Church of the Nazarene

http://bible.com/events/48685328 Isaiah 61:1-3NIV1 The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the broken hearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, 2 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, 3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor. Add your private notes… • • • 3 Trades and a Consequence Part 1: God offers value for worthlessness, re-construction for de-construction, life for death….Beauty for Ashes. Part 2: God offers recovery from the most traumatic moments, even moments of mourning and grief. He anoints us out of those periods into joy and even celebration as only He can. Part 3: God offers a way out of longer-term sadness, anxiety, worry or depression. Praise transforms us, even in despair. Today: What are the ramifications of the power of God at work in our lives through these trades? Oaks of Righteousness Add your private notes… • • • The tree is an important metaphor throughout Scripture: Jeremiah 17:8 “They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream.” tree = courage, fruitfulness, absence of worry Psalm 1:3 “That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers.” tree = fruitfulness, life, prosperity in God Other examples: Romans 11:17-21, Psalm 52:8-9 Add your private notes… • • • God restoring us… God planting us… God growing us…. God strengthening us… God sustaining us…. God connecting us…. Add your private notes… • • • Morgan’s Story Experience a real life story of God’s restoration in Morgan’s life. https://youtu.be/CBediHCfL74 • • • Other Scriptures for Study/Reflection -Isaiah 12:3 -Ephesians 3:17 -Mark 11:12-25 -Romans 11:17-21 -Psalm 52:8-9

http://bible.com/events/48680972 Beauty for Ashes, Part 3: Praise for Despair Isaiah 61:1-3 1 The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the broken hearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, 2 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, 3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.   “a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair” “spirit of despair” -That Hebrew term for spirit is “rûaḥ” and gives the sense of something having descended on us in torment. -As opposed to mourning, which is event-driven, the “spirit of despair” tends to “move in” and stay with a person in the form of fear, anxiety, chronic sadness.     “garment of praise” -The Hebrew word here is like something wrapped around us. God Himself puts it on us to wear throughout our day. -Our God wants to give you praise even in your despair.       Praise is God’s antidote for despair.   Psalms 40:1-3NIV 1 I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. 2 He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. 3 He put a new song in my mouth ,a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in him. Psalms 103:1-5NIV 1 Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. 2 Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits— 3 who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, 4 who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, 5 who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. Psalms 42:11NIV 11 Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. Psalms 119:164NIV 164 Seven times a day I praise you for your righteous laws. When we praise God, there is renewal happening: -renewal of our focus: praise takes the focus off of us, and puts it back on the Lord. -renewal of our mind: the voice of despair is hopeless and overwhelming, but when we praise we are actually allowing our thoughts to be reformatted. -renewal of our time: what if praise was so important that we plan our day around it?       Shannon’s Story Experience a real life story of God’s renewal in Shannon’s life, even in the midst of despair. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U3Qbxyw7CNQ

Beauty for Ashes, Part 2: Joy for Mourning   • Share Event • Locations and Times Week 1: In Christ there is always beauty on the other side of your ashes. -Pastor Adrian Add your private notes… • • • Isaiah 61:1-3NIV 1 The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, 2 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, 3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor. Add your private notes… • • • Luke 4:16-19NIV 16 He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. He stood up to read, 17 and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written: 18 “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” Add your private notes… • • • Joy for Mourning Add your private notes… • • • Isaiah 61:3NIV 3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor. Add your private notes… • • • What is THIS joy? Add your private notes… • • • Romans 14:17NIV 17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, Add your private notes… • • • Why is THIS exchange so wonderful? Add your private notes… • • • Psalms 30:5NIV 5 For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning. Add your private notes… • • • Happiness is found in circumstance Joy is found in Christ Add your private notes… • • • “The joy and peace of believers arise chiefly from their hopes. What is laid out upon them is but little, compared with what is laid up for them; therefore, the more hope they have, the more joy and peace they have . . . Christians should desire and labor after an abundance of hope.” -Matthew Henry Add your private notes… • • • Steph’s Story Experience a real life story of God’s anointing with His deep joy during a season of mourning. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8jwPdDJFe8E • • • Other Scriptures for Study/Reflection -Romans 12:12 -Nehemiah 8:9-10 -Matthew 5:4 -Galatians 5:22 -Psalm 45:7

