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Notes: 

Christmas silently reminds us that life promises us things it doesn’t deliver.

Celebrating is momentary fun, but HOPE is what’s needed to carry us over the long haul

Life without genuine HOPE breaks us on the inside and on the outside

The holidays don’t magically fix things…The holidays magnify what’s already true

Christmas is not about creating the impossible…it’s about celebrating an incredible promise kept

The Promise – A Savior

- Genesis 3:15 (He will crush head/strike heel)

- Genesis 12:3 (all peoples will be blessed)

- Genesis 49:10 (scepter…from Judah)

- Psalm 22:16-18 (pierced hands/feet – cast lots)

- Isaiah 7:14 (the virgin will give birth)

- Isaiah 9:1-2 (Galilee – a light in the dark)

- Isaiah 9:6-7 (Wonderful Counselor/Prince of Peace…)

- Isaiah 53:3-12 (our iniquity was laid upon Him)

The first Christmas is the historical fact that proves God keeps His promises!

The same God who personally showed up in a manger…Is coming back as a King and will fix all that is broken!

At this time a man named Simeon was living in Jerusalem. Simeon was a good man. He loved God and was waiting for him to save the people of Israel.

God's Spirit came to him and told him that he would not die until he had seen the Lord’s Messiah.

- Luke 2:25-28

When Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to the temple to do what the Law of Moses says should be done for a new baby, the Spirit told Simeon to go into the temple. 

Simeon took the child in his arms and gave thanks to God…

- Luke 2:25-28

Anna, a prophet, was also there. She was a descendant of Phanuel from the tribe of Asher. She was now very old. Her husband had died seven years after they were married, and she had been a widow for 84 years.

- Luke 2:36-38

She came along just as Simeon was talking with Mary and Joseph, and she also began thanking God and telling everyone in Jerusalem who had been awaiting the coming of the Savior that the Messiah had finally arrived.

- Luke 2:36-38

- God loves us so much that He personally shows up

- We are loved despite our flaws and failures

- God is both faithful and able to fix what we can’t

Christmas provides an unstoppable hope that fuels peace, joy, and love even in a busted and broken world!

CHALLENGE:

What are you putting your hope in this holiday season?

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Notes: 

We often have a love-hate relationship with Christmas

The holidays don’t magically fix things…The holidays magnify what’s already true

Having unfair and unreal expectations of Christmas will lead to disappointment 

How do we experience what we hope for at Christmas?

Christmas is not about creating the impossible…it’s about celebrating an incredible promise kept

This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit.

Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.

But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because…

 …what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world…

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.

While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

The first Christmas wasn’t about a pass from problems, it was about a promise kept.

The God who is for us came to be with us.

- Holiday pressures magnify

Christmas isn’t where control and consumption overcome chaos

Christmas is a remembrance of a love that kept a great promise

Challenge:

Let go of false expectations that a season can’t deliver

Let’s remember it’s the great love of a promised Savior

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Notes: 

RAISING YOUR GRATITUDE LEVEL

Luke 17:11-19 (NIV)

GRATITUDE EMBRACES FAITH

When he saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed.

THE MATH FOR DEEP DISAPPOINTMENT

Entitlement + Unmet Expectations = Deep Disappointment

THE MATH FOR DEEP JOY

GRACE + GRATITUDE = DEEP JOY

GRATITUDE REQUIRES INTENTIONAL ACTION

One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice.

GRATITUDE DRAWS US CLOSER TO GOD

He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him – and he was a Samaritan.

GRATITUDE LEADS TO WHOLENESS

Then he said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well. 

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Notes: 

No matter WHO won or lost, roughly half of America was going to be sad, mad, and disappointed while the other half was going to be happy and glad

Political hate is dividing friends, families, and churches - We don’t just disagree, we dehumanize the other side

Immoral to hate:

-because of skin color

-because of gender

-because of ethnicity

-because of social status

-because of beliefs

-but it’s okay if it’s political

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

Jesus of Nazareth – John 13:34-35

A divided community is a defeated community

A divided church is a defeated church

Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand.”

