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Recap of Philippians 4:4-9, December 30, 2007:
1. Christians individually and churches corporately should be characterized by the following four attitudes and actions: joy, gentleness, peace, and right-thinking producing right-acting.
2. Joy is possible for Christians, not because circumstances are conducive to joy (often they are not), but because, through our relationship with Christ, we have hope that He is working all things for our good.
3. We are to show gentleness to all people - Christians and non-Christians alike. The gentleness spoken of here is: “knowing when not to apply the strict letter of the law--but to relax justice and introduce mercy” (William Barclay). We must yield our rights and pursue mercy with others.
4. The antidote for anxiety and worry is prayer which brings supernatural peace to guard our inner being (intellect, emotions, will) and our thoughts. If we are unwilling to trust God or to yield control to Him, peace will elude us.
Monday, December 31, 2007
Three Responses to Christmas
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Recap of Matthew 2:1-12, December 23, 2007:
1. The events of Matthew 2 happened a least several months after Jesus’ birth. Not on the night of His birth as commonly portrayed.
-He was in a house not a stable, vs. 11
-He was a “child” (Greek, “paidion”) not an infant (Greek, “brephos”), vs. 11
-Luke 2:21-27 tells us that at Jesus’ purification (33 days after circumcision on the 8th day), Joseph & Mary gave a poor family’s offering, and if the Magi had already given their gifts they could not have done that.
-Herod’s order to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and vicinity, two yrs. and younger, vs. 16
2. Herod’s response of hostility and the religious leaders response of apathy have been re-enacted many times through the centuries right up to today.
3. The proper response to Jesus is, as with the Magi, faith and worship.
4. The Magi gave themselves first in worship before they gave their gifts.
5. “… what God favors us with, we must honor Him with.” (Matthew Henry) The talent, resources, and time God has given us must be given back to Him.
6. The gifts of the Magi to Jesus reflected not only His deity but His coming death as well (myrrh was used as a burial spice).
Recap of Matthew 2:1-12, December 23, 2007:
1. The events of Matthew 2 happened a least several months after Jesus’ birth. Not on the night of His birth as commonly portrayed.
-He was in a house not a stable, vs. 11
-He was a “child” (Greek, “paidion”) not an infant (Greek, “brephos”), vs. 11
-Luke 2:21-27 tells us that at Jesus’ purification (33 days after circumcision on the 8th day), Joseph & Mary gave a poor family’s offering, and if the Magi had already given their gifts they could not have done that.
-Herod’s order to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and vicinity, two yrs. and younger, vs. 16
2. Herod’s response of hostility and the religious leaders response of apathy have been re-enacted many times through the centuries right up to today.
3. The proper response to Jesus is, as with the Magi, faith and worship.
4. The Magi gave themselves first in worship before they gave their gifts.
5. “… what God favors us with, we must honor Him with.” (Matthew Henry) The talent, resources, and time God has given us must be given back to Him.
6. The gifts of the Magi to Jesus reflected not only His deity but His coming death as well (myrrh was used as a burial spice).
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Wednesday, December 05, 2007
Living At Peace
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Recap of Philippians 4:1-3, December 2, 2007:
1. Peace is necessary in the Body of Christ to have an effective witness to those around us.
2. Dissension violates peace in the Body.
3. Dissension often arises when a person is offended in the Body and then shares that offense with others rather than going to the offender.
4. There is no sanction is the scripture for going to anyone other than the offender. If it cannot be resolved at that level, then it is necessary to bring in another.5. When offenses are shared with others it becomes gossip which divides the Body because: gossip always separates people, causes dissension, causes people to be untrusting of others, widens a conflict, crushes the spirit of another, and kills the reputation of another. Gossip is unfortunately appealing.
Recap of Philippians 4:1-3, December 2, 2007:
1. Peace is necessary in the Body of Christ to have an effective witness to those around us.
2. Dissension violates peace in the Body.
3. Dissension often arises when a person is offended in the Body and then shares that offense with others rather than going to the offender.
4. There is no sanction is the scripture for going to anyone other than the offender. If it cannot be resolved at that level, then it is necessary to bring in another.5. When offenses are shared with others it becomes gossip which divides the Body because: gossip always separates people, causes dissension, causes people to be untrusting of others, widens a conflict, crushes the spirit of another, and kills the reputation of another. Gossip is unfortunately appealing.
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