http://bible.com/events/48673711 Beauty for Ashes, Part 1: Life for Death Easter is really about a trade. And the truth is, God makes terrible trades. What’s the worst thing about your life right now? Sickness, despair, hopelessness, loneliness, heartbreak? God will trade you for it. That’s what Easter is all about. Isaiah 61:1-1 The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,because the Lord has anointed meto proclaim good news to the poor.He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,to proclaim freedom for the captivesand release from darkness for the prisoners, 2 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favorand the day of vengeance of our God,to comfort all who mourn, 3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beautyinstead of ashes,the oil of joyinstead of mourning,and a garment of praiseinstead of a spirit of despair.They will be called oaks of righteousness,a planting of the Lordfor the display of his splendor. Luke 4:16-19 16 He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. He stood up to read, 17 and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written: 18 “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”     -Jesus intentionally points to Isaiah 61 at the very beginning of his ministry. Jesus used this passage to summarize his mission here on earth. -You might call Isaiah 61:3, “Three Bad Trades and a Consequence”: -We trade our ashes and He gives us beauty. -We trade our mourning and He gives us joy. -We trade our despair and He gives us praise. -We trade our broken and feeble roots and He makes us oaks. Beauty for Ashes -Ashes were sign of destruction, despair, and mourning. -Many of us know “ashes” quite well. There are many synonyms – hopelessness, brokenness, hurt, and emptiness. -But those are just cousins to the worst of the ashes – DEATH. -Today on Resurrection Day we can be very specific about what “beauty for ashes” means: life for death. Ephesians 2:1-5 1 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. 4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.     You were dead (Ephesians 2:1-3) -Sin festers, it corrodes, it deteriorates and destroys. It brings death today, and eternal death. Now you are alive (Ephesians 2:4-5) -If you are in Christ, He exchanges your death and gives you new life. Lewis’ Story Experience a real life story of God exchanging beauty for ashes, trading death for new life! https://youtu.be/hGSJ6e_NUgs Lewis- testimony Week 1 Testimony from our Beauty for Ashes series (April 2021). youtu.be In Christ there is always beauty on the other side of your ashes.

http://bible.com/events/48673711 Beauty for Ashes, Part 1: Life for Death Easter is really about a trade. And the truth is, God makes terrible trades. What’s the worst thing about your life right now? Sickness, despair, hopelessness, loneliness, heartbreak? God will trade you for it. That’s what Easter is all about. Isaiah 61:1-1 The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,because the Lord has anointed meto proclaim good news to the poor.He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,to proclaim freedom for the captivesand release from darkness for the prisoners, 2 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favorand the day of vengeance of our God,to comfort all who mourn, 3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beautyinstead of ashes,the oil of joyinstead of mourning,and a garment of praiseinstead of a spirit of despair.They will be called oaks of righteousness,a planting of the Lordfor the display of his splendor. Luke 4:16-19 16 He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. He stood up to read, 17 and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written: 18 “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”     -Jesus intentionally points to Isaiah 61 at the very beginning of his ministry. Jesus used this passage to summarize his mission here on earth. -You might call Isaiah 61:3, “Three Bad Trades and a Consequence”: -We trade our ashes and He gives us beauty. -We trade our mourning and He gives us joy. -We trade our despair and He gives us praise. -We trade our broken and feeble roots and He makes us oaks.   Beauty for Ashes -Ashes were sign of destruction, despair, and mourning. -Many of us know “ashes” quite well. There are many synonyms – hopelessness, brokenness, hurt, and emptiness. -But those are just cousins to the worst of the ashes – DEATH. -Today on Resurrection Day we can be very specific about what “beauty for ashes” means: life for death.   Ephesians 2:1-5 1 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. 4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.     You were dead (Ephesians 2:1-3) -Sin festers, it corrodes, it deteriorates and destroys. It brings death today, and eternal death. Now you are alive (Ephesians 2:4-5) -If you are in Christ, He exchanges your death and gives you new life. Lewis’ Story Experience a real life story of God exchanging beauty for ashes, trading death for new life! https://youtu.be/hGSJ6e_NUgs Lewis- testimony Week 1 Testimony from our Beauty for Ashes series (April 2021). youtu.be In Christ there is always beauty on the other side of your ashes.

This is the Good Friday message for Church of the Nazarene.

