A NEW YEAR - A NEW OPPORTUNITY IN 2016

VIDEO LINKS TO THIS SERMON

NEW BEGINNINGS IN 2016 - PART ONE

NEW BEGINNINGS IN 2016 - PART TWO

NEW BEGINNINGS IN 2016 - PART THREE

A NEW YEAR - A NEW OPPORTUNITY

by Pastor Mark Taylor

 “Behold, I make all things new” (Revelation 21:5)

Today, I am not asking you to make a New Years Resolution but begin setting some realistic goals.  Create a Plan.  Ask for help.  Get started.

A resolution says I am going to lose 50 pounds this year.

A goal says I am going to find a nutrition plan that works for me.

A resolution says I am going to read the Bible through this year.  A goal says I am going to read the four Gospels one or two chapters at a time until I finish and then read another Book of the Bible that is interesting to me.

We are going into a New Year.  The Lord is a creator of new and wonderful things.   We should recommit ourselves to allowing our Lord to lead us in becoming new and better this year.  “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17). “Then He who sat on the throne said, "Behold, I make all things new." And He said to me, "Write, for these words are true and faithful." (Revelation 21:5).

Our LORD is in the creating business.  He wants to create something new in you this year.  Every Spring He creates new flowers and foods for us to eat.

We are all different.  The same kind of plan will not work for everyone.  Some people are sequential logical thinkers and others are abstract random thinkers and doers. God has created some of you as "right brain" people who are very creative in talents involving music, art, and innovators.  Others of you God has created you to be "left brain" people who are problem solvers, direction followers, and good at staying on a budget.

“For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by Him, and for Him: And He is before all things, and by him all things consist." (Colossians 1:16-17)

This could be your year to accomplish that new thing that God has given you the ability to create.  Ask him to give you both the desire and ability to start that new thing in your life.  Three years ago I started writing a book. Just a few days ago, I finished it.  Two years ago I started reading the BIBLE through and I just finished it.  

What is it that God you want Him to do for you in 2016.

Ask Him and then get busy working on it.  Read a book on self-improvement or learn how to do something new this year in technology or a new skill.  Join the choir or use your speaking and singing skills at a retirement home, nursing home, or some public venue.                                 

Set Realistic Goals.  "If you aim at nothing you will hit it."

I am not talking about us that are in our 60's and 70's running a marathon, but we could walk around the block several times a week.  No matter how many times you have failed it is time to start again.  Some people say they don't set goals because because they tried before and failed.  Let me give you some examples of some people who did not follow that way of thinking:

Abraham Lincoln lost eight elections, went bankrupt twice, and suffered a nervous breakdown before he became one of our nations greatest Presidents. He was elected as the 16th President of the United States after all of these failures.  He refused to give up.

Babe Ruth struck out 1,330 times, but he also hit' 714 home runs.

At the age of 65 With his social security check of about $100 Cornel Sanders started KFC.

Get rid of the word 'I can't' and remind yourself of the scripture;  "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4; 13.                  

As we enter this new year of 2016 we should expect God to lead us into new areas of growth and ministry.  He wants us to know that “you have not passed this way before now” (Joshua 3:4), and it may be somewhat different and even frightening.  

But He also wants us to know and have the confidence that He is with us when we attempt new things.

“Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;" (Philippians 1:5-6)

I would encourage our Church as well as all Churches to pray that God would do more with them this year than He did last year.  The Lord has given us a ministry to reach out to other people. When He accepted you into His family He has a purpose and mission for you.

How can you use your gifts and abilities that God has given me to make a living  to serve Him  next year?

Grace is about new beginnings and the mercy of God starting over in our lives.  

“The LORD is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy” (Psalms 145:8).  “For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon you” (Psalms 86:5).

As we look into 2016 we look at a block of time. We see 12 months, 52 weeks, 365 days, 8,760 hours, 525,600 minutes, 31,536,000 seconds. And all is a gift from God. 

We have done nothing to deserve it, earn it, or purchased it. Like the air we breathe, time comes to us as a part of life.  Like receiving a brand new calendar, the slate is clean and ready for us to post our appointments, meetings, dates, anniversaries and celebrations. 

