Stapleton Baptist Church

In Genesis 2:4-25 we get a detailed account of how God create man and later created woman. This chapter crescendo's into the completion of God's perfect creation where man and woman perfectly compliment one another in fulfilling their purpose of multiplying and filling the earth. These are God's blueprints for the flourishing of mankind!

Genesis tells us very little about the "sabbath" or "rest" that God took on the seventh day. But throughout the rest of Scripture we find that God was laying the foundation and pattern for how his people would prioritize trusting in him. And over time this Sabbath rest has taken on an even deeper significance. Through Jesus Christ we have access to a spiritual rest and can trust in him that our sins are forgiven!

It's impossible to truly understand mankind without first understanding who God is. And from the first chapter of Genesis we see a living, eternal, creating God who makes man in his image. There is something unique about mankind in the fact that we can reflect God and connect with God in a way that nothing else in all creation can. 

Genesis 1:1 gives us the very first introduction to who God is. It shows us a living, acting, creating God who has eternally existed. He created everything. He is the God who brings order from chaos and light from darkness. He is the main character of this cosmic drama. 

The first coming of Christ should also point us to the second and final coming of Christ. The birth of Christ wasn't the end of the story. It did inaugurate the kingdom of God but the ultimately fulfillment of God's purposes and plans are still to come when Jesus returns. How then should Christians live in light of his coming return? Peter helps us think through the importance of being prepared for his second coming. 

Luke 1:26-38 gives us the birth announcement of Jesus. It is one of the most famous passages from the birth narrative and provides us several truths to relish during the Advent season. Mary provides us a wonderful example of how God can use anyone--no matter their power, influence, wealth, or age--as long as their are faithful and obedient. Such was was the young girl, Mary, who was favored of God!

There's many miraculous occurrences associated with the Christmas story. But sometimes we may fail to recognize the greatest miracle of all: God becoming a man. In one of the most scandalous and unexpected acts of history, the almighty God humbled himself to coming as a baby in a manger. And he did it all to rescue sinners like you and me!

Don't underestimate the power of thankfulness and gratitude toward God. In Psalm 100 we have a call to give thanks to the Lord. And the call to give thanks is not based on having a perfect life with no problems; instead, it's baed on having a perfect God who is faithful and good.

Don't underestimate the importance of Philemon due to its small size. This little letter from the Apostle Paul gives us a real-life example of how the new-creation-identity applies to the difficult situations in life. It also gives us a picture of the priority of the body of Christ and how the health of the individual impacts the health of the whole body.

In Paul's final instructions to the Colossians, he shifts his focus to how Christians should interact with those outside of the faith community. As new creations the way we relate to and engage with non-Christians should be distinct, intentional, and full of wisdom. Let us have the mindset of Paul and look for every opportunity to proclaim the mystery of Christ.