12-24-19 Impromptu Children's Christmas Pageant

At the End of Time

At the end of time, billions of people were scattered on a great plain before God’s throne.

Most shrank back from the brilliant light before them. But some groups near the front talked heatedly – not with cringing shame, but with belligerence.

‘Can God judge us? How can he know about suffering?’ snapped a young Albanian. He removes his shirt to reveal a bullet scarred back. ‘ In Kosovo we endured terror… shootings… torture!’

In another group an aged aboriginal woman pulls a crumpled, tear stained photograph from her pocket. ‘What about this?’ she demanded, ‘This is my precious child. I have not seen her since the day she was stolen away for no crime but being black!’

In another crowd, a pregnant schoolgirl with sullen eyes. ‘Why should I suffer’ she murmured, ‘It wasn’t my fault.’

Far out across the plain there were hundreds of such groups. Each had a complaint against God for the evil and suffering he permitted in this world. How lucky God was to live in heaven where all was sweetness and light, where there was no weeping or fear, no hunger or hatred. What did God know of all that people had been forced to endure in this world? For God leads a pretty sheltered life, they said.

So each of these groups sent forth their leader, chosen because he had suffered the most. A Jew, a person from Hiroshima, a horribly deformed arthritic, a thalidomide child. In the center of the plain they consulted with each other. At last they were ready to present their case. It was rather clever.

Before God could be qualified to be their judge, he must endure what they had endured. Their decision was that God should be sentenced to live on earth – as a man!

‘Let him be born into a hated race. Let the legitimacy of his birth be doubted. Give him a work so difficult that even his family will think him out of his mind when he tries to do it. Let him be betrayed by his closest friends. Let him face false charges, be tried by a prejudiced jury and convicted by a cowardly judge. Let him be tortured.

‘At the last, let him see what it means to be terribly alone. Then let him die. Let him die so that there can be no doubt that he died. Let there be a great host of witnesses to verify it.’

As each leader announced his portion of the sentence, loud murmurs of approval went up from the throng of people assembled.

And when the last had finished pronouncing sentence, there was a long silence. No-one uttered another word. No-one moved. For suddenly all knew that God had already served.

And how did it all begin? Like this:

Luke 2:1-20

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.

(And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)

And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)

To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.

And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

12-22-19 What’s with all these angels?

Scripture   Luke 2:8-15

Luke 2:8-20

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."

The angels came from heaven and the angels returned to heaven.

How many times have there been such a visit from the angels to earth?

The multitude must have been waiting in the “wings” ready to burst onto the stage to celebrate what “an” angel was announcing. Angels are not human, but they have intelligence and reasoning capabilities – enough so that Lucifer challenged God’s authority. Therefore – it’s not like they are sitting around playing chess till God needs something done. The birth of Christ was planed at least since Genesis 3:15 – or shortly after Adam and Eve were disobedient and sinned against God.

          Have you ever wanted to tell some one some really good news but someone else is right there almost jumping over your words and telling their version or their excitement about it? What the angel announced feels like a complete thought, but he could have also had more to say but the multitude were right there on his coat tails shouting how excited they were about this news. How many is a multitude (Dan. & Rev. suggest there are at least a million…but a million would have been seen by many. But what did the multitude say? The record of what they said is one sentence with one comma. "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."

          The angels are not saying – “Way to go humanity – your sin has brought about this great event!” They are saying – “Way to go God, you deserve all the glory, honor and praise for this eternal redemptive act you are performing at this very moment”  Think about it, when did the angels announce it? Right after Jesus was born – right after access to the tree of life was granted once again.

          What do I mean? Angels were involved with this one two – in fact, the first angels we are introduced to in scripture are in place till this moment – and really until Jesus death and resurrection – but this announcement tells them, that their job they have been exercising since the beginning of time is about to come to an end, which will bring great glory to God and favor to men.

Gen 3:22-24

And the Lord God said, "The man has now become like one of us, knowing good and evil. He must not be allowed to reach out his hand and take also from the tree of life and eat, and live forever." 23 So the Lord God banished him from the Garden of Eden to work the ground from which he had been taken. 24 After he drove the man out, he placed on the east side of the Garden of Eden cherubim and a flaming sword flashing back and forth to guard the way to the tree of life.

          Ezekiel mentions Cherubim in prophecy for the end times. The OT mentions them often but every instance is about the Golden Cherubim crafted on top of the ark of the Covenant.

How did angels appear to people in the Bible?

The Bible acknowledges the existence of angels and records visits by them to people on earth.

Angels appeared to people in the Bible in three ways.

First, some angels appeared to people in a recognizable form, even seeming to be human. For example, the angel that announced the virgin birth to Mary appeared in some kind of recognizable form (Luke 1:26-38), as did the angel who appeared to the shepherds and the angelic multitude who praised God (Luke 2:8-15). The angels who appeared to Abraham and Lot in Genesis 18—19 were humans from the men's standpoint.

Second, other angels appeared to people in dreams. This was especially true surrounding the birth of Jesus. An angel appeared to Joseph in a dream to tell him to take Mary as his wife and that their son would be Jesus, the Messiah (Matthew 1:20-21). An angel also appeared to Joseph in another dream to warn him to flee to Egypt with his family (Matthew 2:13).

Third, some angels appeared to people in visions. This was true of Ezekiel (Ezekiel 1 and 10), as well as John's vision in Revelation. These visions were distinct from dreams, as they took place when the individuals were awake. However, these visions were also different from appearances in which angels came to people in a recognizable way, or as humans, and could be seen by others.