So let us pencil this in, more time for loving our families, more time to take care of ourselves, more time to do what we really want to do, more time to follow our dreams and more time with the Author of time and the Author of all things, our Lord Jesus Christ.  

2016 is a new year with new opportunities.  You and I can start over.  Remember that our past sins can be forgiven by God: 

"For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more" (Hebrews 8:12).

As we begin to think about this New Year, I would like for us to start our lives like the new calendar.  We are encouraged by the Bible to leave last year behind us.

 “But this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before”   (Philippians 3:13). 

I realize we cannot completely forget, but we can purposely dwell on positive things that will help us this year.  

“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things” (Philippians 4:8).

Another thing we are encouraged to do to start our lives off with a clear slate is forgiveness. Even forgiving ourselves. For failures. Don't live your life as a victim.

Understand that all of us have been hurt by others.  Life is not fair and there are cruel and mean people who don't  care about others feelings.  The important thing is that we don't become victims.  We give them another victory by spending time and energy thinking about them.

We should ask forgiveness from our Heavenly Father for the sins we have committed this past year and make an effort to live better lives.  Grace is not only a matter of our receiving a “new beginning”, but it is our allowing others to do the same.   Forgiveness is difficult and the actions which have been done to us does not easily fade away.   Forgiveness is an unnatural act.  It requires divine assistance.  But regardless of how difficult it is, our forgiveness from the Lord is tied to our forgiveness of others.  

"For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses” (Matthew 6:14-15).  

Forgiveness is not about others deserving it, but it is about you.   When you forgive, you are doing something wonderful for yourself, and allow God to bless you with good things.

In starting your “new beginning” in 2016, set reasonable, realistic, and measurable goals.  It is God’s will that you be successful and happy.  

“Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper." (Psalm 1) .

God wants to bless you, but his blessings are directly related to your love and obedience to Him.  God’s grace does not give you permission to sin.  There is still a spiritual law of sowing and reaping.  Jesus said:  “If you love Me, keep my commandments”.  (John 14:15).

Today is the day to begin.  

“Do not boast about tomorrow, For you do not know what a day may bring forth” (Proverbs 27:1). “This is the day the LORD has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it”  (Psalms 118:24).  

To use a football analogy:  

For Some of us it is half-time in our lives and we need to get back on the field and play the second half better.

For others of us it is the last quarter and we are behind in our goal setting and accomplishments.  We need to dig deep and work with our team to win.

For some of us we are at the two minute warning and we have the ball.  We need to look at our options and listen to the coach.  He has a plan and has led many other teams to victory.  I am talking about the Lord Jesus Christ - our coach.

Let us ask our Lord to give us the right plays this year.  It is not just about us, it is about winning for our children, grandchildren and our friends.  If they see us play the game of life well, they will be motivated to do the same.  If we quit it might affect their desire to continue.  They might quit too.

So let's have a great 2016 starting today.  Don't just make a resolution let's set some realistic goals, create a plan, ask for help, and get started.

YOUR GIFT OF GOD'S SON

YOUR GIFT OF GOD’S SON

By Pastor Mark Taylor

“Unto Us a Child is born, unto us a Son is Given” 

Isaiah 9:6

Our Lord and Savior, was both born and given to us.  He was truly-born as a child as you and I were and became a human.  As Jesus Christ, God’s Son, He was given, begotten of His Father, not made, but of the same substance of His Father.  This is a mystery utterly beyond the understanding of any human being.  As one great preacher, C.H. Spurgeon said: “It would be like a gnat drinking from the ocean for a finite creature to comprehend the Eternal God.  A God whom we could understand would be no God.”  

Jesus Christ as a child was born, but Jesus Christ as a Son was not born, but given.  "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16).  It is true that “unto us a child is born”.  It is a fact that a child is born.  It is a fact more fully established than any other fact in history, that the Son of God became a man and was born in Bethlehem, wrapped in swaddling clothes, and laid in a manger.  The unbeliever may dispute it, but we, professing to be believers in Scripture, receive it as an undeniable truth, that God has given His only begotten Son to be the Savior of men and women.

