Galatians 5:19-25 The fruit of the spirit are nine behaviors or virtues that we should pursue. Thankfully, Christ exemplified each of these.

Mark 12:28-31 Jesus clearly taught us to love God and love our neighbors. However, what he said about each was different. He set the bar much higher for the kind of love we should have for God compared to how he expects us to treat our neighbors.

1 John 4:9-10 We love God because He first loved us. Love always needs an initiator. Until you experience God’s love, it’s hard to love Him. But once you do, it’s easy.

1 John 4:11 Because God has loved us, we should love our neighbors. This is a pleasure and joy for us when loving easy people and a real challenge for those who are difficult, mean, or annoying.

Matthew 18:21-22 Jesus told Peter that he had to continue to love someone who had wronged him. Although this isn’t exclusive to spouses and children, for many of us, they are the ones we interact with most.

1 John 4:19-21 When it comes to loving brothers and sisters, this does not necessarily mean whipping up emotions of affection for them. It may simply mean acting for that person’s well-being.

Jesus showed us how to do this over and over. (1) He loved the rich young ruler when he told him what was keeping him from eternal life. (2) He allowed himself to be inconvenienced because of the crowds that wanted his attention. (3) He even healed Malchus’ ear when he was being arrested.

The Apostle Paul’s love for God’s people shines brightly in his communication with Philemon, offering us an exemplary model of Christian love and leadership to emulate. This letter, penned towards the end of Paul’s life, exemplifies his unwavering love and faithfulness to the very end.

Luke 10:25-37 A powerful story illustrating compassion to completeness

The epistle of Philemon is not merely a parable, but a true account showcasing profound compassion in its fullest form.

Philemon 1:1 Philemon was a church leader in Colossae. Onesimus was his runaway slave who had become a believer under Paul’s guidance. This letter, penned towards the end of Paul’s life, exemplifies his unwavering love and faithfulness to the very end.

2 Apphia is thought to be Philemon’s wife, and Archippus is either Philemon’s son or a fellow leader in the church.

3-4 Paul prayed often – Romans 1:8-9; 1 Corinthians 1:4; Ephesians 1:16; Philippians; 1:3-4; Colossians 1:3; 1 Thessalonians 1:2; 2 Thessalonians 1:11; 2 Timothy 1:3

7 Epaphras, likely the founder and influential leader of this church, was in Rome with Paul and must have informed Paul about Philemon whose leadership was vital.

9 Paul demonstrates the importance of voluntary, heartfelt actions.

11 Paul may be engaging in a clever play on words by contrasting “useless” and “useful,” as the name Onesimus actually means “useful”.

16 Paul’s loving intercession for Onesimus as communicated was designed to touch the core of Philemon’s heart, evoking his love, mercy, and spiritual understanding.

19 Paul asks Philemon to accept Onesimus as he would accept Paul and not as he was before his conversion. He offers to take on any debt that Onesimus may have incurred.

21 Paul conveys his confidence in Philemon’s obedience and willingness to go above and beyond what is being asked.

25 Paul’s personal involvement in this situation is a great example of true compassion.

At the end of 2024, we want to take a moment and review what has happened over the past year. Additionally, we’d like to look forward to 2025 with you and share what God is putting on our hearts.

1. People

2. Events

3. Leadership

4. Online Reach

5. Publishing

6. Beyond New York

7. Building Improvements and Future

Jesus was born in Bethlehem in accordance with the prophecies of the Old Testament. The first to come and give honor to Jesus as the Messiah were shepherds and wise men. We celebrate with them in the coming of the Savior and the joy and hope that he brings to the world.

1. Jesus was born!

Luke 2:1-7

Mary and Joseph left Nazareth in Galilee and traveled to Bethlehem where Jesus was then born.

Jesus was wrapped in swaddling cloth and was placed in a manager. A manger was not an outdoor animal shack as is popularly depicted in Christmas manger scenes but was a small space inside the house for animals.

2. The shepherds were the first to know!

Luke 2:8-20

The angel announced to the shepherds the birth of the Savior, who is Messiah and Lord. The sign for them was that a baby would be wrapped in swaddling cloth and lying in a manger.

3. Wise men from far away came to honor the birth of the King!

Matthew 2:1-12

The wise men were magi from the east who were trained at reading the planetary and astral movements in the sky. They traveled immense distances to honor the birth of Jesus, the King of the Jews. They apparently were well-versed in the Old Testament prophecies because they knew exactly where Jesus was going to be born–Bethlehem.

The Scripture does not say how many magi there were, but it says that they brought Jesus gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh, and they paid homage to him as the King.

When we read the birth narratives of Jesus, we see that God chooses to work through human beings to bring about His plan of salvation. Zechariah, Elizabeth, Mary, and Joseph are the stars of the show. When the child comes, he is a human being too. Strikingly absent from Scripture is any indication that the baby had dual natures or was a hybrid “God-man.” Instead, God ordained that a man would be born to save mankind—an exciting truth worth celebrating!

Luke 1:5-10 Zechariah and Elizabeth were righteous and blameless according to the Law. Zechariah encountered the angel Gabriel who told him that he would have a child and to name him John.

Luke 1:26-33 While Elizabeth was pregnant, Gabriel made a visit to Mary and prophesied that she would give birth to the Messiah.

Luke 1:34-36 Although we would prefer a more specific explanation of precisely how Mary became pregnant by divine intervention, the angel just says God’s power would overshadow her.

Luke 1:37-45 Mary visited Elizabeth who greatly encouraged her right from the start. Elizabeth recognized that Mary was carrying her lord, a term used of many other humans throughout the Bible (Gen 18:12; 33:8; 42:10; Num 11:28; 1 Sam 24:8; 1 Kgs 1:31; 18:7; Ruth 2:13).

