We continue to deal with this passage, but in this message we focus on the larger context of chapters 21 and 22.

We connected 1 Corinthians 11 with John 13 and saw how we can partake of the Lord's Table in a good manner--namely, but exercising humble love toward our brothers. This, along with a healthy self-examination and recognition of the need for constant cleansing from sin, are key ingredients that we learn from the Last Supper to apply to our Lord's Table practice.The portion of the service in which we shared the bread and cup, after the message and before the benediction, are omitted from this recording.

Scripture reading tonight was in 1 Samuel 30.

After reading the remainder of Leviticus 13, we learned a lot of prophecy and history in Daniel 11. We started with historical anchor points at Alexander the Great and Antiochus IV Epiphanes, and looked at a number of Syrian (Seleucid) and Egyptian (Ptolemaic) kings. Keeping everything straight is difficult, but a very important point we learned is this: God's Word predicted in great detail the movements of these two kingdoms over a two hundred year period--several hundred years before the events actually occurred! This is a great testimony to the reliability and infallibility of God's Word.

You can check out the presentation slides here (37 pages).

We examined the sin list in verse 8 and defined each of the sins that are listed there. We also learned about how we should be regularly thinking about heaven. It is our destination, and it encourages us to be sanctified and confident in Christ.

Our message today is about walking in the light. We are to continue to be imitators of God, walking in the light as children of light. Light is a metaphor representing all goodness, righteousness and truth.

We considered at some depth the issues surrounding the spiritual battle that is taking place behind the visible scenes of our world, and how it impacted Daniel's life and prayer. We learned some applications regarding resisting the Devil, about being persistent in prayer so that the potential delays in answer do not overthrow us, and about not giving in to the spirit of the age that is influenced by forces of evil.

We had the distinct blessing of connecting with Mariano and Becky Proto. They are ministering in Carmelo, Uruguay, but are on furlough in Massachusetts. Technology allowed us to connect and, as you listen in, you will hear what we learned about the Protos ministry and how we can pray for them. We also learned about the apostle Paul's gospel ministry in Philippi, and what his approach to ministry was.

We reviewed some material from last week's message on Revelation 21 (which was not recorded), and went on to consider other threads of truth from Scripture that find their completion in the eternal state.

After several short Scripture readings, we examined Matthew 1. The genealogy offers several important facts, and some difficulties that require explanation. Then we briefly examined the narrative of the birth of Jesus from Joseph's perspective.

Our application was this: since it is the birthday of Jesus, what gift do we give him? We should give ourselves to the Lord since He gave Himself for us.

Our Christmas reading was in Matthew 2, followed by a message where we examined:

We learned some interesting facts about Herod and the wise men (magi).