Be Encouraged By Christ’s Birth
Luke 2:1-7
This year we have a fresh appreciation for the little things
-Time with family, walks together
-We miss handshakes and hugs, coffee shop talks
-some miss friends at the gym exercising together
 
The ordinary things in life have become extra-ordinary
 
I want to challenge us to have a fresh appreciation for the ordinary story of Christ’s birth
-We often glance through these verses as common knowledge
-Manypeople who don’t follow Jesus even know the story
-A young girl gives birth to a child-  big deal to Mary btw!
    -however, childbirth is common, ordinary, 385,000 a day!
    -Billboard on Coliseum Blvd announces birth names 24/7
-This child was not well known at birth
-The town didn’t even care that his first bed had to be a manger
 
Christ’s birth is also extraordinary!
-This birth fulfilled prophecy
-Mary was a virgin- this disrupted his parent’s lives!
-Jesus grew up to change our world forever as our redeemer!
 
I want us to be personally encouraged by Christ’s birth
-discover a new appreciation for this ordinary/extraordinary story
 
Why Christ’s Birth is encouraging
1.  Every birth is important
-Jesus chose to enter humanity through childbirth
-He honored the way in which everyone is born, didn’t just appear or descent from the heavens like an alien or extraterrestrial being
 
-Your birth was important!
   -it doesn’t matter how many people got the announcement
   -it isn’t dependent on how important your parents were
 
 
2.  Every parent is important
-Jesus needed Joseph and Mary to take care of him
   -He could have been born self-sufficient, but he wasn’t
   -Mary had to wrap him in cloths to keep him warm
   -Mary had to find a bed for him- the manger
-Jesus didn’t need popular or powerful parents
   -Joseph and Mary simply had to do the normal things
      Parents must do to take care of children
-I wonder if Mary and Joseph felt inadequate!
   -how do you raise God?   What will this be like?
   -can you mess up raising God? 
 
-You are important to your children (or children around you)
   -children don’t care how important the world thinks you are
   -children just need you to do the ordinary tasks of
      Nurturing them, protecting them, loving them
 
3.  Beginnings do not determine endings
-Jesus was unknown to the world at birth
    -He gained a godly reputation growing up but wasn’t a world
       influencer!
-Jesus simply came to fulfill will of His Father
   John 5:19;  Philippians 2:5-8
 
-Your beginning does not determine your ending!
   -Stop blaming your past for your present problems
   -Stop believing the lie that you will never matter
-Jesus invites all of us to live a fruitful life!
   John 14:4
 
Be encouraged by Christ’s birth!
1.  Thank God for your birth
 
2.  Take care of the children God gave you
- you can do it!  God didn’t mess up by giving them to you
 
3.  Live for the purposes of God
-Do not let your beginning dictate your ending!
-Surrender your life to Jesus Christ!

​Trust the Story of the Virgin Birth
Luke 1:26-38
Every Bible story is important
2 Timothy 3:16  All scripture is inspired, profitable
 
The Bible is one story
-How God has redeemed us from our sins through Christ
-There are many stories, but they all point to this Main story
-Each smaller story is meant to increase our faith in God
 
The Virgin Birth story is a small but significant story!
-Recorded in Matthew 1:18-25 and Luke 1:26-38
-Matthew 1:23 says this fulfills the Isaiah 7:14 prophecy
-The early church continued to declare their belief in it
-Textual evidence suggests it was NOT inserted later
 
Why would someone reject the Virgin Birth story?
-Attempt to discredit the unique nature of Jesus Christ
    -they would have to reject multiple other verses
-Disbelief that God performs miracles in our world
    -multiple other Bible stories would  have to be rejected
-Rejection of the Bible as a historically accurate record
    -Many have tried and failed to disprove this idea
    -We don’t have to check our brains at the door to believe
       in the Bible
-Belief that it is unimportant to our faith
    -Emphasis on his sayings, example, not his historicity
    -This would mean God’s word is untrustworthy
    -We have to accept all or none of the story of Jesus
-I welcome a personal conversation with anyone who is honestly
   and intellectually struggling with the Virgin Birth.  Let’s sit
   down sometime and examine the evidence together! 
 
I desire for us to trust the Story of the Virgin Birth
-Read Luke 1:26-38
 
 
 
 
Observations from Luke 1:26-38
adapted from Christian Theology by Millard Eerickson, 1985
1.  Salvation is supernatural
-John 3:5b-6  We must be born again, of spirit and water
-John 1:13  we are spiritually born of God, not by our will or by
   nature
-No one can save themselves- we needed God to intervene
-Our Savior Jesus came from outside of humanity!
-Stop trying to earn or keep your salvation by human effort!
 
