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Unwrapping Christmas - Confusion (Week 3)

When we think about Kids unwrapping Christmas presents they are like a whirlwind of paper, bows, and ribbons.  What if we decided to be that excited about digging into the meaning of Christ this Christmas.  What if we tore, not into wrapping paper, but scripture with the same energy to see who Jesus is and what Jesus means to each of us. Instead of unwrapping presents, this Christmas, we are going to unwrap the presence of Christ.

Joseph is a key character in the birth of Christ.  He is the betrothed of Mary and encounters one of the craziest situations of all time.  His wife reveals that she is pregnant through the Holy Spirit.  How is Joseph going to react?  How can we learn something from this husband, earthly father, and the man who stepped in to raise the Son of God?


SCRIPTURE: Matthew 1:18-25
18 This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. 19 Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and ye did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.

20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23 “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).

24 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. 25 But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.

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Unwrapping Christmas - Expectation (Week 2)

When we think about Kids unwrapping Christmas presents they are like a whirlwind of paper, bows, and ribbons.  What if we decided to be that excited about digging into the meaning of Christ this Christmas.  What if we tore, not into wrapping paper, but scripture with the same energy to see who Jesus is and what Jesus means to each of us. Instead of unwrapping presents, this Christmas, we are going to unwrap the presence of Christ.

Mary expected her life to go one way and it went drastically differently.  The angel told her that she would be expecting a child while not fully married.  The angel said she would be the mother of the Messiah and that she was favored by God.  Sometimes, our expectations are not met.  Sometimes we should expect the unexpected.


SCRIPTURE: Luke 1:26-38

26 In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”

29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”

34 “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”

35 The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called[a] the Son of God. 36 Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. 37 For no word from God will ever fail.”

38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.

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Unwrapping Christmas - Anticipation (Week 1)

     When we think about Kids unwrapping Christmas presents they are like a whirlwind of paper, bows, and ribbons.  What if we decided to be that excited about digging into the meaning of Christ this Christmas.  What if we tore, not into wrapping paper, but scripture with the same energy to see who Jesus is and what Jesus means to each of us. Instead of unwrapping presents, this Christmas, we are going to unwrap the presence of Christ.

      There has been a period of silence from God. The people are anticipating the messiah.  The way that God chooses to reveal the Messiah continues to build anticipation and excitement about who and how the messiah will be.  Join us as we look at the story of Elizabeth and Zechariah and how God builds anticipation for Jesus.


SCRIPTURE:

Luke 1:5-25

 In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron. 6 Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly. 7 But they were childless because Elizabeth was not able to conceive, and they were both very old.

8 Once when Zechariah’s division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God, 9 he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense. 10 And when the time for the burning of incense came, all the assembled worshipers were praying outside.

11 Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. 12 When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear. 13 But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John. 14 He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, 15 for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born. 16 He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. 17 And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”

18 Zechariah asked the angel, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.”

19 The angel said to him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. 20 And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their appointed time.”

21 Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah and wondering why he stayed so long in the temple. 22 When he came out, he could not speak to them. They realized he had seen a vision in the temple, for he kept making signs to them but remained unable to speak.

23 When his time of service was completed, he returned home. 24 After this his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and for five months remained in seclusion. 25 “The Lord has done this for me,” she said. “In these days he has shown his favor and taken away my disgrace among the people.”

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Chasing Carrots: Comfort (Week 4)

What’s your carrot?

What really makes for a happy life? A dream job, a bigger house, or a new relationship? If you’re always hungry for the next big thing, but frustrated because it never seems to satisfy you, it’s time to hop off the treadmill and chase after something real.

We were created with an inherent need for God in our lives.  We have been created to desire God.  When we try to fill that eternal longing with temporary comfort it can lead to an empty life.  A life spent in pursuit of a comfort that is unattainable.  God wants more for us.  

SCRIPTURE:

1 John 2:15 NLT

Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you.

Romans 12:2

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.

Philippians 4:11-13

11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

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Chasing Carrots: Approval (Week 3)

What’s your carrot?
What really makes for a happy life? A dream job, a bigger house, or a new relationship? If you’re always hungry for the next big thing, but frustrated because it never seems to satisfy you, it’s time to hop off the treadmill and chase after something real.

