Coosa Valley Church of God - Cropwell, Alabama

 

 

 

 

 

Our Lord Lowered Himself (John 13:1-5)

Humility Displayed; Holiness Required (John 13:6-11)

Instruction for Maintaining Humble Relations (John 13:12-17)

 

 

Truth: Christians are to serve one another, following Jesus’ example.

Focus: Reflect upon Jesus’ washing His disciples’ feet and incorporate His teaching into our Christian relationships.

Emphasis: Christlike servanthood draws unbelievers to Jesus.

 

 

Golden Text: John 13:15 (ESV) ~ For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you.

 

 

Monday - Moses, Humble Servant of God (Numbers 12:3-8)

Tuesday - David the Servant King (2 Samuel 7:4-9)

Wednesday - Daniel, Servant of the Living God (Daniel 6:18-23)

Thursday - Jesus Christ Came to Serve (Matthew 20:25-28)

Friday - Paul, Servant of Jesus Christ (Romans 1:1-6)

Saturday - Brothers and Servants of Jesus (James 1:1; Jude 1-2)

 

 

 

 

Passages: Isaiah 43:16–19; Isaiah 41:10; Psalm 37:23–24; Joel 2:12–13; Hosea 14:1; John 16:33; 1 John 5:4; Luke 14:23

 

 

A New Year doesn’t mean a New You. Especially, if you keep living the way you’ve always lived. A New You only happens when an eternal God takes over your life and He changes how you live.

 

Isaiah 43:16–19 ~ “16 Thus says the Lord, who makes a way in the sea, a path in the mighty waters, 17 who brings forth chariot and horse, army and warrior; they lie down, they cannot rise, they are extinguished, quenched like a wick: 18 “Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. 19 Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.”

 

As we move into a New Year, many are at church this morning, looking for a NEW word from God. There is not a NEW word from God, His Word has NOT changed! Instead of looking for something NEW, let’s start looking at His Word and get a NEW revelation poured into our lives. Let’s live a NEW life for HIM!!!

 

For 2026, I want us to look at His Word and ALL of us (ME INCLUDED) and begin to GROW ...

 

Isaiah 41:10 ~ “fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

 

Psalm 37:23–24 ~ “23 The steps of a man are established by the Lord, when he delights in his way; 24 though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the Lord upholds his hand.”

 

Joel 2:12–13 ~ “12 “Yet even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning 13 and rend your hearts and not your garments.” Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster.”

 

Hosea 14:1 ~ “Return, O Israel, to the Lord your God, for you have stumbled because of your iniquity.”

 

John 16:33 ~ “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.””

 

1 John 5:4 ~ “For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.”

 

Luke 14:23 ~ “And the master said to the servant, ‘Go out to the highways and hedges and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled.”

 

Luke 14:23 AMP - “Then the master said to the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges and urge and constrain [them] to yield and come in, so that my house may be filled [with guests].

 

 

Pastor Andy Lambert

Phone/Text: 205.642.8744 ext 101

Email: [email protected]

 

 

Be sure to download the CV Connect Mobile App and STAY CONNECTED!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sheep Know the Shepherd’s Voice (John 10:1-10)

Jesus Sacrifices Himself for His Sheep (John 10:11-21)

The Shepherd Knows His Sheep (John 10:22-30)

 

 

Truth: Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd, leads and provides for us.

Focus: Understand Jesus has good purposes for those who follow Him and learn to attend to His voice.

Emphasis: Sinners who turn to Jesus receive salvation and come under His care.

 

 

Golden Text: John 10:11 (ESV) ~ I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

 

 

Monday - The Shepherd of Israel (Psalm 80:1-3)

Tuesday - The Divine Shepherd’s Flock (Isaiah 40:9-11)

Wednesday - The Shepherd-Savior Smitten (Zechariah 13:7-9)

Thursday - Compassion of the Good Shepherd (Matthew 18:10-14)

Friday - Imitate the Chief Shepherd (1 Peter 5:1-4)

Saturday - The Shepherd Wipes Away Every Tear (Revelation 7:13-17)

 

 

 

 

 

Passages: 1 Corinthians 11:17-34

 

 

The Lord’s Supper is one of the ordinances of the church and it is one that is crucial for believers to understand how it is and is not to be observed. You can go back and read the entire selection of verses found in 1 Corinthians 11:17-34 and see that Paul is instructing the Corinthians church in detail. I want to touch on different points that he made, but I encourage you to go back and read these verses.

