Into 2016!

Joshua 1.1-9

Joshua 1:9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” 

Moses, my servant is dead.

The end of an era

The finality of death 

God is in control

The death of Moses did not mean the end of Plan of God for His people.

New frontiers ahead for us:

Haiti Trip March 4-18

2 more, possibly three in the making this year. I believe we are going to see that church building completed. 

Nazarene Cafe on Valentines Weekend

Live Streaming our services soon.

The equipment is in and ready.

This means that people all around the country and the world will be able to watch our Sunday Morning Worship Service Live on their computers, laptops, iPads, iPhones and Smart TVs

Homeless Ministry

Psalm 1:6 For the Lord knows the way of the righteous

How do we go into 2016?

On our knees!

Psalm 3:3-4

1. Pray!

Part of preparation for the crossing of the Jordan River into conquest of the land was consecration.

Colossians 4:2 Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. 

Prayer in our Bible Studies

Reviving our once a month prayer meetings on Sunday Evenings at the parsonage beginning next week with Haiti.

Prayer in your personal times: We prayed for over the church financial situation this past year and God answered and did immeaurably more than we could have imagined. He is taking care of this building and two churches!

Prayer when you are together for the church and its work.

2. Be strong in the Word

This particular Word this morning. 1.2

Joshua 1:2-3 “Moses My servant is dead. Now therefore, arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them—the children of Israel. Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given you, as I said to Moses. 

It is for the nation/ church

It is for each individual like it was for Joshua who makes up the Body of Christ.

*Moses, My servant is dead.

We faced the death of dear Roseanne this past year.

We are facing the soon departure of Bob Pawson.

Some have faced it personally.

I remember an encouraging note when I lost my Dad from Jay Bergers. It was appropriate that he went to be with the LORD at this time. Now i the time to allow our faith shine. Last evening with Helen and her family. Margot encouraging me to go back. 

Now is the time to apply the Book of Joshua, to claim its promises!

The whole counsel of God. 

Acts 20:27 For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God. 

Now...

Get ready

3. Let Go

Of

doubts

past failures

past ways of doing things

vs.6,7,9 Be strong and courageous

We have never passed this way before.

There will be obstacles that can only be overcome through prayer.

Romans 4:18-21 Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead—since he was about a hundred years old—and that Sarah’s womb was also dead. Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised. 

Only one letter and an apostrophe between Let Go and Let's Go but it is huge!

Let's Go!

When the Angels Had Left Them

Luke 2:15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” 

The wise men followed the star they had seen in the east until it came over the place where Jesus was.

God directed them out by a dream.They had their instructions.

The Angel Choir sang. Then they left the shepherds. They had their announcement. The invitation to come and see came from the angels in the form of a choir. Shepherds Field today in the outskirts of Bethlehem.

The star, the angels, the dream were times of God speaking directly to hearts in supernatural ways.

We have to be careful. They are wonder filled and yet are not to be sought after. There are times when the LORD interupts our lives and does something unexplainable but that is not the normal ebb and flow of life. What happens after these exoeriences is what matters... The LORD is looking for obedience always.

He caught these men off guard. They were going about their work when God came to them in an unusual way. He does this from time to time to get our attention so we can be do works of service for Him. He comes to us to reveal something He wants us to do.

What we do after an extraordinary experience is all important.

When the Angels had left them...

1. Supernatural appearances are usually brief.

A few moments

Get our attention

Show us something ahead

The Angels in the sky that night over Bethlehem was spectacular. Wen it was over they listened to what the Angel of the LORD proclaimed.

When Jesus led Peter, James and John up Mount Hermon and was transfigured before them, Peter wanted to build three tabernacles. He wanted to keep the awesome and amazing experience going.

 Mark 9:2-7 After six days Jesus took Peter, James and John with Him and led them up a high mountain, where they were all alone. There He was transfigured before them. His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them. And there appeared before them Elijah and Moses, who were talking with Jesus. Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for You, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” He did not know what to say, they were so frightened. Then a cloud appeared and covered them, and a voice came from the cloud: “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to Him!” 

