“Remembering our history, running to our future” I presented that theme for us after our 105th church anniversary back in August. Instead of a theme for the new calendar year, we are going to continue with that theme until we reach our next church anniversary, Lord willing. Our scripture for today’s lesson is also our theme scripture. As we get ready for the year 2022 to end and for 2023 to begin, take a little time to remember what God has done for you and us this past year. There were several things that happened that are now part of our history. Our testimony about the goodness of God has increased over this year. We can confirm that just like the great cloud of witnesses, God will be faithful and show grace and mercy to those who place their faith in him. Even through tough times that we faced in the past year, we can remember Jesus who also endured tough times while he lived on this earth. We know that Jesus did not focus on the tough times, he focused on the joy he would have after the tough times were over. That should be our focus also, focus on the joy we will have after our tough times are over. All tough times are temporary. Trouble doesn’t last always for those who have placed their faith in God through Jesus Christ. Jesus has a placed prepared for us once we are finished with life on this earth. As we go into this new year, continue remembering our history filled with evidence of the goodness of God and running to our future were we will live with Jesus Christ forever. What are some examples of the goodness of God you have from this past year? What helped your faith in God grow this past year? Please read the following for next week: Philippians 3:1-16
0 Comments
Today we will look at the first part of Luke’s account of the birth of Jesus Christ. The birth of Jesus is something to celebrate every day, not just at Christmas time. The birth of Jesus was God fulfilling his prophecies that he had given earlier. Here are a few prophecies that were fulfilled with the birth of Jesus. Genesis 49:8,10 “Judah, your brothers will praise you; your hand will be on the neck of your enemies; your father’s sons will bow down to you. The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until he to whom it belongs shall come and the obedience of the nations shall be his.” This is what Jacob/Israel told his son Judah when he was giving a blessing to each of his sons before he died. This was well before the children of Israel were considered a nation. 2 Samuel 7:16 “Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever.” This was what God told King David through the prophet Nathan. King David wanted to build God a house, God established a kingdom through David that would never end. Micah 5:2 “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.” God revealed through the prophet Micah where Jesus would be born. He also revealed that Jesus has his origins from ancient times. Luke 1:30-32 “But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.” God revealed to Mary through the angel Gabriel that her firstborn son would be Jesus and that he would be the one to rule on the throne of David and over Jacob’s descendants forever. Remember that God always keeps his word. It does not matter how much time passes from when he says something to when it happens. If God has said it, he will watch over his word to make it happen. Please read the following for next week: Hebrews 12:1-3 Today we will finish the book of Proverbs with chapters thirty and thirty-one. Chapter thirty are sayings from Agur while chapter thirty-one are sayings from King Lemuel. I will highlight two verses from each chapter. Proverbs is one of the wisdom books in the Bible. From time to time look back at the verses you have highlighted to see if they have helped you or someone you know. 30:5 – “Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.” 30:6 – “Do not add to his words, or he will rebuke you and prove you a liar.” 31:30 – “Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.” 31:31 – “Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.” What verses did you highlight from the two chapters? What has God said in his word that has helped you this week so far? How important is getting wisdom from God to you after reading Proverbs? Please read the following for next week: Luke 2:1-7 Today we will finish the proverbs from King Solomon with chapters twenty-six through twenty-nine. I will highlight eight verses from these chapters. Remember to prayerfully consider which verses you should highlight and apply in your daily life. 26:11 – “As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his folly.” 26:27 – “If a man digs a pit, he will fall into it; if a man rolls a stone, it will roll back on him.” 27:1 – “Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth.” 27:19 – “As water reflects a face, so a man’s heart reflects the man.” 28:14 – “Blessed is the man who always fears the Lord, but he who hardens his heart falls into trouble.” 28:18 – “He whose walk is blameless is kept safe, but he whose ways are perverse will suddenly fall.” 29:25 – “Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.” 29:26 – “Many seek an audience with a ruler, but it is from the Lord that man gets justice.” What verses did you highlight from chapters twenty-six through twenty-nine? How familiar were you with some of the verses in these chapters before this lesson? Which proverbs of King Solomon stood out the most to you? Please read the following for next week: Proverbs 30-31 |
AuthorPastor Chris Martin Archives
May 2024
Categories
All
|