Storefront Church

12/19 | The message of Christmas? Joy has been revealed, and yet, it's not simply that God is our joy, but that it's his joy to meet us wherever there is misery.

(Scripture Reading: John 1:1-14)

Joseph, the earthly Father of Jesus, faces two dilemmas. The first, is the impossible circumstances he now finds himself in. The other? Himself. Joseph is a “just man" but is he just (and loving) enough? It often takes a dilemma to find out.

Scripture Reading: (Matthew 1:18:25)

Dietrich Bonhoeffer said, "Celebrating Advent, means we're able to wait." Christmas means that we're able to do so with Hope.

(Scripture Reading: Jeremiah 33:14-16)

Though a "servant of the Lord", Jonah seems to live in service to his emotions. What we learn with this weeks message is that redemption and renewal are not spiritual ideas, but realities to be applied to every aspect of our lives, as well as, our past, present, and future.

(Scripture Reading Jonah 4:5-11)

Through Jonah's ministry to Nineveh, God continues to minister to, and sanctify, Jonah.  This week Jonah went to preach to Nineveh but it was Nineveh that ended up “preaching” to Jonah, and he couldn’t stand it! A major take away from this chapter is that while it’s possible to understand God’s grace in your head and in your heart,  we can still cling to hopes for vengeance and exile of our enemies.

(Scripture Reading: Jonah 4:1-11)

The final of our five denominational vows.

“Do you submit yourselves to the government and discipline of the church, and promise to study its purity and peace?

Vow #5 is about AUTHORITY. Here we place ourselves under the authority and discipline of the church, committing to strive for sound doctrine and also to live at peace within the faith community.

The 4th of our 5 denominational vows. 

“Do you promise to support the church in its worship and work to the best of your ability?”

With Vow #4, the theme is SERVICE and commit to participate to uphold the church in its worship and in the work

David unpacks the 3rd of our 5 denominational vows. 

“Do you now resolve and promise, in humble reliance upon the grace of the Holy Spirit, that you will endeavor to live as becomes the followers of Christ?”

The major theme of Vow #3 is SANCTIFICATION. Or, our growing spiritual Christian maturity. Once you professed faith, you resolve to live as Jesus’ follower with the aid of the Holy Spirit.

David unpacks the 2nd of our 5 denominational vows. 

“Do you believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as the Son of God, and Savior of sinners, and do you receive and rest on Him alone, as He is offered in the gospel?”

With Vow #2, FAITH is the main theme. Here we proclaim and confess that we are relying on Jesus Christ alone for our salvation.

David provides an intro into the why behind membership vows and unpacks the 1st of our 5 denominational vows.

“Do you acknowledge yourself as a sinner in the sight of God, justly deserving his displeasure, and without hope except for his sovereign mercy?

The main theme of the first vow is REPENTANCE. Here we acknowledge that we're a sinner, and that because of this, our only hope of salvation is found in God’s mercy.