Comfort and Joy: Part 1

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Comfort and Joy: Part 1

Because of Christmas, you can have Comfort.

December 17, 2023 • Steve Hinton • Isaiah 49:13, Luke 2:25–32, Psalm 23:4, Romans 6:23, John 14:26

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Isaiah 49:13 Sing for joy, O heavens, and exult, O earth; break forth, O mountains, into singing! For the Lord has comforted his people and will have compassion on his afflicted.

Luke 2:25-32 Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ. 27 And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, 28 he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said, 29 “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; 30 for my eyes have seen your salvation 31 that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.”

“God rest ye merry, Gentlemen."

Comfort and Joy – Isn’t that what we need? Isn’t that what Simeon Found?

1. Our Absence of Comfort.

2. The World’s Avenues toward Comfort.

3. God’s Answer for Comfort.

-Psalm 23:4: “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”

a. The Christ of Christmas John 1:14 and Hebrews 4:15

To Save us when we had gone astray . . . Romans 6:23

2 Thessalonians 2:16 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace.

b. The Continued Comforter of the Holy Spirit.

John 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. (KJV)

c. The Call to share the Comfort.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

Simeon’s story can be your story!

Why we should say “Merry Christmas” – the Shalom blessing.

Finding More in 24!

December 31, 2023 • Steve Hinton • Philippians 3:13–14, Psalm 77:11–12, Isaiah 43:18, Isaiah 32:8, 2 Timothy 4:5

Phil 3:13-14 “Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” God Has Called us Forward in 24. 1. Sing the Praises. Psalm 77:11-12 “I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your wonders of old. 12 I will ponder all your work and meditate on your mighty deeds.” -Romans 1:21 “For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile, and their foolish hearts were darkened.” 2. Bury the Past. Isa 43:18 “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.” 3. Make the Plans. -Isaiah 32:8 “The noble make noble plans, and by noble deeds they stand.” 4. Roll with the Punches. -2 Tim 4:5 “Keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, and discharge all the duties of your ministry. “If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs . . . Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it, and—which is more—you’ll be a Man, my son!” - Rudyard Kipling 5. Walk in His Path. -John 15:5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” “There is not one square inch of the entire creation about which Jesus Christ does not cry out, “This is Mine! This belongs to Me.'” -Abraham Kuyper – Prime Minister of The Netherlands, 1911. So we ask: 1. What were the praises and lessons for 2023? 2. Have I really buried the past – can I do so today? 3. In planning – is there an area where I need to stop making excuses and be obedient? 4. What can I plan to implement to make 2024 better – being ready to roll with the punches? 5. Will I step across the line today for Jesus Christ? – To be baptized, to Abide? Pray through: Praises Past Plans Punches His Path

Tidings of Comfort and Joy: Part 2

December 24, 2023 • Steve Hinton • Isaiah 49:13, Luke 2:8–11, Romans 1:16, John 1:12, Luke 2:15–20

The Search for joy, how often has this played out? Isaiah 49:13 Sing for joy, O heavens, and exult, O earth; break forth, O mountains, into singing! For the Lord has comforted his people and will have compassion on his afflicted. Luke 2:8-11 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.” (NIV) 1. Good News Romans 1:16 - For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. 2. Great Joy 3. For All People John 1:12 - Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God. While God Gives the Offer of Joy to All, it is typically received only by the Small! Luke 2:15-20 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. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. So, we can Know about God. So, we can know God. O little town of Bethlehem, How still we see thee lie, Above thy deep and dreamless sleep, The silent stars go by, Yet in thy dark streets shineth, The everlasting light, The hopes and fears of all the years, Are met in thee tonight

Christmas Eve Evening Event

December 24, 2023

A fun event of music for adults and children.