The Greatest Christmas Ever

Part 2- The Wise Men's Journey

Question to Ponder-Are you still seeking after Jesus daily?

The Wise Men’s Journey. Seeking to forever be a seeker: A true seeker of Jesus…

1. Travels long distances to worship the true King (v. 1-2).

2. Doesn’t get hindered by the hypocrites along the way (v. 3-8).

3. Follows the light that leads towards the True Light (v. 9-10).

4. Worships Jesus by laying down their earthly treasures because they’ve found the greatest Treasure (v. 11).

5. Listens to God and obeys the promptings of the Holy Spirit (v. 12).

Take Home Truth: A true seeker is willing to go the distance to discover and delight in Jesus as the true King.

Action Steps:

* Worship: Make worship a priority in your life. When you make Jesus the center of your life, worship becomes a priority.

* Giving: The wise men gave their best gifts to Jesus for His birthday. Decide to give more of yourself to Jesus this year than ever before!

* Seeking: Never stop being a true seeker of Jesus.

The Greatest Christmas Ever

Part 1-Elizabeth’s Dream Come True: How to transform your doubt into destiny!

Question to Ponder-How should I respond when it seems like God is not responding to my prayers?

When God turns your misery into a miracle…

5 Truths that can transform your doubt into destiny!

1. Even godly people struggle with unanswered prayers (v. 5-7).

2. God has a message of hope even in the most hopeless situations (v. 8-17).

3. Never doubt God’s promises even when they seem too good to be true (v. 18-22).

4. God likes to resurrect dreams that died a long time ago (v. 23-25).

5. God can transform your test into a testimony (v. 57-58).

Action Steps:

1. Look to God’s Word for God’s promises.

2. Don’t stop believing what God has promised to you.

3. Keep on praying even when you want to stop! Remember the best things in life often come much later than you desire!

4. Give more of yourself to Jesus this Christmas than ever before!

Take Home Truth: Christmas teaches us that God can transform your great misery into your greatest miracle.

We welcome guest speaker Randy Shepherd from Crossfire Ministries for a powerful message!

The Power of Thanks

Psalm 84

Part 2: Church is the Place to Be!

Today’s Question: Do you treasure the house of God above everywhere else?

Church is the Place to Be! Church is the place to be because it’s a place…

Where you can’t wait to go (v. 1-2).  Make church a priority in my life.  I choose to give the best of myself to the work of God in the local church: My time (joining a Serve Team), my treasure (giving generously), and my gifts (using my gifts to build up the church).  Where you can find and experience true life (v. 3-4).  This church is a place where you can settle down and grow some roots! We are a place for all generations—from Babies to Boomers from Generation Z to the Greatest Generation and everything in between! So settle down and grow some roots here! You spend so much timing sowing, that you should stay long enough to enjoy some of the harvest that you helped sow!  Where you find new strength and renewed hope (v. 5-7).  A church alive is worth the drive!  If you would be willing to drive 30 minutes or more for a good restaurant, you should also be willing to drive even further to get a good spiritual meal that will nourish you and encourage you for the week ahead!  Where you can pour out your heart before God in passionate prayer (v. 8-9).  Church is a house of prayer.  We are a church where you can connect with God. Here are a few of the many prayer opportunities.  Where you desire more than any other place on the earth (v. 10-12).  The worshippers in Psalm 84 make this profound statement:  One day in God’s presence with God’s people and in God’s house is better than 1,000 days anywhere else!  The Psalmist would rather be serving God than serving oneself.

Today’s Big Idea: Church is the place to be because you get to dwell with God’s people in God’s presence!

Action Steps:

Join this church family. A Christian without a church home is like a spiritual orphan.

Serve the Lord with this church family. As you serve God and one another, your level of spiritual maturity begins to grow! Join an Arden Serve Team this week!

Support this church family. For all our members and regular attenders, we ask you to give a one-time vision offering for the future advancement of the mission of this church for the future!

The Power of Thanks

Part 1: God’s Will For My Life

Today’s Question: What happens when you have a thankful heart?

Choose Joy Always.

What is the difference between happiness and joy?

The Power of Thanks: Joy is something that is much deeper than happiness. Happiness is there when all is going well for me, and then it disappears when life is not going so well. Joy, on the other hand, is consistent. As a Christian, you can never truly loose your joy. You can lose the experience of joy, but you can’t lose joy itself. Joy is deep down in your spirit; you just have to rediscover the joy of being found in Jesus!

Did you know that joy is a daily choice you have to make?

Quote: “There is a marvelous medicinal power in joy. Most medicines are distasteful; but this, which is the best of all medicines, is sweet to the taste, and comforting to the heart. This blessed joy is very contagious. One dolorous spirit brings a kind of plague into the house; one person who is wretched seems to stop all the birds from singing wherever he goes . . . [But] the grace of joy is contagious. Holy joy will oil the wheels of your life’s machinery. Holy joy will strengthen you for your daily labor. Holy joy will beautify you and give you an influence over the lives of others.” –Charles Spurgeon

Benefits of choosing joy:

Joy gives you supernatural strength for each day.

Nehemiah 8:10—The joy of the Lord is your strength.

Joy is the overflow of your relationship with Jesus.

Philippians 4:4—Rejoice in the Lord always. Again, I will say, rejoice!

Joy comes as a byproduct of believing in Jesus.

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

Joy can be your experience even when you are going through great trials.

James 1:2 (NIV); Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds.

How to choose joy in a life that is full of pain and problems:

Decide what is going to capture your attention: Is your focus on your pain or on God’s promises?

Help others who are also hurting. When you take time to focus on others, your attention moves away from self and helps give you a fresh perspective.

Move towards people who are joy bringers. Joy is contagious. Your friends can greatly enhance your journey of joy!

Rediscover joy every morning. Psalm 30:5-Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning!

Pray Persistently.

What is the difference between praying and being in the spirit of prayer?

Quote: Continual prayer is not prayer that prevails without any interruption, but prayer that continues whenever possible.[1]

How can I pray without stopping?

So what are some practical ways that you can grow in being a person of prayer?

Start every day off with a meaningful time of prayer.

Pray on your way to work.

Pray over every meal.

Get into the habit of praying over people right in the moment.

Pray when you hear an ambulance.

Tell God about your worries.

Thank God for your many blessings.

Forever Be Thankful.

What does it mean to have a thankful heart?

The Power of Thanks: A thankful heart is a heart that continually focuses on the blessings of the Lord. A thankful heart reframes the hard things in one’s life against the backdrop of God’s goodness and in the timeline of eternity.

What is thanksgiving?

How can I give thanks in everything?

Today’s Big Idea: God’s will for my life is to live joyfully, pray persistently, and to forever be thankful.

Action Steps:

Live out the JOY acrostic: Jesus. Others. Yourself. As long as Jesus is at the center of your life, your life will abound in joy daily!

Start your day off with prayer tomorrow and stay in the zone where you are able to pray as needed throughout the day.

Write down 5 things that you are thankful for.

[1] Constable, T. L. (1985). 1 Thessalonians. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, p. 708). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.

Holy Habit #7: Fasting

Fasting: Why do devoted disciples fast?

Today’s Question: Why do devoted disciples fast?

WHY should I fast?

Isaiah 58:6-12 (NLT)

If you don’t get your self under control, your life will become out of control. The practical aspect of fasting is that fasting helps you say “no” to yourself so that you can say “yes” to God! Fasting helps you gain control over your body and over your life. If you struggle with control issues, it’s time to look at the holy habit of fasting!

Matthew 25:36-40

Fasting unleashes needed breakthroughs in your personal life (v. 8)

Deliverance comes through fasting.

Healing is promoted through fasting.

Divine direction is released through fasting.