If this child who we see through the eyes of faith wrapped in swaddling clothes in Bethlehem’s manger, is born to you, then you are “born again”. “Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." (John 3:3). For this child is not born to you unless you are born to this child.  Only men and women who are “born again” can claim the babe in Bethlehem as being theirs.

How can you know if you are “born again”.  There are several ways.  Have you come to Christ and asked for forgiveness of your sins and asked Him to be your Savior?  Is there a change within you that makes you care about spiritual things?  Is there a change in you that makes you want to avoid sin and the pleasures of this world?  “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.” (Colossians 3:1-2).  The new birth does not consist in washing the outside of the cup, but a cleaning on the inside, in the inner man.  If you are not changed inside, this child is not born to you. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” (2 Corinthians 5:17).

Another way you can know if you are “born again” is that there is a change on the exterior of your life.  Do your friends and family observe a change?  If there is no change in the outward life, there is no change within.  The proof of the Christian is in the living.  When we live in sin and worldly pleasure, and seek our own desires, and not God’s will, and we deceive ourselves.  “If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” (1 John 1:6-8).

If this “Child”, the Lord Jesus Christ is born to you, you must come to Him as a child with faith.  “Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, and said, "Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. "Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 18:2-4). Do you take God’s Word just as it is, simply because your heavenly Father says it is true?  Can you believe the mysteries of God in the Bible without demanding to have them intellectually explained to you?  Can you say and believe as the Psalmist says: “Forever, O LORD, Your word is settled in heaven. Your faithfulness endures to all generations; You established the earth, and it abides. They continue this day according to Your ordinances, For all are Your servants.” (Psalms 119:89-91).

If this “Son” is given to you, you have become a son or daughter of the Heavenly Father.  “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.” (John 1:12-13).  Does the Holy Spirit speak to you about your relationship with Him.  “For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, "Abba, Father." The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God”  (Romans 8:15-16).  If “unto us a Son is given”, then we are given to the Son.  "This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day.” (John 6:39).  The Lord Jesus Christ is praying to the Father for you today if you are His son or daughter.  "I pray for them. I do not pray for the world but for those whom You have given Me, for they are Yours.” (John 17:9)

If you receive the gift of salvation from God the Father then you have been born again - “unto you a child is born”,.  If you have accepted Christ as your personal Savior, “unto you a Son is given”.  How is it we give so little to Christ who gave Himself for us?  This Christmas realize the greatest gift you have been given is the Lord Jesus Christ.  It is a personal gift that each person has to receive.

"I BRING YOU GREAT JOY"

“I BRING YOU GREAT JOY”

“And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.” (Luke 2:10)

When Jesus came to Earth, He brought great joy with Him.  "These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.  This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.”  (John 15:11-12). Great joy comes in loving God and loving others.

I would like to talk to you about happiness that will in turn add to your joy.  Happiness is a decision you make, not just an emotion you feel.  When you get up in the morning, you can choose to be happy and enjoy that day, or you can choose to be unhappy and have a bad day.

Many people live their lives in constant turmoil and confusion.  It is extremely important that we know how to live a life of peace and joy.  These are the gifts that Jesus left us.  They are also called the fruit of the Spirit.  “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22-23)

Happiness is not always displayed in the same way by everyone.  God has given each of us different personalities.  Some people have a bubbly personality that shows when they are happy and when they are not.  But other people are more reserve and even shy and they may not always demonstrate their happiness by laughing or smiling.  But we should all learn how to smile more and laugh more.  “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit dries the bones”  (Proverbs 17:22).  Both the Bible and behavioral science research both remind us of the good health we can receive if we live a happy life.  As Christians, with the Holy Spirit in us, we have the potential to have great joy both inward and outward.

To be happy you need to learn how to live one day at a time.  By an act of your will, you need to choose to forget about yesterday and tomorrow and think about today. You have to forgive others for their mistakes as well as yourself.  You have to choose to be happy and receive that great joy that God has sent through His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.  Life is too short not to enjoy every single day. “This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” (Psalms 118:24)  Learn to enjoy your family, your friends, your health, your work, your church, and everything God gives you.  Maybe it has been a long time since you have had that great joy.  Pray this prayer every day until an answer comes.  “Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, And uphold me by Your generous Spirit. Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, And sinners shall be converted to You.” (Psalms 51:12-13).  Remember the source of great joy is from the Lord.  It has been brought down to you for you to receive as a gift from Heaven.