2.  Salvation is a gift of grace
-Mary did nothing to earn God’s favor, many virgins available
-vs 34  “How can this be?”  Only God can do what we cannot do
-No one is deserving of God’s grace! 
-God offers
 
 
3.  God can do anything
-God is all powerful and has all authority to act
-The birth of Jesus is the most unique birth of all time
-Gen 18:14  “Is anything too hard for the Lord?”
-When we believe in the virgin birth, we can believe that God can and will work in our lives, to free us from the humanly impossible task of resisting temptation and living a pure and holy life
-God can save everyone, no matter how far they are from God, no matter how dark their lives
 
Trust the story of the Virgin Birth
1.  Admit that you cannot save yourself
 
2.  Accept God’s love and forgiveness as a free gift
 
3.  Let Jesus be the Lord/boss of your life
-Luke 1:38  “I am the Lord’s servant,” said Mary.  “May it be done to me according to your word.” 
-Romans 10:13  “For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved”
 

​Shine Like Stars!
Philippians 2:12-16
We need shining stars right now!
Real people, Real Church, Real God!
-Christ followers who really trust each other and God!
 
Too many people are being controlled by feelings and fear!
-Jesus invites us to a better life of peace and purpose
 
How to shine like stars
1.  Work out your salvation with others
-“Therefore” refers to “have the attitude of Jesus Christ
    2:1-4 a checklist of proper attitudes and actions
-We cannot grow spiritually in isolation!
    -our salvation is tested when we are around other people
    -Jesus “proved” his humility while on earth, not heaven
-“work out”-  labor, this is not easy, we cannot be passive
    -live how God has empowered us to live!
    -even when you don’t want to!
-with fear and trembling- recognize we are accountable to God
    -We aren’t afraid of God rejecting us (Romans 8:1)
    -We do have a healthy fear of God’s discipline if we don’t!
-even when your spiritual leaders aren’t around!
    -Paul said “even more in my absence”
    -If you don’t want your pastor to see or hear you, then why
       do you think it is ok to do it when he isn’t around?
    -We are accountable to God- who is always present!
 
2.  Check your attitude
-Without grumbling or arguing- Phil 2:2 is the opposite of this
-God doesn’t just want our behavior, he wants our heart too!
-Illust:  we give Christmas gifts because we WANT to
              -it isn’t as enjoyable when we HAVE to!
-vs 15  A practical test to check your attitude
    -am I blameless-  do I keep short accounts with people?
    -am I pure-  do people know I live a clean life?
    -am I known as a true “child of God”
 
 
3.  Trust God completely
-vs 13  God is fulfilling His purpose in and through you!
-Hold firmly to the Word-   even when other are letting go of it
-Apply it to every area of your life- not just on Sunday!
-We are shining out in the darkness- spiritual depravity
    -The world is actively rejecting God and His Word
    -Eph 5:6-14  reject empty arguments, don’t go back to your
            Dark life, “live like children of light”
    -Real people, real church!
         -2 Tim 3:12  “In fact, all who want to live a godly life in
             Christ Jesus will be persecuted”
 
Shine Like Stars!
Who are you going to build relationships with to do this?
-What church family will you commit to?
    (attenders, viewers)
-What Connection Group/church friendships will you commit to?
    (attenders, members)
-Stop living in isolation! 
 
What darkness do you need to turn away from right now?
-where do you tend to grumble and argue
-where do you need to be more blameless and pure?
-where are you blending into the crowd of unbelievers?
-Jesus is calling you to shine like stars- glorify Him, help others
 
Who must you tell about your spiritual commitment today?
-God uses pastors, elders and other spiritual leaders to help us
-We must depend on others to help us succeed spiritually!
-Who is “laboring” spiritually for you (vs 16b)?
-Let us pray for you, resource you, encourage you!
 
Contact us right now!
-stjoecommunity@gmail.com
-Contact page on our website
-Church Facebook Messenger
-Connection Card located at our Offering Boxes

​Thanksgiving Lord’s Supper
1 Corinthians 11:23-30
Thank you Jesus…
-What are you thankful for right now?  This year?
-Philippians 4:6-7  Don’t worry!  Pray with thanksgiving
    -Results:  God’s peace will guard your heart and mind
 
The Lord’s Supper is a…
 Reminder
 Symbol
 Church Family Practice
 Proclamation
 
 
“So a man ought to examine himself”  1 Corinthians 11:28
My Relationship with God  Matthew 5:3-7
-The poor in spirit-  admit my spiritual bankruptcy
 
-Those who mourn- grieve over my sin
 
-The humble- submit myself under Christ’s control
 
-Those who hunger and thirst for righteousness
 
 
My relationship with people  Matthew 5:8-12
-The merciful-  show mercy to others
 
-The pure in heart- act with pure motives
 
-The peacemakers- seek peace whenever possible
 
-Those who are persecuted because of righteousness
    -do the right thing no matter the cost
 
