This morning we look together at a title that helps us trust and praise God as the highest of kings. He is El Elyon, God Most High.

El Shaddai is our promise-keeping God Almighty.

This morning we will look at the words of the prophet Jeremiah and the apostle Paul and see that our God is Yahweh Tsidkenu, the Lord Our Righteousness.

This morning we will look at several Old Testament passages and a couple in the New Testament and one of God's titles with military implications. He is Yahweh Sabaoth, the Lord of Hosts, who fights on behalf of his people and the one in whom his people find comfort.

Yahweh is the name God gives to himself. He is the "I Am" of the burning bush encounter with Moses. He is eternal, self-sufficient and self-determining.

The angel told Joseph to name their baby boy "Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins." He is presently working in his people to save us from the power of sin.

God is with us. God is with you. Immanuel means we can face life without fear.

Empires, kingdoms, countries and nations come and go, taking up their tiny little dot on history's timeline. But there is one King whose kingdom is eternal. His is a kingdom of joy, peace and grace. Christmas is the season of celebrating the birth of that King!

This Sunday, we will be reflecting on practical steps that we can take such that God's righteousness and justice may shine in and through the lives of his people to a watching world around us.

This morning we will see that Jesus is using his followers today not only to reach the lost and build the church, but also to do righteousness and justice for the vulnerable in our society.