 

1 Corinthians 11:17 ~ “But in the following instructions I do not commend you, because when you come together it is not for the better but for the worse.”

 

We find in verse 17 that Paul was rebuking the way the Corinthians were celebrating the Lord’s Supper. He had praised them for their diligence in keeping the traditions or customs of the church. But in dealing with the Lord’s Supper, he declared in no uncertain terms: “I praise you not.”

 

The Corinthians were tragically abusing the Lord’s Supper. The abuses may seem strange to some churches today because they simply partake of a bread crumb and a small glass of wine or grape juice to celebrate the Lord’s Supper. However, as stated in the introductory note, the Corinthians observed the Lord’s Supper with a full-fledged meal or Love Feast. There were four abuses, some of which are very applicable and speak very directly to the churches of every generation.

 

Verses 18-19 - There were divisions and cliques within the church which corrupted the Lord’s Supper. When divisions, cliques, factions, and parties exist, the spirit of a church is in disorder. Minds and hearts are not upon the Lord nor at peace with the Lord or with the Lord’s people. Disturbance, pain, anger, rumor, gossip, pride, selfishness, misunderstanding, and misrepresentation always prevail when there are divisions and cliques within a church.

Verse 20 - There was self-deception which corrupted the Lord’s Supper. Very simply, the Corinthians were only deceiving themselves in coming together and partaking of the cup and the bread. They may have thought they were celebrating the Lord’s Supper, but they were not; they were utterly deceived. What they were doing was not remembering and honoring the Lord. It was utterly impossible to have a divisive and cliquish spirit and honor the Lord. Their meeting together was utterly meaningless and useless to the Lord.

Verse 21 - There was selfishness and neglect of others which corrupted the Lord’s Supper. When the early church came together for the Love Feast, everyone brought all the food they could. This provided plenty for everyone, including the poor and the slaves who would not be able to bring much. The whole idea was to have a common meal where everyone shared.

Verse 22 - There was the abuse of the sanctity of the church and the shaming of the poor which corrupted the Lord’s Supper. Note that this verse is a series of questions that answer themselves and should stir conviction within the heart of the guilty.

 

Where we want to look at this morning is verses 23-26, where Paul gives us the real meaning of the Lord’s Supper. Paul clearly said that Christ discussed the Lord’s Supper with him in a special revelation. What he received from the Lord, he is now sharing with the Corinthian Church and with us today. We must also realize that Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper on the very night that He was betrayed.

 

1 Corinthians 11:23–26 ~ “23 For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 25 In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.”

 

The meaning of the bread: note the exact words of Christ.

“Take, eat: this is my body.” There are, of course, various interpretations of this statement. Some say that the bread actually becomes the substance of the Lord’s body when a person eats the bread and drinks the cup. Others hold beliefs ranging from the elements being the actual substance to being merely a remembrance of the Lord. But note the word “is.” The word has the meaning of representing or identifying as well as of substance. We represents the image of and the glory of God in this world. We represent Christ in the world we are living in.

The words “which is broken for you” refer to the death, the bruising, and the suffering of Christ. Note the words “for you.” The word for points to the substitutionary nature of Jesus’ death. He died for us, as our substitute.

“This do in remembrance of me.” This means much more than just recalling the death of Christ. It means to actively stir up one’s mind and to meditate upon the person of Jesus Christ. Christ says to remember me, not just one aspect of His Person and work. The believer is to actively meditate upon Christ.

 

The meaning of the cup: again, note the exact words of the Lord.

“This cup is the new testament in my blood.” The idea is that the old covenant of the Old Testament is being set aside and God is establishing a new covenant with His people. The basis of the new covenant is the blood of Jesus Christ, not the blood of bulls and goats.

“This do ye, as oft as ye drink it.” Christ, very simply, told His followers to do as He was doing in celebrating His supper: set a time aside, take the cup, bless it, and drink of it.

“In remembrance of me.” This is repeated to stress the point that the Lord’s Supper has one purpose and only one purpose: to focus attention upon the Lord. The Lord’s people are to center their minds upon Him and Him alone. The celebration of the Lord’s Supper is not to be a time for fellowshipping and feasting.

