Service Notes: “The Characters of Christmas: Mary and Joseph” Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 1:26-38
This year during Advent, I would like to have us view the Season of Advent from the perspective of some of the “Characters of Christmas.” This morning, we begin with Mary and Joseph. What would the Christmas story be without Mary and Joesph? And just who were these two young people whose names are so familiar to us all, and why is it so important to remember their involvement in this whole matter? We don’t know a lot about them for sure, but what we do know is vitally important for each one of us to remember:
· Mary and Joseph loved one another deeply.
· Mary and Joseph were everyday, ordinary people like any one of us.
· Mary and Joseph paid attention when God entered their lives.
· Mary and Joseph accepted God’s Word and obeyed His command.
· Mary and Joseph were models of faithfulness for us.
Throughout not only Advent, but throughout each day of our lives, may we each open our hearts to the Lord’s leading and obey His directives for our lives. May this prayer of faith be ever on our lips, “Come into our hearts, Lord Jesus… there be room in our hearts for you!”
You don’t have to be a “special person” in order for God to come into your life and do something extra special with your life. JUST AVAILABLE.
Mary and Joseph “paid attention” when God entered their lives. Don’t miss seeing that.
Joseph and Mary were 1.) “ordinary people,” who, 2.) “paid attention” to God, and who, 3.) “believed God” when God came calling.
Perhaps the most important thing we can say about Mary and Joseph is that “they accepted God’s word, and obeyed His command.”
Building on that last point: Mary and Joseph obeyed God… NOT just for the moment, but for a lifetime. Think about that!
Finally…here’s the final point we need to see and understand: Mary and Joseph were/are “models of faithfulness.” And so can each of us be as well!
Service Notes: “Creating a Culture of Worship” Psalm 103:1-5
Service Notes: Uncommon Elements 1Corinthians 11:23-26
As we prepare to come once again to the Table of the Lord, where Jesus offers us his body and blood, I invite you to find the place in you that is hungry for something more than all the pleasures, all the people and all the activities of life around us. I would invite you to consider the “Uncommon Elements” and in doing so to discover for yourself the cup of blessing which means life without struggle, and the bread of life which means perfect peace within. In giving His life on the cross for you, Jesus made “perfect peace and acceptance” with the Father possible once again.
As we celebrate communion this morning, may our hearts, by faith, each be touched by the grace and mercy of the One who loved us and gave Himself for us that we might experience eternal life in Him.
· Who of us… could ever come to the Table IF you had to be perfect first?
· “Jesus came in order that you and I might have life… and have it more abundantly… for whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim [announce, you bear witness to] the Lord’s death until he comes again.” [John 10:10; 1 Corinthians 11:26]
· There is nothing common about this cup, nothing common about this loaf. Nothing at all. “Thanks be to God!” Amen.
Service Notes: The Impossible… ISN’T! Mark 6:30-44
“I don’t know… I just don‘t know what to think, I don’t know what to do. I don’t know where to turn next. This whole thing just has me bogged down…” This quote was shared with me just recently from one of our people here at church with reference to a situation they were currently going through in life. Does that sound familiar to anyone else this morning? The good news of the Gospel, is that we have a God who understands what we’re going through in life and who specializes in meeting us at our “point of need.” We have a God who wants us to know that “The Impossible… Isn’t!” God is ready, willing, and able to meet our needs and encourage us at every turn in life. It would be my prayer that you might hear the Spirit of God speak to your heart this morning as together we consider this passage from Mark together.
· God is patient and He is faithful. God will take the time to see to it that we learn how to trust Him.
· I would encourage you to just watch and see what God can do when we turn all of our “life situations,” our limitations” over to Him. When we’re willing to surrender to His leading, when we stop struggling and simply accept his help… AMAZING THINGS HAPPEN!
· The challenge in life here is this… it is implicit: take charge of your situation, in the power of what can be, when God intervenes. Look to God…in faith and not in fear.
· We are all challenged by God “to trust in the faithful power of a faithful God.” We’re challenged “to look to Him in the midst of our life situations” and be “open for Him to act in us and through us.” No matter what those situations in life might be.
