Preacher: Scott Hollingshead

Big Idea: Christmas starts with the greatest giver, God. And God gives us the greatest gift imaginable at Christmas: the gift of His glory amongst His people in Jesus.

1. God’s glory in the tabernacle

But Exodus 29 gives us a glimpse of its significance:

- It’s a place of fellowship with God

- It's a place of place of God’s revelation

- It’s a place of sanctification

- It's a a place of propitiation

- It's a place of worship

And that’s how it went for 450 years… until…

2. God’s glory in the temple

1 Kings 8:10-11 -- "And when the priests came out of the Holy Place, a cloud filled the house of the Lord, so that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud, for the glory of the Lord filled the house of the Lord.”

- Yahweh was declaring that He will no longer dwell in the tabernacle, but He will be with His people in the temple- an even greater place of dwelling for the glory of God… until…

3. God’s glory departed

Ezekiel 11:22 -- "Then the cherubim lifted up their wings, with the wheels beside them, and the glory of the God of Israel was over them. And the glory of the Lord went up from the midst of the city and stood on the mountain that is on the east of the city.”

- This was the last time the glory of Yahweh dwelt among his people… until…

4. God’s glory returns in Jesus

John 1:14 -- "And the Word became flesh and dwelt amongst us, and we have seen His glory.”

- The next time the glory of Yahweh is seen, it comes to some lowly shepherds in

Luke 2:9 -- "An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. 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. For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.’”

John 1:18 -- "no one has seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, He had made Him known.” 

- Do you want to know what God is like? Look at Jesus. He is literally the explanation of the Father, the visible exhibition of the invisible God.

Faith to Life: Here’s what John wants us to see:

- Just as the glory of God appeared in the tabernacle, so now the fullest expression of God’s glory is in Jesus.

- Just as seekers of God went to the tabernacle, so now everyone who seeks God must go to Jesus.

- Just as the tabernacle was the place where God came down to fellowship with his people, so now Jesus is where God comes down and provides intimate fellowship with His people.

- Just as the tabernacle was the place where God spoke to His people (revelation), so in these last days God has spoken to us perfectly, finally, and sufficiently in Jesus.

- Just as the tabernacle was the place of sanctification, so Jesus is where God’s people are made holy by His Holy Spirit.

- Just as the tabernacle was the place of propitiation, so now Jesus is where atonement is made for sin and where the wrath of God is diverted from you onto Him.

- Just as the tabernacle was the place of worship, so now the hour is where when true worshipers will worship God in and through Jesus.

Preacher: Scott Hollingshead

For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ…

Big Idea: The greatest definition of joyful generosity is in Jesus Christ. Why should our lives be joyfully generous? Because as Christians, we have:

1. The riches of God

- "that though he was rich,” (v.9a)

John 17:5 -- “And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed.”

Philippians 2:6 -- “who though he was in the form of God.”

Micah 5:2 -- "whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days”

Isaiah 9:1 -- "Everlasting Father”

2. at Christ’s expense

- "yet for your sake he became poor,” (v.9b)

2 Corinthians 6:10 -- "as poor yet making many rich”

- The poverty of Jesus is seen in such passage as Gal 4:4; Rom 8:3; Col 1:20; Rom 1:3; John 1:14

3. credited to our account

"so that you by His poverty might become rich.” (v.9c)

Matthew 5:2 -- "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of God."

Preacher: Scott Hollingshead

Big Idea: Down on the monotony of gift giving for the culture’s sake and up with giving from a heart in full awareness of grace. As NT saints, we ought to be grace givers. What is grace giving? Grace giving is…

1. Joyful

"We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches in Macedonia,”

2. Generous

"have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part”

3. Proportionate

"For they have according to their means, as I can testify,”

4. Sacrificial

"and beyond their means,”

5. Voluntary

"of their own accord,”

6. Eager

"begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints.”

7. Worshipful

"and this, not as we expected, but they have themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us. Accordingly, we urged Titus that as he had started, so he should complete among you this act of grace.”

Response: 

"But as you excel in everything— in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you— see that you excel in this act of grace also."

Preacher: Chris Ritter

To become a great friend, you need to know:

1. The value of great friendships

2. Qualities of great friendships from Proverbs

3. The power for great friendships

The value of great friendships -- Proverbs 18:24

- Friendship is among the most valuable voluntary human relationships we can have

- True friends cling, stick to us often in even greater ways than family can.

The Qualities of great friends from Proverbs:

- Loyalty, Honesty, Care, Counsel

The Loyalty of great friends -- Proverbs 17:17

The honesty of great friends -- Proverbs 27:6, 29:5

- Friends do not cause you harm, but may cause wounds when necessary

The care of great friends -- Proverbs 25:20, 27:14, 11:13, 26:18-19

A great friend is caring in 3 ways: 

- emotionally discerning, giving, and connected

The counsel of great friends -- Proverbs 13:20, 27:9, 27:17, 11:14, 15:22, 18:1

The power for great friendships -- John 15:12-17

- You are invited into a friendship with Jesus

- You can say of Jesus “He is my friend, the King”

- Friendship with Jesus produces the greatest human friendships - how?

