HE WAS BORN TO DIE
The real Christmas story is that this broken world needed a Savior. The tiny Bethlehem babe, Joseph's pride and Mary's joy was sent here on a singular mission: He was born to die.
Consider the tiny hands and feet of the babe in the manger, remember they were formed with the intention that one day nails would be driven through them securing them to a cross on Golgotha's hill. His warm and soft little body, wrapped in swaddling clothes, one day would have a spear thrust through its side. The gentle heart that pumped the royal blood of the Son of God would be broken to provide you and me life everlasting. Jesus Christ was born to die. In the shadow of the manager was the cross. You and I cannot truly celebrate Christmas apart from the broken body and shed blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. You cannot know the joys of Christmas without a personal relationship with the Christ of Calvary.
http://www.sermoncentral.com/sermons/christ-born-to-die-gerald-flury-sermon-on-christmas-advent-44096.asp
Lois and I are still doing a daily ministry to the region's poor with our Emergency Food outreach. Lois is taking the calls and scheduling clients almost exclusively. Together, we have done this outreach in this Sheepfold region over 22 years. It is becoming difficult because of the political economic situation of the nation. Fearful people are knocking on our doors BEFORE there's a food emergency. The number of people requesting help has more than doubled in the past six months.
We praise God for donors who have taken our project under their wings, emptied their pocketbooks and poured generously into the 365/24/7 outreach. To all you we offer our gratitude and thanks.
Mark Lowry, a Christian comedian observed that Mary’s silence at the cross always amazed him. If he were being crucified in the middle of town, his mother would have "Pitched a fit", but Mary never said a word. Lowry wondered if maybe what made the difference for her was remembering back to that 1st Christmas. Remembering touching his little hands and feet and counting his fingers and toes.
On a serious note, Lowry says:
"I wonder if she realized then that those were the same fingers that
had scooped out the oceans and formed the seas.
Mary probably counted those little toes- I wonder if she realized
that those were the same feet that had walked on streets of gold and
had been worshipped by angels.
Those little lips were the same lips that had spoken the world into
existence.
When Mary kissed her little baby, she wasn’t just kissing another baby - she was kissing the face of God.
33 years later she’s standing on a hillside watching blood pour from His veins, from the side of her own son... and she didn’t open her mouth. What a great testimony to the fact that He wasn’t just a great prophet, He wasn’t just a great preacher, He wasn’t just a great teacher.
He was the virgin born son of God. He was our Savior. And... He didn’t just die for us, He died for His own mother.
The baby boy she had delivered on that 1st Christmas was now on a cross delivering her.
SOURCE: Jeff Strite, Church of Christ at Logansport, IN.
John Piper: 6 Reasons the Son of God Came Into the World
http://www.sermoncentral.com/pastors-preaching-articles/john-piper-john-piper-6-reasons-the-son-of-god-came-into-the-world-1459.asp
TELL THEM OUT LOUD
Scientist J. Robert Oppenheimer once said "The best way to send an idea is to wrap it up in a person." The theological word for all of that is incarnation, meaning "in the flesh." Jesus was the incarnation of God. Jesus was the way that God sent His "idea" to humanity; there was and is no better way!
Like the little girl who said, "Some people couldn't hear God's inside whisper and so He sent Jesus to tell them out loud."
From Stephen Sheane's Sermon "God With Us"
$3.00 WORTH OF GOD, PLEASE
Tim Hansel in his book "When I Relax I feel Guilty," writes some insights of what most people want from God.
"I would like to buy $3.00 worth of God, please. Not enough to explode my soul or disturb my sleep, but just enough to equal a cup of warm milk or a snooze in the sunshine. I don't want enough of Him to make me love a black man or pick beets with a migrant. I want ecstasy, not transformation; I want the warmth of the womb, not a new birth. I want a pound of the Eternal in a paper sack. I would like to buy $3.00 worth of God, please."
If we would be totally honest, the idea of transformation really scares us. That is because we know that such a radical change would be quite uncomfortable. We realize that with transformation comes a major overhaul of our lives and priorities.
