Illuminating December
At Christmastime we ought do more than celebrate the incarnation, we should capitalize on this strategic season to prayerfully bring the good news of the gospel to the lost world around us.
Christmas
Preparing Our Attitude for the Holidays
God expects the hearts of his thankful children to be at peace because we are disciplined to regularly and consistently ponder the excellent things that God has done and will do.
Offering God a Heart of Gratitude
Mindful of the huge difference our thanksgiving makes to God, others, and ourselves, we should be careful to regularly credit God for his gracious work of salvation on our behalf.
The Meaning of the Virgin Birth of Christ
We must understand and affirm that the second person of the Godhead stepped into space and time to share our humanity so that he might perfectly fulfill human righteousness and provide a divine-sized payment for our sins.
Old School Christmas
Big, festive, and costly celebrations are not something Christians came up with for Christmas; God has set a precedent and left us an example of celebrating our redemption in joyful and celebratory ways.
Better to Give than Receive: Reflecting the Incarnational Love of Christ
Christ should be our example in how we are to sacrificially love when people are difficult, trusting that God will faithfully reward those who imitate Christ.
A Joyful December: Living Above the Clutter of Christmas
While our modern Christmas celebrations may increase problems and pressures, God’s Spirit can enable us to keep our hearts calm and focused on the incomparable value of knowing Christ.
Jesus Our Imannuel
Jesus, our Immanuel, came to earth to reconcile us to God so that we could truly have “God with us.”
Bethlehem: The Epicenter of a Divine Revolution
God’s choice of Bethlehem as the birthplace of the Messiah should stir up in our biblical memories a number of remarkable reasons why God graciously sent Christ in the first place.
The Name Above Every Name
Mike Fabarez takes us through Revelation 5 to see how heaven exalts Christ in worship. He is rightfully declared as supreme: the Name above all names.
The Crux of Christmas
Christ came the first time to provide what was needed for us to have relational peace with God, he is coming a second time to establish a kingdom of peace for his people.
Christmas on a Budget
We must learn to revel in the eternal and transcendent blessings that are ours as God’s kids, even when we lack the comforts and conveniences this world has to offer.
Learning To Rest In The Sufficiency of God
We desperately need the contentment, peace and fortitude that come from sincerely and purposefully praising our great God for all he has done and will do for his people.
Exploring the purpose of the incarnation
Christ took on the attribute of humanity in order to provide his life as a substitute for ours, freeing us from the dreadful prospect of meeting God with our sins unresolved.
The Celebration of Christ
This is a brief message celebrating the life of Christ. The service featured an adult and children’s choir and then the congregation experienced a walk through Bethlehem recreated in the church parking lot. The audio is Pastor Mike’s message and the video contains the whole church service in the auditorium.
Christmas to the Glory of God
While we are recipients of many benefits because of the coming of Christ, the primary objective of Christ’s coming was (and so our celebration should be) the glory of God.
Where’s the Promised Peace on Earth?
Christ’s first coming did not promise “peace on earth,” instead it brought increasing conflict between people, that is, until he returns to establish a permanent peace.
What’s the Deal with Saint Nicholas?
We would do well to imitate the good example of godly character which God has provided us in fourth-century pastor of the church at Myra, Lycia.
The Enduring Clash with Nativity’s Antagonist
When Christ is exalted, promoted or presented we should expect and be prepared for increased opposition and antagonism against us and the truth.
Four Reasons God Lived Among Us
The “What” of Christmas is only half the story, we must also know the “Why” because our eternity hangs on the purpose of the incarnation – He is our only “H.O.P.E.”
Enjoying the Presents Without Missing the Gift
We should be clear in our hearts and minds that all the common grace that God dispenses in our lives at Christmas should not diffuse our focus on the grace provided to us in Christ which saves us for eternity!
Christmas Lights
We ought to see the Christmas season as a tremendous opportunity to represent Christ by highlighting him and God’s life-changing truth.
God’s Instructions for Important Days
Though Christmas is a man made observance, joyfully celebrating Christ’s advent on December 25th stands in the great biblical tradition of pausing to ponder God’s incredible grace!
Longing for the Next Advent of Emmanuel
The OT saints eagerly anticipated the arrival of Immanuel, and so should we! because we’ve yet to experience the incredible fulfillment of Christ’s personal leadership in our world.
A Real “Merry” Christmas
God is able to grant us true peace and real joy regardless of our circumstances as long as we are faithful to choose to trust his love and cast our anxieties on him!