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Wise Gifts
Why do we give each other gifts at Christmas? Because it’s expected of us? To keep up the tradition? To avoid the embarrassment of having nothing for someone who gave us something? Let us learn to give wisely, lovingly, generously and within our means; gratefully celebrating the greatest gift ever given because “God so loved the world…”
The Lamb is the Shepherd
Of all the featured characters in the Christmas story, why shepherds? Why single them out for a special angelic visitation? Why were they chosen to be the first evangelists to spread the good news? Why were these rough outdoorsmen, coarse keepers of smelly beasts privileged to be the first to bow before the Christ child? O, if they only knew! The Lamb in the manger was to be the Great Shepherd of their own souls, too - as foretold by Ezekiel, and later prophesied by John of Patmos.
Gabriel Was Sent From God
Who are these dazzling creatures dispatched from the throne room of Glory to invade our dimension on assignment from God? Both fearful and comforting, tender yet powerful, they bring warnings of disaster or good news of redemption.They suddenly appear and just as suddenly vanish, leaving us with questions about their nature, character and even the lingering doubt: Do they really exist? They do indeed, and they are angels. Their name means "Messenger," and they are God's Secret Agents, on covert mission assignments around the world on behalf of God's chosen people. They feature large in the Christmas story, but they are not the chubby cherubs you might think they are!
A Long Awaited Coming
How long is too long to wait? Waiting is not easy. It can be trying, anxious, eager, or even desperate, but always hopeful! Why? Because none of God’s promises have ever failed! The biblical stories of Advent and Christmas give us grounds for trusting in everything we have been promised concerning Christ’s return and our eternal home. Take heart! The Lord is near.
A Tale of Two Adams
The New England Primer teaches us, "In Adam's fall, we sinned all;" That curse was undone when Christ became the second Adam, the Innocent Adam, the sinless and perfect Adam who stood in our place and bore the weight of our sin - Adam's helpless race. Give thanks for a Redeemer who loves us and bought us with his own blood.
Not Even One
Is there anyone out there who has perfectly kept the law of God? No, not even one! Even for those whose salvation is secure in Christ, the process of overcoming that inborn sin nature will not be complete until we see Jesus in glory. By faith, our assurance rests in God's own ability to finish that which he has begun in each one of us whom he is calling to himself, for his own glory!
A Rule For The Heart
The tenth and last command gives us a rule for the heart. A covetous heart is greedy and grasping; a contented heart knows joy and peace. From the abundance of a well ordered and contented heart will flow loving and healthy relationships.
What is the R in ARP?
Reformation Sunday brings us back to one of the core beliefs that has shaped our protestant tradition for the past 500 years, with roots all the way back into the writings of Paul the Apostle. We cannot DO anything to deserve entrance into God's heaven; it is by faith that we place our trust in what Christ has DONE for us on the cross. It's all about grace.
Honoring
Giving honor, where honor is due, is far more than standing in awe of someone whose character and deeds are honorable. It also entails reverence, respect and obedience. We honor God by keeping His Sabbath; we honor our parents when we submit to their godly direction and discipline.
No Other Gods
God commands that our total and exclusive worship be directed to Him, and Him alone, for our good and His glory. He alone is worthy - our Creator, Sustainer and Redeemer. Let us bow down before Him.
The Law
If love and obedience are the keys to glorifying God, then it follows that his greatest commandment calls us to love God with all our heart, soul and mind and to love our neighbor as we love ourselves. God's Law points to his highest desire and purpose for us: a healthy relationship with himself and with others, made possible through Jesus Christ.
Give God The Glory
All of God's works bring glory to their Creator, but we alone among all of his works must choose to do so. We have a heart, a mind and a will that give us the capacity to freely love God or not to; to obey him or not to; to serve him or not to - and that is why God takes such great joy in us when we freely bow in worship and humbly obey his commands. Thus we bring joy to his heart and glory to his name.
Creation: Very Good!
The goodness of God is manifest in every molecule that moves, in every creature that draws breath, and in every plant that drinks from the earth and reaches for the sun. The beauty, harmony, symmetry and balance that exist in all of creation leave us with no doubt that our God is above all great and good! Such wonder and majesty can only lead us to doxology - praise to our Creator for all he has made.
In His Image
Why did God create us? Because he was lonely? To have someone to love him? Servants to do his bidding? "None of the above," is the correct answer! Our highest purpose, being created in his image, is to do just that - to bear his image, to demonstrate who he is to a watching world and reflect it back to him to the praise of his glory.
Three In One
The mystery of godhead is profound in its essence, yet surprisingly simple to understand. God has always existed in three persons, equal in substance, power and authority. He graciously invites into the fellowship He has enjoyed since before time began, called by the Father, redeemed by the Son, and sanctified by the indwelling presence of his Holy Spirit.
Creator And Sustainer
We can never adequately wrap our brains around the scope of who God is and what He has done. We can, however, walk around in his creation with wonder and awe in our hearts, and diligently study his written Word - for it contains everything he wants us to know about himself and how we should live in his presence. How wonderful to know that He alone is God!
We Are Not Our Own
We live in a world that every day is trying to convince us that we get to choose our own identity, that we are in charge of our own destiny, and that we ultimately get to decide who we are. Nothing could be further from the truth! We do not belong to ourselves, but have a loving and gracious Creator who made us for Himself, and has redeemed us for His own glory. We belong to Him!
3 John: Love and Truth
In this, the very briefest of all the letters in the New Testament, John's passion for truth is exceeded only by his heart of love for the church. It is not some abstract warm feeling for a concept, or an ideal, but rather a very personal and gritty affection for real people (he even names names!) dealing with real issues in a local congregation. May the Holy Spirit use it once again as a tool in our church for building healthy relationships among ourselves as fellow members of the Body of Christ.
2 John: A Solemn Warning
If you see danger approaching someone you love, your first instinct is to sound the alarm! Give out a warning! Such is the urgency of this small letter, written to dearly beloved people by the last surviving apostle. The danger is not immediate or urgent - like an approaching tornado or some other imminent catastrophe. It is rather the slow creeping erosion of lies and deception that causes spiritual dry rot and the eventual collapse of a church. There is a cure! Take warning and live!
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While we hope to one day have all of our sermons from sermon.net available here - that’s still a work in process. For now, anything prior to January, 2022 is still available, but through our older channels.