Pastor Chuck Keller of Cornerstone Church in Lolo, MT helps to bring the Christmas story to life in this advent series. Did you know the shepherds watching their flocks that night were a certain types of shepherd?...and those flocks of sheep were destined for a special purpose?!

Advent Season

12/18/2016

Today we are going to take a look at some other “random” folks that actually turn out to be rather special. Luke 2:1-20

So we read this all the time…

The angels appear to shepherds, tell them where to find Jesus, they sing “Glory to God in the highest…” and they go back to heaven and the shepherd go find Jesus.

What was the significance of “these” shepherds?

Jesus who refers to Himself as the Good Shepherd, came to earth to be among His sheep and in the process, became our sacrificial Lamb. John 10:11-14

Contrast that with Jesus’ description found in John 1:29.

Jesus the Good Shepherd, the Lamb of God, our sacrificial Lamb was announced to this specific group of shepherds.

These shepherds watched over the sheep that had to be spotless, without blemish.

God announced the coming of the perfect, spotless Lamb of God, the final Passover Lamb, to shepherds that raised Passover Lambs.

They lived out prophecies found in Micah, Isaiah and Jeremiah. Micah 4:8; Micah 5:2; Isaiah 7:14 Isaiah 11:1-2; Jeremiah 23:5-6

God selected the lowly shepherds, the low rung of society to share the Good News with. This announcement symbolizes that no one is too far gone to be reach and used by God!

The Greek Word for “suddenly” used in Luke 2:13 is the Strongs Word #1810 exaiphnes: adv. Meaning – suddenly or unexpectedly. It is associated with two other words: 1978 episemos & 2005 epiteleo; Strongs Word # 1978 - Episemos – notorious, prominent, outstanding: notable; Strongs Word # 2005 - Epiteleo – to finish, complete, end; to perfect, attain a goal

So angels “suddenly appeared” (unexpectedly, notably, finished the wait for, completed the arrival of, attained the goal of) fulfilling the prophecy of the arrival of God’s Son to the world!

Do you remember that moment when God (unexpectedly, notably, finished the wait for, completed the arrival of, attained the goal of) winning your heart and bringing you into the family of believers?

Advent Season

12/11/2016

What is Advent?

An advent is “an arrival of a notable person, thing, or event.

At Christmas we celebrate Advent where we count down the days until Christmas.

How many of you go shopping and then drop hints that you are done shopping and love it when people start guessing, “what did you get me?”

And your response is, “It is something awesome!” “You’re gonna love it!”

God did something very similar some 700 years before Christ was born through the prophet Isaiah. Isaiah 9:6

God is telling the prophet, I have this awesome gift coming!

These passages show Jesus as a Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father and Prince of Peace.Mark 2:17; Mark 2:5-12; Luke 19: 9-10

How amazing to see that prophecy fulfilled in your sight!

How amazing it would have been to witness Jesus in the flesh doing these things. But how much more amazing to be a part of the most important event in history! Matthew 1:18-23

Parents imagine your child today coming to you with this story.

Instead of looking for God in the situation we would have been trying to figure out how to cover it up.

We don’t even think about the aunts, uncles and other extended family that was wrapped up in this, “scandal!” Yet God was using them too! Luke 1:39-56

As we pass through this Advent Season, stop for a moment. Put yourself there.

How are you doing now? How are you preparing your hearts and home to receive your King?

Is the arrival of the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty King, Everlasting Father and Prince of Peace buzzing in your heart?

In just a few days, we will celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Have we prepared Him room?

Elder Nick Hunter of Cornerstone Church of Lolo, MT encourages the congregation to serve others as Christ would serve.

God, I Need You To Tell Me Where To Go And What To Do

11/27/2016

Welcome

It’s funny how many of us are so self reliant at times that we reject any input from others.

Yet all throughout Scripture we see God giving direction to people.

He led the Israelites out of Egypt and went before them as a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. Exodus 13:21-22

God led the shepherds to Jesus. Luke 2:8-22; 10-12

God led the Wise Men to Jesus. Matthew 2:1-12; 1-2

The Gospels of Matthew (Matthew 10:1-15), Mark (Mark 6:6b-13) and Luke (Luke 9:1-6) record Jesus sending out the Disciples giving them instructions on where to go and what to do.