 

The reason for observing the Lord’s Supper: note the word show. It means to proclaim, preach, declare, announce. The Lord’s Supper is both a picture and sermon which proclaims the Lord’s death and the Lord’s return.

The point is this: Christ died for us that we might live eternally with Him. Therefore, His death pictures both what He has done for us as well as what He is going to do for us when He returns. His death is a picture of both our past and present redemption as well as our future redemption when we shall be conformed to His image of perfection.

 

There are severe consequences or chastisement for partaking of the Lord’s Supper unworthily. What does it mean to partake of the supper unworthily? Paul is speaking directly to the Corinthians; so whatever their sins were is bound to be what Paul means by unworthily. The Corinthians were guilty of partaking of the Lord’s Supper with …

 

a spirit of division (v. 18)

a spirit of heresy (factions, cliques, v.19)

a spirit of self-deception (v. 20)

a spirit of selfishness and indulgence (v. 21)

a spirit of drunkeness (v. 21)

a spirit of neglecting the poor (v. 21)

a spirit of irreverence and carelessness in protecting the sanctity of the church (v. 22)

a spirit of unthoughtfulness and carelessness in approaching the Lord’s Supper

 

 

Very frankly, the above list seems to indicate that having sin within one’s heart and life is what is meant by partaking unworthily. Certainly, if we eat the bread and drink the cup with unconfessed sin in our hearts and lives, how can we be counted worthy? Our only worthiness is Jesus Christ, and the only time we are counted worthy by Him is when we are walking …

 

in constant confession

in constant repentance to Him

in constant praise of His mercy, grace, Person, and work

 

We have no righteousness of our own, so the only conceivable time we could be counted worthy would be when we are walking in constant fellowship with Him. And constant fellowship means actively thinking upon and talking with Him through confession, repentance, praise, and request.

 

There are consequences for partaking of the Lord’s Supper unworthily, that is, with unconfessed sin in one’s heart and life.

 

This is why we take the right approach to the Lord’s Supper.

 

Examine ourselves.

Accept the chastening of the Lord. Confess and repent.

Serve one another. Stop acting selfishly and stop indulging yourself.

Do not bring condemnation upon yourself. Straighten your life out and sin no more.

 

 

Pastor Andy Lambert

Phone/Text: 205.642.8744 ext. 101

Email: [email protected]

 

 

Be sure to download the CV Connect Mobile App and STAY CONNECTED!

 

 

 

 

 

Follow Christ Above Great Leaders (John 8:31-40)

The Depths of Deception (John 8:41-53)

Trust the “I AM” (John 8:54-59; Exodus 3:13-14)

 

 

Truth: All that Jesus Christ claimed about Himself is true.

Focus: Recognize life comes through Christ, the “I AM”, and exalt His way above all others.

Emphasis: Jesus is the only way to salvation from sin and death.

 

 

Golden Text: John 8:58 (ESV) ~ Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.”

 

 

Monday - Abram Obeys the Lord’s Call (Genesis 12:1-5)

Tuesday - The Lord of Hosts Directs Joshua (Joshua 5:13-15)

Wednesday - The King of Glory (Psalm 24:7-10)

Thursday - The Great Confession (Matthew 16:13-17)

Friday - Jesus Is the Only Way (John 14:1-6)

Saturday - Preeminence of Jesus Christ (Colossians 2:9-18)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Passages: Luke 2:1-20

 

 

Luke 2:1–20 ~ “1 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. 8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” 15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. 17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.”

 

Great and many gifts are wrapped on Christmas. Many of these are expensive and valuable. But no gift, regardless of its price value will be as great as was the gift that Mary wrapped in swaddling clothes and laid in a manger among the odor of the animals two thousand years ago.

 

NOTICE THE BIRTH OF JESUS

It was with out Attendance

No Doctor

No Nurse

No Hospital

What Did Happen

The Angels looked on—Heavenly Choir—Sang—Shouted—Announced

The Father looked on.

This is My Son.

