Sermons

“Be nice it’s Christmas”
“We should get together for Christmas”
“Can’t you try to get along?  After all, it’s… Christmas.”

People with not much knowledge or faith in Christ sense there is a story beneath the culture of Christmas. For a reason that people can’t explain they think people should be more together at Christmas, be more generous, loving and kind.  We should care for the poor. We should forgive our families. We should be home for Christmas and have a wonderful life!  All this makes it really important for us to tell the story behind the stories.

I want to give you teaching and preaching about Christ to help you share over the next three Sundays. The messages and small group times will be to equip you and provide an opportunity for people to hear what Christmas is really about. Please come and do invite the ones you love who need to hear the series: Together For Christmas”!

I can’t wait to see you,

Joe

Together for Christmas

Please prayerfully read the scriptures and consider the questions.

• What do you think about first when you hear the word Christmas?
• What do you feel first?
• What contributes to holiday depression?
• Why do people have higher expectations around Christmas?
• What does the name IMMANUEL have to do with the real story of Christmas?
  

  Mat 1:21-23 “She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”  Now all this took place to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet:  “BEHOLD, THE VIRGIN SHALL BE WITH CHILD AND SHALL BEAR A SON, AND THEY SHALL CALL HIS NAME IMMANUEL,” which translated means, “GOD WITH US.”

  Joh 1:1-5 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was in the beginning with God.  All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being.  In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men.  The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.

  Joh 1:14 And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.

• What are ways you can draw near to God this Christmas season?
  

  Luke 2:15-18 When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another, “Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us.”  So they came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger.  When they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child.  And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds.  Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded

  Hebrew 4:16 Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

• What could keep you from drawing near to God if you let it?
• How can we pray for you?