Sunday Messages - Sheboygan eFree Church Sunday Messages

Every human life has great value because God, who is so great and majestic (Psalm 139:1-12), is also personally involved in every detail (13-18). He is there at the beginning of every person’s life, the designer and sustainer of all our days.

As we recognize Sanctity of Human Life Sunday on this 52nd observance of Roe vs. Wade (Jan 22, 1973), we are here to remember that God reigns over all, that he gives dignity to every human being, and that the death and resurrection of Jesus has made a way for repentant sinners to enjoy him forever.

In every township, village, and city around the world, the people of God have a responsibility to be gathered into a local church for the purpose of shining “as lights in the world” (2:15). The goal is to hold “fast to the Word of life” (2:16), in our case, to the people of Sheboygan County.

The question in verses 12-13 is “by what power do we ‘obey’ and ‘work out’ our salvation?” Or, “How do we become a church that faithfully shines as a light in the world?” We look to the Scripture to answer this question.

Today’s text will help us answer these important questions: “What is prayer?” “Who should pray?” and “Why will God answer from heaven?”

As we come to the Lord’s Table today to commemorate the perfect, redeeming work of Jesus Christ, we focus on Gal 4:4-7 (check out a parallel passage in Romans 8:1-17). Whereas “Abraham believed God” about a coming  Servant who would reunite him with God (Gal 3:6, Gen 15:6), the Galatians (and each of us) no longer need to wait. Abraham believed that Jesus would come, but we know that Jesus has come! God kept his promise ‘in the fullness of time’ (4:4).

Merry Christmas! As we move through the season of Advent, we continue to reflect upon the anticipation felt by a world waiting to receive God’s promised King.

Many believed the Messiah would come as a warrior, mighty in battle and conquering every foe. Yet, God sent His Son into the world as a baby of humble birth. While we might expect only royalty to accompany the birth of a king, Luke reminds us that God invited common, everyday people to witness Jesus’ arrival. And nearly 2,000 years later, He is still inviting us to accept Him with hopeful humility.

Merry Christmas!  We have entered the season of Advent, or “coming.” In God’s promise plan, Christmas is an annual season of waiting for—anticipating—our celebration of the arrival of the King.

After 400 years of silence (following the writing of the Old Testament book Malachi), Luke picks up precisely where Malachi left off. He does this to show his friend Theophilus the unity and coherence of the perfect prophecies and promises about Jesus. Though we wait again this year, God’s timing is always perfect.

Merry Christmas!  We have entered the season of Advent, or “coming.” In God’s promise plan, Christmas is an annual season of waiting for—anticipating—our celebration of the arrival of the King.

Isaiah is the most quoted prophet in the New Testament because he repeatedly refers to the coming Messiah. Though he wrote at a time of conflict and gloom, he also wrote of light, hope, and great joy. Indeed, the Messiah we celebrate at Christmas came as a Son and reigns as the “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father,” and “Prince of Peace.”

Merry Christmas!  We are entering the season of Advent, or “coming.” In God’s promise plan, Christmas is an annual season of waiting for—anticipating—our celebration of the arrival of the King.  In fact, this is the first lesson of Christmas: the safest place in the world (‘refuge’) is counting on God to keep his promises.

As we begin our series in Psalm 2, we will see that there are other ways to respond to God’s promise, but only one which brings “peace on earth among those with whom he is pleased” (Luke 2:14).

Today, we focus on Philippians 2:9-11. Verses that make it clear that the exaltation of Jesus is assured, absolute, and will be undeniable. Let’s examine this passage, highlighting that we all will recognize Jesus as Lord, now or later.

Joy is a happy contentment of the soul, produced by the Holy Spirit (Gal 5:22) when we see the beauty of Christ in our circumstances or in spite of them.  In 2:1-11, Paul shows us that adopting the mind of Christ Jesus, revealed in his incarnation, is the only way forward for the church in humility, unity, and joy.

Verses 6-11 seem to be an ancient Christian hymn. 6-8 are sung to remind us of Christ’s condescension, and 9-11 (to which we turn next week) are sung to honor his exaltation. Let us look joyfully together at the beauty of Christ Jesus.