by avministry | Jan 1, 2023 | Sermons
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Luke 2:39 So when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord,
they returned to Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth.
Luke 2:40 And the Child grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom;
and the grace of God was upon Him.
Luke 2:41 His parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover.
Luke 2:42 And when He was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem
according to the custom of the feast.
Luke 2:43 When they had finished the days, as they returned, the Boy Jesus
lingered behind in Jerusalem. And Joseph and His mother did not know it;
Luke 2:44 But supposing Him to have been in the company, they went a day’s
journey, and sought Him among their relatives and acquaintances.
Luke 2:45 So when they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking Him.
Dr. Paul Rusking described the case study patient under his care like this:
“The patient neither speaks nor comprehends the spoken word. Sometimes
she babbles incoherently for hours on end. She is disoriented about person,
place, and time. She does, however respond to her name. I have worked with
her for the past six months, but she still shows complete disregard for her physical
appearance and makes no effort to assist her own care. She must be fed, bathed
and clothed by others.
Her food must be pureed. Her shirt is usually soiled from almost incessant drooling.
She does not walk. Her sleep pattern is erratic. Often she wakes in the middle of the
night and her screaming awakens others. Most of the time she is friendly and happy,
but several times a day she gets quite agitated without apparent cause. Then she
wails until someone comes to comfort her.”
I. ARE WE GROWING AS CHRISTIANS?
Luke 2:40 And the Child grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom;
and the grace of God was upon Him.
Luke 2:41 His parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover.
Luke 2:42 And when He was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem according
to the custom of the feast.
Jesus at age 12 is on the cusp of adulthood, in the last year that could be
identified as childhood because at 13 Jewish males were considered adults.
II. ARE WE RIGHT WITH THE LORD?
Luke 2:43 When they had finished the days, as they returned, the Boy Jesus lingered
behind in Jerusalem. And Joseph and His mother did not know it;
Luke 2:44 But supposing Him to have been in the company, they went a day’s
journey, and sought Him among their relatives and acquaintances.
Luke 2:45 So when they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking Him.
One of the saddest things on earth is for a person to think they’re right with God
when they’re not.
Judges 16:20 “… So he awoke from his sleep, and said, “I will go out as before,
at other times, and shake myself free!” But he did not know that the Lord had
departed from him.
We know that the Lord hadn’t left Samson but Samson had left the Lord.
III. ARE WE SEEKING JESUS’ FOR UNDERSTANDING AND ANSWERS?
Luke 2:46 Now so it was that after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting
in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions.
Luke 2:47 And all who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers.
The Voice of the Child
Come listen awhile to the voice of a Child
Stand in awe of the wisdom of God
Hear what He has to say
For the time is today
You can come or just walk away
Luke 2:48 So when they saw Him, they were amazed; and His mother said to Him,
“Son, why have You done this to us? Look, Your father and I have sought You
anxiously.”
Luke 2:49 And He said to them, “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I
must be about My Father’s business?”
Luke 2:50 But they did not understand the statement which He spoke to them.
Luke 2:51 Then He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was
subject to them, but His mother kept all these things in her heart.
IV. ARE WE BALANCED CHRISTIANS?
Luke 2:52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God
and men.
John 1:14 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.
1 John 2:6 He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He
walked.
2 Peter 3:18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus
Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.
by avministry | Jan 1, 2023 | Blog, Music
- “Amazing Grace” – This is a well-known hymn that is often used to start the new year off on a spiritual note.
- “I Will Sing of My Redeemer” – This hymn is a tribute to Jesus Christ and His role as our redeemer. It is a great choice for starting the new year with a focus on faith.
- “Great Is Thy Faithfulness” – This hymn is a testament to God’s faithfulness and His presence in our lives. It is a great choice for starting the new year with a focus on gratitude and trust in God.
- “Joy to the World” – This hymn is a celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ and the joy that He brings to the world. It is a great choice for starting the new year with a focus on joy and hope.
- “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing” – This hymn is a celebration of God’s grace and His role in our lives. It is a great choice for starting the new year with a focus on gratitude and trust in God.
- “O God Our Help in Ages Past” – This hymn is a tribute to God’s faithfulness and His presence throughout history. It is a great choice for starting the new year with a focus on hope and trust in God.
- “It Is Well with My Soul” – This hymn is a testament to God’s peace and comfort in times of trial and suffering. It is a great choice for starting the new year with a focus on hope and resilience.
- “Blessed Assurance” – This hymn is a celebration of the security and certainty of our salvation through Jesus Christ. It is a great choice for starting the new year with a focus on faith and assurance in God.
Blessed Assurance is a beloved hymn that has been a staple in Christian worship for over a century. It was written by Fanny Crosby, a hymnist and poet known for her prolific output and deeply faith-filled lyrics.
