fardell24

21st
Advent - Love
Matthew 2:1 - 18
Great Humility
Judea was under Roman control

Foreigners
Humble
Marginalised
Outsiders

The Shepherds and Wise Men came to worship Jesus

In worship I see how big God is and I also see in worship how small I am.

vs 11

1. I will worship God with a humble heart
2. I will worship God with a willing spirit
3. I will worship God in eager hope.

They brought gifts
Gold
Frankensense
Myrrh

Gold - Most precious and valuable metal
- A Kingly gift

Myrrh - Used for embalming the dead.

Herod used power to control and intimidate others.
Jesus used power to help others.
Jesus measured greatest in service of others.

Philippians 2:5 - 8

Contrast between Jesus and Herod

We should reflect on the power we have in our lives.

Jesus - He was willing to serve and to suffer for our salvation.

John 3:16

23rd
Nehemiah 8
Tools of Ministry

2 Chronicles 7:14

Humility

Philippians 1
We need to press on in our faith.

Reverence for the scriptures.

Vs 5
Acknowledging the authoritity of the Scriptures and of God.

Worship
vs 6

Psalm 95:6

Comprehension of Scripture

Remorse for Sin
Vs 9

Sin - like termites attacking the fabric of our lives.

Rejoice in God's fellowship.
vs 10

The Good News - We have been forgiven.

Obedience to the Word of God.

5th
Psalm 100

Communion Genesis 22

Sermon
Jeremiah 31:31 - 34
The LORD will come on His timing.
Matthew 24

vs 34
The Gospel message in a nutshell.

Hebrews 8:10, 11

A passage of assurance

Revelation 15: 3 - 4
Philippians 2:10, 11

Jeremiah 29:11, 12

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.

18th
Psalm 91:14 - 16

1 Peter 4:12 - 19
Hard Sell
Trials and Persecution
1 Peter 1:1, 2

If you don't suffer grief, then you have died before those who love and care for you.

If you don't factor suffering into your world view you are ill prepared to live in this world.
Christians will suffer and your shouldn't be surprised when it happens. Any teachings to the contrary are false.

vs 13

Philippians 1:29

The people who are persecuting you see something of Jesus in you.
vs 14

Matthew 5:3 - 12

We receive the ministry of the Holy Spirit when we are suffering.

vs 15 - 18

vs 19
Commit to God.

If you don't factor in eternity you are ill prepared for suffering.

14th
Ephesians 4:29

Philippians 4:9 - 20

vs 13
We need to be brave and daring for God. He will back us up.

But there is a bigger message.

Paul had chosen to be a servant. He had learned to trust God no matter what his circumstances were.

Paul did anything to reach as many people as possible.

Learning to be content in whatever circumstances God places us in is important.

God is with us and is taking care of us.

God appreciates our gift.
vs 18 - 20

10th
Philippians 2:12 - 30
Therefore
- What was before this is important. What comes next follows on from it.
- Continue in the way that we talked about prior
vs 12, 13
Work out not work for.
Jesus has obtained it for us.

Working out your salvation - You have evidence in the way you live your life.

Galatians 5:22 - 26
The fruits of the Spirit: we should display them.
Bear fruit in your life.
'You', 'Your' - the words were plural in the Greek.

Hebrews 10:19 - 25

God held His people accountable for individuals
Joshua 7
Achan's sins...

We should hold each other accountable.

Paul sent Timothy because he trusted him.

Check everything against Scripture.