’” Matthew 1:18-23 NLT
The baby in the manger was the gift that gave us grace.
Grace is God’s unmerited compassionate response to our brokenness and His miraculous power for living whole and free.
Do you see what I see? I see Grace!
Do you think the Scriptures have no meaning? They say that God is passionate that the spirit he has placed within us should be faithful to him. James 4:5 NLT
But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” James 4:6 ESV
So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come close to God, and God will come close to you. James 4:7-8 NLT
Grace is a divine provision that always follows an obedient choice.
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 2 Corinthians 12:9 ESV
No mess or misery is too much for the messiah in the manger!
The news had come to the royal court of Judah: “Syria is allied with Israel against us!” So the hearts of the king and his people trembled with fear, like trees shaking in a storm. Then the LORD said to Isaiah, “Take your son Shear-jashub and go out to meet King Ahaz. You will find him at the end of the aqueduct that feeds water into the upper pool, near the road leading to the field where cloth is washed. Tell him to stop worrying. Tell him he doesn’t need to fear the fierce anger of those two burned-out embers, King Rezin of Syria and Pekah son of Remaliah. Yes, the kings of Syria and Israel are plotting against him, saying, ‘We will attack Judah and capture it for ourselves. Then we will install the son of Tabeel as Judah’s king.’ But this is what the Sovereign LORD says:“ This invasion will never happen; it will never take place; for Syria is no stronger than its capital, Damascus, and Damascus is no stronger than its king, Rezin. As for Israel, within sixty-five years it will be crushed and completely destroyed. Israel is no stronger than its capital, Samaria, and Samaria is no stronger than its king, Pekah son of Remaliah. Unless your faith is firm, I cannot make you stand firm.” Isaiah 7:2-9 NLT
A Present without Faith is a Future without Hope.
Later, the LORD sent this message to King Ahaz: “Ask the LORD your God for a sign of confirmation, Ahaz. Make it as difficult as you want, as high as heaven or as deep as the place of the dead.” But the king refused. “No,” he said, “I will not test the LORD like that.” Then Isaiah said, “Listen well, you royal family of David! Isn’t it enough to exhaust human patience? Must you exhaust the patience of my God as well? All right then, the Lord himself will give you the sign. Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel (which means ‘God is with us’). By the time this child is old enough to choose what is right and reject what is wrong, he will be eating yogurt and honey. For before the child is that old, the lands of the two kings you fear so much will both be deserted. Isaiah 7:10-16 NLT
Grace is more than God being nice; it is God being present and powerful.
Adam’s one sin brings condemnation for everyone, but Christ’s one act of righteousness brings a right relationship with God and new life for everyone. Because one person disobeyed God, many became sinners. But because one other person obeyed God, many will be made righteous.. Romans 5:18-19 NLT
All that passing laws against sin did was produce more lawbreakers. But sin didn't, and doesn't, have a chance in competition with the aggressive forgiveness and freedom we call grace. When it's sin versus grace, grace wins hands down. Sin always brings death. Grace, because God is putting everything together again through the Messiah, invites us into life, a life that goes on and on and on, world without end. Romans 5:20-21 MSG
Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16 ESV
Whatever I am now, it is all because God poured out His grace on me, and not without results. (or effect, not in vain) For I have worked harder than any of the other apostles; yet it was not I but God who was working through me by his grace.
1 Corinthians 15:10 NLT
Any decision to follow Jesus is only possible because of Grace.
Do you see what I see? I see Grace!

The natural world, so evident to our senses, draws a curtain across spiritual reality. Philip Yancey.

Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely. 1 Corinthians13:12

We live in the most comfortable world in history and yet are often the least comforted of any who have ever lived.

If our Message is obscure to anyone, it's not because we're holding back in any way. No, it's because people are looking or going the wrong way and refuse to give the gospel serious attention. All they have eyes for is the fashionable god of darkness. They think he can give them what they want, and that they won't have to bother believing a Truth they can't see. They're stone-blind to the dayspring brightness of the Message that shines with Christ, who gives us the best picture of God we'll ever get. 2 Corinthians 4:3-4 MSG

There’s more that meets the eye.

We're not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without His unfolding grace. These hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times, the lavish celebration prepared for us. There's far more here than meets the eye. The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can't see now will last forever. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 MSG

Aim at heaven and you will get earth thrown in. Aim at earth and you get neither, C. S. Lewis.

TA: It’s not just that He came but how He came that tells us why and for whom He came.

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. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:10-11 ESV

TA: Hope isn’t just for the fortunate few but for everyone who will put their hope in Him.

Saved but still sad is not what Jesus set out to do in you! (Or Me)

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. Romans 15:13 ESV

A Present without Faith is a Future without Hope.

Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Ephesians 3:20 NLT

Ears to hear and eyes to see, both are gifts from the LORD. Proverbs 20:12 NLT

I see Blessing, I see Jesus!

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Matthew 5:8 ESV

The presence of problems can never overpower than the presence of Jesus.

Open my eyes so I can see what you show me of your miracle-wonders. Psalm 119:18 MSG

The love of Jesus is the most obvious and consistent reality I’ve witnessed in this world.

Your unfailing love, O LORD, is as vast as the heavens; your faithfulness reaches beyond the clouds. Psalm 36:5 NLT

Jesus literally loves you to the moon and back.

The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14 ESV

Jesus always comes wrapped in humility, and yet is still obvious to those who are looking to see Him.

Blessed are your eyes, because they see; and your ears, because they hear. Matthew 13:16 NLT

Come close to God, and God will come close to you. James 4:8 NLT

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5:14-16 ESV

We won’t pray about what we don’t prioritize, and we won’t care about what we don’t know about, see.

iConnect

We are called to connect the people we see with truth, with Jesus!

Life is a journey and its destination is meant to be a place of relationship with God!

The original bridge was built by Jesus in the form of a cross.

This is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. John 17:3 ESV

We don’t save anybody, but we’re certainly called to connect everybody with the one who can.

Words are more often heard when they’re amplified by action.

Relational bridges are the most effective at carrying life’s most important messages and truth.

This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. John 15:12 ESV

The weightier the truth we need to tell the stronger the bridge we need to build.

People won’t care what you tell until they can tell you care.

iSay

There is grace to say what God wants said and we need to say it.

Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 2 Corinthians 5:20 ESV

Use your words!

iStay

Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20 NLT

We need be neither intimidated nor intimidating; we’re simply meant to be a witness.

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Acts 1:8 ESV - - - Being will always impact doing.

If your being doesn’t impact your doing, your being deceived.

We can see Jesus through us change our world one strategic and intentional connection, conversation, and relationship at a time.

Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.
Luke 14:23 NKJV

We’re here, and not to mark time but to make a difference.

We are often more complacent than compelling when it comes to witness.

The God who called you is able to do what the God who called you called you to do.

The righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Matthew 13:43 ESV

iPray

Prayer is an opportunity to mix our thoughts with His thoughts until His thoughts become our thoughts.

My concern is that we pray the least about what matters most!

Here’s an assignment, Make a to do list and put people on it! - When we pray God will help us to see…

iSee

There are people seemingly in the back ground of life that need noticed, to be seen. Seriously, Did you ever notice how much we fail to notice.

What if the background noise is actually the big deal for the day?

Not Asleep

You know the saying, ‘Four months between planting and harvest.’ But I say, wake up and look around. The fields are already ripe for harvest. John 4:35 NLT

We won’t pray about what we don’t prioritize and we won’t care about what we don’t know about, what we don't see...

Luke 11:34-36
34 “Your eye is like a lamp that provides light for your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is filled with light. But when it is unhealthy, your body is filled with darkness. 35 Make sure that the light you think you have is not actually darkness. 36 If you are filled with light, with no dark corners, then your whole life will be radiant, as though a floodlight were filling you with light.”


Jesus is the Lens through which we can correctly process His Light.

When we try to view the light of Jesus through any other lens we drastically change how we see and show Him.

When we don’t process light correctly we can not display light correctly.

I don’t think you can really know Jesus and His love and not find a way to make Him known!

If I say, “I will not mention him, or speak any more in his name,” there is in my heart as it were a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I am weary with holding it in, indeed I cannot. Jeremiah 20:9 ESV

You are the light of the world, like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. Mathew 5:14 NLT

We are called and even compelled to share Jesus with our world.

For I have a great sense of obligation to people in both the civilized world and the rest of the world, to the educated and uneducated alike. So I am eager to come to you in Rome, too, to preach the Good News. For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes… Romans 1:14-16 NLT

“Not called did you say? Not heard the call, I think you should say. Put your ear down to the Bible and hear him bid you go…” William Booth

Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. Mark 16:15 ESV

We still struggle to apply in practice what we believe in principle.

Any church that isn’t seriously involved in helping fulfill the great commission has forfeited its biblical right to exist. - Oswald J. Smith

We shine more brightly when we shine together.

And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved. Acts 2:47 NLT

Shine in the house, through the house, and outside the house. Shine!

For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost. Luke 19:10 NLT

More than talking about what you believe is true, share what you know is so from your own experience.

Let what you do and say be a witness to the lost and broken.

When I came to you, brothers, I did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. 1 Corinthians 2:1-2 ESV

The prerequisite for an impactful witness is a grateful and surrendered life, which may be in itself the greatest witness of all.

The righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Matthew 13:43 ESV

Give up your small ambitions come with me to save the world. - St. Francis Xavier