- Friendships amongst Christians are literally eternal relationships

- The bonds of Christian friends are Holy Spirit produced

- We give completely of ourselves because we’ve received the Ultimate Friendship from Jesus

Preacher: Scott Hollingshead

When dealing with negative conflict ask yourself:

1. What can I do to prevent it?

a. Feet-- watch them-- Prov 4:26; 11:29;14:15

b. Spirit-- calm them

- Against instigators-- Prov 3:30; 27:3; 18:6; Prov 29:22

- Against meddlers-- Prov 26:17

- Watch your temper-- Prov 15:18; 14:17, 29; 17:12; 29:11

- Calm down-- (17:27b; 19:11). 25:28

c. Ears-- unplug them

- Seek to understand-- Prov 18:2; 18:13; 19:20; 23:9; 18:17

d. Brain-- use them-- Prov 15:28

e. Lips-- shut them-- Prov 18:21; 13:3; 17:27-8; 26:4-5; 29:9

- Crooked/perverse words-- 4:24; 6:12; 8:13; 10:10, 31, 32, 15:4b

- Rash words (12:18)

- Gossip/slander-- (18:8; 26:20, 22; Prov 20:19; 10:18; 11:13; 18:19; 25:23)

- Back talk-- Prov 14:3; (29:1) tends to be the back talker.

- Choose words carefully-- Prov 10:19 (11:12; 17:27;15:23; 16:21; 21:23)

f. Eyes-- check them-- (12:15; 21:2; 26:12)

2. What do I do when I’m in it?

a. Issues-- diffuse them

- Don’t get sucked in-- Prov 20:3

- Stop a fight before it starts-- Prov 12:16, 17:14

b. Problems-- resolve them-- Prov 26:21 (17:17; 18:1; 26:24)

c. Offenses-- overlook them-- Prov 18:19 (10:12; 17:9; 19:11)

d. Revenge opportunities-- resist them-- Prov 24:28-9 (20:22)

e. Lessons- learn them-- Prov 17:9; Prov 21:11; Prov 26:11

Preacher: Scott Hollingshead

Big Idea: The heart of Biblical stewardship: Value it properly, earn it righteously, and give it generously.

Value it properly:

a. Under wisdom (Prov 3:14; 8:10-11; 8:18-21; 16:16)

b. Under righteousness (Prov 11:4; Prov 11:18; Prov 11:28)

c. Under God’s protection (Prov 13:7-8; Prov 18:11; Prov 15:16)

d. Under contentment (Prov 30:7-9)

e. Under eternal treasure (Prov 23:4-5; 27:24)

Earn it righteously:

a. Righteous rich (Prov 10:4b; 21:5a; Prov 10:22; Prov 13:11)

b. Unrighteous rich:

- Unjust gain-- 20:23; 11:1, 26; 16:11; Prov 10:2; Prov 20:17; Prov 28:21; 10:16; 21:6; 9:17

- Oppression-- Prov 22:16; 11:16; 29:7

- Hasty earnings-- 20:21; 28:8, 20, 22; 21:5b; 15:6b

c. Righteous poor (Prov 19:1; 16:8; 28:6;19:22; 28:11)

d. Unrighteous poor

- Slack hand-- Prov 10:4a; 6:10-11; 20:13; 14:2

- Spendthrift-- 28:19; 21:17; 29:3; 21:20; 22:7

Give it generously:

a. Family (Prov 15:6a, 20:7, 1 Tim 5:8)

b. Future (Prov 13:22a, 19:13)

c. Benevolence (Prov 14:21, 31, 19:17, 22:9, 28:27, 3:9-10, 11:24, Matt. 25:40)

Preacher: Scott Hollingshead

Two parenting extremes:

- Parenthood religion

- Parenthood responsibilities ignored

The call to faithful parenting is laid out in God’s word. Faithful parents…

1. Exercise your God-given authority

2. Shepherd your child’s heart

3. Discipline your children

a. Because you love them-- Prov 3:11-12; 13:24; 27:5; 28:23

b. While there’s time-- Prov 19:18

c. To prepare them for their future-- Prov 29:21; p. 15

d. Age appropriately-- Prov 29:19

e. Physically but Biblically-- Prov. 16:23, 23:13 (never for mistakes, never in anger, always in love, only for direct disobedience)

f. For family protection- Prov 10:1; 15:20; 17:25; 19:13, 26

g. For their spiritual protection- Prov 23:14

4. Point them to Jesus

Preacher: Scott Hollingshead

Big Idea: Protect your marriage by…

1. Prioritizing the right pleasures

a. The Word (5:1, 7; 6:20-22; 7:1ff)

b. The warnings

- Men: misplaced attraction (lust)-- the treacherous are taken captive by their lust (Prov 11:6)

- Women: misplaced beauty (identity)-- Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout is a beautiful woman without discretion

- The wife (spouse)

- A crown (12:4a)

- A joy (5:17-19)

- A gift (Prov 19:14; 18:22)

2. Resisting your relational proclivity to sin

a. Women-- nagging/quarrel (19:13; 21:9, 19; 25:24; 27:15)

b. Men-- neglect

The solution-- The truth is the grass is greener where you water it. Just her, only her, gladly her, always her.