Divine protection is activated through fasting.

Long awaited answers to prayer happen through fasting.

Daniel 10:12-14 (NLT)

Help for others is motivated through fasting.

Radiance is illuminated through fasting.

Personal vitality is restored through fasting.

Restoration is started through fasting.

Fasting Insight: If you desire to draw closer to God—try fasting! If you need a personal breakthrough—decide to do a holy fast. If you are being attacked by the enemy and you need deliverance, commit to fasting. If you need an answer to prayer…If you need clarity in your life…if you need God to move on your behalf—as you focus on God through fasting, your personal needs will be a point of focus before the throne of heaven. Fasting has the power and potential to unlock the breakthrough you need today!

WHEN should I fast?

Luke 5:33-35 (NKJV)

You should fast when you need a special time to focus on the Lord.

You should fast when you need a supernatural breakthrough in your life.

You should fast when you desire to draw closer to God.

James 4:8a; Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.

Fasting Insight: When should you fast? You should fast when the Holy Spirit is leading you to do so. Spirit led fasting will lead to Spirit-powered breakthroughs. If you are sick and tired of being stuck…If you are in bondage to a sin pattern…If you need a new and fresh anointing on your ministry…If you need clarity and direction…If you want to draw closer to God—then now is the time to consider a holy fast!

HOW should I fast?

Matthew 6:16-18 (NLT)

Fast in a way that it is not obvious to others (who are not fasting with you).

When you fast, let there be a pep in your step and a joy in your spirit.

When you fast for the right reasons, in the right seasons, and for right audience—God will reward you!

Fasting Insight: Fast in such a way that people will not know that you are fasting. Obviously, you can let others know who are fasting with you in a church group fast. When you fast for your Father alone in secret, your Father will richly reward you openly. So when you fast…Fast for your Father’s attention only!

Hebrews 11:6 (NIV)

Review: Fasting: Why do devoted disciples fast?

WHY should I fast?

To draw closer to God.

To break the chains of bondage.

To put others ahead of yourself.

To unleash needed breakthroughs.

WHEN should I fast?

When you need a special time to focus on the Lord.

When you need a supernatural breakthrough in your life.

When you desire to draw closer to God.

HOW should I fast?

In secret

With joy

For the right reasons

Today’s Big Idea: When you fast, you are personally drawing closer to God and inviting Him to do the supernatural in your life.

Action Steps:

Ask the Holy Spirit if you need to commit to a special time of prayer and fasting.

Plan out your next fast. As a church, we are fasting in January for a 10 day fast!

Pick out a Bible reading plan to begin your journey of drawing closer to God. The church has a 2-year read through the Bible plan on YouVersion Bible app.

Holy Habit: Ministry

Ephesians 4:7-16

Are you playing your part in building up the Body of Christ?

1. When it comes to grace, you struck it rich (v. 7).

Body Builder Tip: Jesus has given me at least one spiritual gift to use to build up the Body of Christ in the local church. If I am not using my spiritual gift, I am not in the sweet spot of God’s will for my life. I am blessed to be a blessing! If you are not serving, you are swerving!

Take Action: Try serving in a least two different Serve Teams to find which team I can make most eternal good!

2. When it comes to purpose, you are gracefully gifted (v. 8-10).

Body Builder Tip: As my character becomes more like Jesus, then I will discover my true calling, and as I commit to live out my purpose, then I am truly living a life of significance.

3. When it comes to ministry, you are called to do your part (v. 11-16).

Apostle - the Visionary Pioneer: One who is sent on a mission. “Let’s go to a new horizon.”

Prophet - the Bold Challenger: God’s mouthpiece to speak forth His Word. “Let’s get back on track.”

Evangelist - the Passionate Proclaimer: Heralds of the Gospel of salvation. “You need to be saved today.”

Pastor/Teacher - The Compassionate Leader & the Practical Communicator: God’s Shepherd & Teacher. “Let me lead you to green pastures and show you how to live for Jesus.”