Again obedience, looking to what is to follow in the form of following the LORD is so important after He comes to us in a supernatural way. Mark 9:9 As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus gave them orders not to tell anyone what they had seen until the Son of Man had risen from the dead. 

2 Peter 1:16-18 For we did not follow cleverly devised stories when we told you about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in power, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty. He received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to Him from the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is my Son, whom I love; with Him I am well pleased.” We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with Him on the sacred mountain. 

See Peter never forgot the experience. He even referred to it years later as Jesus told the three He would. John also wrote about it. John 1:14 The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son, Who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. 

2. Supernatural appearances are for a purpose.

General

Genesis 12:1 The Lord had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you. 

Specific Giving instructions as to what to next.

Obedience is always appropriate.

Sometimes it is an interuption. 

There is no way to follow Jesus without Him interfering with your life.

Sometimes we are inconvenienced.   

When God's Hand is upon us it is always right to proceed. 

Luke 2:15 So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” straightway NASB

3. Our Obedience is often tested by adversity.

Genesis 22:1-2 Some time later God tested Abraham. He said to him, “Abraham!”“Here I am,” he replied. Then God said, “Take your son, your only son, whom you love—Isaac—and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you.” 

For some reason our Haiti Trip next month was not coming together like it should. Kevin, Adly and I spoke last Sunday. I had been praying. Then this week it seemed like it was. Then the doors shut. We postedponed it to March- wisdom came from counsel. We are being tested. I am being tested. It is causing us to rely more on the LORD which is always good. 

We are beginning to see why. This does not always happen

Gene Edwards - A Tale Of Three Kings

How strange, is it not, what suffering begets? 

Psalms David wrote.

Spiritual Maturity.

A change in perspective.

This too will pass- James last nighgt after I spoke to him about my back pain.

4. The Adversity Makes Us Strong By Breaking Our Hearts.

Spiritual strength does not lie in the outward clothing of the power of God alone. It lies within the brokenness of spirit. It lies in taking disappointment well. It is with the crucible of life that character emerges. C.S. Lewis believed that it was not until a man was tortured that you found out the true character of the man.

How a an handles adversity alwasy shows the kind of man he is. God changes us by our daily walk with Him. During that walk there is the Valley of the Shadow of Death, there are time when we ask why are we downcast. There are times when we are in awe of God's ways because we do not understand.

Supernatural experiences are wonder filled. They are for purposes. After they occur we must follow Christ.

Acts 26:19 “So then, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the vision from heaven. 

Acts 26.1-23

Psalm 119:49 Remember Your word to your servant, for You have given me hope. 

When God spoke to you, personally, when He put His Hand upon you, when He revealed Himself in a special way... could have been a long time ago. Expectation, Waiting. Let Him stir your heart this morning and follow Him.

For All The People

Matthew 2.1-12

The Magi / Wise men were the first non Jewish people to come to worship Christ. Souls from another nation were guided to Christ by God. He did it with a star. Albert Einstein said, "Science without religion is lame. Religion without science is blind." The star was probably a Supernatural Light sent by God to point them to the exact place. A Supernatural Star after a Supernatural Announcement of a Supernatural Birth. If they had followed the star instead of going to Jerusalem Herod would not have known about it and the slaughter of the baby boys would not have taken place. Heaven was rejoicing and hell was reeling at the Birth of Jesus.

The Wise men came from where the human race began, from what is called the cradle of civilization. 

This is where Abraham was from, where the Jews were taken into captivity, where the prophet Daniel had lived and prophesied and served in government. These men came to worship Christ the newborn king. Somewhere in between 40 days and 2 years of age they arrived.

They could have heard about the coming of Jesus through the Jewish people there in captivity or they could have studied the prophecy of Daniel which pinpoints the time of the Anointed One. It was probably both.

Luke 2:10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy for all the people. 

Isaiah 9:1 Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the Gentiles, by the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan— 

Luke 2:29-32 “Now Lord, You are releasing Your bond-servant to depart in peace, According to Your word; For my eyes have seen Your salvation, Which You have prepared in the presence of all peoples, A Light of revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of Your people Israel.” 