(From a sermon by Scott Chambers, The Mission if You Accept it: Transformation, 2/15/2011)
Three Dollars Worth of God
I would like to buy $3 worth of God, please.
Not enough to explode my soul or disturb my sleep,
but just enough to equal a cup of warm milk
or a snooze in the sunshine.
I don’t want enough of God to make me love a black man
or pick beets with a migrant.
I want ecstasy, not transformation.
I want warmth of the womb, not a new birth.
I want a pound of the Eternal in a paper sack.
I would like to buy $3 worth of God, please.
— Wilbur Rees
C. God's Gift must be Received - Rev. 3:20
"Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens
the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me."
1. "Received Him" - Greek = "LAM-BA-NO"
2. Active Verb - "Seized" - "To Catch," or "To Take Hold Of"
"MY LOVED ONE HOME FOR CHRISTMAS
MY LOVED ONE HOME FOR CHRISTMAS WITH JESUS AND WITH GOD,
WALKING ON THE STREETS OF GOLD, NO MORE THIS EARTH TO TROD?
ENJOYING ALL THE BEAUTY, MAJESTIC, AWESOME SIGHTS;
AT HOME, NOW FOREVER, WHERE THERE ARE NO MORE NIGHTS?
I KNOW THERE'S NO MORE OF EARTH'S PAIN OR CROSSES, YET TO BEAR;
WITH YOUTH RESTORED, CELEBRATING WITH THE FAMILY THERE.
I WONDER WHAT THEY'RE DOING; WAITING FOR US THERE
MAYBE WORKING ON A MANSION, THAT SOMEDAY WE WILL SHARE.
ARE THEY SINGING WITH THE ANGELS, IN MELODIC VOICE?
IF I WERE, NOW, IN HEAVEN, THAT WOULD BE MY CHOICE.
MAYBE THEY ARE SHARING THE PLIGHT OF LOVED ONES HERE
WITH THE LORD AND MASTER, WHO WIPES AWAY ALL TEARS.
I'M SURE THEY'RE THINKING OF US AND WAITING FOR THE DAY;
WHEN WE'LL ALL BE TOGETHER IN OUR HEAVENLY HOME TO STAY.
WHAT A REUNION WE'LL HAVE UP THERE;
NO MORE PAIN OR SORROW, ONLY JOY TO SHARE,
WE KNOW THE CHRISTMAS STORY OF GOD'S SON, COME TO EARTH;
THE PLAN TO SAVE THIS WORLD IS THE REASON FOR HIS BIRTH.
HE LIVED A SINLESS LIFE AND DIED TO MAKE US FREE
WITH OUR LOVED ONES, HE'S IN HEAVEN WAITING FOR YOU AND ME.
WRITTEN IN MEMORY OF MY FAMILY, IN HEAVEN, MOM, DAD,
SISTERS, BROTHERS AND MY DEAR HUSBAND, DICK,
JOANN F. BERKHOUSE
Finished Draft, November 30, 2013
"MY LOVED ONE HOME FOR CHRISTMAS
MY LOVED ONE HOME FOR CHRISTMAS WITH JESUS AND WITH GOD,
WALKING ON THE STREETS OF GOLD, NO MORE THIS EARTH TO TROD?
ENJOYING ALL THE BEAUTY, MAJESTIC, AWESOME SIGHTS;
AT HOME, NOW FOREVER, WHERE THERE ARE NO MORE NIGHTS?
I KNOW THERE'S NO MORE OF EARTH'S PAIN OR CROSSES, YET TO BEAR;
WITH YOUTH RESTORED, CELEBRATING WITH THE FAMILY THERE.
I WONDER WHAT THEY'RE DOING; WAITING FOR US THERE
MAYBE WORKING ON A MANSION, THAT SOMEDAY WE WILL SHARE.
ARE THEY SINGING WITH THE ANGELS, IN MELODIC VOICE?
IF I WERE, NOW, IN HEAVEN, THAT WOULD BE MY CHOICE.