Jesus instructed the Disciples on where to prepare the Passover (Matthew 26:17-19; Mark 14:12-16; Luke 22:7-13)

We are going into the month of December and intentionally and corporately seeking God’s direction for this church. I am so excited about this! It is a powerful thing, when God’s people come together and lift Him up and seek His direction!

When He answers our prayer of, “God, I need you to tell me where to go and tell me what to do.”

Let’s look at Acts 16. Acts 16:6-10 I wonder how excited they all were.

It says they “immediately sought to go to Macedonia, concluding the Lord had called us…”

Paul and the gang saw where they need to go and went. They took action steps toward that end. They had to get to Macedonia. Acts 16:11-12; Acts 16:13-15 Victory!!!!

Acts 16:16-40; 18-23 Paul and Silas were having a Worship Jam Session! Acts 16 goes on to tell us that Paul and Silas preached salvation to the guard, his family and I am sure, every prisoner in the prison.

Acts 16:40 Paul and Silas came back with the “good report.”

How do you lead your family in a lifestyle contradictory to what the “world” wants you to do?

Would you be bold enough to get back on your knees and ask again, “God, I need You to tell me where to go. I need You to tell me what to do?”

How Do We Display Our

Attitude of Gratitude?

11/20/2016

Welcome

What does that even look like?

There is a different sense of importance, or value between “showing” something and “displaying” something.

When you think about the concept of Displaying an Attitude of Gratitude toward God.

How does that look?

Psalm 92:1-2; Psalm 95:1-2; Psalm 96:1-3; 1 Chronicles 16:8-9;

1 Chronicles 16:34-35

These passages are a call to action in your worship. These aren’t just sit around and say “thanks” Scriptures.

No. These are some stand up and make a spectacle of yourself Scriptures.

We can’t hide this kind of praise!

These Scriptures require a Displaying of an Attitude of Gratitude.

We can’t Display an Attitude of Gratitude if it is not in our hearts! Luke 6:45; Psalm 86:11-13; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18; Colossians 3:15-17; Psalm 118:21

How many times has the God of the universe taken time to meet your need?

When you put on an Attitude of Gratitude all kinds of God’s workings will reveal themselves to you.

That is when it starts sinking into your heart!

When everywhere you look you see a move of God…

Sing a Psalm! Bust out a hymn! Whistle a catchy little tune for the Lord!

When you put on a “show” of gratitude that is like just having a good day.

But when you Display an Attitude of Gratitude that is a way of life. That is who you are!

Give thanks to God!

Praise His holy name!

Amen?

2 Peter 3

On Guard and Living for the Lord

11/13/2016

Welcome

Peter beings chapter 3 with a reminder to jog our memory but also an additional warning. 2 Peter 3:1-4

-Peter is telling us to be On Guard and Live for the Lord!

-Peter’s reminder applies to us just as much as it did the people of his time. Philippians 4:8; Romans 5:12

-We are reminded to be On Guard and Live for the Lord! 2 Peter 3:5-9

Let’s look at Paul. Philippians 3:5-11

-Paul did not care about the arguments! He cared about the experience of God in his life!

-Paul says, “I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead.” (NLT)

-1 Corinthians 2:1-2 You see, Paul was On Guard and Living for the Lord.

-2 Peter 3:11-14 How do we even do that… “hurry it along” thing? The Great Commission, right?

-How are we doing? Matthew 24:14

-That is what we are called to work on all the way up to either the end of our lives or the end of times. 2 Peter 3:14-16

-We need to be On Guard and Living for the Lord! 2 Peter 3:17-18

Amen indeed!

-Let’s thank God that He graciously reminds us to be “On Guard and Living for the Lord!”

2 Peter

Beware of False Teachers

11/06/2016

Welcome

Last week Peter told us about how we needed to supplement our faith to grow in the understanding and knowledge of God.

From there he writes to us about the danger of false teachers.

Jesus’ Warnings:

Matthew 24:11; Mark 13: 21-23

Paul’s warning:

Acts 20:28-30

Peter explains to them and us how these people will act and how God will handle them.

2 Peter 2:1-8

So we have God handing out punishment on angels, all the things of the world and cities, because of the abominations that they embraced. Genesis 6:2-4; Genesis 6:7-8

But God spared Noah.

But God spared Lot.

We sometimes get so worried about those that do bad things getting away with everything that we forget God’s got it. 2 Peter 2:9-10a

What is interesting is that Noah and Lot had to endure the evil that surrounded them.