Do angels appear to people today?

Perhaps this is one reason Hebrews 13:2 teaches, "Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares." We cannot plan for angelic encounters or simply seek them. God controls when and if an angel will appear to minister to someone in need.

Angel’s are God’s messengers and sometimes those messages come with great joy, like announced at the birth of Christ – and yet surrounding that birth was great tragedy with the death of all male babies in  Bethlehem – and the future death of the son of God. God can bring good for us no matter how the message is delivered.

A Doll for my Sister

I hurried into the local department store to grab some last-minute Christmas gifts. I looked at all the people and grumbled to myself. I would be in here forever and I just had so much to do. Christmas was beginning to become such a drag. I kinda wished that I could just sleep through Christmas. But I hurried the best I could through all the people to the toy department. Once again I kind of mumbled to myself at the prices of all these toys. And wondered if the grandkids would even play with them.

I found myself in the doll aisle. Out of the corner of my eye I saw a little boy about 5 holding a lovely doll. He kept touching her hair and he held her so gently. I could not seem to help myself. I just kept looking over at the little boy and wondered who the doll was for. I watched him turn to a woman and he called his aunt by name and said, "Are you sure I don't have enough money" She replied a bit impatiently, "You know that you don't have enough money for it.” The aunt told the little boy not to go anywhere that she had to go get some other things and would be back in a few minutes. And then she left the aisle. The boy continued to hold the doll.

After a bit I asked the boy who the doll was for. He said, "It is the doll my sister wanted so badly for Christmas. She just knew that Santa would bring it." I told him that maybe Santa was going to bring it. He said "No, Santa can't go where my sister is...I have to give the doll to my Momma to take to her". I asked him where his sister was.

He looked at me with the saddest eyes and said, "She has gone to be with Jesus". My Daddy says that Momma is going to have to go be with her. My heart nearly stopped beating. Then the boy looked at me again and said, "I told my Daddy to tell Momma not to go yet. I told him to tell her to wait till I got back from the store". Then he asked me if I wanted to see his picture. I told him I would love to. He pulled out some pictures he'd had taken at the front of the store. He said "I want my Momma to take this with her so she don't ever forget me. I love my Momma so very much and I wish she did not have to leave me. But Daddy says she will need to be with my sister."

I saw that the little boy had lowered his head and had grown so very quiet. While he was not looking I reached into my purse and pulled out a handful of bills. I asked the little boy, "Shall we count that money one more time?" He grew excited and said "Yes, I just know it has to be enough". So, I slipped my money in with his and we began to count it.

Of course, it was plenty for the doll. He softly said, "Thank you Jesus for giving me enough money." Then the boy said to me, "I just asked Jesus to give me enough money to buy this doll so Momma can take it with her to give to my sister. And he heard my prayer. I wanted to ask him for enough to buy my Momma a white rose, but I didn't ask him, but he gave me enough to buy the doll and a rose for my Momma. She loves white roses so very, very much".

In a few minutes the Aunt came back, and I wheeled my cart away. I could not keep from thinking about the little boy as I finished my shopping in a totally different spirit than when I had started. And I kept remembering a story I had seen in the newspaper several days earlier about a drunk driver hitting a car and killing a little girl and the Mother was in serious condition. The family was deciding on rather to remove the life support. Now surely this little boy did not belong with that story.

Two days later I read in the paper where the family had disconnected the life support and the young woman had died. I could not forget the little boy and just kept wondering if the two were somehow connected. Later that day, I could not help myself and I went out and bought some white roses and took them to the funeral home where the young woman was. And there she was holding a lovely white rose, the beautiful doll, and the picture of the little boy in the store.

          I left there in tears, my life changed forever. The love that little boy had for his little sister and his mother was overwhelming.

    Some would think the person with the money was the angel in the story. I think the message of God came through the little boy to help the curmudgeon of Christmas

12-15-19 Do you hear what I hear?

Scripture:   Luke 2:8-20

SONG:        Said the night wind to the little lamb  -  Do you see what I see
    Way up in the sky little lamb  -  Do you see what I see
A star, a star dancing in the night - With a tail as big as a kite - With a tail as big as a kite

Luke 2:8-20

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about." So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

Most people in America are familiar with this passage, even if they rarely crack open a Bible. These verses from Luke have even entered the popular culture, through Linus’ famous speech in the Charlie Brown Christmas video. Every December since 1965, in between televised scenes of the Grinch slithering around Whoville, and George Bailey being saved by Clarence the angel just as he’s about to jump off the Bedford Falls bridge, and Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer running around the North Pole with Herbie (an elf who wants to be a dentist), we have Linus, who discovers the true meaning of Christmas in the gospel of St. Luke, chapter 2.

Now, it’s certainly a welcome change of pace this December to hear the Bible being quoted on television, instead of the Florida election laws. And I’d much rather turn on the TV right now and see Charlie Brown, or even the Grinch, than that smooth-talking lawyer David Boies. But my concern is that with all the annual repetitions, the familiarity of the story of the shepherds can cause us to take it for granted – to overlook just how amazing this incident really is. Because it’s not just a story of God’s love for some shepherds. It’s a story about God’s love for us. And if we consider this story carefully, we’ll see that it has a message of love and hope for each one of us here.

Let’s start by looking at the most obvious feature of the story. Who does God announce the birth of His Son to? Who does he invite to come and see the new baby? A ragtag collection of sheep herders! There is only one announcement of Christ’s birth recorded in the Scriptures, only one invitation from God to anyone to come visit Mary and Joseph and the infant Jesus. And that one invitation goes to a bunch of uneducated, smelly, low-class, social and religious outcasts, a bunch of shepherds.

