Sunday, December 22, 2024
Episode 4: Surprise Me
“For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given…” Isaiah 9:6
“And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them.” Luke 2:6–7
Three Surprising Things About God’s Gift To Us:
- Jesus understands me more than I think.
“We don’t have a priest who is out of touch with our reality. He’s been through weakness and testing, experienced it all—all but the sin. So let’s walk right up to him and get what he is so ready to give. Take the mercy, accept the help.” Hebrews 4:15–16 - Jesus loves me more than I can comprehend.
“And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.” Ephesians 3:18–19 - Jesus can do more than I could ever imagine.
“Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen.” Ephesians 3:20–21
Sunday, December 15, 2024
Episode 3: The Gift Of Peace
“For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given…” Isaiah 9:6
“One day Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.” So they got into a boat and started out. As they sailed across, Jesus settled down for a nap. But soon a fierce storm came down on the lake. The boat was filling with water, and they were in real danger. The disciples went and woke him up, shouting, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!” When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and the raging waves. Suddenly the storm stopped and all was calm. Then he asked them, “Where is your faith?” The disciples were terrified and amazed. “Who is this man?” they asked each other. “When he gives a command, even the wind and waves obey him!”” Luke 8:22-25
- Our peace grows best when living on purpose .
“One day Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.” So they got into a boat and started out.” Luke 8:22 - Our peace will constantly face tests .
“As they sailed across, Jesus settled down for a nap. But soon a fierce storm came down on the lake. The boat was filling with water, and they were in real danger. The disciples went and woke him up, shouting, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!” When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and the raging waves. Suddenly the storm stopped and all was calm.” Luke 8:23-24 - Our peace is based on a “who”, not a “what” .
“Then he asked them, “Where is your faith?” The disciples were terrified and amazed. “Who is this man?” they asked each other. “When he gives a command, even the wind and waves obey him!”” Luke 8:25
Sunday, December 8, 2024
Episode 2: The Gift Of Grace
“For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given…” Isaiah 9:6
“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God…” Ephesians 2:8
“…Freely you have received, freely give.” Matthew 10:8
Having Received The Gift Of Grace…
- I can finally forgive those who have wronged me .
“Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.” Colossians 3:13 - I can love and accept those who are different than me .
“Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.” Colossians 3:14
“Therefore, accept each other just as Christ has accepted you so that God will be given glory.” Romans 15:7 - I can bring real hope to those who are hopeless .
“I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13
Sunday, December 1, 2024
Episode 1: Get It!
“For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given…” Isaiah 9:6
“The one who is the true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He came into the very world he created, but the world didn’t recognize him. He came to his own people, and even they rejected him. But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God. So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.” John 1:9–14
Receiving God’s Greatest Gift…
- Changes how I see and treat myself .
“See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are! But the people who belong to this world don’t recognize that we are God’s children because they don’t know him.” 1 John 3:1
“Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.” 1 Corinthians 6:19–20 - Changes how I see and treat others .
“We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters. If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion—how can God’s love be in that person? Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions.” 1 John 3:16–18 - Changes how I see and live in this world .
“For every child of God defeats this evil world, and we achieve this victory through our faith. And who can win this battle against the world? Only those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God.” 1 John 5:4–5
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