The story of Blessed Assurance begins in the late 1800s when Crosby was living in New York City and working as a hymnist. She had lost her sight at a young age, but she refused to let her disability hold her back. Instead, she used her gift for words and her deep faith to create hymns that touched the hearts of countless people around the world.
One of Crosby’s most famous hymns is Blessed Assurance, which was written in 1873. The hymn is based on a Bible verse, Philippians 3:7-8, which says, “But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.”
Crosby’s hymn reflects this verse, as it speaks of the peace and assurance that comes from having a personal relationship with Jesus. The hymn has three verses, each of which speaks to a different aspect of this relationship. In the first verse, Crosby sings about the joy and peace that comes from knowing Jesus as her savior. In the second verse, she speaks about the security and comfort that come from trusting in Jesus. Finally, in the third verse, she talks about the hope and assurance that she has in Jesus, even in the face of difficult circumstances.
Blessed Assurance has remained a popular hymn in the years since it was written, and it has been recorded by many different artists in a variety of musical styles. It is often sung in churches and at other Christian gatherings, and its message of hope and assurance continues to resonate with people of all ages.
by avministry | Dec 29, 2022 | Sermons
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Sermon Notes:
The Names on Christ’s Birth Announcement
Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; And the government
will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor,
Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
What’s the worst thing a boss or a company has ever given you as a Christmas
bonus gift?
* The company commercial on DVD.’
* A cookie with the amount of millions the company made that year written on it
in frosting.
* $5 gift card to a local restaurant that had closed down years before.
* Everyone was given a calendar with each month having pictures of the business
owner.
* Two small containers of Play-Doh and a box of crayons. My supervisor said
his employees acted like a bunch of kids, so he got us kid stuff.
* The manager left out a pie tray covered in tin foil with a handwritten note saying,
‘Thank you, team, for all your hard work!’ I lifted up the foil expecting a pie.
He had just poured some saltine crackers in an empty pie tray.
* Employees were sent a text and told to help ‘celebrate the season’ by stopping
in on our break for a cookie and some punch with the HR guy.
* I work at a bakery and at Christmas time put in 60 to 70 hours a week due to
the holiday rush. The gift I received was a loaf of bread that I had baked over a
week prior and that I would’ve been able to buy for $1 with my employee discount
anyway.
* A former teacher said, “The principal game me a printed white piece of copy
paper with a lifesaver mint stapled to it and a note that said, ‘You were a lifesaver
this year.”
* A $50 gift card that was deducted from my paycheck a month later.
Psalm 127:3 (ESV) Behold, children are a gift of the Lord, the fruit of the womb
is a reward.
The only person who ever lived whose accomplishments were written before
He was born was Jesus Christ.
Isaiah 9:6 ” … A Son is given … ”
The Son of God given — That is the majesty of His deity
Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a Child is born… ”
A child is born — that is the mystery of His humanity
To quote the words of Charles Wesley (from “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing”):
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see,
Hail the incarnate Deity.
The apostle Paul called it a great mystery in the New Testament.
1 Timothy 3:16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness:
God was manifested in the flesh,
John 1:14 And the Word became 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 1:3 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made
that was made.
The wonder of wonders lyrics
The wonder of wonders as she looked down and smiled
That He was her Maker as well as her child
He created the womb that had given Him birth
He was God incarnate come down to the earth
Isaiah 9:6 “…And His name will be called …”
Isaiah 9:6 “And the government will be upon His shoulder.”
Isaiah 9:7 Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end,
upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it
with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the
Lord of hosts will perform this.
“Joy to the World” lyrics
He rules the world/With truth and grace/And makes the nations prove/
I. HIS NAME IS WONDERFUL.
Isaiah 9:6 “And His name will be called Wonderful…”
Song lyrics
His name is wonderful
Jesus my Lord.
He is the mighty King
Master of everything
His name is wonderful
Jesus my Lord.
What is so wonderful about His name?
Philippians 2:9 “Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him
the name which is above every name,”
Philippians 2:10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in
heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth,
Matthew 1:21 And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus,
for He will save His people from their sins.”
Matthew 1:23 “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they
shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.”
II. HIS NAME IS COUNSELOR.
Isaiah 9:6 “And His name will be called … Counselor…”
Colossians 2:3 ” In whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
Psalm 119:105 Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and light unto my path.
III. HIS NAME IS MIGHTY GOD.
Isaiah 9:6 “And His name will be called … Mighty God,
Jesus received worship because He is the mighty God
Matthew 2:11 And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child
with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had
opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
They didn’t fall down and worship Mary, they “fell down and worshiped Him.”
Hebrews 1:6 But when He again brings the firstborn into the world, He says:
Let all the angels of God worship Him.