http://bible.com/events/48624659 Road to the Cross Part 4: The Cross Week 1: The road to the cross began the moment sin entered into the world in the Garden, when humanity and all creation were broken. Week 2: On the road to the cross, we see God as a promise keeper, first with His covenant throughout the Old Testament, and then with the arrival of Jesus establishing a new covenant. Week 3: In the life of Jesus, we see a God who walks with us no matter where we are and what we are going through. Jesus was the fulfillment of the most important promise you’ve ever been given. Matthew 27:45-54 45 From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land. 46 About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”). 47 When some of those standing there heard this, they said, “He’s calling Elijah.” 48 Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink. 49 The rest said, “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to save him.” 50 And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. 51 At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split 52 and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. 53 They came out of the tombs after Jesus’ resurrection and went into the holy city and appeared to many people. 54 When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, “Surely he was the Son of God!” -Here on the cross, Jesus was forsaken. God the Father turns his back on His own Son, forsaking Him for our sake. -Jesus gave up his Spirit. He came to lay down His life. No one had to take it from Him. He laid it down willingly. The profound truth of the cross: History’s darkest moment became its greatest. 1. Victory over sin -The law required the shedding of blood for the forgiveness of sins (Hebrews 9:22). The temple became the place of worship, but most specifically, the place where a sacrifice was made. Blood was shed for the forgiveness of sins. -The Holy of Holies, where only the High Priest was permitted to go, was separated by a curtain. -In that moment on the cross, the curtain was torn completely in two, signifying that there is a new and living way that is now open for all people to enter into the presence of God. –“Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” Hebrews 4:14-16   2. Victory over death -The moment Jesus is crucified, bodies are resurrected, which is a powerful foreshadowing of Jesus’ resurrection. -Even in Jesus’ death, resurrection is already underway! -But just as powerful, this moment points to the resurrection that all believers anticipate. -“But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep”. 1 Corinthians 15:20   3. Victory over doubt -In this moment, doubt is swallowed up in the rich love and grace of Jesus. -As Jesus is being crucified, they mock Him. But consider what happens in response to His death on the cross: “When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, “Surely he was the Son of God!” Matthew 27:54 -Here at the foot of the cross, the doubters believe, the enemies find faith, and the unbelievers draw near.

http://bible.com/events/48593891 Road to the Cross Part 3: The Fulfillment Week 1: The road to the cross began the moment sin entered into the world in the Garden, when humanity and all creation were broken. Week 2: On the road to the cross, we see God as a promise keeper, first with His covenant throughout the Old Testament, and then with the arrival of Jesus establishing a new covenant. Luke 4:14-21 14 Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside. 15 He was teaching in their synagogues, and everyone praised him. 16 He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. He stood up to read, 17 and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written: 18 “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” 20 Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him. 21 He began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” -As Jesus picked up the scroll, you have the Old Testament being read by the One who would fulfill its promise and introduce the new covenant. -Isaiah speaks of the Spirit of the Lord, and now Jesus is walking in the power of that same Spirit. The question we often ask is “why did Jesus die?” But today I want us to ask the question “why did Jesus live?” -If the cross was all that was needed, why didn’t Jesus just show up, appear out of the wilderness, and go to the cross? -What was the purpose of Jesus’ life and ministry on earth? Why did Jesus live? Why did he minister here on earth? To show us the Father. –Literally, when you see Jesus in the pages of your Bible, you see God Himself. -“Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father.” John 14:9 -Jesus didn’t just come to pay the ultimate price for our sins. He also came to show us how to live. -Because you’ve seen Jesus walk this life, you know exactly what it’s like for him to be walking with you right now. Jesus came to die for you so that He could walk with you.

http://bible.com/events/48573915 Week 1:The road to the cross began the moment sin entered into the world in the Garden, when humanity and all creation were broken."God finishes what He starts." - Pastor Adrian The road to the cross began in the Garden of Eden and that road wound through the Old Testament as a promise - communicated through covenants by God to His people. Isaiah 43:1 NIV 1 But now, this is what the Lord says—he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. Jeremiah 31:31-33 NIV 31 “The days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and with the people of Judah.  32 It will not be like the covenant I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt, because they broke my covenant, though I was a husband to them,” declares the Lord.  33 “This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel after that time,” declares the Lord.“ I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. I will be their God, and they will be my people.This is the covenant formula expressing God's relationship with His people. The amazing thing about the story of God and His people in the Old Testament is that God doesn’t snap His finger and say, “Fine. If you don’t want me, then I don’t want you.” He certainly could have, but instead he kept promising, kept pursuing, kept chasing. He longs to dwell with his people, yesterday and today. -Jefferson Bethke Jeremiah 31:34 NIV34 No longer will they teach their neighbor, or say to one another, ‘Know the Lord,’ because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest," declares the Lord. “For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.” His faithfulness to the Promise summons our adoration, and His promised return stirs up our faith-filled anticipation. 2 Corinthians 1:20-22 NIV20 For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God.  21 Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us,  22 set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. Revelation 21:1-5 NIV 1 Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea.  2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.  3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.  4 ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”  5 He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”

http://bible.com/events/48554543 Many of us don’t understand where the road to the cross begins. For some, we may think the road to the cross begins on Palm Sunday, or the Holy Week accounts in Scripture.-For others, we may think the road to the cross begins in a manger in Bethlehem, or in the Gospel accounts of the New Testament.-But that’s not where the road to the cross begins. Genesis 3:1-13 1 Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?” 2 The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, 3 but God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.’ ” 4 “You will not certainly die,” the serpent said to the woman. 5 “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” 6 When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. 7 Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves. 8 Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden. 9 But the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?” 10 He answered, “I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid.” 11 And he said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?” 12 The man said, “The woman you put here with me—she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it.” 13 Then the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?”The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.” -The road to the cross began the moment sin entered into the world. -Sin entered the world through Adam and Eve and all of their children, including you and me, would be born with an infected sin nature because of it. Just as the first lie was uttered by the serpent in the garden, the enemy of our souls is still speaking lies today. Often we can believe the lie that "we are not sinners", or "we don't need a Savior". We believe that if we can be good people, or moral enough, then we don't need Jesus. But that's a lie. Romans 3:23 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, Romans 5:12 12 Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned—The power of sin is great. The power of the cross is greater.