MAYBE THEY ARE SHARING THE PLIGHT OF LOVED ONES HERE
WITH THE LORD AND MASTER, WHO WIPES AWAY ALL TEARS.
I'M SURE THEY'RE THINKING OF US AND WAITING FOR THE DAY;
WHEN WE'LL ALL BE TOGETHER IN OUR HEAVENLY HOME TO STAY.
WHAT A REUNION WE'LL HAVE UP THERE;
NO MORE PAIN OR SORROW, ONLY JOY TO SHARE,
WE KNOW THE CHRISTMAS STORY OF GOD'S SON, COME TO EARTH;
THE PLAN TO SAVE THIS WORLD IS THE REASON FOR HIS BIRTH.
HE LIVED A SINLESS LIFE AND DIED TO MAKE US FREE
WITH OUR LOVED ONES, HE'S IN HEAVEN WAITING FOR YOU AND ME.
WRITTEN IN MEMORY OF MY FAMILY, IN HEAVEN, MOM, DAD,
SISTERS, BROTHERS AND MY DEAR HUSBAND, DICK,
JOANN F. BERKHOUSE
RECEIVING CHRISTMAS GIFTS
SERMON STARTER
Americans have become obsessed with the giving of gifts at Christmas. How the commercial interests of our country managed to seduce us away from the real intent and purpose of the holiday is like a lesson in basic behavioral psychology. The lesson is "Systematic Desensitization." Like the famous biological science experiment of the Frog in the Beaker, we have slowly allowed the business people to "con" us out of the "Reason for the Season."
This Thanksgiving Day online sales totaled $1.06 Billion from 180 Million visits at more than 1000 U.S. Websites. This is an online jump of more than 40% over last year. Tablet computers and Smart phones made it easier than ever to buy online. Wal-Mart had more than 22 Million shoppers on Thanksgiving Day.
We have infected the international community as well with our lust for "things" for our friends and family. China celebrates Cyber Monday on November 11th. This year China processed $5.75 Billion in online sales.
Incredibly, this year marks the five-year anniversary of a particularly notorious Black Friday in 2008, a Wal-mart worker was trampled to death in New York and two men died after shooting each other at a Toys R Us in Palm Desert, Calif.
The Birth of our Lord Jesus Christ is what this special holiday is all about. It isn't about buying and giving gifts that reminds us of Jesus' Birth. It's the receiving of the greatest gift of all that makes mankind's eternal salvation possible. Inviting and receiving Jesus into your heart and allowing Him to be birthed in you is the real intent and purpose of Christmas.
Will you receive heaven's real ultimate Christmas gift and invite Him into your life and into a relationship this season?
Pastor Phil <><<
December 01, 2013 – Pastor Phil Roland
First Sunday of Advent - Sheepfold Ministries
RECEIVING CHRISTMAS GIFTS
Luke 2:1-20
“We are good at Gift-Giving, but we struggle about Gift Receiving. Little children have little trouble receiving Gifts, but we adults feel uncomfortable about receiving, unless we give in return.” Pastor Phil <<>
"In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it." John 1:4-5
”But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name:” John 1:12
BIBLE TIMES SHEPHERDS
1. Throughout the history of Israel, shepherding was a noble profession.
2. Abel was the first to have this job, followed by Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses and of course, David.
3. God calls Himself a shepherd and we’re compared to sheep, which is anything but a compliment.
4. By the time we come to the first century however, shepherding has lost its luster.
5. Shepherds made up the lowest class of people, coming in just ahead of the lepers.
6. In the Talmud, which is a collection of interpretations and insight from the rabbis, we read these words: “No help is to be given to heathen or shepherds.”
7. Shepherds were considered ceremonially unclean. Because of the nature of their work they were unable to attend any religious services.
8. They were isolated and forgotten. Because their flocks needed to move around to find new grass and fresh water, they never stayed in one place for long.
