Prayer Guide Based on Love Incarnate | Alex Hardt | December 24, 2023
This week because of Christmas and New Years we thought this would be a good way to prepare our hearts. INTRODUCTION Begin by finding a quiet place to pray. Take a few deep breaths to center yourself and invite the presence of God. OPENING PRAYER Glorious and Gracious God, we come before you in awe of the gift of Love Incarnate, your son, the embodiment of Your love among us. As we reflect on the narratives from Matthew and Luke, guide our hearts and minds to understand the depth of this love. May we learn from the example of Christ and embody that love in our lives. Amen. Matthew 1:18-24 - The Birth of Jesus Christ 18 This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. 19 Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. 20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23 “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”). 24 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. REFLECTION Take a moment to reflect on Joseph's obedience and willingness to embrace the role God had chosen for him in the life of Jesus. PRAYER POINTS
Luke 2:10-11 - The Announcement to the Shepherds 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. REFLECTION Reflect on the angel's proclamation of joy and the significance of the birth of Christ as the Savior. PRAYER POINTS
CLOSING PRAYER Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of Love Incarnate in Jesus Christ. As we embrace the lessons from Joseph and the shepherds, may our lives reflect the depth of Your love in our actions, words, and thoughts. Help us to embody this love, sharing it with everyone we encounter. In Jesus's name, we pray. Amen. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Pastor Alex MESSAGE LINK Click Here to View the Message on Youtube Our Sunday service is online and in-person at 11:00am. Come visit us at 5353 Concord Blvd, on the corner of Concord Blvd and Kirker Pass. Sermon Reflections from Finding Joy | Sara Wade | December 17, 2023
The Gospel of Luke, Chapter 2, verses 1 to 14, encapsulates the timeless story of Christmas. It's a narrative that transcends time, culture, and creed, resonating deeply with the essence of hope, love, and the divine. On Sunday Sara dived into this sacred passage and unpack the profound significance it holds. Here are some reflections based upon her message. A Journey of Faith The passage opens with a pivotal moment in history, highlighting the reign of Caesar Augustus and the decree for a census to be taken. Joseph and Mary, residing in Nazareth, embark on a journey to Bethlehem, the city of David, as mandated by the decree. This journey, albeit seemingly mundane, foreshadows a greater plan—a divine design set in motion long before the foundations of the world. The Mundane and the Miraculous At first glance, the setting appears mundane—an ordinary couple embarking on a mandatory journey for a census. Joseph and Mary's arduous trek to Bethlehem seems unremarkable, yet it sets the stage for an extraordinary event—the birth of Jesus Christ. Joy in Humble Beginnings The divine birth occurs not in a palace or amidst grandeur, but in a humble stable. A place no one would consider looking for a king, a messiah, or even a baby. The contrast is striking—a king wrapped in swaddling clothes, laid in a manger. This juxtaposition teaches us a powerful lesson about joy—it's often found in simplicity, humility, and unexpected places. You ever try to find Joy in stuff, people, money, or things?!? We tend to find ourselves woefully disappointed. But when we find joy in Jesus it feels different. Divine Revelation and Joy Amidst the serenity of the night, an angel appears to shepherds, bringing the incredible news of the Savior's birth. God brought a multitude of angels. It was the greatest spectacle this world has ever seen. The celestial proclamation illuminates the darkness and fills the shepherds with awe and joy. Their ordinary night is transformed into a moment of divine revelation, emphasizing that joy often arrives unexpectedly, transcending the ordinary and mundane. You could not hold back this announcement... The greatest news that has ever been given or will ever be given was being proclaimed. As the angelic message resonates, a multitude of heavenly hosts join in praising God. Their chorus heralds the birth of the Savior and echoes the joy that permeates the heavens and the earth. This celebration underscores the magnitude of joy that accompanies the revelation of God's grace and love. Lessons for Us: Finding Joy The story of the shepherds serves as a beacon, guiding us in our quest for joy. It teaches us that joy is not confined to extraordinary circumstances or monumental achievements. Instead, it's present in the simple, everyday moments—the beauty of nature, the warmth of relationships, and the kindness we share. Moreover, this narrative encourages us to be open to the miraculous amidst the routine. Just as the shepherds encountered a divine revelation in their ordinary lives, we, too, can find joy in unexpected places, in the midst of our daily routines. Think about what God has blessed you with today? Perhaps a roof over your head, food, clothes, family, animals, friends, and so much more. Every day is another opportunity to discover Joy. Celebrating Joy at Christmas As Christmas approaches, let's reflect on the joyous revelation of Christ's birth. Let's embrace the spirit of joy by acknowledging the blessings around us, fostering gratitude, and sharing love and kindness with others. In doing so, we align ourselves with the profound joy emanating from the story in Luke. Let's remember that true joy isn't confined to a specific season but is a continuous journey—an attitude of the heart that finds delight in the miraculous and the mundane alike. May this Christmas season be a reminder to seek and celebrate the joy that surrounds us—a joy that mirrors the miraculous birth of Jesus Christ, bringing light and hope into our lives. Merry Christmas and Blessings, Pastor Alex MESSAGE LINK Click Here to View the Message on Youtube Our Sunday service is online and in-person at 11:00am. Come visit us at 5353 Concord Blvd, on the corner of Concord Blvd and Kirker Pass. Sermon Reflections from Embracing Peace | Alex Hardt | December 10, 2023