http://bible.com/events/48538153 For What? Part 4: We’re for Hope Week 1: We are for Jesus.  Week 2: We are for holiness. Week 3: We are for compassion.  • • • We believe that as a church we are transformed by God to bring hope to others through Christ. • • • This week: We are for hope Hope is: the joy and peace that is found in knowing-truly knowing-that a trustworthy God holds our future in his careful hands. • • • Jeremiah 29:4-9NIV 4 This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says to all those I carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon:  5 “Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce.  6 Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Increase in number there; do not decrease.  7 Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.”  8 Yes, this is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: “Do not let the prophets and diviners among you deceive you. Do not listen to the dreams you encourage them to have.  9 They are prophesying lies to you in my name. I have not sent them,” declares the Lord.  • • • Jeremiah 29:10-11NIV 10 This is what the Lord says: “When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my good promise to bring you back to this place.  11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.  • • • 1. God's promise of hope has been fulfilled - We have hope and a future NOW - We pray to him and he listens to us NOW - We find him when we seek him NOW - We have hope NOW 2. Hope is a tool 3. We don't keep hope to ourselves  • • • Romans 15:13NIV 13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.  • • • God doesn't just give us hope, he is the God of hope.

http://bible.com/events/48533642 It's far more important for those in our community to understand what we are FOR rather than what we are AGAINST. It’s not even close. Week 1: We are for Jesus. Week 2: We are for holiness. This week: We are for compassion. What is compassion? It literally means “to suffer with”. We know that it must always involve action, so we often say that compassion is “love in action”. The story of God is marked by a God of compassion. -“The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness” Exodus 34:6-"Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you!” Isaiah 49:15-The compassion of God in the Old Testament continues in the New Testament. God sends Jesus as the ultimate display of His compassion.-Jesus' ministry is marked by compassion, and He ultimately suffers on our behalf, dying on the cross for the sin of all mankind. 2 Corinthians 1:3-5 3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. 5 For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ. -In our suffering, we experience the God of comfort and compassion. He suffers with us in our pain.-And we aren’t just comforted for our own good, but for the purpose of sharing that comfort with others.-We don’t have to conjure up comfort, because we can’t. Instead, we comfort because we have been comforted. Compassion flows out of us because it has been poured into us. Luke 6:32-36 32 “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. 34 And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full. 35 But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. 36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

http://bible.com/events/48528471 For What? Part 2: We’re for Holiness It's far more important for those in our community to understand what we are FOR rather than what we are AGAINST. It’s not even close. Last week: We are for Jesus. Being “for Jesus” is about an intimate relationship not some ideal reverence. This week: We are for holiness. There are many things about holiness we may not understand. Let's focus on two important questions:-What is holiness?-Why does holiness matter? 1 Peter 1:14-16NIV14 As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. 15 But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16 for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” First, what Peter is NOT saying:-You have to be perfect to be a Christian. (1 John 1:9)-You better never sin or no Heaven for you. (Luke 23:39-43)-You earn your way to eternal life. (Ephesians 2:8-9)-If you sin it means you aren’t really saved. (2 Corinthians 12:9-11) What Peter IS saying:-You will be faced with evil desires and temptations.-When you are tempted, do not conform to them. Do not obey them for they are no longer your master. (Romans 6:15-23; 1 Peter 2:9; John 8:11, etc.)-Holiness is tapping into the power of Christ in you.-You are not relying on your power and your strength to somehow rise above, but tapping into His power to refuse to conform to evil desires that well up in you.-Holiness is not something you do, it is something you receive. What is holiness? Holiness is possible-We can walk in holiness by the grace and power of God Himself through Jesus.-Some teach that we are doomed to walk in the grip of sin, but we believe we can walk in the Light by His power, love and grace. Holiness is freedom (not a burden)-Holiness is the reflection of the freedom bought by Jesus on the cross.-This is NOT something impossible we have to accomplish. It is something that Jesus has already accomplished – that’s where the freedom is. Holiness is rooted in love (not duty)-God, our Father, desires for us to live in this freedom because He loves us and so we can be blessed.-The motivation is not one of fear or punishment if we fall short. There is blessing in living according to the freedom available to us in Christ. Why does holiness matter? -Holiness is God's deepest desire for you. It is His redemptive vision for all humanity.-Holy is the way God is. He is incapable of being other than He is.-The whole purpose of God’s redemption is to make us holy and to restore us to the image of God.-Ultimately, we surrender to our God and leave our happiness in His hands. Hebrews 12:12-14NIV12 Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. 13 “Make level paths for your feet,” so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed. 14 Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. God’s ultimate goal is not your happiness, but your holiness. "Go to God and have an understanding. Tell Him that it is your desire to be holy at any cost and then ask Him never to give you more happiness than holiness. When your holiness becomes tarnished, let your joy become dim. And ask Him to make you holy whether you are happy or not. Be assured that in the end you will be as happy as you are holy; but for the time being let your whole ambition be to serve God and be Christlike." -A.W. Tozer

