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Christmas Eve
John 3:16

Isaiah 9:6, 7
John 8:12

Jesus was already great
John 1:1 - 5
The Word
Everything was created through Jesus

Circumstances
Mary wasn't yet married to Joseph
Joseph intended to deal with the situation quietly
But God intervened

Roman Census
Long journey to Bethlehem

Shepherds were considered the most common of people. But God sent angels to them anyway.
They were changed by the experience.

The Magi
Brought expensive gifts despite the possibility of bandits.

Herod
God warned Josepth and they fled to Egypt.

John 16:33

Jesus wants to be in our hearts and minds.

2nd
Colossians 1:15 - 23
Stewardship of the Earth

2 Peter 3:10-13
But that doesn't mean we shouldn't look after the Creation

Romans 8:31

Creation is Good

1 Timothy 4

Jesus Created Everything
John 1:3

vs 16
Creation is for Jesus - For His purposes.
If you really want to care about the environment, you need to know about Jesus.
And if you know Jesus, you really need to care about the environment.
(But discernment is needed.)

Jesus reconciles all things - Hope
vs 19 - 23
The Resurrection is the hope of all Creation.

Isaiah 11

13th
Daniel 6
Darius, like most ancient, and not so ancient, kings and emperors, had delusions of grandeur.
Eunuchs as a way to prevent infidelity.

Deuteronomy 23:1

Was Daniel a eunuch?
Quite likely
2 Kings 20:14 - 18
How would this affect Daniel?
Isaiah 56:3 - 5

God says; "If you humble yourself and come to me, I will accept you."

The Jews were spreading their faith.

Matthew 7:24 - 27
Daniel built on the rock.

Daniel knew in his heart that God was real. He continued praying openly, despite Darius' decree.

18th
Good Friday
Isaiah 53:11

Matthew 27:45 - 66
From praise on the previous Sunday to venomous sneering.
Jesus had iron clad determination to see the plan through.
It wasn't just physical darkness. All the sin of the world was placed on Jesus' shoulders at that time.
vs 46
The weight of sin. Jesus felt separated from the Father.
Luke 23:46
Psalm 31

He didn't waver.

John 19:30

He freely gave His life for all mankind.
vs 63
The Temple curtain torn - symbolising that the Way was now open.
vs 65

It was a new tomb, so there were no other bodies.

16th
Communion
Isaiah 53
Psalm 91

Sermon
Matthew 21:1 - 11
King Jesus

Luke 9:51

Flint - stone that breaks off with a sharp edge.
Jesus was going about His Ministry with a single-minded determination.
He had an unwavering committment.

Jesus riding on a donkey's colt - He was showing that He was coming as a king of peace.

The people putting their cloaks on the road
Like a red carpet
A way of paying honor to Jesus.
Psalm 118

Hosanna - calling for help and expressing happiness at the same time.
A way of acknowledging Jesus as Savior and asking Him to save.

1. The whole city was stirred.
2. This is Jesus - the one commissioned by God.

A sense of awe settling over the city like a fog in a valley. They understood that it was something that God was doing.

The crowd recognised the fullness of King Jesus 2000 years ago.
Do we do so today?

Merry Christmas

Isaiah 9:6, 7
Luke 2:10, 11
John 1:14

Immanuel
Matthew 1:18 - 25

Isaiah 7:14

Jesus is the one Isaiah talked about.

Dwelling amongst the people.
He attends to His creation. Nothing is apart from His purpose.

Are you prepared for God to dwell among you?

God's gift to mankind was Jesus.

22nd
Love
Matthew 22:34 - 40
Luke 4:14 - 21

Selfless peace
Luke 2:13, 14
Shepherds were low status people.

John 14:27

Glory to God in the highest.

Judges 6:24
Gideon recognised that God is peace.

Goodwill to men.

Luke 6:32 - 36

All of us have fallen short of God. We are all sinners.

Peace will set us free.

Luke 4:14 - 21
Isaiah 9:6

Jesus is more interested in our character, than our comfort.

Jesus hears your cry for help.

Isaiah 9:1 - 8
Peace
The Prince of Peace

Shallom
Absense of conflict

People stop caring about what happens in the world
But Jesus wants us to care.

Philippians 4:4 - 7
God is with us. A God who is there for us and is in control.
We should be praising Him for Who He Is.
We are in His hands and we should trust Him.
Living life with God
Guarding our hearts.

21st
1 Peter 2:1 - 12
A Kingdom of Priests

Encouraging names
Living Stones
vs 4, 5

Metaphors of Stone
Stumbling Stone Isaiah 8:14
Foundation Stone Isaiah 28:16
The Parental Rock Isaiah 51:1, 2
The Rejected Stone Psalm 118:22

Where Eternity Happens

Royal Priesthood
vs 9

Privilege
The main privilege of a priest is access to God.
Because of Jesus we have access to Him.
Jesus giving us an eternal home.

Being an example
vs 12

23rd
Matthew 6:9 - 13

Psalm 65
A song
(Also the three Psalms after it)
What music would have David used?

Harvest Psalm
Harvest at Passover and the Feast of Tabernacles

Passover and Christ's Sacrifice.

Isaiah 2:2 - 4
Jerusalem, Zion, as the center of the world.

God blessing the whole Earth.

vs 11

Psalm 68