 
Guided Prayer Time
 
 
We will observe the Lord’s Supper Together
1 Corinthians 11:24 
“This is my body, which is broken for you.  Do this in remembrance of me”
 
-Pray
 
-Eat the bread
 
1 Corinthians 11:25
“This cup is the new covenant in my blood.  Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me”
 
-Pray
 
-Drink the cup
 
 
 
Conclusion
1 Corinthians 11:26
For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
-Our hope is in the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ
   -regardless of our circumstances, world events, stage in life
 
-We are looking forward to the return of Jesus Christ!
   -Acts 1:6-8  We must share Jesus with others until He comes
   -Acts 1:9-11  We are confident that Jesus will come again
                         In person, just like he ascended into heaven
 
-Always remember what Jesus did to save you from your sins
 
-Always share Jesus with others!

 
St Joe Community Church
Worship Order for Sunday November 29, 2020
 
Distribute Lord’s Supper elements as people enter
 
Welcome
 
Scripture Reading   1 Corinthians 11:23-32
 
Prayer
 
Songs
 
Message on preparing for the Lord’s Supper
-1 Corinthians 11:27-32
-Matthew 5:3-12
 
Observe the Lord’s Supper
-Read 1 Corinthians 11:24
-Pray and eat the bread
-Read 1 Corinthians 11:25
-Pray and drink the cup
 
Concluding remarks-  Pastor Greg
         
Song
 
Closing Prayer  
 
 
 
 
 
St Joe Community Church
Worship Order for Sunday November 29, 2020
 
Distribute Lord’s Supper elements as people enter
 
Welcome
 
Scripture Reading   1 Corinthians 11:23-32
 
Prayer
 
Songs
 
Message on preparing for the Lord’s Supper
-1 Corinthians 11:27-32
-Matthew 5:3-12
 
Observe the Lord’s Supper
-Read 1 Corinthians 11:24
-Pray and eat the bread
-Read 1 Corinthians 11:25
-Pray and drink the cup
 
Concluding remarks-  Pastor Greg
         
Song
 
Closing Prayer 

​How to Grow Hopeful During Affliction
Romans 5:1-5
Intro
The righteous will live by faith!
-Affliction is the real world moment to see if we really trust God
 
-Many people like the idea of being a Christian
   -Fewer people want to live for Christ when times get tough
 
Affliction tempts us to give up
-Think that God has abandoned us
 
-Think that we are all alone- no one else knows how bad it is
 
-Think that there is no point living for God
   -The lie from Satan:  Christians will never suffer
      -Popular false teachers are claiming health and wealth
 
 
 
How to grow hopeful when afflicted
Trust God’s promise
-We become righteous through faith in Christ
 
-We are at peace with God
 
-Affliction does not mean God has abandoned you!
  -God isn’t being cruel because of your sinful nature
  -Affliction due to sin brings discipline, not condemnation
    -Romans 8:1
    -Hebrews 12:5-11
 
 
Keep worshipping God
-Rejoice in affliction- keep your focus on God!
-This does not mean we are happy about affliction
  -bad things are bad:  cancer, COVID-19, job loss, strife
-Philippians 4:4  Rejoice in the Lord always. 
                           I will say it again: rejoice!
Hebrews 12:2  keeping our eyes on Jesus, the source and
                        perfector of our faith.
 
 
Don’t give up
-Galatians 6:9  we will reap a blessing if we do not give up
-Affliction proves God’s faithfulness
  -God empowers us to endure
  -Our proven character leads to greater hope in God
     -we see Him changing us into the likeness of Christ
 
     -God will not put us to shame for our faith in Him!
        Romans 10:11
 
 
 
What is affliction revealing in you?
Place your hope in Jesus Christ alone!
 
 
Return to Jesus Christ as your only hope!

Stay With Faith!
Romans 4:13-25
The righteous will live by faith
 
 
 
Stay with faith!
Don’t add a second way to God   vs 13-16
-vs 13-14  Abraham made righteous 430 years before the Law
-The Jews benefited from God’s promise to Abraham before
   The Law
-vs 15  The Law “produces wrath”- it shows how sinful we are!
-“There is no deliberate disobedience of positive commands
   where there is no positive command to disobey”
-The more we know the more accountable we are to God!
-vs 16  We are made righteous by God’s grace
     -“God’s riches at Christ’s expense”
-Abraham’s faith is the only kind of faith that God accepts!
 
-Stop heaping onto new believers rules and regulations that
    Even mature believers are learning to obey!
 