Let me tell you a bit about shepherds. They were the last people you’d expect God to take notice of. First of all, they were religious outcasts. According to Jewish religious law, these men were unclean. Their line of work prevented them from participating in the feasts and holy days that made up the Jewish religious calendar. Why? Well, somebody had to watch the sheep. When everyone else was making the trip to Jerusalem to make sacrifices at the temple, or to participate in one of the annual feasts, they were out in the fields, watching over the sheep. A modern day example might be a trucker or a shift worker, whose job keeps them from regularly attending church. It wasn’t really their fault. But they were looked down on, from a religious point of view. Whatever might have been in their hearts, they weren’t able to participate fully in the religious life of the community.

Not only that, but shepherds were borderline social outcasts. Since they were constantly on the move to find new pasture for their flocks, they were looked on with suspicion. Kind of the way people today might look at gypsies, or carnival workers. They were often accused of being thieves. If something came up missing – it must have been those shepherds. They were not permitted to give testimony in a legal proceeding, because their word wasn’t considered trustworthy. And on top of all that, they really didn’t have much contact with other people. Most of the time, they were “living out in the fields” (v. 8). This was not a 40-hour a week job. They didn’t come home at night. They were with the sheep 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. During the day, they led the sheep to grass and water. They watched while the sheep grazed. They kept an eye out for predators like wolves. And at night, they actually slept in the sheep pen with the sheep to guard against theft and animal attack. A good shepherd could identify each one of his sheep by sight. He knew his sheep and they knew him.

“The man who enters by the gate is the shepherd of his sheep. The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice.” – John 10:2-4 (NIV)

Being a shepherd was lonely, wearisome, usually very boring and tedious, and sometimes extremely dangerous. It gave them a lot of contact with sheep, but very little exposure to people. No wonder that David in the Old Testament, the shepherd who became king of Israel, was such an accomplished musician. Many shepherds learned to play the flute or some other instrument, because they had hours and hours with nothing to do but watch sheep eat grass. [Does that make you feel any better about your job?]. Shepherds just didn’t have much social contact. Put it this way – you probably wouldn’t want your daughter to marry one.

Now, step back for a moment. Imagine you’re God and you want to announce the most amazing, incredible, joyous news ever; an event which will literally change the course of history – the birth of your only Son, Jesus Christ. The birth of the One who will be the Savior of the whole world. The One for whom the nation of Israel has been waiting and hoping and praying for thousands of years. Finally, He has come! Who do you announce it to? Who do you tell? Who do you invite to come and see?

You would expect an event like the birth of Christ to be announced to the most important people in the nation. Political leaders – kings, governors, magistrates, even Caesar – might be invited to come and pay homage to the future ruler. Religious leaders – Priests, rabbis, synagogue officials, the head of the Jewish ruling council, the Sanhedrin – they would all be invited to worship their Messiah. Military leaders. Wealthy merchants. Men and women of distinction. The news media. But none of them got the word. None of them were invited [Some foreign kings figured it out by following the star of Bethlehem, and they informed Herod. But they didn’t get an angelic messenger, or angel choir, or invitation.]. Only these few, poor, shepherds, these social and religious outcasts, received the announcement. [Can you imagine the conductor of the angel choir announcing this to them? It’s as if the Mormon Tabernacle Choir were to rehearse all year to perform Handel’s Messiah, but then give the concert for just the eight guys on the building’s maintenance crew].

So why? Why did God do this? Why did He send His angels to announce the birth of Christ to these shepherds, to invite them, and them only, to come and see the child?

Several possible answers have been proposed, such as the fact that Jesus Himself is later called the Good Shepherd, caring for us as His flock. But I prefer a simpler explanation. God wanted to show that His love does not discriminate on the basis of class, or wealth, or social standing. He does not respect kings and princes more than hourly workers, he does not value priests and pastors above the people in the pews. God does not show favoritism; He does not give preferential treatment to one group of people over another. His love is available to all on the same basis – faith in Jesus Christ, and faith alone.

 “For the LORD takes delight in his people; he crowns the humble with salvation.”

– Psalm 149:4 (NIV)

Paul makes the same point in his first letter to the Corinthians:

“Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things--and the things that are not--to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him.”

– 1 Corinthians 1:26-31 (NIV)

In other words, God especially likes to use people who are humble and lowly and ordinary, because that makes His power and wisdom all the more evident. When He uses people who are obviously very gifted and powerful, then the results can be attributed to human effort and human talent. But if He uses people of obviously low to average abilities, then all the credit for the results go to Him.

So, what does all this mean to me? Well, if you identify with the shepherds, it should be very encouraging. Perhaps you see yourself as kind of on the outside looking in. I imagine that many nights, as the shepherds sat out in those cold, lonely fields, with nothing but dumb animals to keep them company, they looked over at the village, saw the lights of the homes and heard the faint sound of families, people laughing, and wished they could be a part of that. Maybe you’ve felt that way too. Not one of the “beautiful people,” not especially wealthy or powerful or influential. Not likely to ever see your name in the paper for some great accomplishment. On the fringes socially. Maybe when you compare your level of religious observance to others, the comparison isn’t favorable. Spotty church attendance, little Bible reading, infrequent prayer. You think that if God is even aware you exist (which He probably isn’t Charlie Brown), He probably doesn’t have a very favorable opinion of you. And you know what? A lot of people, deep down, secretly feel like that. Even people you would think of as “having it all together”. On the surface, everything is going great. But on the inside, you feel like you don’t fit in. You feel like God doesn’t really care, couldn’t care, about someone like you.

