Christmas: God Gave Himself

Randy Lockley

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14

1. INCARNATION OF GOD

• God the Son Became One of Us

• God the Son Lived as One of Us

• God the Son Manifested God to Us

2. INVITATION OF GOD

• God the Son Loved Us

• God the Son Paid for Us

3. IMMANUEL: GOD WITH US

“Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.”

“For unto us a Child is born,

Unto us a Son is given . . .

And His name will be called . . .

Mighty God . . .” Isaiah 9:6

Open for Christmas

Marcus Van Every Revelation 3:14-22

I. We need open ears to hear and believe the word of Christ.

(Rev 3:14, 22)

II. We need open hearts to receive the perfect love of Christ. (Rev. 3:18-19)

III. We need open eyes to see the world as Christ. (Rev 3:18)

IV. We need open mouths to praise God and share the good news about Christ. (Rev 3:14)

V. We need open hands to be givers like Christ. (Rev 3:17)

VI. We need open arms to show the kindness of Christ.

(Rev. 3:17)

VII. We need to open up our doors to Christ and let him in! (Rev. 3:20)

As We Go … What are YOU GIVING for Christmas this year?

And everyday after …

Favoritism and the Fear of the Lord

Acts 10:22 – 11:18

I. Cornelius may have been a good and generous man by our

standards, but he was not good enough for God’s standard.

(Acts 10:22-34)

II. God owes us nothing but has given us everything in Jesus Christ. (Acts 10:34)

III. The good news of God’s salvation is for all people from every nation on the earth.

(Acts 10:35-48)

IV. We must never forget that the urgency of the Great Commission is accelerated because of the certainty of the coming judgment.

(Acts 10:42-43)

As We Go … Lord help us to learn how to truly fear YOU again.

God’s Grace is for Everyone

Acts 10:1-22 and 28

1.God prepares men’s hearts for salvation

John 6:44

No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day

Genesis 6:3

And the Lord said, My spirit shall not always strive with man,

2. Christians have to be Spiritually ready.

Ezra 7:10

For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the Lord, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments.

2 Timothy 2:15

15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.

2 Timothy 3:16

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

3. Then God works.

Acts 10:42-44

42 And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of the quick and the dead.

43 To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name

whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.

44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all of

them which heard the word.

Four Seasons of our Spiritual Journey

Acts 9:19-31

Season #1 - WINTER - Signifies our life without Jesus Christ

COMMON DANGER - False conversion

Season #2 - SPRING - Signifies our new spiritual birth through faith in Jesus Christ (Acts 9:20, 28-29)

COMMON DANGER - Failure at Discipleship

Season #3 - SUMMER - Signifies our growth and maturity in Jesus Christ (Acts 9:30)

COMMON DANGER - Distracted by the pressures, pursuits and pleasures of the world

Season #4 - AUTUMN - Signifies our deep-rooted resolve to finish strong for Jesus. (2 Timothy 4:1-8)

COMMON DANGER - The illusion of Retirement

As WE Go . . . Regardless of what season you are in right now, starting today - surrender the rest of your life to the Lord Jesus and to the work of gospel ministry!

What is it going to take for you to become willing to lay down your life in the hands of the Almighty and truly become His chosen instrument for His greater work?

We would like to thank our missionaries who took part in this weekend's event.

Ethnos 360: Matt and Starr Arnold

Solid Rock Inernational: Ron Seecharan

CRU: Steve and Robin Ronk

Trans World Radio: Gary & Winnie Whitmore

Life Choices: Steve Coplon

It's time to do YOUR part in God's process of evangelism and let's carry out the Great Commission together!

Acts:8:9-25

We are called to know, understand, believe, preserve, and contend for the only true Gospel. while at the same time recognize, expose, and reject any other gospel.