The nation of Israel needed a Messiah. The whole World needed a Savior.

The Political situation of first century Israel.

Luke 2.1/ Matthew 2.2  Caesar Augustus/ Herod

The Spiritual condition of First Century Israel

2 Corinthians 3:15 But to this day whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their heart; 

Romans 11:25-26 For I do not want you, brethren, to be uninformed of this mystery—so that you will not be wise in your own estimation—that a partial hardening has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in; and so all Israel will be saved; just as it is written,“The Deliverer will come from Zion,He will remove ungodliness from Jacob.” 

Jesus came as the Messiah to be the Savior of the world. Today a Savior has been born to you. He is Christ, the LORD.

So Jesus was born. He grew up in Nazareth. Jospeh was a carpenter there. He went about doing good, teaching and performing miracles. He died and rose again. Just before He ascended back into heaven He gave the His Disciples a commission, the Great Commission...

1. The Great Commission Sent the Disciples of Jesus Into All The World. Matthew 28.18-20

It was prophesied by the Angel of the LORD that appeared to the shepherds... A Savior... Peace on earth, goodwill toward men. Around 6am EST this morning... Two suspects have been held for questioning. Air France Flight 463 enroute to Paris made an emergency landing in Mombasa after the device was found in the plane's bathroom. Suspicious Device on Flight Confirmed as Bomb by Kenyan Authorities.  473 people were on board. Certainly the peace the world gives but Jesus Himself said that. John 14:27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. 

 John records at the end of the first century the account of Jesus coming and mission: John 1:11-14 He came to that which was His own, but His own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son, Who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. 

Acts is a record of it being fulfilled.

Acts 1.8 Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and the ends of the earth.

Acts 17:6 But when they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some brethren to the rulers of the city, crying out, “These who have turned the world upside down have come here too. 

Friend of Sinners and this...

Hope they can say  both of  these things about us!

This was a fulfillment of Isaiah 49:6 

Indeed He says,‘It is too small a thing that You should be My Servant 

To raise up the tribes of Jacob, 

And to restore the preserved ones of Israel;

I will also give You as a light to the Gentiles,

That You should be My salvation to the ends of the earth.’” 

The Great Commission stil sends people today... Haiti... where ever the LORD leads... India...

Our mission giving here goes to over 100 world areas where the Church of the Nazarene is.

Operation Christmas Shoe Box into world areas which are the most difficult. Prayers we send up to heaven on behalf of those suffering persecution for their faith.

God sent His Son to the Savior because

2. Everyone Needs Christ

Some people don't find out til its too late.

Some turn Him away like the inn.

Some put him off like Felix. Acts 24:25 As Paul talked about righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and said, “That’s enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you.” 

 John 1:11-13 He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. 

Look at the people who became followers of Jesus, those who Jesus transformed: Tax Collectors- Matthew and Zaccheus, zealot- Simon... he touched those in the military- centurions, women whose lives were a mess- Mary Magdalene and the women at the well and men who were highly respected like Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimethia. He came for all the people.

Isaiah 40:5 And the glory of the LORD will be revealed, and all people will see it together.For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.” 

What is foretold by the prophets is a visible kingdom, with the Messiah reigning on the throne of David, over a reunited Israel and the Gentile Nations in a world empire. 

The kingdom was rejected by the Jews and the King crucified. But He rose again and reigns from on high. One day His Kingdom will fully come to this earth. We wait for that day. Today the offer to entrance to the kingdom is for all the people of the earth. 

Begin thinking of people you know who need Him. Begin to pray. Think of the brokenhearted people.

Invite them to the February Event, Friday, February 12th.

The Messiahs Birthplace

Micah 5.1-5a

Micah 5:2-4 “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,though you are small among the clans of Judah,out of you will come for Me, One who will be ruler over Israel,whose origins are from of old,from ancient times.” Therefore Israel will be abandoned until the time when she who is in labor bears a son, and the rest of his brothers return to join the Israelites. He will stand and shepherd His flock in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD His God.And they will live securely, for then His greatness will reach to the ends of the earth. 

Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 

John 1:1-3 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 

Revelation 1:1-2 The revelation from Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, who testifies to everything he saw—that is, the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. 

God had Bethlehem in His heart before the creation of the world. It was always a part of His plan in sending His Son to this earth.

He is a God of Might and Power Who delights in using out of the way places and seemingly insignificant people to accomplish His purposes.

Bethlehem was perfect for this.

1. Bethlehem, the Place of David's Birth

 Bethlehem, the city of David

The place he grew up in.

The place he tended the flock of his family.

1 Samuel 16:10-12 Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to him, “The LORD has not chosen these.” So he asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?”“There is still the youngest,” Jesse answered. “He is tending the sheep.”Samuel said, “Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives.” So he sent for him and had him brought in. He was glowing with health and had a fine appearance and handsome features.Then the LORD said, “Rise and anoint him; this is the one.” 

David became Israel's King after Saul died. He was of the tribe of Judah. Joseph and Mary were descendants of David. Mary gave birth to Jesus in Bethlehem, the place of His father, David's birth. They certainly did have the look of royalty- a young carpenter and his wife, humble, working class.

It is translated The House of Bread.

John 6:35, 41 Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to Me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in Me will never be thirsty. “I am the bread that came down from heaven.” 

With Jerusalem 6 miles away, Bethlehem was a very insignificant place. Many believe the place where the temple sacrificial sheep were raised.

2. Bethlehem, Least Among the Tribes of Judah

The previous chapter is about the Daughter of Zion, Jerusalem.

God delights in using nobodies. 

1 Corinthians 1:26-29 For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble; but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are, so that no man may boast before God. 

Celebrity Christianity is a gross distortion.

God is using unnamed people all around the earth today who are advancing His Kingdom. Friends who are undercover missionaries in a place where it is forbidden by the government.  Friends in India running orphanages and ministering to lepers, Young pastors in Cambodia planting churches. You who put together shoeboxes going to needy parts of the world, part of millions going out. Least, small, God has chosen the weak things of the world.

Our faith in Him is used by Him to show His great power and so that no one can boast before God.

3. Bethlehem Today

Church of the Nativity

Christmas Carols About It

Philip Brookes

O Little Town of Bethlehem

After an early dinner, we took our horses and rode to Bethlehem,” so he wrote home in Christmas week of 1865. “It was only about two hours when we came to the town, situated on an eastern ridge of a range of hills, surrounded by its terraced gardens. It is a good-looking town...

Somewhere in those fields we rode through the shepherds must have been. . . . As we passed, the shepherds were still “keeping watch over their flocks or leading them home to fold.” Mr. Brooks returned in September, 1866, and it must have been while meditating at home over what he had seen that the carol took shape in his mind.

Lewis Redner writes:“As Christmas of 1868 approached, Mr. Brooks told me that he had written a simple little carol for the Christmas Sunday-school service, and he asked me to write the tune to it. The simple music was written in great haste and under great pressure. We were to practice it on the following Sunday. Mr. Brooks came to me on Friday, and said, ‘Redner, have you ground out that music yet to “O Little Town of Bethlehem”?’ I replied, ‘No,’ but that he should have it by Sunday. On the Saturday night previous my brain was all confused about the tune. I thought more about my Sunday-school lesson than I did about the music. But I was roused from sleep late in the night hearing an angel-strain whispering in my ear, and seizing a piece of music paper I jotted down the treble of the tune as we now have it, and on Sunday morning before going to church I filled in the harmony. Neither Mr. Brooks nor I ever thought the carol or the music to it would live beyond that Christmas of 1868.

In our lives- how He works

God is looking for us to offer ourselves to Him.

Romans 12:1 Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. 

A person who has fully given his life over to Jesus will be used in way more wonderful than he can imagine in the work of the kingdom of God on earth.

We think so far ahead at times or we think too much.

We need to be like Isaiah who said when God asked for someone to send. Isaiah 6:8 Then I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?” Then I said, “Here am I. Send me!” 

Great prayer for these times in our church. Rough week. God is purging us. This is the way He strengthens us. Cut back- make us stronger so we will bear even more fruit.

Jesus Here Am I please use me.