2 Peter 2:10b-14

2 Peter 17-19; Romans 1:28-32

That should be a wakeup call to all of us, to make sure that we don’t allow new believers, young Christians or any Christian for that matter to be swayed by their influences.

When we realize where their eternal destiny lies, we need to go after them and keep them grounded in the faith. 2 Peter 2:20-22

1 John 1:9 “But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.” (NLT)

It is called surrendering to the One Who has overcome the death.

If you are here today and you want to let a burden go, today is the day to do so!

If you have never made Jesus the Lord of your life.

If you have never surrendered to the way of righteousness.

Today is that day.

2 Peter

The Power of Your Testimony

10/30/2016

Welcome

What makes a testimony powerful? Deuteronomy 19:15; 2 Corinthians 13:1-3

A lot of times testimonies come about as a result of an inquiry.

Someone needs encouragement. They need hope. “Tell me your story…”

Can anyone argue with your testimony? NO! It’s YOUR TESTIMONY!

Testimonies give encouragement! Testimonies bring hope!

Testimonies remind us that we are not alone in this life!

Matthew 17:1-9; Acts 2:40; 2 Peter 1:16-18

Peter is supplying his testimony to these churches to deepen their faith!

He is supplying his testimony to encourage them. 2 Peter 1:19-21

He is giving his testimony to inspire people by telling how God’s Son, Jesus Christ, has changed his life.

Our testimonies are no different!

When we share our testimonies, we are speaking to the evidence that God is working in our lives.

When people come up to you and tell you they notice there is different about you, what do you say?

Do you tell them…

“Jesus Christ is the difference you see in me. Let me tell you about it.”

“Thanks for noticing, I made a bet with Jesus that no one would notice the change. I guess I lost. Let me tell you about it.”

“MAN! GOD IS EVERYWHERE I LOOK! I SEE HIS AWESOMENESS EVERYWHERE! Don’t you?”

We all have a story!

A Jesus story!

Master recording failed, so please accept this back up in its place. It's a bit noisy, but you'll still be able to hear the words clearly.

2 Peter 1

Spiritually Fit

10/23/2016

1 Peter really showed us how we should model our faith in front of people.

2 Peter is an epistle that encourages us to strengthen our faith, to reject false teachers and to await the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 1:1-2

The more we grow in our knowledge of God, the more we appreciate His grace and the more peace we have in our lives. 2 Peter 1:3-4

If you ever wondered to yourself if you have what it takes to be a good Christian, there’s your answer.

It is by God’s grace that we have been saved and by His divine power that He has equipped us to live a godly life.

How do we escape the world and become more Christlike? 2 Peter 5-7

We stand on faith! Hebrews 11:1; 2 Peter 1:8-11

Be like Peter! 2 Peter 1:12-15

Ask yourself, “Do I have this same attitude?”

Am I willing to keep reminding people of the things that will keep them on track?

Am I burdened in my heart that I will continue to do so as long as I live, because I love the people God has surrounded me with?

As for your part, stay spiritually fit!

1 Peter Chapter 5

1 Peter 5

Modeling Your Faith

10/16/2016

We have heard all through 1 Peter here about how we are to model our faith. We are told how to model respect.

And as he closes in Chapter 5, he brings the message within the church.

Peter addresses the spiritually strong in the church and the spiritually weak. 1

Peter 5:1-4

Peter is exhorting us or strongly encouraging or urging us to pay attention to what he is about to say. Peter did the unthinkable. He denied Christ. He denied his friend. Matthew 26:35; Mark 14:31; Luke 22:33; John 13:37

Shepherd your flocks of God! I wonder where Peter got the idea of tending the flock from.

John 21:15-17

Peter went from being this blow hard, boastful, proud, self – reliant man. To a man that made the biggest mistake in the world and was given a second chance.

The gospel of John is the only Gospel that records this exchange of Jesus speaking to Peter about His flock.

We see here in 1 Peter, Peter now speaking to us about God’s flock. 1 Peter 5:5-7 Peter is speaking to and encouraging the future of the church here. 1 Peter 5:8-11

Peter is exhorting us to be on guard. Peter is sharing the same counsel that he received from Christ.

Just before he boasted about wanting to die with Him. Christ told Peter Satan wanted to take him out, but to be strong, don’t lose faith and build up the other believers.

Luke 22:31

1 Peter 10

To God be the glory for your victory!

Model your faith!

Amen?