Where Is Your Investment?

Matthew 6:19-24

19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:

20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:

21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

22 The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.

23 But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!

24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

I) Investments In The World Are Perishable (6:19)

Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal

II) Investments In Heaven Are Eternal (6:20)

A) The Where of Our Investment

1) We can give to our local church

2) We can give to support Missions

3) We can give to help the poor

B) The How of Our Investment

1) DO YOU HAVE THAT KIND OF FAITH?

2) ARE YOU LIVING LIKE YOU HAVE THAT KIND OF FAITH?

III) Investments You Make Reveal Your Heart (6:21-24)

Remember where you make your investment determines if it is lasting or not. Don’t leave this life and go to heaven empty-handed. Invest your life; invest your money; invest your time — in saving up treasures in heaven that can never be taken away.

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1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.

I) There are Some things that must be Retained (Colossians 3:1-2a)

• Hang on to an awareness of our Foundation (Colossians 3:1a)

• Hang on to our Focus (Colossians 3:1b-2a)

A. A deeper knowledge of Jesus, (Colossians 3:10)

B. A clean, holy life, (Colossians 3:5-9)

C. Godly virtues, (Colossians 3:12-17)

D. Holiness in our domestic life, (Colossians 3:18-21)

E. Holiness in our social life, (Colossians 3:22-4:1)

F. An effective prayer life – (Colossians 4:2)

G. A fruitful witness – (Colossians 4:3-6)

III) There are Some things must be Remembered (Colossians 3:3-4)

• There has been a death that changes everything (Colossians 3:3a)

• There are False Doctrines

• There are Foolish Demands

II) There are Some things that must be Released (Colossians 3:2b)

• There has been a deposit made into our lives (Colossians 3:3b)

• There is a dream worth holding onto (Colossians 3:4)

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Luke 2:23-35

King James Version

23 (As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;) 24 And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons. 25 And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. 26 And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ. 27 And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, 28 Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, 29 Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: 30 For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,

31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; 32 A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel. 33 And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him. 34 And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against; 35 (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.

Simeon tells us three important things about who Jesus is

I) He is the Glory of Israel

“I will make your name great, and make of you a great nation, and through you all the nations of the earth shall be blessed.”

II) He is the Savior of the World - “a light of revelation for the Gentiles.”

III) He is the Divider of the Human Race

A) He Was Born To Die

B) There Can Be No Neutrality

What is Jesus to you? Not who is he, but what is he to you? Is he life or is he death to you this morning?

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Following the Christmas Star to Jesus

Text: Matthew 2:1-12

1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, 2 Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. 3 When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. 5 And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet, 6 And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel. 7 Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also. 9 When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. 11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh. 12 And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.

I) Look at the Heavens for Answers

II) Look at the Scriptures for Answers

III) Look at the miracle for Answers

• The timing was miraculous.

• The movement of the star was miraculous.

What was the Star of Bethlehem

• A comet

• A conjunction of planets

• A supernova

• A manifestation of God’s glory

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Knowing The Love Of Jesus This Christmas!

Text: 1John 3:1-2

3 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: 2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.

I) We Must See It

Jesus tells us to "look at how great a love that the Father has given"

A) See Him in His Cradle

B) See Him On His Cross

C) See Him Wearing His Crown

II) We Must Experience It

A) Consider Our Title

B) Consider Our Testimony

C) Consider Our Triumph

III) We Must Know It

A) We Can Know He is Coming Again

B) We Can Know We will be Like Him

C) We Can Know what He is really Like

IV) We Must Not Miss It

For those who do not know Him, this is the greatest gift ever offered to you. He extends the gift of eternal life to you right now. Behold His love. Accept His gift. Turn from your old life and receive the new, eternal, abundant life available in Christ today!

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John 4:27-38

King James Version

27 And upon this came his disciples, and marvelled that he talked with the woman: yet no man said, What seekest thou? or, Why talkest thou with her? 28 The woman then left her waterpot, and went her way into the city, and saith to the men, 29 Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ?

30 Then they went out of the city, and came unto him. 31 In the mean while his disciples prayed him, saying, Master, eat. 32 But he said unto them, I have meat to eat that ye know not of. 33 Therefore said the disciples one to another, Hath any man brought him ought to eat? 34 Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work. 35 Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest. 36 And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together. 37 And herein is that saying true, One soweth, and another reapeth.

38 I sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no labour: other men laboured, and ye are entered into their labours.

