MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Well it looks like Christmas at my house. So pretty with decorative snow. Sunday is going to be amazing with special Christmas music from the choir. I will also finish my talks on “The Christmas Filter – seeing   all things with the mind of Christ.”

If you come and bring someone to sit with you may soon realize common ground with your guest. Most of our friends and family members want to believe a relationship with Jesus makes a difference in how people think and live. This message deals with why we are often so unlike the Jesus of scripture and how we can gain His mind. After all this is what we are supposed to do.

Phil. 2:5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

1 Co 2:16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

Make every effort to come and bring a friend. Stick around and go to a small group so you can better process what you hear in the message.

Blessings,
Joe

PLEASE PRAYERFULLY READ AND CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING SCRIPTURES AND VERSES.

Php 2:5  Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

1 Co 2:16  For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

1. Describe how your relationship with Christ has changed your mind in some area?
   

   Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.Romans 12:1-2

2. How can the Christmas story change your thinking about your guilt and shame?
   

   But when he had considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for the Child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. “She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” Matthew 1:20-21

   For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. 12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. Luke 2:11-12

   There s therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.  2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. Rom 8:1-2

3. What does the Christmas story teach about Gods love for His creation?
   

   In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. John 1:1-3

   He came unto his own, and his own received him not. 12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: 13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. 14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. John 1:11-14

4. How does the Christmas story end confusion about what God is like?
   

   God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world. And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high. Hebrews 1:1-3

   He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything. Colossians 1:18

5. What does being a slave to the fear of death look like?
6. How can the Christmas story change your fear of death?
   

   Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and might free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives. Hebrews 2:14-15

7. How can we pray specifically for your life with Christ?