http://bible.com/events/48190984

Matthew 6:9-13

9 “This, then, is how you should pray: “ ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name10 your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.11 Give us today our daily bread.12 And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’
Matthew 6:9-13 
-This is the first request of the Lord’s prayer – “your kingdom come”-Jesus’ prayer gives a glimpse of life in the kingdom: trusting God for what we need day by day, walking in forgiveness as we forgive others, and in freedom from sin and selfishness
1 In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea2 and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”
Matthew 3:1-2 
17 From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”
Matthew 4:17 
So why are we starting 2021 by studying this idea of kingdom?-John the Baptist came preaching specifically about the “Kingdom of Heaven” and Jesus kept right on that theme.-If you continuing following the teachings of Jesus, you will see kingdom language is used 126 times in the 4 gospels-Jesus didn’t preach about “becoming a Christian” – a term that wasn’t used until long after His death (Acts 11). He spoke of being a part of the Kingdom of God.-For Jesus, it all came down to this idea about kingdom: life in a kingdom and a kingdom within you.What is the kingdom?-Kingdom means “God’s reign”, “His action” and ”His Lordship”. God sits on His throne as king of the universe.  -Through Jesus, God (the king) is coming into the world to establish His rule, first in the lives of people by triumphing over sin and then gathering people together that will live with a new allegiance, not to this world (to this kingdom), but to His Kingdom.-This King promises to return again one day to bring everything to completion, which is the ultimate fulfillment of this Kingdom.

When Jesus arrived on earth, the people were looking for a king, but not the kind of king He turned out to be. They were looking for a physical kingdom with an earthly realm to overrule Rome. They got an invisible, Heavenly kingdom that makes its realm inside of us. (Luke 17:21)

Why was it so important for Jesus to pray “Thy kingdom come” ?A focus for today; A promise for tomorrow; A deep passion for both.44 “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.
Matthew 13:44

http://bible.com/events/48118137

Title: It’s Not Worth It!
You have no idea what God can do and desires to do with your life when you are completely surrendered to Him.

Appetites (and/or feelings)

• These are things that can ruin our lives and make us miserable, if they are not ultimately surrendered to God
• They can become gods/idols in our lives that we give our affection + energy too
  • You will either be ruled by them or you’ll rule over them by loving obedience to God

3 Things I Want You to Know About Appetites
1. God created appetites, but sin distorted them
2. Appetites are never fully & finally satisfied
3. Your appetites always scream NOW and never LATER

Genesis 25:29-33 
Once when Jacob was cooking some stew, Esau came in from the open country, famished. 30 He said to Jacob, “Quick, let me have some of that red stew! I’m famished!” (That is why he was also called Edom.[f]) 31 Jacob replied, “First sell me your birthright.” 32 “Look, I am about to die,” Esau said. “What good is the birthright to me?” 33 But Jacob said, “Swear to me first.” So, he swore an oath to him, selling his birthright to Jacob.

Who in their right mind would trade their birthright for a bowl of stew?

Never underestimate the significance of even the smallest act of obedience — or disobedience. 

“Good and evil both increase at compound interest. That is why the little decisions you and I make every day are of such infinite importance. The smallest good (i add obedient) act today is the capture of a strategic point from which, a few months later, you may be able to go on to victories you never dreamed of. An apparently trivial indulgence in lust or anger (or name any other appetite) today is the loss of a ridge or railway line or bridgehead from which the enemy may launch an attack otherwise impossible.” -C.S. Lewis
Genesis 25:34 Then Jacob gave Esau some bread and some lentil stew. He ate and drank, and then got up and left. So, Esau despised his birthright.

RepentRe-frameRefrain
James 1:12-16
12 Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. 13 When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14 but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. 15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. 16 Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters.