http://bible.com/events/48526816 Part 1: We’re for Jesus WHAT JESUS?A counterfeit or the real Jesus John 6:25-66  John 14:5-8 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” 6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.” "Jesus isn't rocking a cardigan, and he doesn't talk softly through his nose. He's a roaring lion."-Jeff Bethke WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE “FOR JESUS”? John 12:1-4Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. 2 Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. 3 Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. 4 But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, 5 “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages. BOTTOM LINE:BEING “FOR JESUS” IS NOT ABOUT HOLDING AN IDEAL REVERENCE TOWARDS HIM, BUT ABOUT HAVING AN INTIMATE RELATIONSHIP WITH HIMGalatians 2:2020 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Extra scripture for study: Isaiah 26:8Matthew 6:33Matthew 8:18-22Mark 8:34-35

http://bible.com/events/48498177 Ephesians 6:10-12 10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 1. Who the enemy is not (& why we get it wrong) "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood" Ephesians 6:12 -We are living in a world that is more divided than ever, and the temptation is to view each other as the enemy.-Your enemy knows how to divide. These spiritual forces know how to divide by culture, race, skin color. These powers of this dark world know how to divide by political affiliation.-They win if they get us fighting each other. Which is why Paul wants us to declare emphatically who the enemy IS NOT. 2. Who the enemy is (& why he doesn’t want you to know) "Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes." Ephesians 6:11 -Jesus told us about our enemy, satan (Luke 10:18)-We know that while on this earth, we are living in enemy territory (1 John 5:19)-Our enemy has a plan to destroy us (John 10:10 & 1 Peter 5:8)-The Bible's names for satan help us understand his purposes: accuser, deceiver, father of lies, tempter, enemy. 3. Who wins the battle (& how) “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.” Ephesians 6:10 -If you are in Christ, then the victory is certain!-Some of us live in fear and we lack courage. Some of us live in foolishness and we lack wisdom.-We win this battle by fighting the right fight, not in our strength, but in the Lord's strength.

http://bible.com/events/48450269 When it comes to the Kingdom, the call is to participation, not observation. Acts 1:4-84 On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5 For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” 6 Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” -This is an account of the resurrected Jesus, who has suffered on the cross, but now has been raised to life. He is preparing to ascend into heaven.-Jesus is commissioning his disciples to be his witnesses, meaning active participants in this kingdom.-Passivity will kill the church. But we are not called to passivity, we are called to action. The Kingdom lives in you, so it must live through you. -When we pray “thy kingdom come”, we are not just praying that the kingdom would show up in our lives. We are also asking the kingdom to come through our lives.-As we pray, the Lord invites us to be a part of seeing that prayer come to pass.-You can ask God to advance His kingdom and, at the same time, even today, you can be an agent of that advancement. Matthew 25:14-30NIV14 “Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. 15 To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. 16 The man who had received five bags of gold went at once and put his money to work and gained five bags more. 17 So also, the one with two bags of gold gained two more. 18 But the man who had received one bag went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. 19 “After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. 20 The man who had received five bags of gold brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five bags of gold. See, I have gained five more.’ 21 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ 22 “The man with two bags of gold also came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with two bags of gold; see, I have gained two more.’ 23 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ 24 “Then the man who had received one bag of gold came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25 So I was afraid and went out and hid your gold in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.’ 26 “His master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? 27 Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest. 28 “ ‘So take the bag of gold from him and give it to the one who has ten bags. 29 For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. 30 And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ -This parable always seems harsh to us, but Jesus tells it so that there would be no doubt that in the kingdom there are expectations. -Notice it does not matter to the king how much you’ve been given. What matters is that we are called to use what we have to be participants in his kingdom.