Matthew 14:33 Then those who were in the boat came and worshiped Him, saying,
Truly You are the Son of God.
Matthew 28:9 And as they went to tell His disciples, behold, Jesus met them,
saying, “Rejoice!” So they came and held Him by the feet and worshiped Him.
John 9:38 Then he said, “Lord, I believe!” And he worshiped Him.
IV. HIS NAME IS EVERLASTING FATHER.
Isaiah 9:6 “And His name will be called … Everlasting Father…”
John 10:30 I and My Father are one.
John 14:9 Jesus said to him, “He who has seen Me has seen the Father;
V. HIS NAME IS PRINCE OF PEACE.
Isaiah 9:6 And His name will be called …Prince of Peace.”
Isaiah 57:21 “There is no peace,” says my God, “for the wicked.”
John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world
gives do I give to you.
I heard the bells on Christmas Day
Their old, familiar carols play,
and mild and sweet
The words repeat
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!
And in despair I bowed my head
“There is no peace on Earth, ” I said
For hate is strong and mocks the song
Of peace on Earth, good will to men.”
Then pealed the bells more loud and deep
God is not dead, nor doth He sleep
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail
With peace on Earth, good will to men.
No Jesus, No peace.
Know Jesus, Know peace.
Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; And the government
will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor,
Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
by avministry | Dec 28, 2022 | Blog
The Message version of the Bible is a unique translation that has gained popularity in recent years for its conversational style and easy-to-understand language. While it can be a useful tool for personal study and understanding the context of certain passages, it is important to note that the Message should not be used as a primary translation for a number of reasons.
First and foremost, the Message is a paraphrase rather than a literal translation. This means that it is not a word-for-word rendering of the original Greek and Hebrew texts, but rather an interpretation of the meaning and intent of the text in modern English. While this can make the Message easier to read and understand, it also means that it is not as accurate or reliable as a literal translation.
In addition, the Message contains numerous changes and omissions that are not found in the original texts. For example, it often combines multiple verses into a single paragraph, rearranges the order of words and phrases, and omits certain words and phrases entirely. These changes can alter the meaning of the text and make it difficult to accurately compare the Message to other translations.
Despite these limitations, the Message can still be a useful tool for personal study and reflection. Its conversational style can help make the Bible more approachable and engaging, and its interpretation of certain passages can provide insight and perspective that may not be evident in other translations. However, it is important to use the Message in conjunction with more reliable translations, such as the New International Version (NIV) or English Standard Version (ESV), to ensure that you are accurately understanding the meaning and intent of the text.
Here are three verses from the New International Version (NIV) of the Bible and their corresponding translations in the Message (MSG):
- “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” – John 3:16 (NIV) “This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life.” – John 3:16 (MSG)
- “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” – Matthew 10:28 (NIV) “Don’t be bluffed into silence by the threats of bullies. There’s nothing they can do to your soul, your core being. Save your fear for God, who holds your entire life—body and soul—in his hands.” – Matthew 10:28 (MSG)
- “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” – Romans 8:38-39 (NIV) “I’m absolutely convinced that nothing—nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow, high or low, thinkable or unthinkable—absolutely nothing can get between us and God’s love because of the way that Jesus our Master has embraced us.” – Romans 8:38-39 (MSG)
As you can see, the Message translation often uses more colloquial language and rearranges the order of words and phrases to make the text more readable and engaging. However, it is important to note that the Message is a paraphrase rather than a literal translation, and as such, it may not always be as accurate or reliable as a literal translation such as the NIV or ESV, NKJV, Etc…
In conclusion, while the Message can be a helpful tool for personal study and reflection, it should not be used as a primary translation. Its paraphrase nature and numerous changes and omissions make it less accurate and reliable than literal translations, and it is important to use it in conjunction with more reliable translations to ensure a thorough understanding of the Bible.
by avministry | Dec 28, 2022 | Blog
- “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:6-7 (ESV)
- “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?” – Matthew 6:25 (ESV)
- “Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.” – 1 Peter 5:7 (ESV)
- “For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” – 2 Corinthians 12:10 (ESV)
- “Do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” – Matthew 6:34 (ESV)
According to the Bible, worrying is a common experience that many people face. In Matthew 6:25, Jesus tells his followers not to be anxious about their lives and what they will eat or drink, saying that life is more than just food and clothing. In Philippians 4:6-7, Paul instructs believers to bring their concerns and requests to God in prayer and to trust that God will provide peace and understanding. In 1 Peter 5:7, we are told to cast all our anxieties on God, as he cares for us. The Bible also encourages us to trust in God’s sovereignty and not to be anxious about the future, as seen in Matthew 6:34 and 2 Corinthians 12:10. While it is natural to have concerns and fears, the Bible encourages us to turn to God and trust in his goodness and faithfulness rather than worry.
