First Baptist Norfolk

Isaiah 9:1-6

Christmas delivers God’s promise of rescue.

1. From Despair to Joy

2. From Confusion to Clarity

3. From Weakness to Strength

4. From Loneliness to Love

5. From Brokenness to Peace

Christmas delivers God’s promise of intimacy.

1. Intimacy chases away fear.

2. Intimacy gives us strength.

3. Intimacy sets our life right.

Christmas delivers God’s promise of forgiveness.

John 13:18-35The love of Jesus changes our world.1. His love matches our need.2. His love endures.3. His love glorifies God.4. His love empowers us to love.

Romans 8:31-39

Because God is for us, we live victoriously.

1. God is for us, and He will take care of us.

2. Focus on Jesus in fear-filled days.

3. Nothing can separate us from God’s love.

What Now?

1. Love God: Praise Him

2. Love Others: Be like Jesus

3. Live the Mission: Have courage

God gives us a vision for our present through hope in His future.

1. Faith looks forward with confident expectation.

2. The Spirit picks up our slack.

3. God works all things to make us more like Jesus.

What Now?

1. Love God: Trust Him

2. Love Others: Have compassion

3. Live the Mission: Follow the Spirit’s lead

Romans 8:5-17

God gives us the power to live fearlessly.

1. Understand the battle we face.

2. Understand the power God gives.

3. Live in the power of God’s love.

What Now?

1. Love God: Kill our sin daily.

2. Love Others: Cultivate the Spirit’s fruit.

3. Live the Mission: Follow the Spirit’s lead.

Romans 8:1-4

Jesus kills condemnation so we can be free from fear.

1. Jesus gives us a new “Right Now.”

2. We have freedom, not fear.

3. Jesus makes us right with God forever.

What Now?

1. Love God: Celebrate!

2. Love Others: Stop!

3. Live the Mission: Share!

Psalm 46

1. The Premise Declared (1-3)

a. The Declaration: “God is our refuge and strength, a very help in trouble”

b. Our Response: “We will not fear!”

2. Earthly Challenges (3, 6)

a. Nature and history can both be chaotic…..

b. But God is with us

3.Heavenly Reality (4-7)

a. River of God’s Spirit makes glad

b. At His voice the earth melted

c. Daniel 11:32 “Those who know their God will display strength and take action.”

4. Our Present Response Based on Eternal Reality (8-11)

a. Behold the works of the Lord

b. Trust in His eternal goodness

c. Cease striving—know I am God

Lessons to take away:

1. Earthly existence will be troubled

2. His Presence secures us in our troubles

3. His Power promises us He will overcome our troubles

4. His Perfection assures us of our eternal destiny

Faithful followers of Christ prioritize their passion for God.

1. Meager living flows from misplaced priorities.

2. When God’s glory is our priority, He blesses us abundantly.

2 Corinthians 9:6-8

But I say this: he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have abundance for every good work.