https://www.bible.com/events/48387029 What does God want from you? Series review:-Jesus taught us to pray with these three words that are proving profound in these days: “Thy Kingdom Come”-The kingdom is “God’s reign” - His action & His Lordship-In Jesus, the king has entered into our reality to show us what the kingdom is all about.-We believe that one day the king is coming back to make all right in his kingdom again, and we also believe that the kingdom matters today. His kingdom can break into our present day reality. Mark 12:28-34 NIV28 One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?” 29 “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” 32 “Well said, teacher,” the man replied. “You are right in saying that God is one and there is no other but him. 33 To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.” 34 When Jesus saw that he had answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” And from then on no one dared ask him any more questions. What was it that made this teacher not far from the kingdom?-There’s something this teacher knew: the rules of the kingdom.-Every kingdom has rules and expectations, and this kingdom is not different.-We have been given access to the kingdom, by faith. And what we do in response matters.-Jesus declares these two commandments as most important in his kingdom: love God with all and love others. Micah 6:8 NIV8 He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.And what does the Lord require of you?To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. We must not view these as separate instructions or disconnected ideas, but rather ideas building on one another:-Act justly-Love mercy-Walk Humbly-With God We cannot separate the command to love God and love others. They are interconnected. In the same way, we cannot separate the call to act justly from our love of mercy, our posture of humility, and our complete dependance on God. If we are serious about living according to the rules of the kingdom, there are two important implications:1. God’s kingdom is not a human kingdom.2. God’s kingdom calls us to a radical view of a loving and generous community. Matthew 20:15-16 NIV15 Don’t I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?’ 16 “So the last will be first, and the first will be last.” It's as if Jesus is saying, "act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly….because I have been so generous to you!"

http://bible.com/events/48271723 You can’t have a kingdom without a king. Luke 1:30-33 30 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”-With the promise of Jesus, the king is now coming into the world.-This king will have a never-ending kingdom.-Of all the kings who have ever lived, this king will be greater than them all. He is the king with all the power.He is the king with all the love. John 19:1-5 1 Then Pilate took Jesus and had him flogged. 2 The soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head. They clothed him in a purple robe 3 and went up to him again and again, saying, “Hail, king of the Jews!” And they slapped him in the face. 4 Once more Pilate came out and said to the Jews gathered there, “Look, I am bringing him out to you to let you know that I find no basis for a charge against him.” 5 When Jesus came out wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe, Pilate said to them, “Here is the man!”-While the people mockingly called him king, Jesus displayed incredible love on the cross.-This king had all the power, yet gave it up. He sacrificed himself for his subjects. That is incredible love. Philippians 2:6-8 6 Who, being in very nature God,did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; 7 rather, he made himself nothingby taking the very nature of a servant,being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man,he humbled himselfby becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!Matthew 18:23-27 23 “Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 24 As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand bags of gold was brought to him. 25 Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt. 26 “At this the servant fell on his knees before him. ‘Be patient with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’ 27 The servant’s master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go. He is the only King that is worthy. Worthy of what?Our worshipOur devotionOur affectionOur focusOur hopeOur trust How you know you understand Jesus as King:-Worship takes a priority in your life-Obeying Him matters most to you-You rest in the knowledge that He is in charge-You focus on others before yourself How you know there are gaps in your understanding of Jesus as King:-Worship tends to be a Sunday-morning-only thing for you-You prefer to having things your own way-Prayer is often a last resort, after you’ve tried to fix things-You often ask the Lord to bless what you have planned

http://bible.com/events/48190984 Matthew 6:9-13 9 “This, then, is how you should pray: “ ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name10 your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.11 Give us today our daily bread.12 And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’ Matthew 6:9-13  -This is the first request of the Lord’s prayer – “your kingdom come”-Jesus' prayer gives a glimpse of life in the kingdom: trusting God for what we need day by day, walking in forgiveness as we forgive others, and in freedom from sin and selfishness 1 In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea2 and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” Matthew 3:1-2  17 From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” Matthew 4:17  So why are we starting 2021 by studying this idea of kingdom?-John the Baptist came preaching specifically about the “Kingdom of Heaven” and Jesus kept right on that theme.-If you continuing following the teachings of Jesus, you will see kingdom language is used 126 times in the 4 gospels-Jesus didn’t preach about “becoming a Christian” – a term that wasn’t used until long after His death (Acts 11). He spoke of being a part of the Kingdom of God.-For Jesus, it all came down to this idea about kingdom: life in a kingdom and a kingdom within you.What is the kingdom?-Kingdom means “God’s reign”, “His action" and ”His Lordship”. God sits on His throne as king of the universe.  -Through Jesus, God (the king) is coming into the world to establish His rule, first in the lives of people by triumphing over sin and then gathering people together that will live with a new allegiance, not to this world (to this kingdom), but to His Kingdom.-This King promises to return again one day to bring everything to completion, which is the ultimate fulfillment of this Kingdom. When Jesus arrived on earth, the people were looking for a king, but not the kind of king He turned out to be. They were looking for a physical kingdom with an earthly realm to overrule Rome. They got an invisible, Heavenly kingdom that makes its realm inside of us. (Luke 17:21) Why was it so important for Jesus to pray “Thy kingdom come” ?A focus for today; A promise for tomorrow; A deep passion for both.44 “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. Matthew 13:44