 
Follow the example of Abraham    vs 17-24
-vs 17 “I have made you the father of many nations”
   -Past tense- it was already true, before it became true
   -Gentile followers of Christ are the fulfillment of this promise!
-Trust God like Abraham trusted God!
-vs 18  He was “hoping against hope”-   humanly impossible
-vs 19  He did not weaken in his faith- as he waited for the
     Promise, even when he and Sarah were both “dead” for
     childbearing
-vs 20 He did not waver in unbelief,
-He was strengthened in his faith as he gave glory to God
-Abraham applied his faith day by day against the impossibility
   of God’s promise to him, and this made his faith grow.
-Our faith grows day by day when we apply God’s promise to
   save us and provide the necessary power to over come the
   temptations of our flesh!
-vs 21  Abraham was fully convinced God keeps his promise
-vs 22  This is the faith that saved Abraham! That saves us!
    -We trust God for who God is, not what we will get from God
    -the “getting from God” may be years in coming- be patient
    -God may give you more than you can ever imagine
-vs 23-24  Abraham was saved by faith as an example for us!
   -Just as God credited Abraham’s faith with righteousness,
      So also, we are made righteous by trusting in Jesus Christ
 
 
Trust what Jesus did for you   vs 25
-Faith is always tied to God promise to fully pay for our sins!
-Abraham looked forward to what Jesus would do for him
-We now look back at what Jesus already did for us
-Romans 3:24  “justified freely by his grace through the
   redemption that is in Christ Jesus”
-Galatians 3:13  Christ became “cursed” in our place!
-Gal 3:14 “The purpose was that the blessing of Abraham would
    come to the Gentiles by Christ Jesus, so that we could
    receive the promised Spirit through faith”
 
 
Let God grow your faith
Trust God’s promises
-Trust that God makes you righteous through faith in Jesus
-Trust God to do the impossible of making you like Jesus!
    -of giving you love for enemies, compassion for others
    -trust God to heal your heart from broken relationships
    -trust God to restore relationships His way, in His timing
 
 
Keep trusting God’s promises-  Stay with faith!
-Hope against hope for the impossible in human ability!
-Give glory to God for what he has already promised you!
-Apply your faith day by day to that which does not yet exist
-Wait for God to make alive what is dead!
-Trust in the physical resurrection of Jesus Christ
 
What is God asking you to do right now?
​

Faith Starts It All!
Romans 4:1-12
Intro:  The Righteous Live By Faith
-Everyone can know God
-We must come to God by faith
-No one is good enough to be with God
-Jesus came to bring us to God
-We become righteous through faith in Jesus Christ
 
 
Faith started it all!    Romans 4:1-12
1.  Abraham believed God
-He had nothing to boast about to God
-Ephesians 2:9  “not from works so that no one can boast”
 
2.  God credited Abraham’s faith with righteousness
-Genesis 15:6
-God saved Abraham out of a pagan culture that did not have
  faith in Him
 
3.  David trusted in God’s unconditional forgiveness
-Psalm 32:1-2
 
 
4.  Abraham was declared righteous before he obeyed God
-Circumcised 14 years AFTER he was declared righteous
-Circumcision was the “seal” or mark that set Abraham apart
-Today: Baptism is the “seal” that sets us apart with God
-In the same way, faith and salvation occur BEFORE baptism
-Illust:  the thief on the cross was saved by faith, never worked!
 
5.  Abraham is the spiritual father of Jews and Gentiles
-vs 12 “who also follow in the footsteps of the faith” of Abraham
-Every Christian is a fulfillment of God’s promise to Abraham!
   -descendants as numerous as the stars, as sand
-Abraham’s faith began a personal relationship with God that set apart the nation of Israel as God’s chosen people
-God continues to set apart a chosen people today—us!   
 
We must Start with faith!
1. Place our faith in Jesus Christ
-Stop trying to earn God’s salvation by works
-Stop boasting in self, thinking good works earns salvation
    -We may be able to boast in front of other people
    -We aren’t good enough to boast in front of God!
 
 
2.  Obey God to prove our faith
-John 14:15  If you love me, you will keep my commandments
-Matthew 22:37, 39  Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind… love your neighbor as yourself!
-Matthew 28:19-20  Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you.
-James 2:26  …faith without works is dead.
-Work comes after our faith
-But faith is always followed by works!
 
 
3.  Help others start with faith!
-Show them you trust God by faith alone, not your works
-Don’t make people obey before they trust
-Don’t mislead people to think obedience earns right standing
-Be REAL!  Let others know you aren’t boasting in front of God
   -Don’t hide your sin, pretend you are perfect
   -show them how to grow spiritually
   -show them how to keep asking forgiveness, continuing on!
 
 
What is your next right step today?
1 Corinthians 5:15    And he died for all so that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for the one who died for them and was raised.
​