It is good to be liked.  It is great to have the approval of others.  Sometimes though, seeking after the approval of others can lead us in crazy directions.  If we become obsessed with what others think we can lose sight of our value in the eyes of God.  We can start to believe what others say and we can struggle to gain the approval of others forgetting about what God sees in us.

SCRIPTURE:

Proverbs 29:25

Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.

Galatians 1:10

10 Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.

John 12:42b-43

…But because of the Pharisees they would not openly acknowledge their faith for fear they would be put out of the synagogue; 43 for they loved human praise more than praise from God.
1 Thessalonians 2:4,6
4 On the contrary, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please people but God, who tests our hearts
6 We were not looking for praise from people, not from you or anyone else, even though as apostles of Christ we could have asserted our authority.

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Chasing Carrots: Money and Stuff (Week 2)

What’s your carrot?

What really makes for a happy life? A dream job, a bigger house, or a new relationship? If you’re always hungry for the next big thing, but frustrated because it never seems to satisfy you, it’s time to hop off the treadmill and chase after something real.

It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to recognize that money helps.  However, pursuit of money can be problematic if it becomes the most important thing.  Far too often we seek after more of what is temporary when we should be pursuing more of what is eternal.  

Scripture

Luke 12:20-21

20 “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’

21 “This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.”

Ecclesiastical 5:19

19 Moreover, when God gives someone wealth and possessions, and the ability to enjoy them, to accept their lot and be happy in their toil—this is a gift of God.

Luke 18:24-25

24 Jesus looked at him and said, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God! 25 Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”

1 Timothy 6:17

17 Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.

1 Timothy 6:18-19

18 Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 19 In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.

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Chasing Carrots: Fame (Week 1)

What’s your carrot?

What really makes for a happy life? A dream job, a bigger house, or a new relationship? If you’re always hungry for the next big thing, but frustrated because it never seems to satisfy you, it’s time to hop off the treadmill and chase after something real.

We are all in pursuit of something.  What we pursue gives us focus and purpose.  When we seek after God first, it puts everything else in perspective.  We don’t need to be famous, we need to be faithful.  Want to know how we can pursue God and live faithfully?  Join us as we look for the answer to that question.

Scripture:

1 Chronicles 14:16-17

16 So David did as God commanded him, and they struck down the Philistine army, all the way from Gibeon to Gezer. 17 So David’s fame spread throughout every land, and the Lord made all the nations fear him.

John 3:30

30 He must become greater; I must become less.

2 Corinthians 5:20 NLT

20 So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!”

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The Best is Yet to Come: Better Together

We live at the intersection of two realities. Christ ushered in the kingdom of God. The fullness of the kingdom is not yet here. God is ordering our footsteps. God is preparing good works. We live in a fallen world, a broken world, but heaven is invading earth right here, right now.

We don’t believe in happily ever after. We believe in something so much bigger and better and longer—happily FOREVER after. THE BEST IS YET TO COME!

Scripture:

John 14:11-12

11 Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves. 12 Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.

12 Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.

John 17:20-23

20 “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— 23 I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.

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The Best is Yet to Come: Image Bearer

We live at the intersection of two realities. Christ ushered in the kingdom of God. The fullness of the kingdom is not yet here. God is ordering our footsteps. God is preparing good works. We live in a fallen world, a broken world, but heaven is invading earth right here, right now.

We don’t believe in happily ever after. We believe in something so much bigger and better and longer—happily FOREVER after. THE BEST IS YET TO COME!

Scripture:

Genesis 1:27

So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.

Genesis 1:31

31 God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day.

Matthew 5:13-14

13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.

14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.

2 Corinthians 3:18

18 And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

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The Best is Yet to Come: Sent in Service

We live at the intersection of two realities. Christ ushered in the kingdom of God. The fullness of the kingdom is not yet here. God is ordering our footsteps. God is preparing good works. We live in a fallen world, a broken world, but heaven is invading earth right here, right now.

We don’t believe in happily ever after. We believe in something so much bigger and better and longer—happily FOREVER after. THE BEST IS YET TO COME!

Scripture:

Mark 10:45

45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Ephesians 2:10

10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Ephesians 4:17-24

17 So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. 18 They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. 19 Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed.

20 That, however, is not the way of life you learned 21 when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. 22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.