http://bible.com/events/48118137 Title: It's Not Worth It! You have no idea what God can do and desires to do with your life when you are completely surrendered to Him. Appetites (and/or feelings) These are things that can ruin our lives and make us miserable, if they are not ultimately surrendered to GodThey can become gods/idols in our lives that we give our affection + energy tooYou will either be ruled by them or you’ll rule over them by loving obedience to God 3 Things I Want You to Know About Appetites 1. God created appetites, but sin distorted them 2. Appetites are never fully & finally satisfied 3. Your appetites always scream NOW and never LATER Genesis 25:29-33  Once when Jacob was cooking some stew, Esau came in from the open country, famished. 30 He said to Jacob, “Quick, let me have some of that red stew! I’m famished!” (That is why he was also called Edom.[f]) 31 Jacob replied, “First sell me your birthright.” 32 “Look, I am about to die,” Esau said. “What good is the birthright to me?” 33 But Jacob said, “Swear to me first.” So, he swore an oath to him, selling his birthright to Jacob. Who in their right mind would trade their birthright for a bowl of stew? Never underestimate the significance of even the smallest act of obedience — or disobedience.  “Good and evil both increase at compound interest. That is why the little decisions you and I make every day are of such infinite importance. The smallest good (i add obedient) act today is the capture of a strategic point from which, a few months later, you may be able to go on to victories you never dreamed of. An apparently trivial indulgence in lust or anger (or name any other appetite) today is the loss of a ridge or railway line or bridgehead from which the enemy may launch an attack otherwise impossible.” -C.S. Lewis Genesis 25:34 Then Jacob gave Esau some bread and some lentil stew. He ate and drank, and then got up and left. So, Esau despised his birthright. RepentRe-frameRefrain James 1:12-16 12 Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. 13 When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14 but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. 15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. 16 Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. Extra Scripture:Matthew 6:24Matthew 10:39John 14:21Romans 8:14-17Ephesians 4:17-32Psalm 112:1

http://bible.com/events/48033171 Throughout the Christmas season, our focus has been upon Light and it’s symbolism for all that Jesus did in overcoming darkness for us.No matter which Christmas light is your favorite, there is one truth that will always remain: YOU CAN’T OUT-DARK THE LIGHT Luke 2:29-32 “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles and the glory of your people Israel.” No matter what darkness you are experiencing today, know this:  this Light is unquenchable and darkness cannot overcome it.Don’t let this Christmas season pass without asking: Jesus, will you shine on me? I’m tired of the dark. John 1:5  The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

http://bible.com/events/48029969 Youversion   December 20 Christmas Light, Part 4 - Shine Series review: God created light and it was goodEverything else from creation stems from that moment Throughout the story of God light is a constant symbol of the presence and power of God The prophecies foretold about the coming of Jesus Christmas then is the dawning of LIGHT  “on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.” And this light brings JOY and a calls us to respond We are not just to observe the light, acknowledge the light, but WALK in the light So the question this morning is: What about YOUR light? What do you do about all of this Christmas light? 14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people  light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to  everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see  your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. As they are listening, Jesus’ hearers would have known Light as symbolic of God Himself (2 Samuel 22:29, Psalm 18:28, Psalm 43:3, etc.).When Jesus proclaims “you are the light”, He commands His followers to be what He Himself claimed to be (John 8:12) In response to this proclamation, you ARE the Light, Jesus gives us only two choices in the Sermon on the Mount (verse 15):Shine ( “it gives light”) Cover your light (“put it under a bowl”) The implication is that, as believers, we have to actually work not to shine. But the truth is this: The greatest gift we can receive is His Light,  the greatest gift we can give is His Light.  For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light. Ephesians 5:8

https://bible.com/events/47937072 YOUVERSION - December 13, Adrian Title: Christmas Light, Part 3: Joy and Promise Luke 2:8-168 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” 15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” 16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. Matthew 2:1-122 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem 2 and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”3 When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. 5 “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written:6 “‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,     are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler     who will shepherd my people Israel.’[b]”7 Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. 8 He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.”9 After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. 12 And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route Throughout the Christmas season, our focus has been upon Light and it’s symbolism for all that Jesus did in overcoming darkness for us.The question for us today is: How will you respond to the light?  Light played a critical role in the account of two Christmas-related stories, particularly involving “outsiders” (they were not religious leaders or even devoted Jews):An angel appeared to shepherds and the glory of the Lord “shone” around them. The primary description we have of this angel involves light – so bright that they were afraid.Magi “from the east” followed a light in the sky that moved along with them until the light settled on the place where Jesus was.In both stories we see an answer to the question: “How will you respond to the light?”  The bottom line:The light is a promise (of joy) and a call (to pursue).  A promise (of joy)The light represented a fulfillment of the promise of God and a continual promise that the light will overcome the darkness, no matter what is to come. Joy is evident in these stories because the light of Jesus represented hope for all people.  Luke 2:10-11 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.  Matthew 2:10 10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed.  A call (to pursue) Seeing the promise of God is not enough. Ultimately, it requires a response. The shepherds and the magi made a choice not just to observe the light, but to pursue it.  Luke 2:15-16 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” 16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. Matthew 2:10-11When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 11 On comin

