January 10, 2010

Pastor Bob Russell

What Does God Say About Us?

Luke 3:15-22

Intro.

1. Ever wonder what people say about you when you leave a room?

2. When you are not around?

3. Have you wondered, "What does God think about me?"

The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John might possibly be the Christ. John answered them all, "I baptize you with water. But one more powerful than I will come, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but he will burn up the chaff iwth unquenchable fire." Andwith mamy other words John exhorted the people and preached the good news to them. But when John rebuked Herod the tetrarch because of Herodias, his brother's wife, and all the other evil things he had done. Herod added this to them all: He locked John up in prison. When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased."  Luke 3:15-22

4. Retell Jesus' story to this point...

-Birth-shepherds, etc

-Dedication at Temple- prophecy;

-Wise men and flight to Egypt

-Return to Nazareth- 12 year old in Jerusalem

-18 years of "obscurity"- carpenter's apprentice, obedient son

-John's ministry in the wilderness... baptizing people, preaching repentance and life-change

-Speaking against idolatry and spiritual disobedience of leaders

-Before Herod locked John up in prison, Jesus came to him to be baptized

1. What John Said about Jesus...

-One More Powerful...

-People were saying "John is Messiah...Elijah resurrected...a Great New Prophet..."

-But, he says, "In comparison to him, I am not even the least servant in the household..." (can't help take off his sandals...)

He must become greater; I must become less." John 3:30

-Baptize with Holy Spirit and Fire...

-John's baptism was with water...signified repentance, recognition that a sinner needed cleansing...

-Jesus baptized with Holy Spirit- God's real presence with and in us...and with Fire--deep inner cleaning...not outward or surface, rahter cleaning inside out!

-He will gather "the Wheat"...

-John prpares for the harvest...Jesus brings in the harvest!

2. What God Said about Jesus...

-You are my Son...

-This IS NOT NEW NEWS...

-Jesus knew who He was...

-Yet, how important this respeaking of the truth must have been!

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everthing he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood shed on the cross. Col. 1:15-20

-I love you...

-The Father's unique relationship with His Son...His "one and only"...

-His Father's Love does not protect from suffering and death... It assures His presence and involvement.

- I am well pleased with you...

-God delights in His Son

-He fully approves of all he has done...

I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do. And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began. John 17:4-5

3. What God Longs to Say about Us.

-You are my Child...

How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. Everyone who has this hope in him purfies himself, just as he is pure. 1 John 3: 1-3

-Made to be part of God's family...speak of Him as "Our Father..." ABBA- my dad!

-I love you...

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Rom. 5:8

-He loves us "BEFORE..."

- I am well pleased with you...

"Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!

Conclusion:

God longs to speak over you.

 January 3, 2010

Pastor Bob Russell

THE PROMISED LIFE

Luke 2:21-40

On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise him, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he had been conceived. When the time of their purification according to the Law of Moses had been completed, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, "Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord"), and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: "a pair of doves or two young pigeons."

Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seem the Lord's Christ. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in hes arms and praised God, saying: "Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel."

The child's father and mother marveled at what was said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: "This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own sould too."

There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. Shewas very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. Coming u p to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redeption of Jerusalem. When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth. And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him.  Luke 2:21-40

INTRO

1. Every had someone "predict" something would happen to you or your children...how did you respond?

2. Family stayed in Bethlehem...Jesus is circumcised on the 8th Day! Then...

3. Brought to the Temple to be consecrated about 40 days after birth....

-Why 40?

-What does it mean to "present him to the Lord"

-Significance of the sacrifice...

4. God's Surprise--

-Simeon-righteous...devout...waiting for the consolation of Israel...Holy Spirit upon him...He would not die before he had seen the Messiah...

-Anna-prophetess...very old widow...never left the temple...continually worshipped, fasted and prayed

5. The Promised Life...Why did Jesus come?

1. Salvation for Israel...

-to save is to heal...

-to offer forgiveness of sins...

-to take the Good News to the communities...

2. Light for Revelation to the Gentiles...

-release for captives...sight for blind...feed the hungry...clothe the naked...heal the sick...

-Proclaim the Year of the Lord's Favor...

-Theopportunity to SHOW God's great grace...More than words spoken...it is deeds done...

3. He Will Cause Some to Rise and Some to Fall...

-Mary's heart broken...

-Jesus told his followers, on the night before his death--

"If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. Remember the words I spoke to you: "No servant is greater than his master." If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also." John 15:18-20

We are Jesus' followers. Why are we here?

1. Salvation for those among whom we live--- our High 5...commitment to name 5 friends, co-workers, family members; and pray dail for each of them, that they might come to know the Lord...asking God to give us opportunity to share Jesus with them...

2. To be a witness to those around us On Saturday, Jan. 23 presenting Irresistible Evangelism, concerns how we might show others Jesus' Good News...

-More than words--Our actions reveal Jesus...

-What would God have me do, to reveal Him to my neighbor?

3. Not Everyone Will Like It!

-Jesus' promise to his immediate followers continues today..,

-Not everyone will like us! Our words and deeds will cause some to rise and some to fall...

-We must NOT be ashamed of Jesus or His Name!

Conclusion:

1. Perhaps, you need to respond to the word of salvation...Today is the day!

-commit to pray for 5-----

2.Don't be afraid!