If any of that description strikes a chord with you, then I have good news. Great news. The best news possible. God loves you. Just like He loved those shepherds. And you are special to Him. Just like those shepherds were special to Him, They didn’t get bogged down in debates about how they were going to find one small baby in such a large town. They simply obeyed and went.

Will you do that today? God didn’t send an angel to give you the news, but He did send me and he did give you His word the Bible. God is inviting you today, just like he invited the shepherds. Will you receive His love? Will you believe what He says and do what He asks? Will you acknowledge your need of forgiveness and put your trust in Jesus Christ for salvation? You don’t need to be a genius or a member of the “in” crowd. You just need to believe and obey. Listen to Christ’s promise:

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” – John 3:16 (NIV)

WAIT! There is one thing we have not considered. Everything I have said is what thousands of preachers have preached – about why God chose the shepherds. But today I thought of another reason – one I had never thought of before. Recall my descriptions of the shepherds – alone with sheep and a few other shepherds for days on end. What do they have that we don’t have? Time & the ability to hear. They have no wear they have to be in a hurry and they have no interfence to what they can hear – DO YOU HEAR WHAT THEY HEAR?

Said the little lamb to the shepherd boy - Do you hear what I hear
Ringing through the sky shepherd boy - Do you hear what I hear
A song, a song - High above the trees
With a voice as big as the sea - With a voice as big as the sea

Finally, what did the shepherds do in response to what they had seen and heard? They “spread the word” (v. 17). Let’s you and I do the same, especially at this time of the year, for the sake of all the others who are still waiting to hear the good news.

12-08-19 One Bethlehem Night

Scripture:    Micah 5:2-5a & Luke 2:3-7

Micah 5:2-5a

"But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times."  3 Therefore Israel will be abandoned until the time when she who is in labor gives birth and the rest of his brothers return to join the Israelites. 4 He will stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. And they will live securely, for then his greatness will reach to the ends of the earth.   5 And he will be their peace.

MICAH 5:1. HE HAS LAID SIEGE AGAINST US

Now you shall gather yourself in troops, daughter of troops. He has laid siege against us.
They will strike the judge of Israel with a rod on the cheek.

This verse tells of a troubled time—a time of siege, and starvation. This verse, then, sets the stage for verse 2, where Micah will begin to tell of the redemption of Judah.

MICAH 5:2. OUT OF BETHLEHEM WILL COME FORTH A RULER

But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, being small among the clans of Judah, out of you one will come forth to me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth are from of old, from everlasting.

“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah“ (v. 2a). Bethlehem means “house of bread” and Ephrathah means “fruitfulness.” These names suggest a very different picture than verse 1. They also link to a better day when David was King, whose father was Jesse, “that Ephrathite of Bethlehem” (1 Samuel 17:12).

 “being small among the clans of Judah, out of you one will come forth to me that is to be ruler in Israel” (v. 2b). Bethlehem is a small town a few miles from Jerusalem. God’s choice of Bethlehem rather than Jerusalem as a place to begin the redemptive process reflects God’s preference for the lowly and unassuming rather than the grand and mighty. Examples: God’s choice of David, Jesse’s youngest and least likely son—and God’s gift of his own son as a baby in a manger—a son who would die on a cross to save the world.

“will come forth to me” (v. 2b). The ruler who is to come from Bethlehem will come forth to serve Yahweh’s purposes. He will seek Yahweh’s glory rather than his own.

Who will this ruler be? “All the ancient Jewish interpreters regarded the ruler as the Messiah. This is not a case of Christmas reading Jesus back into the OT text. It is agreeing with Jewish understanding that it speaks directly of the hoped for Messiah and we now know that messiah is only Jesus.

“whose goings forth are from of old, from everlasting” (v. 2c). This promised ruler will have roots going back to the covenant between God and Abraham (Genesis 12:1-3; 15:9-21), which was renewed on several occasions, most notably between God and David (2 Samuel 7).

In the New Testament, Matthew will trace “the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham” (Matthew 1:1).

MICAH 5:3-5a. HE SHALL SHEPHERD IN THE STRENGTH OF YAHWEH

Therefore he will abandon them until the time that she who is in labor gives birth. Then the rest of his brothers (Hebrew: ‘ah—brothers) will return to the children of Israel. He shall stand, and shall shepherd in the strength of Yahweh, in the majesty of the name of Yahweh his God: and they will live, for then he will be great to the ends of the earth.  He will be our peace.

“Therefore he will abandon them until the time that she who is in labor gives birth“ (v. 3a). “He” refers to Yahweh, and “them” to Israel (see v. 2)—but to whom does “she who is in labor” refer?

Christians see this as a reference to Mary and the birth of Jesus the Messiah. Micah is talking about Judah who has been in suffering will give birth to a better day – however, it is also quite possible that this is one of the many instances in the Bible where God inspired the person writing to say more than he knew.

“then the rest of his brothers will return to the people of Israel” (v. 3b). This almost certainly refers to the remnant who will return to Jerusalem from exile.

“He shall stand, and shall shepherd in the strength of Yahweh, in the majesty of the name of Yahweh his God” (v. 4a). “He” in this instance refers back to “one will come forth to me that is to be ruler in Israel” (v. 2), and is clearly a messianic prophecy. This ruler/messiah will exercise a benevolent rule, in which he will act in the role of a shepherd—protecting the flock—feeding the flock—providing for the flock’s every need. He will do so “in the strength of Yahweh”.