9. Shepherds were treated with contempt and mistrust.
10. They were suspected of stealing from others and would often confuse “thine” with “mine.”
11. Their testimony was never allowed in court because they were so unreliable.
12. Shepherds were known to be brash and bold.
13. They were outcasts living out in the fields away from society made them unappealing to most people.
14. Most of them had foul mouths and were ready to fight at the drop of a hat.
15. Shepherds were unlikely candidates for the greatest "Light Show" and revelation the world has ever seen or heard.
Receiving Christmas Gifts, cont. p.2
First awesome Gift-Promise received by the shepherds:
I. FREEDOM FROM FEAR - Verse 10a
"Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people."
“Do not be afraid. . .”
A. We have become a Generation of Fear
1. Islamist evangelists introduce their religion of fear in 9/11
2. We've been looking over our shoulder ever since
3. "Generation Y" the twenty-somethings are anxious
a. Health Insurance that will bankrupt them
b. Stock Market Instability
c. Loss of Job security
d. IRS Audit
4. Fear of not having ENOUGH of the stuff of life
B. Jesus has come with His choice to Bless You - Jeremiah 29:11
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD,
thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.”
C. Jesus promises never to leave us – Hebrews 13:5b
"I will never leave you nor forsake you."
1. Children of Israel in the wilderness – Exodus 13:21,22
“And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to
lead the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light,
so as to go by day and night. He did not take away the pillar
of cloud by day or the pillar of fire by night from before the
people.”
2. His Promised Presence was with them
B. Jesus extends the same promise to us – Matt. 28:20b
“surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
Second awesome Gift-Promises received by the shepherds
II. THE JOY OF SALVATION Verse 10b
"Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people."
“I bring you tidings of great joy. . .”
A. The Deadly Infection of Sin - Romans 3:23
"For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God."
1. Sin is "missing the mark"
2. Adam and Eve's choice to disobey brought imperfection
3. McGuffey's Reader quote
"Through Adam's Fall we sinned all."
B. God sent His Son to save us from our sins - Matthew 1:21
"And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He
will save His people from their sins."
1. That's a message that brings Great Joy
2. Jesus has come to save us from our sins
Receiving Christmas Gifts, cont. p.3
C. The Bannock, Montana Gold Prospector's Strike
1. Vowed secrecy, but their beaming faces betrayed them
2. Joy is obvious to all and impossible to conceal
D. Here's a Christmas Gift you can enjoy now: Joy!
Third awesome Gift-Promise received by the shepherds
III. ETERNAL PEACE - Verses 13,14
"And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: 14 “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”
A. No real peace in the world
1. 1900's - More than 20 world-wide conflicts involving war
2. No decade has been w/o war or conflict in hundreds of years
B. Jesus warned us in the world there would be trouble - John 16:33
"These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the
world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the
world."
1. Please note that our peace is not in "Things"
2. Our Peace is in Him
C. The Apostle Paul understood God's Peace first hand - Phil. 4:6,7 "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with
thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of
God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds
through Christ Jesus."
1. Jesus ends the war in my mind and heart - Romans 5:1
"Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God
through our Lord Jesus Christ,"
2. I am at peace because He has come
3. The Unexpected Christmas Gift
RECEIVING CHRISTMAS GIFTS
Luke 2:1-20
New King James Version
Christ Born of Mary
2 And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. 3 So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city.
4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife,[a] who was with child. 6 So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
Glory in the Highest
8 Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And behold,[b] an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. 10 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:
14 “Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”[c]
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.” 16 And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. 17 Now when they had seen Him, they made widely[d] known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. 18 And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.
THEIR BEAMING FACES BETRAYED THEM
A group of prospectors set out from Bannock, Montana in search of gold. They went through many hardships, and several of their little company died en route. Defeated, discouraged and downhearted, the prospectors headed back to the city. As they tethered out the limping ponies on a creek side, one of the men casually picked up a little stone from the creek bed. He called to his buddy for a hammer and upon cracking the rock, he said, “It looks as though there may be gold here.” The two of them panned gold the rest of the afternoon and managed to realize twelve dollars worth. The entire little company panned gold the next day in the same creek and realized fifty dollars, a great sum in those days. They said to one another; “We’ve struck it rich!” But they needed more equipment and supplies to finish mining the gold, so they saddled up and headed back to Bannock vowing not to breathe a word concerning this gold strike. They secretively set about reequipping themselves with supplies for another prospecting trip. When they got ready to go back, they were surprised to find three hundred men following them. Who had told them? No one! The writer of the book accounted thus for the incident: “Their beaming faces betrayed the secret!”*
You can’t keep joy a secret. If you have it, it shows. Do you have joy this morning?
