WELCOME ~ Pastor Dave McKinney, who will be bringing the Morning Message this morning.

1. Remember who God is:

         •  Creator, Sustainer, Redeemer, Lord, The Holy One, Eternal, Your King, Savior, there is no other God!
         •  “I act and who can reverse it?”
         •  The message:  Don’t live independent of me, but in dependence on me!

   2.   Forget the Past
        •  Remember but forget?
        •   “In one sense we are to remember the past by remembering what God has done for us, while at the                   same time forsaking our past failures and shortcomings looking ahead instead to the future God has                 in store for us.”               from David Guzek
        •  We have been called by name, we will not be forsaken!
        •  Message:  We must learn from the past.

   3.       A New Hope.
        •  God offers us hope!
        •  Not only does God promise something new, He promises to bring us there.
        •  “I don’t know what the future holds, but I know the One who holds the future.”
        •  Message: We must learn from the past and trust God for the future.

Expectations for the first Christmas

1. the circumcision of Jesus (21)

at this name, a male child was given his name

2. the presentation of Jesus (22-24)

the law said a sacrifice was to be offered

3. Simeon
a. righteous
b. devout
c. waiting for the consolation of Israel
d. would not see death until he had seen the Lord's Christ

4. the prophecy of Simeon
a. a light to the Gentiles
b. the glory of Israel
c. destined for the rise and fall of many
d. a sword will pierce Mary's soul

5. Anna- became an evangelist


Keys for a good “holy-day”
1. Look for something better

Christmas is an attitude

2. Hold Jesus in your hearts
a. He is with us forever
b. He give us peace
c. He gives us light

3. Share your joy with others

First words of the angels- “don't be afraid.”

1. Joseph- the fear of immediate obedience
(Matthew 1:20-24)

When you obey the Lord, He will bless what you do.


2. Zechariah – the fear of unanswered prayer
(Luke 1:12-20)

Many of us have to go through some difficulties before we can get to the point of believing that
God answers prayer.

3. Mary – the fear of the humanly impossible
(Luke 1:26-38)

Let go of your fears that you are not strong enough or capable enough to accomplish
what He wants you to do.

4. shepherds – fear of salvation
(Luke 2:8-18)

Without your Rescuer, you are doomed because of your own sin.

The Christian life is like an uphill climb.

1. Sometimes it is long and difficult.

Two words from Paul: Press on!

The call of the Christian life is to follow the Leader. (II Corinthians 5:7)

2. The more baggage you take, the harder it is to climb.

3. You need to have a sufficient food supply.
(Hebrews 12:12)

Don't wait until there is trouble in your life to start thinking about getting spiritual food.

4. Do not go alone. (I Thessalonians 5:11)

No matter how strong you are, it is not wise to go it alone.

5. Look behind you see how far you've come.

Identify what God has done.
State the ways you've grown and the things you have learned. (Psalm 105:5)

6. Stay on the alert. (I Corinthians 10:12)

Our enemy is trying to make us fall.

7. Stop along the way. (Psalm 16:11)

The Positive Side of the Pharisees
1. They were a separated people.

2. They were men of God's Word.

3. They were men of the people.

4. They were men of tradition.

5. They were men of great detail.

The Dark Side of the Pharisees
1. Separation led to hypocrisy and externalism (vs. 39-41; Matt. 23:25-28)

2. Allegiance to Scriptures led to legalistic oppression. (vs. 46; Matt. 23:13-19)

3. Being from among the people led to self-righteousness and selfish recognition.
(vs. 43; Matt. 23:5-7)

4. Love of tradition led to vain worship. (Matt. 15:1-9)

5. Obsession with detail led to reversed priorities. (vs. 42; Matt. 23:23-24)