The arrival of Jesus Christ in this world as flesh and blood is why we celebrate Christmas. We will explore why Jesus had to have a virgin birth and why He had to become human, coming to us in our likeness. Without Jesus accomplishing this, we would have died in our sins; never being reconciled to God. What a reason to celebrate His first coming and look forward to His coming again!

The Apostle Paul’s message was not one of persuasive words but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power! We have been reconciled to God through Christ Jesus and have become a new creation if we put our faith in Him. This is accomplished through the Spirit’s great power as our actions and words should demonstrate based on our fruit. We have also been given the ‘ministry of reconciliation’ in which God makes His appeal through us. Like Paul, we do not do this with persuasive words but instead with the demonstration of the Spirit’s power!

 

Jesus uses an analogy of a vine, its branches, and the fruit that it bears as relating to our being connected to Him. He also uses the term, ‘remain’ repeatedly. How do we remain in Him? In His love? What does it truly mean to remain? Being connected to the vine brings great joy into our lives and enables us to bear fruit. It is fruit that lasts only when we are attached to the life-giving Source. Apart from Him, we can do nothing!

When we think of Luke’s writings about the Holy Spirit we would generally think of his second volume, the book of Acts. However, the third person of the Godhead is front and center in his gospel account as well. Luke has a special understanding of the power and activity of the Holy Spirit. He shows vividly the Spirit’s involvement before Christ, throughout His incarnate life on earth, and the promise of all those who are thirsty being filled with the Holy Spirit.

The second theme that emerges from the pages of Matthew’s gospel is that of faith. Faith is SO IMPORTANT to Jesus! He remarks concerning a person’s or group’s great faith when healing them. He even says that their faith was the reason for their healing or restoration. He rebukes His disciples numerous times because of their lack of faith. This occurs when they do not understand spiritual concepts that they should and it extends even to the reason that they are unable to cast out a spirit from a demon-possessed boy. They have so little faith. Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” How can we possess greater faith? How does it go hand-in-hand with spiritual authority?

Scripture tells us to give careful thought to our ways. The prophet Haggai was given a word from the Lord to a people who were caught up in comfort and consumerism; living in beautiful houses, while the House of God was left in ruins. How are we self-absorbed and self-focused while the things of God are not taken seriously or thoughtfully? We can easily fall into the “American dream” of having a lot of possessions and conveniences and the busyness of holding it all together. Suddenly, without realizing it we are caring only about our own “house” when God would have us be consumed with zeal for His house!

When most of us were kids, one of the most popular ‘Sunday School’ stories was of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego being thrown into the fiery furnace for not worshiping the golden statue. However, it is much more than just a children’s story. In this world we have many voices telling us to ‘bow down’ with our time and devotion. Many things in our lives are potential gods that are competing for our affection. We will look at three men who will inspire us to not succumb no matter what the threat entails. I will not bow down and make anything or anyone else Lord!

As we look at the prophet Ezekiel’s calling, we will also examine our own general and specific calling from the Lord. Like Ezekiel, our calling (what God has for us to do) involves people (often rebellious people), fear that we must overcome, the task we are called to, and the realization that we are only accountable for listening to God and doing what he says; not for how people will respond!

The Lord has a plan for you. These plans of His are for you to prosper, give you hope and a future. Smack-dab in the center of those plans involves the city in which God has planted you. Whether it is for a season in life (for the Israelites in Babylon it was to be 70 years) or it may be your city for the rest of your life. Make no mistake about it, where God has you is part of His will for your life. How can we make an impact where we are living? How can we have a heart for our city and bring the light of Christ to those who are in darkness?

Isaiah saw a vision of The Lord seated on His throne with the heavenly hosts worshiping Him in vast array. Isaiah, shaken to his core, responded in two very significant ways. First, he was painfully aware that he was a man of unclean lips; his words were not set apart to God—that mattered greatly. He cried out to be cleansed! Second, Isaiah answered the call to serve his Lord. When asked, “Who will go?” Isaiah replied, “Here I am, send me!” How will you and I respond upon seeing Jesus on the throne of our life?