· Finally, my friends… it all comes down to this one simple truth. Jesus said, “With men… this trauma, this trial, this situation you face is impossible… but with God, [remember] ALL things are possible. (Matthew 19:26)
SERVICE NOTES: “In The Grip of God’s Grace” – Some things never change, no matter what. No matter the time of year, no matter how warm or cold it is outside, no matter who’s in the White House. Some things NEVER change. Chief among them is the truth of “God’s grace in our lives and His love for each one of us.” This morning, we pause for a few moments and bask in the warmth of that love of God as expressed to us here in Romans 8. Here “In the Grip of God’s Grace,” we are reminded once again that no matter what, as God’s people, we are safe and secure in the hands of the Lord. As we sing, and as we read and hear God’s Word this day, as a child of God’s, you can take great comfort in the truth that as you trust Him by faith, “nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
“God’s Constant Care!” – I don’t know about your life… but sometimes, it seems to me that mine gets so “hectic” that I want to just yell at the top of my lungs, “Stop the world, I want to get off!” Ever felt that way? Ever felt like things were so crazy that you didn’t know whether you were “coming or going”? Ever felt like you were “all alone” in the midst of life? If any of these situations sounds familiar to you this morning, then I believe I’ve got some good news for you this morning from God’s Word. From this timeless passage in Psalm 27 we catch a glimpse of “God’s Constant Care” for our lives.
God’s Word promises us that “there is no situation too difficult for God to deal with no matter what the world or life may throw against us.” That’s really good news to hear. As together we come to God’s Word again this morning, let take stock and rejoice in the certainty of that constant care for each of us.
“The Touch…” Mark 5:25-34
The passage before us this morning is clear and pretty straightforward. In “The Touch…” based on Mark 5, the message for each of us is that no matter who we are, no matter what the circumstances of life for us might be, no matter how grim the situation appears, the Lord is there to reach out, take our hand in His, love us and lead us “through the gloom and despair of our night into the light of His presence.” If there is something perhaps that is really weighing you down this morning, or you need a special reminder of just how important you really are to Him, then I’d invite you to hear God’s word of love, joy, peace, and hope and take its message of promise to heart this morning for yourself.
The Rocking Chair John 14:15-27
It’s often been suggested that we as human beings are “social creatures” and I believe that’s true. One of the most beautiful words in the English language is the word “companion.” I believe we work better, function better, are stronger, healthier, and more alive and vibrant when we are in the company of others than when we are alone. As the song lyric says, “One is a lonely number.” When you and I are seemingly alone, misunderstood, unappreciated, and frustrated… how good it is to know and be reminded of the truth we learn in the Scriptures that God is always there for us.
In “The Rocking Chair” based on this comforting passage from John 14, we are reminded and assured once again that the presence of God is always available to us as His children. In every situation, at every turn, no matter what, the promise of the Lord to us is of His peace and care. As we consider these verses this morning, you’re encouraged “to lean back and rest, safe and secure, in the One who is your all in all.” Thank God for His love and care in Christ for your heart and mine.
Excessive Baggage 1Corinthians 9:19-27; Hebrews 12:1-2
Question… “What is the world’s heaviest burden to carry?”
Answer… “The extra baggage you carry alone and don’t need to!” Does that make sense to you? Of course it does. It does to all of us. SO…that being the case, WHY is it we often have so much trouble in this area? In the passages before us now this morning, we consider not only the utter foolishness, but in fact, the “deadly danger” of carrying burdens we not only can’t carry ourselves, but don’t need to carry. “Excess Baggage” taken from 1Corinthians 9, and Hebrews 12, teaches us each valuable lessons for living the life that we all need to learn and apply to our lives. Let us pray and ask the Lord to open our eyes and ears to what the Spirit has to reveal to each of us this day.
Just Follow Me… I Got This! Mark 1:16-20; Matthew 28:16-20
Have you ever had the experience of being lost in an unfamiliar place and/or not knowing where you needed to go? It’s a most uncomfortable, and unnerving experience, especially if the destination you’re seeking is an important one. As frustrating as that is physically, it’s even more frustrating when we think about it spiritually. This morning, in “Just Follow Me…” based on the last few verses of Matthew 28 and some of the first verses of Mark 1, we discover the joy and peace of mind that is available to us when we’re willing to turn over our lives to the Lord’s leading. Jesus promises His care and direction for our lives each and every day. It would be my prayer that the Spirit of the Lord might speak to your heart and mine this morning as we give prayerful thought to His invitation to walk through life each day with the Lord at our side.
Celebration Community Church 