How it must have hurt to see Him born so lowly - He was giving His best - For the devils worst

The Holy Spirit looked on

 

GOD UNWRAPS THE GREATEST GIFT

To the Shepherds

They went away telling others. (You will too)

They praised God

They shouted for joy

To the Wise Men

Laid their gifts at His feet. (You will too) Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh

Rejoiced with exceeding great joy

To John the Baptist

Behold the Lamb of God

The atonement for sins.

To the Women at the Well

She ran for joy - come see a Man

The gift of eternal life, greatest gift in her life

To Mary Magdalene cast out seven devils—She never forgot what Jesus did for her.

To the Thief on the Cross—“Today shalt thou be with Me in paradise.”

 

 

Have you ever let the Holy Spirit unwrap Jesus to you? He wants to if you will only let him. All other gifts that you will receive this Christmas will perish with the using, but if you will let God unwrap his unspeakable gift you will receive life eternal.

 

 

Pastor Andy Lambert

Phone/Text: 205.642.8744 ext 101

Email: [email protected]

 

 

Be sure to download the CV Connect Mobile App and STAY CONNECTED!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Humble Birth (Luke 2:1-7)

Angelic Announcement (Luke 2:8-20)

Seeing God’s Salvation (Luke 2:21-38)

 

 

Truth: Jesus was born to be the Savior of the world.

Focus: Examine the events surrounding Christ’s birth and accept Him as Savior.

Emphasis: Jesus was born to be the Savior of the world.

 

 

Golden Text: Luke 2:11 (ESV) ~ For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

 

 

Monday - Sure Prophecy (Isaiah 9:2-7)

Tuesday - Source of Our Peace (Isaiah 53:1-5)

Wednesday - God’s Anointed Son (Psalm 2:1-12)

Thursday - Miraculous Conception Foretold (Luke 1:26-35)

Friday - Virgin Birth (Matthew 1:18-25)

Saturday - Cause for Rejoicing (Matthew 2:1-11)

 

 

 

 

 

Passages: John 3:16; Acts 3:15; Hebrews 2:14; Matthew 18:3; 1 John 3:2; 1 John 1:3; Romans 8:17

 

 

Many people, yet alone Christians, realize the depth of the gift of Jesus’ birth. There are many wonderful things that meet the surface of His coming, but do we really see the true and ultimate purpose - the symbol for which He came?

 

So as we look at a Christmas Tree itself, we as Christians see (NOT THE PAGAN MEANINGS BUT ...):

 

The tree's triangular shape is often used to symbolize the Holy Trinity. The fact that it is "evergreen" represents the eternal love of God and the promise of everlasting life through Jesus Christ.

Lights: Originally candles, these symbolize Jesus as the "Light of the World" or the stars shining over the forest on the night of his birth.

The Star or Angel: Placed at the top to represent the Star of Bethlehem that guided the Wise Men or the angels who announced Jesus' birth to shepherds.

Ornaments: These evolved from the apples to the ornaments used today, to symbolize fruit from the Tree of Life or the blessings of God.

Candy Canes: Shaped like a shepherd’s crook, they represent Jesus as the "Good Shepherd".

Gifts: Placed at the base to recall the offerings of gold, frankincense, and myrrh brought by the Magi to the Christ Child.

 

So, again as Christians, we look deeper into the Christmas Tree; God’s Christmas Tree:

 

THE TREE PLACE

We know that on a hill a tree was used

Among blinding hate; in bitter hell

But with a broken heart, God gave His Son and the first to receive this blessed hope - a thief on the cross

 

 

THE TREE PRICED - This tree cost a terrific price. It cost:

God His Son

John 3:16 ~ “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”

Acts 3:15 ~ “and you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses.”

Satan his power

Hebrews 2:14 ~ “Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil,”

Sinner his pride

Matthew 18:3 ~ “and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”

 

 

THE TREE PRESENTS

Sonship

1 John 3:2 ~ “Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.”

Fellowship

1 John 1:3 ~ “that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ.”

Heirship

Romans 8:17 ~ “and if children, then heirs - heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.”

 

I don’t know about you, but I am no longer gonna allow this culture to take the things of God to represent evil. What God has created - it is GOOD!!!

 

 

 

Pastor Andy Lambert

Phone/Text: 205.642.8744 ext 101

Email: [email protected]

 

 

Be sure to download the CV CONNECT MOBILE APP today and STAY CONNECTED!!!