Jesus of Nazareth – Matthew 12:25

When the “Jesus community” joins in the political polarization and hostility, we lose credibility to point people to Jesus.

How can you be a Christian and vote for ____________?

No party or candidate can perfectly represent ALL that Jesus and the Gospel are meant to be

We prioritize our “pet political” issue and demand that others do the same – Justice – Poverty – Life – Morality

Joshua went up to him and asked, “Are you for us or for our enemies?” “Neither,” he replied, “but as commander of the army of the Lord I have now come.” Then Joshua fell facedown to the ground in reverence…

Joshua 5:13-14

Jesus’ followers primary purpose isn’t to be on a political side, we’re meant to be servants of a King

“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you.”

John 17:21-23

“May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me.”

John 17:21-23

I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought.

1 Corinthians 1:10

Unity is not Conformity 

Unity = Direction

Conformity = Sameness

The greatness of King Jesus unites us even if we disagree politically

We can disagree and still love without dehumanizing!

Pray - Listen & Learn – Love

I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people - for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.

1 Timothy 1:1-4

Pray - Listen & Learn – Love

Jesus’ followers adopt a posture of humility, listening, and learning, even when disagreeing, so that Christ might be honored

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Notes: 

For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be glory forever. Amen.

A sacrifice isn’t a sacrifice unless it costs you something.

David said, “I will not sacrifice to the Lord my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing.”

“But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”

1. TRUE WORSHIP IS AN OUTPOURING

Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.

If you don’t allow God to fill you, something else will.

1. True Worship is an Outpouring

2. TRUE WORSHIP IS OBEDIENCE

“...Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice…”

Worship is ascribing worth to God because He’s worthy.

“Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?”

1. True Worship is an Outpouring

2. True Worship is Obedience

3. TRUE WORSHIP IS AN OUTWARD EXPRESSION

It’s an outward expression of our inward devotion to our Father.

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes.

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Notes: 

Our limitations in the midst of overwhelming need…whisper to us that doing nothing is better than doing something that falls short

It’s impossible to live a life that counts when we choose to do nothing

Sometimes we buy into a half-truth that can rob our life of meaningful purpose

How do normal people experience a meaningful purpose in the midst of the daily grind of life?

Half-Truth:

The need is almost always greater than our resources.

Do real limitations disqualify us from meaningful purpose?

By this time it was late in the day, so his disciples came to him. “This is a remote place,” they said, “and it’s already very late. Send the people away so that they can go to the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.”

But he answered, “You give them something to eat.”

“How many loaves do you have?” he asked. “Go and see.”  “We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered. “Bring them here to me,” he said. 

Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. They all ate and were satisfied…

Observations:

- There’s an overwhelming need 

- Disciples had insufficient resources 

- Lack didn’t stop disciples call to purpose 

- Bringing to Jesus first is the key 

- God turns lack into plenty

When our lack is offered to others on behalf of Jesus, God makes it more than enough!

Anyone can experience purpose by partnering with Jesus regardless of our limitations

1. We are God’s plan to change the world and impact eternity

2. The motive to love and honor Jesus is the difference maker

3. God turns our lack into His plenty

Do for ONE what you wish you could do for many

ANNOUNCEMENT:

January 5th 2025

SP will have three services

8:30am – 10am – 11:30am

Opportunities:

Next Generation

Guest Services

Online/Production/Worship

Don’t let what you can’t do stop you from doing what you can do

Doing what we can on behalf of Jesus turns our lack into plenty

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Notes: 

Sometimes we pick a “look” that’s unattractive!

No one wants to look back on their life and have it look like a bad middle school picture.

How do normal people experience a meaningful purpose in the midst of the daily grind of life?

What kind of look do we need in our lives that allows us to experience purpose?

After this, Jesus went out and saw a tax collector by the name of Levi sitting at his tax booth. “Follow me,” Jesus said to him, and Levi got up, left everything and followed him.