To be happy you need to learn not to let life’s little things get you upset.  Normally, it is not the big things in life that get us upset, but more often it is the little things that turn up becoming big things.  When negative things happen to us, no matter how much we rant and rave, it’s not going to change anything.  No matter how much we murmur and complain, it’s not going to make anything better.  You can decide not to let little things get the best of you. You can also decide to follow this great advice from God’s Word. 

“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” (Philippians 4:8).

To be happy don’t wait on some event or person to make you happy.  Big events will not keep you happy.  People cannot keep you happy.  Having the right relationship and fellowship with the Lord can make you happy: “For the joy of the LORD is your strength.” (Nehemiah 8:10).

To be happy, learn how to be content with where you are in your life today.  If you will make the decision to stay faithful and be content, at the right time God will change your circumstances.  The Bible says: “But godliness with contentment is great gain.” (1 Timothy 6:6)  “For I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.” (Philippians 4:11). You may have some obstacles today, but some people would give anything in the world to have your life.  We should stop emphasizing what is wrong and start thanking God for what is right.  Be thankful and mindful of the things that God has already given you.  Have a grateful attitude.  Learn to be happy in spite of your present circumstances. You have a lot to be happy about.  One of those things is your future in Heaven with the Lord Jesus Christ.  “Rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.” (Luke 10:20 ).

Ask the Holy Spirit to give you wisdom on how to look at your life as someone who has been blessed and is being blessed every day.  If you are always discontented, something is wrong.  If you get up each morning dreading your day, you need to ask the Lord to change your attitude. Make a choice to be glad and joyful.  “Be glad in the LORD and rejoice, you righteous; And shout for joy, all you upright in heart!”  (Psalms 32:11)

To be happy, understand that God has your best interests in mind as you go through trials and difficulties.  “The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delights in his way.” (Psalms 37:23)  There is a reason why you are where you are and God will direct your steps until he leads you through the valley.  Remember change is by steps, not giant leaps.

If you will apply some or all of these principles to your life during this season of the year, you will have a “Merry Christmas”, regardless of what you have or don’t have. “If you know these things, happy are you if ye do them.” (John 13:17)  

PRICELESS GIFTS THAT YOU CAN GIVE THIS CHRISTMAS

“Priceless Gifts That You Can Give This Christmas”

by Pastor Mark Taylor

“Everyone is a friend to the person that gives gifts.” (Proverbs 19:6)

The Gift of Principles – Teach and live the principles God has given you.  Those principles include loving God and loving others.  “'And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.' This is the first commandment. "And the second, like it, is this: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these." (Mark 12:30-31).  

Teach your loved ones that personal integrity is a gift they need to cherish.     “A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, Loving favor rather than silver and gold.” (Proverbs 22:1).

The Gift of Patterns.  Your children will follow your patterns of behavior, good or bad.  Both and live and teach them honesty, integrity, and persistence.  Teach them the value of hard work and personal responsibility.

“Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither;  And whatever he does shall prosper” (Psalms 1:1-3).  This is true success.

The Gift of Participation.  Be involved in the lives of your children, grand children, and others that you love. Use the time you have with them wisely.  “Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is” (Ephesians 5:16-17).  

 The Gift of Mercy.  Help others to start over when they fail.  Keep the doors of communication open.  Be involved in their hurts without being judgmental.  There is a time of correction, but there is also a time to listen. “A soft answer turns away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.” (Proverbs 15:1).   When someone is hurting, it is not the time hurt them more with your words. "Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful. "Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven” (Luke 6:36-37).  

Ask them “What can I do to help You?”  

The Gift of Praise.  The greatest gift you can give someone to help them become successful.  Praise is one of the greatest motivations for success..  It is a gift that is needed more than any material you can wrap.  “Pleasant words are as a honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones” (Proverbs 16:24).  Make someone happy this Christmas by praising them for something they have done in their lives this year, or something they have done for you.  The gift of praise should be given 365 days a year.