“in the majesty of the name of Yahweh his God” (v. 4b). This ruler who is to come—will bear the majesty associated with Yahweh’s name.

“and they will live, for then he will be great to the ends of the earth” (v. 4c). “They” refers back to “the children of Israel” but this messiah will be great throughout the earth, beyond the people of Israel.

One of the tasks of a shepherd (v. 4a) is providing security for the sheep. Part of that involves keeping the flock together. Part of it involves leading them to good grass and water. And part of it involves protecting them from enemies, such as bears and lions. In this instance, the ruler/messiah will perform those tasks for “the children of Israel” (v. 3).

“He will be our peace“ (Hebrew: salom) (v. 5a). Salom (or shalom) is more than the absence of anxiety or troubles. It involves the kind of security that comes from faith that God loves you and will provide for your needs.

One Blessed Hope

Luke 2:3-5    And everyone went to his own town to register. 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.

Like Father Like Son

Luke 2:6-7    While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

Finale (One Bethlehem Night/One Blessed Hope)

12-01-19 ANTICIPATION: Looking forward to Christmas!

Scripture:   Luke 1:26-35

I urge you brothers and sisters in view of God’s mercies to offer you bodies as living sacrifices holy and pleasing to God, this is your spiritual Act of worship. Romans 12:1

A Visit from St. Nicholas

BY CLEMENT CLARKE MOORE

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house  Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse; The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there; The children were nestled all snug in their beds; While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads; And mamma in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap, Had just settled our brains for a long winter's nap, When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter, I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter.

Away to the window I flew like a flash, Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash. The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow, Gave a lustre of midday to objects below, When what to my wondering eyes did appear, But a miniature sleigh and eight tiny rein-deer, With a little old driver so lively and quick, I knew in a moment he must be St. Nick. More rapid than eagles his coursers they came, And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name:

"Now, Dasher! now, Dancer! now Prancer and Vixen! On, Comet! on, Cupid! on, Donner and Blitzen!

To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall! Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!"

As leaves that before the wild hurricane fly, When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky;

So up to the housetop the coursers they flew With the sleigh full of toys, and St. Nicholas too—

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.

As I drew in my head, and was turning around, Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound. He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot, And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot; A bundle of toys he had flung on his back, And he looked like a pedler just opening his pack.

His eyes—how they twinkled! his dimples, how merry! His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry! His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow, And the beard on his chin was as white as the snow; The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth, And the smoke, it encircled his head like a wreath; He had a broad face and a little round belly That shook when he laughed, like a bowl full of jelly. He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf, And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself; A wink of his eye and a twist of his head Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread; He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work, And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk, And laying his finger aside of his nose, And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose; He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle, And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.

But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight— “Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!”

Children love Christmas because they anticipate that late on December 24^th, Santa in his red suit in a sleigh flown by reindeer will fly throughout the entire world delivering gifts to every girl and boy – at least to the ones on the “nice” list, not those who have been naughty.  And, this same Santa is shown adoration by leaving him gifts of cookies and milk.

So, Christmas is about children anticipating someone coming in red who will bring gifts to all people who are worthy to receive them and in turn, they bring him worship. Just sayin’ that the pretend part of Christmas does reflect the real meaning of Christmas. Jesus would come and ultimately shed his red blood for everyone throughout the world and throughout time bringing the gift of eternal life, and in turn his children would bring him worship in the form of offering themselves in service to him.

          The legend of Santa Claus can be traced back hundreds of years to a monk named St. Nicholas. It is said he saved three sisters from being sold by providing them with a dowry so they could get married instead of being sold into prostitution by their father. Also he was known as a protector of children and his name in Dutch is translated Sinter Klass which later becomes Santa Clause and stores discovered that having a lifesize likeness of Santa Clause – then a real person dressed as (St. Nickolas_ Santa Clause was a great way to get children, and their parents into the store to buy gifts.

That anticipation of Santa coming each year is created by prophecy. Parents, movies, commercials, social media…many things all tell children that Santa is coming.

Mt Christmas Eve experience of anticipation as a child…

CHRISTMAS PROPHECIES of the MESSIAH and THEIR FULFILLMENT

The first was in Genesis which spoke of a spiritual conflict between light and darkness that would finally be resolved by THE SEED OF THE WOMAN.

(1) 'I will put enmity between you and the woman and between your seed and HER SEED. He shall bruise your head and you shall bruise His heel (on the cross).' (Genesis 3:15)

Fulfilled - Galatians 4:4: 'When the fullness of time had come God sent forth His Son, born of a WOMAN'

(2) THE ETERNAL ONE WILL BE BORN IN BETHLEHEM 'But you, BETHLEHEM Ephrathah, though you are little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of you shall come forth to Me the One to be Ruler in Israel, whose goings forth are from of old, from everlasting.' (Micah 5:2)

Fulfilled - Matthew 2:1; 2:4-8; John 7:42; Luke 2:4-7). The Bethlehem Babe existed before his birth-The wonder of Christmas is that the everalsting God became a man in the Person of Jesus Christ.

If we go on the BETHLEHEM BYPASS this Christmas we are are bypassing God. For it is through JESUS we come to know God. We must come to Bethlehem and the One who is God manifested in human flesh.

(3) VIRGIN BIRTH OF IMMANUEL = 'GOD WITH US' 'The Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold a VIRGIN shall conceive and bear a Son and shall call his name IMMANUEL' (Isaiah 7:14).

Fulfilled –  Luke 1:26-36   In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you."   Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end." "How will this be," Mary asked the angel, "since I am a virgin?" The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.

