Life

Life

Red Letter Christmas

John 10:10

English Standard Version

10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

Zao

life (physical and spiritual).

Sustained by God’s existence

God’s gift to us

What is life.. the game?

He with the most toys wins?

Luke 12:15 (ESV)

15 And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”

Our life is meant for more the pleasure and possessions..

Its was meant for worship, serving and understanding who brings us true life

This is why Jesus came…

Luke 1:26-38 (ESV)

26 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin's name was Mary. 28 And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” 29 But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. 30 And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”

34 And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?”

35 And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God. 36 And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. 37 For nothing will be impossible with God.” 38 And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant[e] of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

In order to have abundant life

Be Ready to be used by God.

Luke 1:27 (ESV)

27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin's name was Mary

Mary was a virgin (human)

Luke is clear in is description in who Mary is. Betrothed to Joseph and a virgin. Twice..

She follows God’s plan, she is obedient to his desires for her..

John 14:15 (ESV)

15 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.

God and his way come before us and our way.

2 Corinthians 7:1 (ESV)

7 Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.

We have learned how important it is to wash our hand for 3o seconds. Using sanitizer to make sure we are clean. .. God knows for our spiritual life ..doing the things he calls holy is important..

After David committed murder and adultery..

Psalm 51:10-13 (ESV)

10 Create in me a clean heart, O God,     and renew a right spirit within me. 11 Cast me not away from your presence,     and take not your Holy Spirit from me. 12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation,     and uphold me with a willing spirit.

13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways,     and sinners will return to you.

In order to have abundant life

Trust God fully

Luke 1:30- 33 (ESV)

30 And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”

My understanding of abundant life

Camaro beach pic

Congrats your going to be pregnant without having sexur

I am going to bring shame on your life..others are gonna probably moc you and hate you ..

Your life is going to be a little harder because you follow me..

Matthew 10:22 (ESV)

22 and you will be hated by all for my name's sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.

“But to mean it when I say that I want my life to count for His glory is to drive a stake through the heart of self - a painful and determined dying to me that must be a part of every day I live.” ― Louie Giglio

God’s ways are not our ways

Luke 1:34-38 (ESV)

34 And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?”[

35 And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God. 36 And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. 37 For nothing will be impossible with God.” Natural vs supernatural

how will this be? More about logistics than trust..

Michael..family erin michael stacie brian

Allison 1

Allison famly

Ok God so how do we do this?

Cousin Elizabeth was old.. and barren.. but had finally conceived b/c

For nothing is impossible with God

Psalm 51:17 (NIV)

17 My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit;     a broken and contrite heart     you, God, will not despise.

Rich young ruler..

Matthew 19:25-27,29

25 When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?” 26 But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” 27 Then Peter said in reply, “See, we have left everything and followed you. What then will we have?” . 29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name's sake, will receive a hundredfold[c] and will inherit eternal life.

Serve God according to his word

Luke 1:38 (ESV)

38 And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

How to decorate a tree?

Tree pics

How do you decorate your life..

I propose decorate it with the word of God

1 Peter 2:2 (ESV)

2 Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation—

Jeremiah 15:16 (ESV)

16 Your words were found, and I ate them,     and your words became to me a joy     and the delight of my heart, for I am called by your name,     O Lord, God of hosts.

Ephesians 5:26 (ESV)

26 that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word,

In order to have abundant life

We should sing God’s praises

Luke 1:39-56 (ESV).

41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42 In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! 43 But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy!

John leaped meeting Jesus..!!!

Every day we get to meet Christ in his word, in his work, in his world, in his worship!

It’s supposed to be joyful.

Luke 1:46-59 (ESV)

46 Mary begins to sing…

“My soul glorifies the Lord 47     and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 48 for he has been mindful     of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, 49     for the Mighty One has done great things for me—holy is his name. 50 His mercy extends to those who fear him,     from generation to generation. 51 He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;     he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. 52 He has brought down rulers from their thrones     but has lifted up the humble. 53 He has filled the hungry with good things     but has sent the rich away empty. 54 He has helped his servant Israel,     remembering to be merciful 55 to Abraham and his descendants forever,     just as he promised our ancestors.”

56 Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home.

This whole Christmas thing is supposed to be joyful. Don’t let shopping, cooking or traveling make you lose the joy in it. Get lost in why Jesus came to earth

Remember Christ was before Christmas!!

You can’t fake joy and wonder. people will see right through it. This means you have to let the joy of Jesus’ coming sink deep into your soul. You have to experience the joy before you can give it away. Joy is contagious. Spend some time with a joyful person and let it rub off on you. Then let others catch joy from you.

Chloe mary Margaret.. Harold and Jeannie all the others serving…

John 15:11  (ESV) 11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.

Seven reasons to worship during Christ

He came as a human …born to mary

He is divine… son of the most high

He is King. Of the house of David

His reign is forever. Kingdom will have no end

He is Holy.. pure. .. he will be called holy

He is our Savior-Jesus yahwah. His name will be Jesus

He is great.. worthy.. he will be great

John piper put it this way

There is none more human

None more divine

None stronger

None longer

None purer

Noe more needed

None more worthy of admiration

Blessed are those who follow Gods plan

Luke 1: 45 (ESV)

. 45 And blessed is she who believed that there would be[f] a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.”

Does not mean everything will be perfect.. the world sees an unwed mother..joseph wanted to divorce her a life of people looking down on her.

Philippians 3:10 (ESV)10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,

Romans 8:27 (ESV)27 And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because he Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.