The Gift of Prayer.  God answers the prayers of Godly mothers, fathers,

and grandparents.  Let them know you are praying for them and that the Lord Jesus loves them and cares for them.  “The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous person accomplishes a lot.” (James 5:16).  Through your example encourage them to become prayer warriors for others.  Model this by praying aloud in their presence and teaching them how to pray.  This gift will last for a life time.

The Gift of Hope.  You can give people hope by reminding them of the great plans God has for them.   Just remind them that God is listening to them and willing to help them..  “I love the LORD, because He has heard My voice and my supplications. Because He has inclined His ear to me, Therefore I will call upon Him as long as I live.” (Psalms 116:1-2).  Remind them that God wants to help them with the difficulties they face in their life.  “Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.” (Jeremiah 33:3)

There are some people who have lost their hope and have turned away from the Lord that loves them.  They think that God is not listening to their prayers.  He is reassuring us that it is not His problem.  “Behold, the LORD'S hand is not shortened, That it cannot save; Nor His ear heavy, That it cannot hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God; And your sins have hidden His face from you, So that He will not hear.” (Isaiah 59:1-2).  Give the gift of hope.

All of these gifts are something you can give 365 days a year.  During this Christmas Season you should make an extra effort to give these precious gifts that you cannot buy with any amount of money.  You are the only one that can give them because you already have them.  These gifts are the type that the more you give, the more you will receive.  "Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you." (Luke 6:38).  

Many of you are successful and happy today because of the example set by your parents and other adults; the time they spent with you; the praise and encouragement you received; the hope they gave you; and the prayers that were lifted up for you.  Now is your time to give.

 (For more video and written sermons by Pastor Mark Taylor go to:

www.sermonstotheworld.blogspot.com )

CHRIST'S PRESENCE IN CHRISTMAS

“Christ’s Presence in Christmas.”

By Pastor Mark Taylor

In one sense, everything in the Bible is either about God's presence or about a lack of God's presence.

God was present in Christ before His birth, after His Birth, at His resurrection, and with Him today.

Matthew 1:23 "Behold, the virgin shall be with child and shall bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel," which means, "God with us."

John 1:14 And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.

John 14:16 "I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you.

We can experience God's presence in our public and private worship

When our lives are pure; When our hearts are passionate; When God's power is displayed with our actions; We can experience God's presence.

Is the Lord present in your home? Does the Lord influence how you act toward each other? Are you kind to each other? Is the Lord honored in your home so that others will want a home just like yours? The Lord is looking for homes where His presence is evident.

We can experience God's presence in our hearts today and God's Presence will be with us in the Future.

Revelation 1:8 "I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”  Revelation 22:20 - “22:20 He who testifies to these things says, "Yes, I am coming quickly." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. 

Our culture has turned away from this being a celebration of Christ’s birth and into just a time when we are out trying to get the best deals.

One of the ways to overcome this cultural slide that is invading the church was to truly worship Christ. Not just by showing up on the weekends to sing songs, but to worship Him through our obedience, our submission and through our sacrifice, like they did at the very first Christmas. 

God’s favor has come upon us in the form of His Son being born in a manger and this is “good news of great joy” and it is something to celebrate with people because it is “for all the people & Christmas is a time when we should share the joy of what Christ has done for us by giving and sacrificing and loving and celebrating in honor and recognition of the birth of Christ.  But, like many things though, over time, the things that started out in a good way get corrupted by a sinful humanity and it ends up bringing pain or stress and a lack of joy.

It is through a relationship that respects the Lord and listens to and obeys Him that we will find peace and contentment in life.  We will never buy fulfillment and contentment and we will never be able to give it to anyone by buying it for them.  And when we do strive for that peace and contentment by buying things or by thinking we can give it will only increase our stress and leave us empty and anxious as we continually seek the latest and greatest thing to make us content.

God came to be with us on this first Christmas. He gave His presence.  Jesus gave us His presence. We honor God as we give like Jesus gave by giving our presence into people’s lives.  It says you are important in my life and I want to be part of it.

An envelope to your wife or husband and to each of your children with a promise of your time with them personally and individually.  “On a certain day we are going to go any where you want to go.  We are going to eat what you want to eat.  We are going to spend time with each other.”  It would probably be one of the best gifts you got.

