Jesus Is Christmas
Jesus Is Love
December 15, 2019 • Pastor Wes Richards
Today we need that love more than ever in our hearts and homes and in our country. Today so many people despise and reject God, but it is only the love of God in our lives that will move us away from a destructive world of hatred, bitterness and cynicism. The Bible teaches that God is the very essence and source of love. The Bible states that God is love and that it was because of His love that He sent his only son in the form of a baby 2000 years ago to save and heal our world. In this third message of our 2019 Christmas series, we hear no one is excluded from God's love and how each and everyone of one of us can experience Jesus' love this Christmas. 1. The Love of Jesus is… UNIQUE - He came into this world because of love John 3:16: ‘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’. - He lived a life of perfect love Matthew 9:36: ‘When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd’. - He taught us to love In Luke the bible tells us to 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' 2. The Love of Jesus is… UNDESERVED Matthew 1:21: 'the name Jesus because he will save his people from their sins.’ Luke 2:11: Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 1 John 3:16: ‘this is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ lay down his life for us.’ 3. The Love of Jesus is … UNFAILING 1 Corinthians 13:4-8: Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails Psalm 118:1: Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever Lamentations 3:31 says: great is his unfailing love.’ Lamentations 3:22-23 says: ‘Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.’ - His love will never leave you Hebrews 13:5: ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’ Romans 8: 38-39: 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. - His love will drive away fear 1 John 4:18: There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. His love will comfort you when all other forms of comfort have gone 4. The love of Jesus is UNIVERSAL Luke 2:10; But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. • The love of Jesus is for everyone • The love of Jesus is for you personally
Jesus Is Light
December 8, 2019 • Mike and Natasha Airey
Whilst we enjoy many blessings as individuals, as families and in society, we also live in a dark and dangerous world. Light is one of the greatest needs of our world today. We really need to know that there is light that can banish darkness and scatter gloom. In this second message of our 2019 Christmas series, we jump into how every single one of us can experience the light of Jesus in every area of our lives. Key Points & Scripture: 1. The Light of Jesus is… The light of life John 1:4-5; ‘in him was life, and that light was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it.’ John 10:10; The thief only comes to steal and to kill and to destroy; I have come that they may have life and have it to the full’ John 11:25-26; ‘I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. 2. The Light of Jesus is… The light of liberty John 8:3; ‘So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.’ Galatians 5:1: ‘It is for freedom that Christ has set us free’. 2 Corinthians 3:17: ‘Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.’ 3. The Light of Jesus is… The light of Love 1 John 4:16; ‘God is love’. 1 John 3:1: How great is the love that the Father has lavished on us that we should be called the children of God. And that is what we are! John 3:16: ‘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. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.’ Apply The Word Are you living life to the full? God is the great life giver. He is the source of life and the sustainer of life. If you truly want to live life of deep satisfaction and meaning to the full, then you need to have a personal experience of God through an encounter with Jesus. As Christians we should · love life · celebrate life · defend life · Live life to the full and make the most of every day and every opportunity. No-one is beyond the love of God. He loves you despite of your past. He loves you with all that you are facing in your present. His love is personal, lavish and extravagant and you can experience this, this Christmas season.
Jesus Is Hope
December 1, 2019 • Pastor James Richards
The world is crying out for hope. In so many places and in so many ways, people feel hopeless. While they often look to the voices surrounding them and what the world has to offer, there is only one source of true hope; Jesus Christ. In this first message of our 2019 Christmas series, we jump into why we can find our hope in Jesus. Key Points & Scripture: #1. HOPE because you matter to God "though you are small among the clans of Judah", (1 Samuel 16:11-12); #2. HOPE because you have a future “you, Bethlehem", (Psalm 126:5); 3. HOPE because you have a purpose "out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel", (Micah 5:4, Romans 4:18-21, Romans 5:3-5); Apply The Word Do you know the prophecies that Jesus fulfilled? Do you know the narrative of history and trust in God’s faithfulness to His promises? See the attached PDF for an outline of some of the prophecies fulfilled by the birth of Jesus. Recognise that when God makes a promise, He keeps it. Do you have hope this Christmas? Do you find that hope in yourself or in God? God is a promise-giving and promise-keeping God. He sent Jesus to give you hope; for a purpose and for a future. Consider which promises you are holding on to, or perhaps which hopes you have given up on. Today look to the Word of God and renew your hope in God’s promises and put your hope in Jesus. When you cast all of your hopes and cares upon the Lord, you will see Him provide all that you need.