(4) This HUMAN CHILD is also GOD! "For unto us a child is born, unto us a SON is given and the government will be upon his shoulder and His Name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, MIGHTY GOD, Everlasting Father (Source of Eternal Life) Prince of Peace."

(Isaiah 9:6). (Fulfilled - John 1:1-2  In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning.

John 1:14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

John 3:16  "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. “

(5) PRESENTED WITH GIFTS FROM KINGS from the East. "Let the kings of Rashish and of the islands bring presents. The kings of Sheba and Seba offer gifts. Yes, all Kings shall fall down before Him.' (Psalm 72:10,11).

Fulfilled - Matt 2:1 & 11

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem.   Matt 2:11  On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh.

NIV He came as King of Kings and received Gold (King), Frankincense (Priest) and Myrrh (Sacrifice)

(6) THE MASSACRE OF THE INNOCENTS at Bethlehem. "Thus says the Lord, a voice is heard in Ramah (near Bethlehem), Lamentation and bitter weeping, Rachel (who was buried in Bethlehem) weeping for her children (this also refers to the weeping of her descendants, who were 'in Rachel') refusing to be comforted for her children, because they are no more." (Jeremiah 31:15)

Fulfilled by Herod- Matthew 2:16. When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi.

(7) He comes to be an OBEDIENT SERVANT even unto a SACRIFICIAL DEATH.
Isaiah called him 'The Servant of the Lord' who would suffer for our sins (Isaiah53)
Fulfilled by Jesus: 'The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and to give His life for a ransom for many.' (Matthew 20:28)

Twas The Night Before Jesus Came

Twas the night before Jesus came and all through the house Not a creature was praying, not one in the house. Their Bibles were lain on the shelf without care in hopes that Jesus would not come there.

The children were dressing to crawl into bed, Not once ever kneeling or bowing a head. And Mom in her rocker with baby on her lap was watching the Late Show while I took a nap.

When out of the East there arose such a clatter, I sprang to my feet to see what was the matter. Away to the window I flew like a flash tore open the shutters and threw up the sash!

When what to my wondering eyes should appear but angels proclaiming that Jesus was here. With a light like the sun sending forth a bright ray I knew in a moment this must be THE DAY!

The light of His face made me cover my head it was Jesus returning just like He said And though I possessed worldly wisdom and wealth, I cried when I saw Him in spite of myself.

In the Book of Life which He held in his hand, Was written the name of every saved man. He spoke not a word as he searched for my name; When He said, "It's not here" my head hung in shame.

The people whose names had been written with love, He gathered to take to His Father above. With those who were ready He rose without a sound While all the rest of us were left standing around.

I fell to my knees, but it was too late; I had waited too long and thus sealed my fate. I stood and I cried as they rose out of sight; Oh, if only I had been ready tonight.

In the words of this poem the meaning is clear; The coming of Jesus is drawing near. There's only one life and when comes the last call, We'll find that the Bible was true after all!

11-24-19 Thankful for worship

Scripture:    Luke 6:46-49

I am more thankful for Nov 4, 1974 than I am Aug 23, 1959.

Aug 23, 1959 I was born – Nov. 4, 1974 I was reborn.

The event on Nov. 4, 1974 would not have happened without the event that happened on Aug 23, 1959.

Let’s look at it – Richard and Phyllis Cooper were both born in 1928. She grew up in Oak Harbor then Toledo, he grew up in Toledo. They met at Divilbus high school, dated, fell in love, went to the University of Toledo where she graduated while he worked for Jeep and then got involved with rainbow sweepers selling them door to door eventually moving to Columbus where he became a regional supervisor – they had two sons and hit a rough patch in their marriage. Another woman gave birth a few weeks before their second child was born and Richard was the father of that child too. For most people that would have ended it but she decided to stay and try and make things work. Things still did not work well, but they did give birth to a third son, Jeffrey Kramb Cooper on Aug 23, 1959 after 3 days of labor and less than 3 years later, they would divorce.

I would say my birth is somewhat of a miracle – not physically – but the fact that my mother, an educated woman, stayed with my father and had another child seems like a miracle to me. So, am I thankful for my birth? Am I thankful for the parents God gave me? Am I thankful I was born into a situation I knew very little about till after my father passed away? Am I thankful that I grew up in a place and time where other people’s parents also looked out for you, and prayed for you because they knew your family did not attend church? I am absolutely thankful for all of that. I thank God for every part of my story. It is exactly because of my story that it led me to be in the right place at the right time when Jesus spoke my name and I responded to His invitation to accept him as my Lord and Savior on Nov. 4, 1974.

My rebirth was filled with an even worse story, but the bad parts of that story happened 2000 years prior when Jesus had to hang on a cross and die for my sins, so I wouldn’t have too. Therefore, I am even more thankful for my rebirth on Nov 4, 1974 than for my birth on Aug 23, 1959.

Thankful for kim – my family etc.

2 Corinthians 4:15

 Chapter Parallel Compare

15 All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.

11-17-19 What are you becoming?

Scripture:    Luke 6:46-49

All He wants is all of you!

BECOMING

          Ministry should provide building blocks for discipleship, becoming the person God wants us to be.

           "I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice. He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built."  Luke 6:47-48

Luke 6:46-49

 "Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say? 47 I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice. 48 He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. 49 But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed, and its destruction was complete."

"Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say?

This verse is not about salvation – it is for the already believer. It is for the one who calls Jesus Lord.

Jesus asks a straight forward question: Why do you call me Lord? LORD?

