Christmas County Spelling Bee - remarks

Thank you kids. What a beautiful reminder, that love is spelled J-E-S-U-S. 

You know I am not sure why my name got in the program as an assistant, because compared to the work that Nancy and these kids did I really didn't do much more than just show up.  But because I was here I got see how hard they worked and then along with you we got to see their courage to stand up front and declare the names of Jesus. I am so impressed guys, well done. 

You know one of the first things that we as parents provide for our children is their names. Most parents spend a great deal of time thinking through the many possibilities of what to name their child because it carries meaning far beyond just what they will be called throughout their lives.  This is even more true when it comes to the many names of Jesus.  They are so much more than just ways to reference Him, they speak to roles that he has in our world. That is why He has so many names!

in this world that He has created. 

One of the verses that the kids told us about was where it says

Isaiah 9:6 ESV

6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Isaish 9:6

As the kids reminded us, one of the most prominent places that we hear of these names this time of year is from a verse in the Old Testament written by the prophet Isaiah, He said:

"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."  

It's a familiar verse at Christmas time because this is the time of year where we celebrate when this child was born, but then the verse goes on to speak of the many roles of authority that this child who is born will hold. 

He will be called a counselor, father, prince and even God.  Isaiah wrote these things to encourage God’s people in a time when they were under the immanent threat of the Assyrian Empire. So the question of who holds authority in their lives was one that was very pressing. Into this atmosphere, Isaiah says that there will come a day when a child will be born who will forever alter the balance of power in our world.

It was hundreds of years after Isaiah that this child was born in a manger. His earthly parents gave him the name Jesus as the Angel had told them. And Jesus grew up to be called all of the things that Isaiah proclaimed. 

but then...he was falsely accused, arrested and condemned to die on a brutal Roman cross. He was placed in a grave and for a short time it seemed like all was lost.  It seemed like he may not be able to live up to the names he was given...but  then three days later he rose again gloriously conquering sin and death and so displaying his ultimate authority over all things.

And because he loves us, as the kids so boldly proclaimed, He welcomes us to come under his authority where we can be can be free from the consequences of both sin and death. And in this relationship of love and trust we find that the risen Jesus still leads us as our wonderful counselor, mighty God, everlasting father and prince of peace.  

Here at Friendship Church we exist to communicate this life giving message of Jesus Christ, and so if you have not yet taken the step of coming under the loving authority of Jesus Christ, the one the wise men said was “Born the King” then this Christmas would be a wonderful time for to take that step. Or maybe you just don't quite even understand what I am talking about but you want to…then let me encouage you to take a step of courage like these kids did this morning.

I am not going to ask you come up on stage like they did, but I going to ask you to come up after the service and talk with me. I will just hang out here up front and I would love to talk with you on this. We also have several overseers here at Friendship Church and I would like to ask them to stand. If you know one of them or would feel more comfortable talking with them then let me encourage you to hit them up after the service. I know they would love to talk to you about the difference that a relationship under the loving authority of Jesus has made in their lives.

Pastor Adam.

and I get you a resource that will help you know more about this incredible gift that Jesus has offered us. 

I'll pray, invite the ministry team up, then invitation for brunch...