Yes, we still want to give gifts, but we want to give gifts to those who are close to us in a way that we can give them our presence which is really and truly a gift to be cherished.  Give like Jesus gave and give more “presence” this Christmas.

Spend less Money, but spend more Time  So often we spend money so we don’t have to spend time. We often find time to be a more valuable commodity than money.

Maybe you can make some sort of remembrance keepsake for someone in your family like a book or a video with pictures and music.  The time we spend thinking about what someone would like and then spending time to make it or put something together is part of a gift that will last much longer than a toy.

The shepherds spread the word about Jesus’ birth and what the angels had told them. 

 Luke 2:17-18 “When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.” 

We want to help Keep Christ in Christmas not only in our families, but to see His name exalted and His Kingdom expanded around the world.  Giving to missions is one way you can share God’s love with those who need it. Share your own presence to those you care about, along with sharing the presence of God and the gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ.

THE PARABLE OF THE LOVING FATHER

THE PARABLE OF THE LOVING FATHER

LUKE 15: 1-15

We live in a world of ungrace.  God’s grace is often hard for us to fathom, and so Jesus talked to us about it often.

Although this is often called the parable of the Prodigal Son, the key figure in the parable is the Father. I prefer to call it the Parable of the Loving Father. Jesus is teaching us the God of the Universe is like the father in this story. It’s not enough to believe in God; you must understand the nature of the God Jesus came to introduce. The wonder and beauty of the character of God can been easily seen in this beautiful parable.

Chapter 15 begins with this: “Now the tax collectors and ‘sinners’ were all gathering around to hear him. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, ‘This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.’”

This is what prompts Jesus to tell three parables that highlight God’s extreme grace--the Pharisees’ extreme ungrace.  In essence, Jesus is saying, “You think you know God, but you do not. God doesn’t play by your rules. Here is what God is all about.”

In the parable, the father represents God the Father.

And this father had two sons.  One of these boys is called the ‘older’ and the other is called the ‘younger’.

The story of the Prodigal Son, after all, appears in a string of three stories by Jesus—the lost sheep, the lost coin, the lost son—all of which seem to make the same point. Each underscores the loser’s sense of loss, tells of the thrill of discovery, and ends with a scene of jubilation.

Jesus says in effect, ‘Do you want to know what it feels like to be God? When one of those two-legged humans pays attention to Me, it feels like I just reclaimed My most valuable possession, which I had given up for lost.’” 

In Luke, right before the parable of the Prodigal Son, Jesus says in verse 10: “In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

The God of the Universe has a message for you today. He is saying to you, “I love you, so you are free to go.” God loves you so much He will never force you to stay in fellowship with Him. So, if you are bound and determined to do something as foolish as walking out on God, He won’t stop you. 

Remember, God doesn’t play by our rules.  Who do we know who might feel too embarrassed to come back home…to return to church?

We, the Church, are the Body of Christ on this earth.  We are to represent God to the world.  We are to play by God’s rules, not our own.  The church should be the place where people aren’t afraid to come back.

We should be the place of celebration.

Starting in verse 17 we get to see a real turning point in this parable.

“When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.’  So he got up and went to his father.”

Look at what Paul says to the Christians in Ephesians Chapter 2: “As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world…All of us also lived among them at one time…But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead…it is by grace you have been saved.”

Our God is loving Father, Who does not hold our sins against us, but throws a party when we come to Him for salvation and forgiveness!  And while we are still a long way off, he runs to us!  “When you start home, I’ll meet you more than halfway!”

The father refused to entertain the idea his son would be a servant. You see, even when the son was in the far country, the relationship was intact; it was the fellowship that was broken. Immediately the father commanded his servants to bring the best robe. He took that beautiful robe and lovingly placed it around his son, covering all the filth and dirt of his mistakes. That’s a lovely picture of how God covers our sin with a robe of righteousness.

The Pharisees and the teachers of the law are represented by the older son in this parable who “became angry and refused to go in” to the party.

They didn’t like the fact that God doesn’t play by their rules.  They didn’t like the fact that God rejoices and welcomes ‘sinners’.

So where are we in this parable?  Are we inside the party celebrating?  Or are we standing outside.