Kyrio – kyrios = Lord -  a person exercising absolute ownership rights

When we come to Jesus we voluntarily give him absolute ownership rights. When the owner of the car turns the wheel to the right – the car turns right – it does not one day decide, the owner is turning the wheel right but I think I will just go straight ahead then veer left. So, Jesus is right to ask of us = all who take the wheel away from him = why in the world, if we have given him absolute ownership rights, are we steering our life in a different direction?  We need to join Carrie Underwood and say “Jesus take the wheel”

          Let’s look at how God acts compared to how we act. God is right in his inner being (the essence of who He is) which determines His outer works – the things He does. We are fallen, flawed, broken on the inside and out works reflect that. The only way we can change is to know who we are now on the inside and then let that live out of us. But, like the dog returns to its vomit, so we return to our former ways denying the very power and the Lordship of the one who is in us.

          God’s being determines His good works. Now that God is in us, we must learn to do good works. For instance – if you hate your enemy – you have not learned that God is in you with the power of love over hate. Therefore, you can exercise a behavior that shows you have God at work in you by praying for your enemy – it’s a start.

          When you do what God says to do by His power now in you, then you are BECOMING a disciple – the person God wants you to be. Salvation is automatic and free – Discipleship – “becoming” requires sacrifice and energy. If you keep doing what you have always done, you will keep getting what you’ve always got and your workmanship will be brought to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will prove the quality of each man’s work. If what he has built survives, he will receive a reward. If it is burned up, he will suffer loss. He himself will be saved, but only as if through the flames.  Because you are saved does not automatically make you a disciple of Jesus – one who is becoming all God wants him to be.

THE ONE WHO DOES NOT DO WHAT GOD SAYS

49 But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed, and its destruction was complete." We see those images on TV every time there is a flood – you are saved and so think your life is protected by the Dam. But when the waters rise, the dam can break, and your house can face destruction. Have you ever helped clean up a city after a flood (Cincinnati)? It sticks, everything is destroyed including lives. So, it is for the person who says Lord, Lord but does no do what he says.

THE ONE WHO DOES DO WHAT GOD SAYS

I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice. He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built.

FULLY AVAILABLE RIGHT NOW

“One afternoon author Patsy Clairmont found herself on an airplane, sitting next to a young man. She writes, ‘I had already observed something about this young man when I was being seated. He called me ‘Ma’am.’ at the time I thought, ‘Either he thinks I’m ancient, or he’s from the South where they still teach manners, or he’s in the service. I decided the latter was the most likely, so I asked, ‘You in the service?’  ‘Yes, Ma’am, I am.’

‘What branch?’  ‘Marines.’

‘Hey, Marine, where are you coming from?’  Operation desert Storm, Ma’am.’

‘No kidding? Desert Storm! How long were you there?’ ‘A year and a half.’ I’m on the way home. My family will be at the airport.

I then commented that he must have thought about returning to his family and home many times while he was in the Middle East.

‘Oh, no, Ma’am, he replied. ‘We were taught never to think of what might never be, but to be fully available right where we were.’”

Patsy commented about her experience:

Wow! What commitment that this soldier had to the military and what his commanders told him. I couldn’t help but think about the soldiers last words here, “to be fully available right where we were.” Could you imagine the difference Christians could make if they made that same commitment? The commitment to be fully available right where we are, right where we are placed. Too many Christians spend time wishing they were in a different place or in a different position instead of making the commitment to be fully available right where they are. God has placed us where we are for a reason. And when He is Lord in our life we are fully available to Him for whatever purpose He may have for us, great and amazing things will happen.

What are you – no – what are WE becoming? Fully Available Disciples of Jesus Christ to build an inspired community that creatively and compassionately reaches out to connect people to Jesus Christ.

11-10-19 To whom do you belong?

Scripture:  1 Peter 2:4-9

BELONGING

          Ministry should help a person develop a sense of belonging with individuals and with the church as a whole. Participation in ministry is one of the best means for developing a sense of belonging.

          “As you come to him, the living Stone — rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him— you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” 1 Peter 2:4-5, 9

I have belonged to the Georgian Heights baseball club, Georgian Heights Football club, the Georgian Heights neighborhood friends, the Western Lanes Bowling League, the Wedgewood Audio Visual club, the Wedgewood Student Council, the Wedgewood concert band, the West high presidents council, all the bands, choir, bell choir, drama club, pep club, Hilcrest Baptist Church, Hillcrest Baptist Youth Fellowship, Hillcrest prayer group and Bible studies, Sr. High Sunday School class, ABC/Ohio BYF State board, and a great group of high school friend both churched and unchurched.  And that is just to list a few things that I have belonged to and that is also just through high school. I can’t imagine how long the list would be if I went through all 60 years.

What are a couple things you have belonged to throughout your life that stick out to you as most important or memorable?  Gather in groups of about 4 and share with each other your responses to that question.

I think there are three kinds of things we can belong to:

1 Vocational things – College, work, anything related to what we do for a living.

2 Clubs and Organizations – Sports, Arts & Crafts, Church, official organization you voluntarily join and are a part of.

3 Affinity Groups – Friends, these likely change throughout your life depending on how mobile you are -if you move a lot you will have more friends but not as many close life-long friends. Any group that has shared values and experiences.

4 – Actually we left out a 4^th kind of group we belong to – our family.  Most of this is given to us and some of it is chosen (Spouse, adoption).