Extra Scripture:Matthew 6:24Matthew 10:39John 14:21Romans 8:14-17Ephesians 4:17-32Psalm 112:1

http://bible.com/events/48033171

Throughout the Christmas season, our focus has been upon Light and it’s symbolism for all that Jesus did in overcoming darkness for us.No matter which Christmas light is your favorite, there is one truth that will always remain: YOU CAN’T OUT-DARK THE LIGHT

Luke 2:29-32

“Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles and the glory of your people Israel.”
No matter what darkness you are experiencing today, know this:  this Light is unquenchable and darkness cannot overcome it.Don’t let this Christmas season pass without asking: Jesus, will you shine on me? I’m tired of the dark.

John 1:5 

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

http://bible.com/events/48029969

Youversion 

 December 20

Christmas Light, Part 4 – Shine

Series review:

• God created light and it was good
• Everything else from creation stems from that moment 
• Throughout the story of God light is a constant symbol of the presence and power of God 
• The prophecies foretold about the coming of Jesus 
• Christmas then is the dawning of LIGHT 

“on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.”

• And this light brings JOY and a calls us to respond 
• We are not just to observe the light, acknowledge the light, but WALK in the light 
• So the question this morning is: What about YOUR light?

What do you do about all of this Christmas light?

¹⁴ “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵ Neither do people 

light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to 

everyone in the house. ¹⁶ In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see 

your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

• As they are listening, Jesus’ hearers would have known Light as symbolic of God Himself (2 Samuel 22:29, Psalm 18:28, Psalm 43:3, etc.).
• When Jesus proclaims “you are the light”, He commands His followers to be what He Himself claimed to be (John 8:12) 
• In response to this proclamation, you ARE the Light, Jesus gives us only two choices in the Sermon on the Mount (verse 15):
  • Shine ( “it gives light”) 
  • Cover your light (“put it under a bowl”) The implication is that, as believers, we have to actually work not to shine.

But the truth is this:

The greatest gift we can receive is His Light, 

the greatest gift we can give is His Light. 

For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light. Ephesians 5:8

https://bible.com/events/47937072

YOUVERSION – December 13, Adrian
Title: Christmas Light, Part 3: Joy and Promise

Luke 2:8-16⁸ And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. ⁹ An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 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. ¹¹ Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. ¹² This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” ¹³ Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ¹⁴ “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” ¹⁵ When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” ¹⁶ So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.

Matthew 2:1-122 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem ² and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”³ When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. ⁴ When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. ⁵ “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written:⁶ “‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
    are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for out of you will come a ruler
    who will shepherd my people Israel.’^[b]”⁷ Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. ⁸ He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.”⁹ After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. ¹⁰ When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. ¹¹ On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. ¹² And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route

Throughout the Christmas season, our focus has been upon Light and it’s symbolism for all that Jesus did in overcoming darkness for us.The question for us today is: How will you respond to the light? 

Light played a critical role in the account of two Christmas-related stories, particularly involving “outsiders” (they were not religious leaders or even devoted Jews):An angel appeared to shepherds and the glory of the Lord “shone” around them. The primary description we have of this angel involves light – so bright that they were afraid.Magi “from the east” followed a light in the sky that moved along with them until the light settled on the place where Jesus was.In both stories we see an answer to the question: “How will you respond to the light?” 
The bottom line:The light is a promise (of joy) and a call (to pursue). 

A promise (of joy)The light represented a fulfillment of the promise of God and a continual promise that the light will overcome the darkness, no matter what is to come. Joy is evident in these stories because the light of Jesus represented hope for all people. 
Luke 2:10-11 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. ¹¹ Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 
Matthew 2:10 ¹⁰ When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 

A call (to pursue) Seeing the promise of God is not enough. Ultimately, it requires a response. The shepherds and the magi made a choice not just to observe the light, but to pursue it. 

Luke 2:15-16 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” ¹⁶ So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.
Matthew 2:10-11When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. ¹¹ On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. 

1 John 1:7⁷ But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.

How will you respond to the light of Jesus?