"I can do all things through Christ who Strengthens me."
Our text is a good one to remember as we approach the new year. Given all of the problems in the world, we need to remember that Christ is in control and that He gives us the strength that we need to live each day.Lean on Christ's strength as you face the issues of this new year. I. On January 1, you will be writing on a blank page. A. You haven't lived in this year before. B. What you write on the page of the coming year will be up to you. Your choices Your decisions C. Make sure that Christ has something to do with what you write on the page, and remember that you will have Christ to strengthen you. II. On January 1, you will begin to face the challenges that the new year will bring. A. You will face challenges brought about by Satan's temptations. B. You will face challenges brought about by circumstances. Cliche: You can live above the circumstances or under the circumstances. C. You will face negative and positive circumstances, and you will need the strength of Christ to help you through. III. On January 1, you will have a chance to begin again in your Christian life. A. You will need to forget what happened last year. Philippians 3:13-14 B. You will need to look forward to what this new year can bring into your life. You do not need to make resolutions, but you do need to rededicate your life to live more closely to Christ and read your Bible and pray. C. You will need to correct those things that made you feel guilty last year. The new year is coming whether we are ready for it or not. We just need to "gird up our loins" and go forward into the new year with a good attitude and a positive outlook on what Christ can do in your life, remembering that you are drawing strength from Christ for whatever you face.
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When the Magi visited Jesus, they left three gifts. Just as the star they followed was not accident, the three gifts that they gave were no accident either. They were prophetic of the ministry of Jesus.
I. Gold: a gift for a king. A. The king who created the world. B. The king who loved the world. C. The king who came into the world, not as a king but as a common person. (You can find ample proof texts to back up this point.) II. Frankincense: a gift for a priest.. A. A priest is one who represents God to the people, as the Levitical priests.) B. Jesus is certainly our priest who bridges the gap of sin between us and God. C. Jesus is our High Priest. Hebrews 4:14-16 III. Myrrh: a gift for a sacrifice. A. Jesus came to die for our sins. He was literally given to us out of God's love: John 3:16. B. The shadow of the cross fell across Jesus whole life, for He came to die. C. Philippians 2:5-8 illustrates what Jesus did for us on the cross. Of course, the cross was not the end, only the beginning, for Jesus still reigns as king, still serves as our perfect High Priest, and continues to save by His blood. Let's close out with Paul victorious statement in Philippians 2:9-11. Isn't it interesting that the word came not to kings but shephereds to announce the birth of Christ? Here is what I call the message of the shepherds.
I. Verses 10-11 and 14 - Why did Jesus come? A. Verse 11 - To be our Savior. (See Matthew 1:21) B. Vs. 10a - What would be the results of His coming? 1. "Fear not" - end of fear. 2. "Good news" Gospel - God has come to earth..... 3. "Great joy" John 15:11 C. Vs. 14 - Further results 1. "Glory to God" 2. "Peace" (See Philippians 4:7) II. Verse 10b - Who did Jesus come on behalf of? A. "All people!!!!" 1. Nobody is beyond His grace. 2. Good news for all people, not just Jews, etc. B. God loves all people. 1. He even loves our enemies. 2. He commands us to do the same. C. The message to the shepherds illustrates this, as well Jesus' life. III. Verses 17-18 - What are we supposed to do? A. The shepherds, "made known abroad what they had seen. This is our task too. B. The shepherds simply told what they knew. 1. They only knew what the angels told them. 2. We have the New Testament, literature, teaching and preaching of 2,000 years of Christiand history. But do we tell people about Jesus? C. The people wondered. 1. They still wonder when we tell them about Jesus and they receive Him. 2. There are many, many people around us who do not know Jesus. The message of the shepherds is still alive because Jesus is still alive. It is sti |
All of these materials are free of charge. There is no copyright on them and you are free to use them as you see fit. I am happy to be of assitance to you in your preaching/teaching minstry.
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