When we talk about belonging to the church – which of those four categories are we talking about? I think all 4. I am here because of my vocation. I did not come because a friend invited me to church. Some may belong because the like being a part of organizations. Others like the way we do church and have found an affinity with others here. And certainly, there are those who see others at church more like family – you have been through thick and thin together. If we believe we want everyone to feel like family – it seems like that can only come with time – or is it possible to make people like family right away – let’s come back to that after we look closely at the scripture.

(1 Peter 2:4-5) Coming to Jesus.

As you come to him, the living Stone — rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him— 5  you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

Interesting how often Scripture labels Jesus then calls us by the same title. Jesus is the light of the world – Jesus calls us the light of the world. He is the vine, we are the branches (the vine is a branch as well). He is a living stone, now we are also called living stones.

What is a living stone? Stones don’t live or move or breathe – they are inanimate objects but in that day were the prime material for building. That was the easiest material to find – today you pay big money for a house made out of stone. The bible refers to Jesus as a Rock – but here he is a LIVING STONE. The structure built with Living Stones is a Living Structure – spiritual, not just material. And we too. Like Jesus are living stones being build into a spiritual house – one that supersedes the glory of the temple in Jerusalem.

 a. Coming to Him as to a living stone: Peter’s picture here is that God is building a spiritual temple (a spiritual house) using living stones (Christians), those who have come to the ultimate living stone (Jesus).

This spiritual house shows that as much as Israel had a temple, Christians also have one. Yet the Christian’s temple is spiritual, and they themselves are the temple.

          God’s people worshipped at the Tabernacle (a mobile house of God and could not wait to be in a single permanent location – but not everyone had ability to get to Jerusalem to the Temple.  Now God says YOU are the church (not the building) and God wants his church to reach every nook and cranny of the world, so His temple is more mobile than ever…through us – his living stones.

But even living stones are of no use unless they occupy their proper place in His building”

b. Chosen by God and precious: As much as God chose Israel, so the church is also chosen. As much as Israel had a priesthood, so Christians are a holy priesthood. And as much as Israel had sacrifices, so Christians offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God.

A holy priesthood: The believer is his own priest before God. He does not need any mediator except his great High Priest, Jesus. “There can no longer be an elite priesthood with claims of special access to God, or special privileges in worship or in fellowship with God.”

Peter’s idea isn’t that God has abandoned Israel or that they have no place in His redemptive plan, but that Christianity is in no way inferior to Judaism.

To offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ: God does the work of building (being built), but we do the job of offering sacrifices pleasing to Him, as we come to Jesus as who we are – living stones, made by Him. Romans 12:1 Living Sacrifices

Even a living stone cannot build something great for God as it sits all on its own. What God does in us together is important. He is building something out of us together.

We can only serve as priests as we do it through Jesus Christ. In ourselves, we have no priestly authority, but only in Jesus.

(1 Peter 2:9) The privileged place of God’s people.

But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.

a. But you are a chosen generation: The things that once exclusively belonged to Israel – their election (chosen), priesthood, and calling are now no longer the property of Israel alone. These are now the property of every Christian, and we have them in a greater and spiritual sense.

We are a royal priesthood. The offices of royalty and priesthood were jealously separated in Israel. But Jesus, who is our King and Priest, has brought them together for His people.

b. His own special people: We are special because we belong to God. A museum may be filled with quite ordinary things: hats, canes, shoes, and so forth; but they may be significant because they once belonged to someone famous. God takes ordinary people; and because He works in them, they are special.

These same titles were applied to Israel (Exodus 19:5-6, Deuteronomy 4:20, Deuteronomy 7:6, and Isaiah 43:20-21). Now in Jesus we belong to God as His own special people.

“The description of the Church is systematic and exhaustive. It is a race, and this suggests its life principle. It is a priesthood, and so has right of access to God. It is a nation, and so is under His government. It is a possession, and so is actually indwelt by Him.” (Morgan)

c. That you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light: The purpose for these high privileges is not so we can grow proud, but so that we can proclaim the praises of Him who has done such great things for us.

It is true that believers have a new life principle (chosen generation), a new access to God (royal priesthood), a new government (holy nation), and a new owner (His own special people)

Now we have examined the scripture - If we believe we want everyone to feel like family – it seems like that can only come with time – or is it possible to make people like family right away?

Absolutely – when each of my grandchildren were born – they I did not need time and experiences with them to make them feel anymore like family then in the first moment I laid eyes on them. So too, in the church, in Jesus, we who are seasoned Christians, ought to make everyone instantly feel like family. The church who can master that is the church that will not be able to contain the amount of growth it sees.

When I claimed Jesus as my savior, I did not have to be a Christian for a while, or prove myself to be adopted in as his child – it happened instantly. That is the way the stranger and alien should connect to Ashland Church – they should immediately feel not only like family but as much like family as anyone who has been a round for a very long time, because we are family in Jesus Christ – and he has been present since eternity past.

ILLUSTRATION

Tammy Harris of Roanoke, Virginia, began searching for her biological mother when she turned 21. A year of searching proved fruitless. Tammy did not realize, however, that her mother, Joyce Schultz, had been searching for her for 20 years--the same Joyce Schultz who worked alongside her at the same convenience store. When Joyce overheard Tammy speaking with another coworker about her search for her biological mother, Joyce's ears perked. The two compared stories and birth certificates. When the coworkers realized they were, indeed, mother and daughter, "We held on for the longest time," Tammy said. "It was the best day of my life."

Christians often sit side by side in the church pews, week after week, and fail to realize the depth of relationship they share in Jesus Christ. We are not inanimate rocks – we are living stones, designed to be like family whose lives are built together to be a spiritual house in the Lord!