Today we focus on the gift of Life.‭‭

Matthew‬ ‭1‬:‭18‬-‭21

‬‬This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

‭‭John‬ ‭10‬:‭10‬‬

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

Ask Jesus why He came?“…so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of.”

http://bible.com/events/49001422

Church of the Nazarene – Harrisonburg

The Christmas Gifts: PEACE

Stop searching for your peace.

Instead welcome HIS.As we enter the Advent season for 2022, we will seek to grow deeper in our understanding of the free gifts available to us through Christ and his coming. Gifts we cannot earn and do not deserve.

Today we focus on the gift of Peace.‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭9‬:‭6‬-‭7‬‬For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.-The word for peace in the Old Testament is ‘shalom’, which literally meant ‘completeness or wholeness’.-The speak ‘shalom’ over someone was to declare ‘may God take the broken pieces of your life and put them together as they should be’.-Think about what this meant that Isaiah is prophesying a ‘Prince of Peace’.‭‭Luke‬ ‭2‬:‭13‬-‭14‬‬Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

“Glory to God in Heaven” and “peace to those on earth.”

There is no need to proclaim peace to Heaven, since it is already there. But it those of us still living in this broken world desperately need the promise of peace.‭‭John‬ ‭14‬:‭27‬‬Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

According to Jesus, there is a difference between the God’s peace and our own version of peace.

Have you experience the gift of God’s peace?

The world’s version of peace ignores the real problem.The world’s version of peace is fleeting.

The world’s version of peace cannot offer you hope and healing.The bottom line:Stop searching for your peace.

Instead welcome HIS.

Verses for further study/reflection:

John 16:33

2 Thessalonians 3:16

Isaiah 26:3

John 14:27

Colossians 3:15

Philippians 4:7

* FOR THERE IS PEACE!” Peace not of this world but for this world… 

* The Angels said to the Shepherds: “Glory to God in the highest realms of heaven! FOR THERE IS PEACE… and a good hope given to the sons of men.” Luke 2:14 TPT

* Shalom Y’all!

* Advent Peace — Apart from an assurance that God has forgiven us [through the indescribable Gift of His Son] and without our willingness to forgive others, real peace will never be ours. 

* Pardon for us demands pardon from us. -kww

* Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who have trespassed against us. 

* ACROSTIC: 

P — Pardon

E — Extended 

A — AT

C — Christ’s

E — Expense

The Greatest Gift Exchange:

* See 2 Cor. 5:21 — TLB ” For God took the sinless Christ and poured into Him our sins. Then, in exchange He poured God’s goodness into us.” 

* Peace is never found in a location, a situation, a heath report or a bank account — Peace is only found in a Person — Jesus, The Prince of Peace.

King Jesus, Your Presence is our Peace. Amen. 

Song: Peace — “In You We Will Find Our Peace” 

Church of the Nazarene – Harrisonburg

http://bible.com/events/48999149

The Christmas Gifts: JOY

Joy is a promise of God. And He keeps His promises.

As we enter the Advent season for 2022, we will seek to grow deeper in our understanding of the free gifts available to us through Christ and his coming. Gifts we cannot earn and do not deserve.

Today we will unwrap the Christmas Gift of Joy.

Joy to the World then isn’t about Christmas Presents, it’s not just a nice song, it’s more. It’s a statement of fact for those who believe and receive the gift the father gave at Christmas.‭‭

Luke‬ ‭2‬:‭1‬-‭12

‬‬In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to their own town to register. So, Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

The angel’s declaration is beautiful and also challenging: great joy!-Of all the wonderful benefits of the coming Messiah, and of all the things the angel could say, the angel declares joy. Not only that, but “great joy.”-The type of joy being described here is remarkable, amazing, above and beyond what we can comprehend.‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭4‬‬Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!

‭‭Galatians‬ ‭5‬:‭22

‬‬But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

The bottom line:

Joy is a promise of God. And He keeps His promises.

Joy is one of the great gifts of Christmas.

The Joy of the Lord is the overcomer of your circumstances.

The Joy of the Lord cannot be dimmed by your imperfections.

The Joy of the Lord meets you on your knees

The Joy of the Lord is your strength

Come let us worship Christ the Newborn King!

Verses for further study/reflection:

Psalm 16:11

Romans 14:17

John 15:11

1 Peter 1:8-9

Nehemiah 8:10

Church of the Nazarene – East Rock

The Christmas Gifts JOY

Christmas Gifts Part 3 “Joy”

As we enter the Advent season for 2022, we will seek to grow deeper in our understanding of the free gifts available to us through Christ and his coming. Gifts we cannot earn and do not deserve.

Today we will unwrap the Christmas Gift of Joy.

Joy to the World then isn’t about Christmas Presents, it’s not just a nice song, it’s more. It’s a statement of fact for those who believe and receive the gift the father gave at Christmas.

‭‭Luke‬ ‭2‬:‭1‬-‭7

‬‬In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to their own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

For all the challenges, all the things that didn’t go as well as Mary would have liked; the travel, the tax audit, the smell of animal manure- the gift of Joy is still present at his arrival.

Joy has come! Not because of their circumstances, but because of His presence.

And the same is true for you today.

‭‭Luke‬ ‭2‬:‭8‬-‭12

‬‬And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

From Abraham, Moses, through King David the promise of Messiah had been anticipated. All the offerings, all the sacrificed lambs pointed to this moment, to this babe in a manger.

That’s the gift of Christmas- good news that will cause great joy for all people.

The Christmas story, the story of Jesus, is our story. We are invited to take the journey with the shepherds to worship him, to know him as our Lord and savior. To receive Jesus and experience JOY like never before.

True Joy is a gift, a gift of the Holy Spirit and his presence within us. Joy is not something you invent, or work up. It’s not an emotion, swaying in the wind of your circumstances.

Joy comes from knowing that despite the challenges of our world, the heartbreak, the pain we experience, despite all those things, that we are in Christ- part of his eternal life plan. It’s present when we can see God working, and when we can’t.

The Christmas gift of Joy is yours in Christ, at Christmas, and beyond.

Joy is one of the great gifts of Christmas.

The Joy of the Lord is the overcomer of your circumstances.

The Joy of the Lord cannot be dimmed by your imperfections.

The Joy of the Lord meets you on your knees

The Joy of the Lord is your strength

Come let us worship Christ the Newborn King!