Then Levi held a great banquet for Jesus at his house, and a large crowd of tax collectors and others were eating with them. But the Pharisees and the teachers…complained to his disciples, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?”

Jesus answered, “Healthy people don't need a doctor, but sick people do. I didn't come to invite good people to turn to God. I came to invite sinners.”

Observations:

- Levi was offered a generous amount of grace              

- Levi in turn was generous to others

- Generosity built a “bridge”

- Generosity is fueled by love and gratitude

- Generosity is other-focused not self-centered

Levi’s response to God’s extravagant generosity was to be extremely generous with others

God is generous so His followers should be generous - Can’t experience purpose without generosity

Facts:

- Only 5% of regular attenders tithe

- Average giving in US is $17 weekly

- 37% of regular attenders give $0

- Since 1990 there’s been a 50% drop

Most people aren’t trying to be greedy and selfish - The distraction of the daily is a real enemy 

- Gratitude drives generosity not guilt

- Generosity matters – build bridges

- A posture of generosity requires intentionality and discipline

ANNOUNCEMENT:

January 5th 2025

SP will have three services

8:30am – 10am – 11:30am

Opportunities:

Next Generation

Guest Services

Online/Production/Worship

Generosity is gratitude-in-action that builds bridges and allows for purpose

Welcome!

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Notes: 

My life has radically been changed by:

Invitation:

All of us have a hidden superpower that can unleash radical life-change in others.

How do normal people experience a meaningful purpose in the midst of the daily grind of life?

An invitation is a God-given secret superpower that allows anyone to have meaningful purpose in the grind-of-life

Jesus went on into Jericho and was passing through. There was a chief tax collector there named Zacchaeus, who was rich. He was trying to see who Jesus was, but he was a little man and could not see Jesus because of the crowd.

When Jesus got there, he looked up and said, “Zacchaeus, hurry down! I want to stay with you today.” Zacchaeus hurried down and gladly welcomed Jesus…But the crowds were displeased. “He has gone to be the guest of a notorious sinner,” they grumbled.

Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Listen, sir! I will give half my belongings to the poor, and if I have cheated anyone, I will pay back four times as much.” 

Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!”

Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.”

Jesus reveals the life-changing power of an invitation…

- We’re inviters because God invited us first

- We’re inviters because God invited us first

At SouthPoint we’re inviters who believe that invitations have the power to change lives

ANNOUNCEMENT:

Opportunities:

An invitation is a gift anyone can offer

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Notes: 

Sometimes we pick a “look” that’s unattractive!

We all stop at some point in life and look at ourselves and ask this question, “Does my life count for something?”

Grinding through life just to eke out sporadic and temporary pleasures is a look that doesn’t age well.

Does our life have the look of just surviving or meaningful purpose?

How do normal people experience a meaningful purpose in the midst of the daily grind of life?

What’s true of us individually is also true of us as a community

A few days later Jesus went back to Capernaum, and the news spread that he was at home. Soon the house where he was staying was so packed with visitors that there wasn’t room for a single person more, not even outside the door…

Pharisees and teachers of the law were sitting there. They had come from every village of Galilee and from Judea and Jerusalem….when four men arrived, carrying a paralyzed man to Jesus.  Because of the crowd, however, they could not get the man to him.

So they made a hole in the roof right above the place where Jesus was. When they had made an opening, they let the man down, lying on his mat. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”

“Is it easier for me to tell this man his sins are forgiven or to tell him to get up and pick up his mat and go on home?” So he said to the man, “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone…

Observations:

In the daily grind of life, these friends choose to do what they could to get their friend to Jesus!

- Jesus is the life-giver, not SP

ANNOUNCEMENT:

Opportunities:

Jesus personally invites us to a meaningful purpose in partnering with Him in everyday living

We’re all-in believers in doing whatever it takes (short of sin) to get people to the feet of Jesus!

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Notes: 

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in JERUSALEM, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all JUDEA and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and SAMARIA, and to the ends of the earth.”

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ENDS of the earth.”

Just as a nursing mother cares for her children, so we cared for you. Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well.

Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.