http://bible.com/events/47856551 Christmas Light, Part 2 Out of Darkness In our series on Christmas Light, today, we study darkness. 1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Think about two important words from Isaiah 9:1 Key Word #1: “Nevertheless” Isaiah 9:1-2 Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the nations, by the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan— 2 The people walking in darkness     have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness     a light has dawned. This very famous messianic (Christmas prophecy) in Isaiah, is immediately preceded by something not as famous but just as important. Isaiah 8:21-22 21 Distressed and hungry, they (God’s disobedient people) will roam through the land; when they are famished, they will become enraged and, looking upward, will curse their king and their God. 22 Then they will look toward the earth and see only distress and darkness and fearful gloom, and they will be thrust into utter darkness. (Isaiah 9:1) Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. Key Word #2: “Gloom” Isaiah 9:1a Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom (Heb: muw`aph –the greatest distress; hopelessness) King James Version: Nevertheless, the dimness shall not be such as in her vexation.             To be cursed, to have a sense of no way out… But what does all of this have to do with you? Ephesians 5:8-14 8 For you were once darkness but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) 10 and find out what pleases the Lord. 11 Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. 12 It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. 13 But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. 14 This is why it is said: “Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” John 12:46 46 I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness. Reminders from Part 1 of the series Biblically, light is a symbol of hope, life and truth. The very first thing we ever hear God say concerns light. Genesis 1:1-5 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. 3 And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. 4 God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light “day,” and the darkness he called “night.” And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day. 1 John 1:5 This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. Matthew 4:12-17 12 When Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, he withdrew to Galilee. 13 Leaving Nazareth, he went and lived in Capernaum, which was by the lake in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali— 14 to fulfill what was said through the prophet Isaiah: 15 “Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali,     the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan,     Galilee of the Gentiles— 16 the people living in darkness     have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death     a light has dawned.” 17 From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.

http://bible.com/events/47805233 Christmas Light, Part 1: The Dawn Isaiah 9:1-2 9 Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the nations, by the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan— 2 The people walking in darkness have seen a great light on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. This prophecy foretells the coming of Christ by predicting certain things that will be true about that time:There will be no more gloomThe people of God (Galilee) will be honoredThose walking in darkness will not only see, but see a great lightA new era will arrive, in the form of light dawningTo grasp the utter importance of this text, we have to go back. All the way back to when light was createdTo grasp the importance of this text, we have to go back to when light was created. Genesis 1:1-5 1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. 3 And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. 4 God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light “day,” and the darkness he called “night.” And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day. The first thing we ever read God saying, the first of His stated creative acts – Let there be light. We learn from the very beginning that light will be something important and special.Everything in creation stems from that original creation of light. 1.  LIGHT IS GOOD  Light is the first of the Creator's works, showing the work of the divine in a world that is chaos without it. Light symbolizes life - “You have rescued me from death. You have kept my feet from stumbling so that I could walk in your presence, in the light of life” (Ps 56:13)Light symbolizes truth - “Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light for my path” (Ps 119:105) 2. GOD IS LIGHT  “God is light, and there isn’t any darkness in him.” 1 John 1:5  “The Lord is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear?” Psalm 27:1 Light to the world  - “You are the light of the world.” Matthew 5:14 Light yet to come - “There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever.” Revelations 22:5  Matthew 4:12-17 12 When Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, he withdrew to Galilee. 13 Leaving Nazareth, he went and lived in Capernaum, which was by the lake in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali— 14 to fulfill what was said through the prophet Isaiah: 15 “Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali,     the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan,     Galilee of the Gentiles— 16 the people living in darkness     have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death     a light has dawned.”  17 From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” Any good Jew would be able to immediately read Matthew 4 and see how points us back to the prophecy in Isaiah There is a clear parallel here between the initial story of creation of Genesis 1 (“Let there be light”) and the arrival of Jesus  (“a light has dawned”)Jesus’ affirms that God’s kingdom has come near. It is not just that “a light has dawned” but rather “our light has dawned”  Bottom Line:  He didn’t just come to be THE Light, He came to be YOUR Light.  “The splendors of creation and the agonies of redemption combine in Christmas, this center where God in Christ invades existence with redeeming light and decisively defeats evil.”  ― Eugene Peterson