Luke 1:46-57 This poetic statement of praise was Mary’s response to Elizabeth. In it she focused on how God had humbled the powerful and exalted the weak. She would bear the Messiah—the most important human who had ever lived.

Matthew 1:18-22 Joseph, Mary’s fiancé, first decided to divorce her, but after a nocturnal angelic visit, he came to believe that “the child conceived in her is from the holy spirit.” This child, just like the boy born in Isaiah’s time, signified that God had not abandoned His people, instead the child’s birth meant “God is with us.”

The Messianic prophecies when compared with the historical events that occurred have impact in several ways. They validate the Messiah; affirm God’s integrity; encourage hope; reveal Yahweh’s eternal plan; and unite the Old and New Testaments.

Genesis 3:15 A brief introduction to the rest of the Bible and history Seed of the woman – Matthew 1:16 Joseph, the husband [father] of Mary

Matthew 1:17 42 generations but not if it ends with Joseph, Mary’s husband

Luke 3:23 Eli is the father of Joseph – Matthew1:16 Jacob is the father of Joseph.

Luke 3:31 Nathan, son David – Matthew 1:6 Solomon, son of David

Matthew 1:19-24; Isaiah 7:14

Isaiah 7:1-16 There was a child born in the time of Ahaz who was called “Immanuel”. This is dual prophecy as it also relates to Jesus.

Revelation 3:12 states Jesus will have a new name; perhaps then he will be called “Immanuel”.

Luke 1:26-38 Throne of David

REV Luke 1:34 And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, seeing I do not know a man sexually?”

KJV Luke 1:34 Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?

2 Samuel 7:12-13; Isaiah 11:1-2

Isaiah 9:1-7 Dual prophecy regarding Hezekiah and Jesus

Pastor Sean Finnegan and Sean Kelly share about their trip to the Philippines and New Zealand.

Revelation 6:8; 9:15 Catastrophic events and judgments will affect the earth and its inhabitants, leading to widespread destruction and loss of life.

Revelation 6:12-21; 20:11 Catastrophic destruction of the earth’s surface

Revelation 16:16 “Then they gathered the kings together to the place that in Hebrew is called Armageddon.”

Acts 1:11; Matthew 24:30; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, Philippians 2:11

When Jesus returns, the Millennial Kingdom begins. It marks the start of a thousand-year worldwide reign of peace, justice, and righteousness.

Isaiah 65:17; 66:22 I will create new heavens and a new earth.

Revelation 20:1-3 During this time, the devil will be locked in the “abyss”.

Zechariah 14 Jerusalem will finally be the city of God from where King Jesus will rule the world.

Isaiah 35:1-10 Arabah is a desert, 103 miles long and 15.5 miles wide.

Isaiah 41:18; 43:19

Ezekiel 47:1-12 The Dead Sea has no life.

Ezekiel 36:35 This desolate land has become like the garden of Eden.

Isaiah 2:1-4; Micah 4:3; Ezekiel 39:9-10 Nation will not lift up sword against nation, and never again will they learn war.

Isaiah 11:1-10 Jesus will be the king.

Isaiah 32:1-6, 18 Then My people will live in a peaceful habitation, and in secure dwellings and in undisturbed resting places.

Revelation 1:6; 5:10 Apostles judge the 12 tribes; David will be king again; saints will rule the world with Jesus.

Galatians 6:9-10

We are supposed to do what is good toward everyone but do what is extra good toward

Doing good is easy when everyone is being nice, but it can be challenging when there is

Acts 15:36-41

Paul and Barnabas had a disagreement. To resolve the issue, their mutual decision was to

Sometimes, if we have disagreements, we can just choose to do things separately. Nothing in

Colossians 4:10

2 Timothy 4:11

1 Peter 5:13

1 Samuel 25:2-35

Abigail navigated the circumstances with Nabal and David with exceptional discernment

Proverbs 15:1; 17:27; 12:18

Jesus’ teaching to love our enemies is as controversial and ignored today as it was in the first century when he originally gave it. Even so, enemy love is a key distinction that sets Christianity apart from the other world religions and non-religions. Seeing this teaching foreshadowed in the Old Testament and then repeated by Paul and Peter, we can be confident that it is, in fact, how God wants us to live.

Matthew 5:43 Jesus recalled what people commonly said about loving their neighbors but hating their enemies (likely pulling on Leviticus 19:16-18).

Exodus 23:4-5; 1 Samuel 24; 26; Proverbs 24:17-18; 25:21-22; 2 Kings 6:8-23 The Old Testament has a law, a couple of proverbs, and several powerful examples showing love to one’s enemies.

Matthew 5:44 Jesus’ command is as radical today as it was in his day. He told his disciples to love their enemies and pray for their persecutors.

Matthew 5:45 This behavior is rooted in God’s example of giving rain to the righteous and unrighteous.

Ezekiel 18:23, 32; 2 Peter 3:9 God’s heart is for the wicked to turn from their evil. He would rather someone repent than face judgement.

If that’s God’s heart, shouldn’t it be ours as well?

Matthew 5:46-48 According to Jesus, his followers get no credit for expressing love to those who love them. That is an imperfect, partial, common love. He calls us to a perfect, complete, and uncommon love —loving those who aren’t nice to us.

Romans 12:14-21; 1 Thessalonians 5:15; 1 Corinthians 4:12-13; 1 Peter 2:21-24 Both the apostles Paul and Peter repeated this teaching of Jesus in their own words. As Christ-followers, we are left with no doubt about this teaching. It is the way.