Body Building Tip: God wants you to grow to spiritual maturity. What does spiritual maturity look like in a believer? A mature believer is one who can discern truth from error. A mature believer has a keen sense of discernment and can spot a spiritual phony a mile away.

Today’s Big Idea: I am encouraged, equipped, and empowered by Jesus to do great things for Jesus.

Action Steps:

Discover my gifts, talents, and abilities. I will take a spiritual gifts test this week to discover and explore how I can do my part to build up the Body of Christ.

Sign up to serve on an Arden Serve Team. Try out 2 different Serve Teams to try to find the one where you can make the most impact upon the lives of others.

Support the leaders in this church. Since God has given leaders to each local church, the members are called to support the ministers by giving of their time, talents, and resources to support the mission of the church.

Preview for next Sunday: Holy Habit #7: Fasting—How to experience a breakthrough.

Holy Habit #5: Prayer

The Power of Passionate Prayer: How to Pray Like Your Life Depends upon it!

• Jesus prayed regularly.

• Jesus prayed often.

• Jesus prayed in the early mornings (Mark 1:35).

• Jesus prayed late in the evenings (Matthew 14:23).

• Jesus prayed all night at critical times in his life and ministry (Luke 6:12).

• Jesus prayed in private places like on mountain tops and the wilderness (Mark 6:46, Luke 6:12, Luke 5:16).

• Jesus prayed passionately (Hebrews 5:7).

• Jesus prayed persistently (Matthew 26:44).

• Jesus prayed in the Father’s will (Matthew 26:42).

• Jesus prayed to give thanks for food (Matthew 14:19).

• Jesus prayed to bless the little children (Matthew 19:13-15).

• Jesus prayed to His disciples and for all future believers—and this includes you (John 17:1-25, Romans 8:34).

• Jesus prayed for His disciples to receive the Holy Spirit Who would be with them forever (John 14:16).

• Jesus is praying for you right now even as we are gathered together (Hebrews 7:25).

1. The Posture of Prayer: Pray like you are talking to a loving Father (v. 1-4). Make prayer a priority in your life everyday, starting today! Challenge: Try to start and end each day with a time of passionate prayer for your Father in Heaven.

2. The Persistence of Prayer: Pray with some holy tenacity and Godly grit (v. 5-8). Prayer is not just about me getting my needs met, but prayer is also about me becoming more like my Father who is in Heaven. The more time that I spend connecting with Heaven, the more Heaven comes down to take residence in my soul.

3. The Picture of Prayer: Pray with eager anticipation (9-13). Find a good place to pray. Your prayer closet is anywhere will you will have minimal distractions. Also try to develop a habit of when you pray. Mornings are a great time to start your day before you begin your daily routines.

Today’s Big Idea: A.S.K. Pray like all depends upon God and keep seeking and knocking like you believe God will answer!

Action Steps:

* Start and end each day with a time of meaningful prayer with your Heavenly Father.

* Ask God to do His part, and you keep on taking the next right steps until the prayer is finally answered. (Keep in mind that you may get a different answer than you originally requested).

* Make prayer a culture in your everyday life. Prayer should not just be an activity that you engage in, but prayer should be part of who you are!

Holy Habit #4: Community

Are you fully connected to your church family? 3 Family Truths about Christianity Community

1. A thriving church family is engaging daily in the Holy Habits (v. 41-42, 46-47a).

Community Principle: Great things happen when God’s people are praying, God’s Word is being proclaimed, and God’s Spirit falls upon the people! If we want to see God move in our midst, we need to be committed to praying with passion, preaching with purpose, and inviting the Holy Spirit to move mightily in our midst.

Community Principle: True Christian community takes place not only on Sunday, but also throughout the week. Fellowship happens when believers meet together to pray for one another, share a meal together, prayer together and for one another, worship Jesus together, and remembering the Lord’s death in partaking communion. Fellowship is all about taking part in the “one another” principles found throughout the New Testament. As we grow closer to Jesus, we should also grow closer to one another as we follow Jesus together as a community of believers.

