Anderson Hills

We saw last week that the kingdom became divided; Israel was in desperate need of repentance. The priests and judges were corrupt. Violence and social injustice oppressed the poor and the righteous. God’s people had long ago forsaken their covenantal obligations of righteous life under the Law. But God loved them too much to let them continue down a path of destruction. He began to call prophets to speak on His behalf. These men faced much opposition and hardship as they spoke truth to people who did not want to hear it. This week we will look at two of the prophets God called to speak on His behalf, Elijah and Hosea.

The Israelites were called and chosen to be a holy nation and to model the glorious life available to all who live under the government of God. When Israel rejected the theocratic reign of God, He allowed them to become a monarchy wherein the King of Israel would understand his role as the Lord’s vice-regent. When King Solomon turned away from Him, God judged him by tearing the kingdom from the house of David; the kingdom split and two kings arose. Rehoboam, Solomon’s son, took reign over the southern kingdom (Judah) and Jeroboam, one of Solomon’s officials was the king chosen to rule over the northern kingdom (Israel). Both kings fell into the sin trap of pride and idolatry.

The Israelites were called and chosen to be a holy nation and to model the glorious life available to all who live under the government of God. When Israel rejected the theocratic reign of God, He allowed them to become a monarchy wherein the King of Israel would understand his role as the Lord’s vice-regent. When King Solomon turned away from Him, God judged him by tearing the kingdom from the house of David; the kingdom split and two kings arose. Rehoboam, Solomon’s son, took reign over the southern kingdom (Judah) and Jeroboam, one of Solomon’s officials was the king chosen to rule over the northern kingdom (Israel). Both kings fell into the sin trap of pride and idolatry.

Our objective for 2020 is to: Help people find Jesus and grow in holiness and healing. Jesus chose us, His followers, to be the instruments through which others would come to know Him. As our relationship with Christ grows stronger and we become more and more like Him, our abilities and passion for sharing Him with others will grow too. In order for us to grow in holiness, to be purified or free from sin, we need to open ourselves for the Lord to work. There will be wounds that will need to be healed, sins to be confessed and forgiven, and lies to be replaced with truth— all through the power of the Holy Spirit. As this sanctifying work is being done in us, we will be made ready to help others in our church, community and city to begin their journey with Jesus

Our objective for 2020 is to: Help people find Jesus and grow in holiness and healing. Jesus chose us, His followers, to be the instruments through which others would come to know Him. As our relationship with Christ grows stronger and we become more and more like Him, our abilities and passion for sharing Him with others will grow too. In order for us to grow in holiness, to be purified or free from sin, we need to open ourselves for the Lord to work. There will be wounds that will need to be healed, sins to be confessed and forgiven, and lies to be replaced with truth— all through the power of the Holy Spirit. As this sanctifying work is being done in us, we will be made ready to help others in our church, community and city to begin their journey with Jesus

The significance of the birth, life and death of Jesus and what it means for our own lives cannot be overstated. Because of Christ’s sacrifice, we have been made heirs of God. He wants us to pursue Him and the life of freedom and wholeness that He promises. Living in the complete freedom Jesus purchased on the cross requires hard work, truth seeking and fearless resolve. While there is nothing that we do to earn our salvation, there are spiritual practices or habits that help us more fully embrace what it means. The work we do and the disciplines we practice as a Christ follower, prove our faith is real. The Six Habits at AHUMC are meant to help people to continually grow in their faith and to stay close to their Savior.

The significance of the birth, life and death of Jesus and what it means for our own lives cannot be overstated. Because of Christ’s sacrifice, we have been made heirs of God. He wants us to pursue Him and the life of freedom and wholeness that He promises. Living in the complete freedom Jesus purchased on the cross requires hard work, truth seeking and fearless resolve. While there is nothing that we do to earn our salvation, there are spiritual practices or habits that help us more fully embrace what it means. The work we do and the disciplines we practice as a Christ follower, prove our faith is real. The Six Habits at AHUMC are meant to help people to continually grow in their faith and to stay close to their Savior.

Not only was Jesus born to bring healing and wholeness, to deliver us from sin and the destructive power of the enemy that hinders us, God also sent Him to give us an abundant life while we live temporarily on earth, and a perfected life with Him for all eternity. All of these aspects of salvation are included in the Greek word sozo. The abundant life is a life where we enjoy the inheritance we receive from Christ when we surrender ourselves to Him. God wants us to enjoy salvation, peace, joy, eternal life and all the blessings He has provided for us. God does not want us to be stagnant in our spiritual life; He wants us to grow in our usefulness and effectiveness. We must desire such a life of growth, wanting to be closer to Christ and more like Him each day

Not only was Jesus born to bring healing and wholeness, to deliver us from sin and the destructive power of the enemy that hinders us, God also sent Him to give us an abundant life while we live temporarily on earth, and a perfected life with Him for all eternity. All of these aspects of salvation are included in the Greek word sozo. The abundant life is a life where we enjoy the inheritance we receive from Christ when we surrender ourselves to Him. God wants us to enjoy salvation, peace, joy, eternal life and all the blessings He has provided for us. God does not want us to be stagnant in our spiritual life; He wants us to grow in our usefulness and effectiveness. We must desire such a life of growth, wanting to be closer to Christ and more like Him each day

Our annual Christmas Cantata A Winter Rose 12-15-2019