3. Choosing love-- love covers all offenses (10:12); whoever covers an offense seeks love (17:9).

Preacher: Chris Ritter

Big Idea: The wise worker understands the value of work, the way to work, and the hope for work.

- Work defined: Any action that involves time, thinking, and exerting energy to achieve a goal

- The wise worker understands the value of work

- God gave humanity work before sin entered the world

- Work is created by God and in its nature is a good thing

- Work is essential to living a full and productive life, a life honoring God

- The wise worker understands the way to work

Four Ways the Fool Works:

- The fool works as little as possible (Proverbs 6:6-11)

- Sluggard: “Lazy Bones”, inactive, no discipline or initiative

- Also see Proverbs 26:14-15, 19:24

- The fool works like a slacker (Proverbs 18:9)

- The slacker shows disinterest, denial to care for others, a refusal to do things with enthusiasm

- “Slack habits and sloppy work are as bad as vandalism”

- The fool wastes time on worthless things (Proverbs 28:19)

- Worthless: Having no benefit or advantage, puff dreams or idle plans, empty

- The fool wastes opportunities (Proverbs 24:30-34)

Four ways the Wise person works:

- The wise worker recognizes the profit in work (Proverbs 14:23)

- The wise worker knows work is worth it. Period.

- Work produces character, exemplifies God who works, blesses others

- The wise worker is diligent (Proverbs 12:24, 12:27, 13:4)

- Diligence: sharp, decisive, persistent, self-motivated

- “Rule”: can include managing, influence, leadership of systems and people, control over one’s personal affairs

- The wise worker is disciplined to take rest (Proverbs 23:4-5)

- The wise worker commits their work to the Lord (Proverbs 16:3)

- Commit: trusting with eager anticipation for help, guidance, fulfillment

- The presence of sin in the world leads to great frustration in our work

- Work is seen either as a necessary evil to get through, or as the source of our identity and fulfillment

- The wise worker understands the hope for our work

- We are saved through the work of Jesus on the cross, a free gift of God’s grace to us that came through the tremendous work of the Son of God

Jesus saves us from 3 sinful views of life and work:

- Where we once hated work, we are freed to enjoy labor of all kinds because there is value in working hard

- We are freed from viewing work as the source of my deepest fulfillment, joy, and hope

- We are freed for the wrong ideas of “spiritual” and “secular” work

- All work done in the name of Jesus and for God’s glory is of equal importance to God

Preacher: Scott Hollingshead

Big Idea: The family that fears the Lord…

1. Is a learning family

Proverbs 1:7 -- “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.” 

Prov 9:10 -- "the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.”

- Knowledge vs. wisdom-- Where do I begin?

Let the Spirit do His work in your life to produce in you through:

- His word; Psalm 138:2 -- “Confirm to your servant your promise, that you might be feared.”

- Your Parents; Psalm 34:11 -- ‘Come O children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord.”

- Prayer; Psalm 86:11 -- "Teach me your way O Lord… unite my heart to fear your name”

2. Is an obedient family

a. The hard heart; Proverbs 28:14 -- “Blessed is the one who fears the Lord always, but whoever hardens his heart will fall into calamity.”

Proverbs 16:25 -- “There is a way that seems right, but in the end it leads to death.”

Provers 3:7 -- “be not wise in your own eyes, fear the Lord, and turn away from evil” 

b. But how do I turn from evil?

- Proverbs 16:6 “by the fear of the Lord one turns away from evil.”

- Proverbs 8:13 -- “The fear of the Lord is hatred of evil.”

c. Live uprightly

- Proverbs 14:2 -- “Whoever walks in uprightness fears the Lord.”

3. Is a blessed family

a. Abundant life

Proverbs 10:27 -- "The fear of the Lord prolongs life”

Proverbs 9:11 -- "For by me your days will be multiplied, and years will be added to your life”

Proverbs 14:27 -- "The Fear of the Lord is a fountain of life”

Proverbs 22:4 -- "The reward for humility and fear of the Lord is riches and honor and life.”

b. Security

Proverbs 19:23 -- "The fear of the Lord leads to life, and whoever has it rests satisfied; he will not be visited by harm.”

Proverbs 14:26 -- "In the fear of the Lord one has strong confidence, and his children will have a refuge”

c. Contentment

Proverbs 15:16 -- "Better is a little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble with it.”

Proverbs 23:17 -- "Let not your heart envy sinners, but continue in the fear of the Lord all the day.”

d. Praise

Proverbs 31:30 -- "Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised."