Big Idea - The story of Christmas is easily the most familiar in all the Bible. And Luke 2:1-7 even more so. But, we can confuse familiarity for understanding. What is the message of Luke 2:1-7? Do we really know what the point of the story is? It records Jesus’ birth, but is Jesus even the main character in this story? Who is the story really about? More importantly, what does this story tell us? What is the real point Luke is making here?

The story is about Jesus, but only indirectly. The main characters in the story are Joseph and Mary - it is really about them! Jesus isn’t even named. He is referred to only as the baby and Mary’s firstborn child. But, the story is about 1) God who is Sovereign even over the most powerful world leader, who in the end do God’s bidding, 2) Jesus meets the qualifications for Messiah - of the line of David, but the humble circumstances of Jesus’ birth demonstrate that Jesus came as a slave, waving the rights and pomp of His position, and 3) even though the fulness of the incarnation meant Jesus was of the lowest status, He is still Lord and Master over all who would follow Him. He will dictate and govern those who follow Him, and that often means a path that is difficult and challenging.

Big Idea - We are living in a challenging time - Covid, political turmoil in many countries, economic crisis, and all the uncertainties that come along with these issues. It is very easy to lose perspective, or more importantly, to have the wrong perspective when the things right in front of us become bigger issues than they really are, and God and His purpose and plans in our lives get dwarfed by everything else. When this is the case it is vital that we realign our perspective by seeing how great God is and by remembering His promises and power to accomplish His perfect plan in us and through us! One of the best ways to do this is through the right kind of worship. Mary certainly had problems in her life, but she was able to keep things in the right perspective by magnifying God and finding her full joy in Him. Her worship was 1) rooted in humility, 2) focused on God’s power, 3) mindful of God’s character, and 4) shared with one who could relate. We will do well to follow Mary’s example!

Big Idea - We are living in a challenging time - Covid, political turmoil in many countries, economic crisis, and all the uncertainties that come along with these issues. It is very easy to lose perspective, or more importantly, to have the wrong perspective when the things right in front of us become bigger issues than they really are, and God and His purpose and plans in our lives get dwarfed by everything else. When this is the case it is vital that we realign our perspective by seeing how great God is and by remembering His promises and power to accomplish His perfect plan in us and through us! One of the best ways to do this is through the right kind of worship. Mary certainly had problems in her life, but she was able to keep things in the right perspective by magnifying God and finding her full joy in Him. Her worship was 1) rooted in humility, 2) focused on God’s power, 3) mindful of God’s character, and 4) shared with one who could relate. We will do well to follow Mary’s example!

Big Idea - At Christmas, we celebrate the birth of Jesus, but it is not simply that He was born, but that the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. Jesus came from heaven to earth then, so that He might be continually with us now. We do not often hear Advent sermons from Mark, but it is right to think about what we must do to prepare ourselves to receive Jesus. Just as Israel needed to prepare for His coming, if they were going to truly welcome Jesus into their lives, so we too must prepare our lives if we are going to experience Jesus as God with us - that is the point of Christmas.

Big Idea - At Christmas, we celebrate the birth of Jesus, but it is not simply that He was born, but that the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. Jesus came from heaven to earth then, so that He might be continually with us now. We do not often hear Advent sermons from Mark, but it is right to think about what we must do to prepare ourselves to receive Jesus. Just as Israel needed to prepare for His coming, if they were going to truly welcome Jesus into their lives, so we too must prepare our lives if we are going to experience Jesus as God with us - that is the point of Christmas.

Chiangmai Christian Fellowship

Chiangmai Christian Fellowship

Chiangmai Christian Fellowship

Big Idea - How are we to handle sin in the community of faith? Who has the authority to call people to account when they go astray? Jesus began this teaching by explaining that the community of His followers were not to pursue greatness or status, like the world. If you want to enter the kingdom at all you must humble yourself and take the position of a child - the lowest rank of all. We are to welcome each other as children in Jesus' name - because of our status as children of God through the work of Christ. But without some kind of hierarchy how are we to deal with sin and with those who go astray? Isn't there a need for a class of people who have the authority to decide what is right and wrong and to judge the conduct of those in the community? Something like the role of the Priests?

Jesus makes it clear that the problem of sin in the community of faith, is a problem of the entire community, not the responsibility of a select few. We all must be extremely careful that we do not cause one of these little ones to stumble and fall into sin! We all must deal aggressively and decisively with sin in our personal life. Every “little one” is precious to God, even those that wander off. So each of us must have that same concern for those who wander off and diligently seek to restore them to the community. We are all accountable to each other, and God has given His authority to confront sin to those who prayerfully gather in His name. If even two are gathered in His name they have the authority to deal with a straying brother or sister. The goal is to restore the sinner, but if they refuse to repent the gathered community is authorized to break off fellowship with that person because that authority rests with the gathered and prayerful community of Christ-followers where Jesus Himself is a constant presence in their midst.

Big Idea - How are we to handle sin in the community of faith? Who has the authority to call people to account when they go astray? Jesus began this teaching by explaining that the community of His followers were not to pursue greatness or status, like the world. If you want to enter the kingdom at all you must humble yourself and take the position of a child - the lowest rank of all. We are to welcome each other as children in Jesus' name - because of our status as children of God through the work of Christ. But without some kind of hierarchy how are we to deal with sin and with those who go astray? Isn't there a need for a class of people who have the authority to decide what is right and wrong and to judge the conduct of those in the community? Something like the role of the Priests?

Jesus makes it clear that the problem of sin in the community of faith, is a problem of the entire community, not the responsibility of a select few. We all must be extremely careful that we do not cause one of these little ones to stumble and fall into sin! We all must deal aggressively and decisively with sin in our personal life. Every “little one” is precious to God, even those that wander off. So each of us must have that same concern for those who wander off and diligently seek to restore them to the community. We are all accountable to each other, and God has given His authority to confront sin to those who prayerfully gather in His name. If even two are gathered in His name they have the authority to deal with a straying brother or sister. The goal is to restore the sinner, but if they refuse to repent the gathered community is authorized to break off fellowship with that person because that authority rests with the gathered and prayerful community of Christ-followers where Jesus Himself is a constant presence in their midst.