I love the Advent season and marvel each year at the symbolism in the candles on the simple Advent Wreath. This Sunday’s candle is the Bethlehem Candle and is known as the candle representing the peace that is to be found through the coming Christ child. Pastor Alex points us to Isaiah 40:1-5. The peace that Christ brings into the world is promised to us in the Old Testament. We are promised in verse 5 “And the glory of the Lord will be revealed.” Christ came and brought peace, love, restoration, forgiveness and hope. The questions are: Are you prepared to access this peace and if you find it what will you do with it? How can you access the peace of God? Jesus tells us in John 16:33 “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” Here specifically we are told that the source of peace is Jesus. He generates the peace we feel in our lives. No Jesus=No peace. Paul adds to this in Romans 5:1 “Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Philippians 4:7 “Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” The peace we receive in Jesus is available through faith in Jesus because of what Christ did for us on the cross. Jesus told us in John 14:27 that His peace is a gift to us for our peace of mind and heart! “I am leaving you with a gift--peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid. What a wonderful gift. The peace Jesus give though faith is limitless. It can be accessed at any time and in in any place. Since He is always with you, you can tap into this peace whenever you need it. Are you to busy or preoccupied with life to worry about His peace? Do you then let the stresses and worries of your daily life and interactions get the best of you and overwhelm you? Remember you can access God’s peace anyplace or time. Don’t let the world overcome you and drag you down. Take heart in Jesus’ peace and ask Him for it. What will you do with God’s peace given as a gift through faith? Paul mentioned in Philippians 4:7 above that . His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” We are to use His peace to keep our minds and hearts guarded from the world’s pressures so we can live for Jesus. Jesus added in John 14:27 “So don’t be troubled or afraid.” His peace is to keep our fears and worries away from our lives so we can focus on Him and be about doing His work in the world. Paul says in Romans 12:18 “Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.” God’s peace should be used to help us live rightly with others reflecting God in our lives. Hebrews 12:14 puts it this way “Work at living in peace with everyone, and work at living a holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord.” Being a Christian involves living at peace within ourselves and in community with others. His peace can be accessed 24/7 so it can and does help us live, cope, rejoice and flourish in the world in which we live. No Peace=worry, frustration, hopelessness, restlessness, just plain unhappiness. Peace with Jesus = hope, ability to cope with frustration, worries, restlessness, and unhappiness Jesus is the answer as in Him alone can Peace be found. Claim it in your life through faith in Jesus and then use it liberally throughout the day! Linda Linda MESSAGE LINK Click Here to View the Message on Youtube Our Sunday service is online and in-person at 11:00am. Come visit us at 5353 Concord Blvd, on the corner of Concord Blvd and Kirker Pass. Sermon Reflections from Awaiting Hope | Alex Hardt | December 3, 2023
What does hope mean to you? Is it in some person, thing or event? Or is it the biblical hope Paul speaks of in Romans 5:3-5 “ Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” The hope Paul describes comes from God and comes with persevering in Him. The Psalms have much to say about hope. Psalm 25:5 Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.” 33:20 “We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield.” 52:9 “For what you have done I will always praise you in the presence of your faithful people. And I will hope in your name, for your name is good.” David saw God as the source of His hope no matter what the circumstances. Pastor Alex spoke about the darkness that surrounds us just like it surrounded Paul, David and Mary. Each one of them looked to God as the source of their hope. Mary was in a difficult position with an unplanned pregnancy by a young unwed mother. However, Mary’s focus on God and His provision for her far outweighs the darkness and obstacles she faced. God in His mercy sent an angel to speak to Joseph so he was told of the coming child. He was told to not be afraid to marry his betrothed Mary and that much blessing would come to him through this expected child. Mary’s response to the angel’s message was one filled with questions about how she could be with child, but her questions were not filled with doubt. She knew the power of God and believed in Him. She knew of the prophets, the Messiah that was to come, the miracles God had performed in her nation’s history and the power of God over life and death. Her response in Luke 1:38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” and later in her song known as the Magnificat shows her humility and the acknowledgement of God’s power at work in her. Luke 1:46-49 “And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord 47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 48 for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, 49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me-- holy is his name. Mary allowed her hope in God, His power, might, love and knowledge of His compassion to sustain her through the difficult times ahead. She had many obstacles to overcome but God was with her. I’ll ask again, Where do you place your hope? Can you access the hope you have in God through your past experiences? Paul had many harrowing experiences as he walked with Jesus. 2 Corinthians 11:24-26 “Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, 26 I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers.” Even in all this Paul’s testimony remained strong as he testified in 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 “9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.’ Like Mary’s faith in God, Paul’s personal knowledge of Christ and faith brought him through very tough times. David likewise faced great difficulties in his life and clung to his love and knowledge of God. His hope was placed in God as he fought battles, faced giants, was persecuted, hunted by Saul and plagued with family difficulties. As the Psalms attest David knew God as his shield, guide, teacher, savior and hope. God promises to be with us in every circumstance. I love Deuteronomy 31:6 “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” All of us have thems in our lives. Our giants, persecutors, hardships and family difficulties are different but we can claim God’s protection as we belong to Him. We can trust Him like Mary, Paul and David. They knew He would never leave them or forsake them! He will not abandon you either. God is our hope in the midst of darkness, He is our LIGHT! Linda MESSAGE LINK Click Here to View the Message on Youtube Our Sunday service is online and in-person at 11:00am. Come visit us at 5353 Concord Blvd, on the corner of Concord Blvd and Kirker Pass. |
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