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Evangelism and Missions | The Difference

Evangelism is when we are reaching people who can, will and should come to our church

Missions is when we are reaching people who cannot, will not and should not come to our church

I) It is sustaining and fulfilling work | Vs 32-34

Deuteronomy 8:3 which says, "Man does not live by bread alone, but on every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord."

II) It is an urgent work | Vs 35

The world is filled with people just waiting for someone to tell them that God loves them, has a plan for their lives and will give them eternal life.

III) It is a shared work | Vs 36-38

Missions is not a work one can do alone.

IV) It is a joyous work | Vs 36

Jesus said: "So that he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together"

Nothing should thrill a Christian more than seeing a lost person come to Christ unless it is actually you being used of God to help that person into the kingdom.

Let’s be sure we continue in His work until Jesus comes. Please pray about what you will give to the Lottie Moon Christmas offering this year.

Lottie Moon Offering: Send to Midway Baptist Church (make a note that it is for Lottie Moon) or give here on line:

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https://www.imb.org/other-ways-to-give/

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Finding Christ This Christmas

Text: Luke 2:41-50

41 Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover. 42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast. 43 And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it. 44 But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day's journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance. 45 And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him. 46 And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. 47 And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers. 48 And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. 49 And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business? 50 And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them.

I) In what sense might we lose Jesus?

John 10:27-28

27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: 28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

II) Who might lose Jesus, who might lose Christ?

III) Where did they lose the Lord Jesus?

IV) How may we lose Jesus? How did they do it?

Verse 44 tells us. “But they, supposing Him to have been in the company, went a day’s journey.”

V) How can we find Jesus this Christmas?

45 And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him. 46 And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.

I believe if you open your heart to the Lord, He’ll show you where it was. If you pray the prayer we’ve been given in Psalms 139:23-24, “Search me, oh God, and know my heart, try me and know my thoughts and see if there be any wicked way in me,”

In order for anyone to find Jesus we must first admit we have lost him or don’t know how to find him.

It is my prayer that we all find Jesus this Christmas. Remember the way to finding anything is go back to the last place you knew where it was.

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How To Be Thankful Through All Of This

Text: 1 Thessalonians 5:15-18

15 See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men. 16 Rejoice evermore. 17 Pray without ceasing.

18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

I) ENDURING JOY

First, God requires all of us to be joyful. Joy is not an emotional option for certain personality types

Second, the joy he requires is consistently God-centered

Third, the joy God requires is an act of the will. It may feel spontaneous, but it is not passive

A) The presence of joy does not entail the absence of sorrow

B) While we cannot make ourselves feel joyful, we can choose where we will look to find joy

II) PERSISTENT PRAYER

Verse 17, “Pray without ceasing.”

• Being a Christian requires a lifestyle of prayer.

• To “pray without ceasing” means we persist in prayer

Jesus enables this kind of prayer in at least two ways:

• The Father hears our prayers because of Jesus

• The Father answers our prayers through Jesus

III) ABIDING GRATITUDE

Verse 18, “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

Ultimately this is not our home. “Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe” (Hebrews 12:28, NIV)

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Text: Revelation 8:1-5

1 And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour.

2 And I saw the seven angels which stood before God; and to them were given seven trumpets.

3 And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne.

4 And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel's hand.

5 And the angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar, and cast it into the earth: and there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake.

I) The seven-sealed scroll

II) The silence in Heaven

III) The supplication of the saints

In Closing:

The prayers of the saints are the instrument God uses to usher in the end of the world. Our prayers change history in more ways perhaps than we recognized.

The bottom line for us about prayer:

1) We cannot pray enough.

Our prayers are stored up on the altar of God and made the power for great divine interventions in history. Who knows what has been wrought by prayer! Jesus makes it plain in Luke 18:1, "We ought to always pray and not to lose heart."

2) Concerted prayer is uniquely appointed by God in the accomplishing of His mighty works.

What I hope you see is that God has sovereignly ordained the corporate praying of a church, such that His mighty workings increase exponentially, and His purposes are accelerated when we pray together.

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The Effects of Corporate Gatherings

Text: Hebrews 10:15-25

Participating together with your church is incredibly important. We know that from the beginning and beyond, churches have gathered together on the first day of the week (affectionately called “the Lord’s Day” by the Apostle John). We also know that churches have gathered together on other days and for other occasions in addition to worship on the Lord’s Day (Acts 2:46).

I am going to give you three points that hopefully will give us a framework for the Effects of the Corporate Gathering in light our commitment to glorify God and to love one another.

I) When the church gathers corporately, it illustrates the gospel (15-25)

A) How the Early Believers Showed the Gospel through Gathering

B) How we Show the Gospel through Gathering

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