2. A thriving church family is connecting constantly in one another’s life (v. 44-47).

Community thought: Worship is not just what you do on Sunday, but worship is an expression of your daily life. What would happen if you purposed in your heart not just to go to church on Sundays, but to be the living church in your everyday life? What would happen if you connected with other believers in your everyday life? What would happen if you started a habit of inviting other church members over to your house to share a meal during the week?

3. A thriving church family is impacting powerfully those in its community (v. 43, 47).

“The Christians you meet in the Book of Acts were not content to meet once a week for “services as usual.” They met daily (Acts 2:46), cared daily (Acts 6:1), won souls daily (Acts 2:47), searched the Scriptures daily (Acts 17:11), and increased in number daily (Acts 16:5). Their Christian faith was a day-to-day reality, not a once-a-week routine. Why? Because the risen Christ was a living reality to them, and His resurrection power was at work in their lives through the Spirit” -Warren Wiersbe

Today’s Big Idea: You are called to be an active part of a thriving church community.

Action Steps:

* For the future member: Become part of this church family by joining our fellowship. How do I go about this? Sign up for the next Arden Culture Class by emailing the church office at [email protected].

* Try an Arden Group this week. If you are not already active in a small group, try out at least 2 different small groups over the next 2 weeks and pick the one that would be the best fit for you. See small group handout for times and dates of each Arden Group.

* Be the church member that you wished others were! Don’t just wish for the perfect church, become the person that you desire others to be! You are called here to make a positive impact, not to be a spiritual consumer who watches from the sidelines!

The Genius of Generosity: 4 Generous Principles about New Testament Giving

How is generous giving genius?

2 Corinthians 9:6-15

1. A genius giver understands the law of the harvest (v. 6, 10). Genius Giver Thought: I will practice generous giving because I know that God is the one who provides both the seed and the harvest. My job is to trust God’s goodness and sow the seed generously and expectantly.

2. A genius giver plans their giving strategy (v. 7a). You can give without loving, but you cannot love without giving! Genius Giver Thought: When you are living forgiven, set free, and are walking in the newness of the Spirit—you are living by a higher standard, not a lower standard than that which was prescribed by the law. The tithe is a good starting point of reference (not a law or a command)—but grace should motivate you not to put limits on what God can do THROUGH you and your giving! Tithing is like the training wheels of grace giving, but generosity should be our goal! Christians who give under grace don’t want to put a cap on what God can do in and through their generosity!

“Give according to your income lest God make your income according to your giving.” –Peter Marshall, former chaplain to the US Senate

Genius Giver Thought: You can set goals each year to become more generous in not just money, but also your time and in your service to the work of Christ in the world and in the local church.

“He is the richest man in the esteem of the world who has gotten the most. He is the richest man in the esteem of Heaven who has given the most.”—F.B. Meyer

3. A genius giver displays a positive attitude about generosity (v. 7b). YOU CAN’T TAKE IT WITH YOU!

Genius Giver Thought: EROI. Eternal Return On Investment. What things can you give to that has an EROI? There are two things that live forever: The Word of God and the souls of people! Invest you money in Christ-centered, Gospel-oriented missions that will help get the Word of God out into the world in such a way that people have an opportunity to respond to the saving message of the Gospel.

4. A genius giver rejoices in the fruit of a generous life (v. 8-15).

Today’s Big Idea: The genius of generosity is knowing that I am not an owner but a steward of all that God has entrusted to my care.

Action Steps:

1) Give my complete self to God as a living worship service (Romans 12).

2) Develop a giving strategy for the time, talent, and treasure that God has entrusted to my care (2 Corinthians 8-9).

3) Start sowing seed into God’s harvest and wait with anticipation for the coming Harvest (Galatians 6:7-10).