UNEXPECTED CHRISTMAS GIFT
All you have to do is unwrap the gift.
Dr. James Dobson relates a story of an elderly woman named Stella Thornhope who was struggling with her first Christmas alone. Her husband had died just a few months prior from cancer. Now, several days before Christmas, she felt terribly alone—so much so she decided she was not going to decorate for Christmas.
Late that afternoon the doorbell rang, and there was a delivery boy with a box. He said, "Mrs. Thornhope?" She nodded. He said, "Would you sign here?" As she signed the paper she asked, "What’s in the box?" The young man laughed and opened up the flap, and inside was a little puppy. The delivery boy picked up the squirming pup and explained, "This is for you, Ma’am. He’s six weeks old, completely housebroken." The young puppy began to wiggle in happiness at being released from captivity. "Who sent this?" Mrs. Thornhope asked.
The young man set the animal down and handed her an envelope and said, "It’s all explained here in this envelope, Ma’am. The dog was bought last July while its mother was still pregnant. It was meant to be a Christmas gift to you." In desperation she again asked, "Who sent me this puppy?" As the young man turned to leave, he said, "Your husband, Ma’am. Merry Christmas."
She opened up the letter from her husband. He had written it three weeks before he died and left it with the kennel owners to be delivered with the puppy as his last Christmas gift to her. The letter was full of love and encouragement and admonishments to be strong. He vowed he was waiting for the day when she would join him. He had sent her this young animal to keep her company until then.
She wiped away the tears, put the letter down, and then remembering the puppy at her feet, she picked up that golden furry ball and held it to her neck. Then she looked out the window at the lights that outlined the neighbor’s house, and she heard from the radio in the kitchen the strains of "Joy to the World, the Lord has Come." Suddenly Stella felt the most amazing sensation of peace washing over her. Her heart felt a joy and a wonder greater than the grief and loneliness.
"Little fella," she said to the dog, "it’s just you and me. But you know what? There’s a box down in the basement I’ll bet you’d like. It’s got a little Christmas tree in it and some decorations and some lights. And there’s a manger scene down there. Let’s go get it." -
God sent His Son to be born in Bethlehem to give you some special gifts---freedom from fear, the joy of salvation, peace that lasts. You don’t have to wait any longer to open those gifts—you can come this morning, hold out your empty hands, and He will fill them. Won’t you come unwrap the gifts He has for you today?
WHY SHEPHERDS?
God often chooses the overlooked, outcasts
I read the story this week, of a woman who was shamed and brought closer to God by someone the world would over look.
“We were the only family with children in the restaurant. I sat Erik in a high chair and noticed everyone was quietly eating and talking. Suddenly, Erik squealed with glee and said “Hi There.” He wiggled and giggled with merriment at a man with a tattered rag of a coat, dirty, greasy, and worn. His pants were baggy, with a zipper at half mast and his toes poked of would-be shoes. His shirt was dirty and his hair was uncombed and unwashed. His whiskers were not quite a beard and varicose charted a complex map across his nose.
We were too far to smell him, but I’m sure he smelled. His hands waved at my baby “Hi there, baby; hi there, big boy. I see ya, buster,” the man said to Erik. My husband and I didn’t know what to do. Erik continued to laugh and answer, “Hi, Hi There.”
Our meal finally came, and the drunken geezer began shouting across the room “Do you know patty cake? Do you know peek-a-boo? Hey look, he knows peek-a-boo.” No one thought the old man was cute. My husband and I were embarrassed. Erik, on the other hand was running through his repertoire of tricks all of which were admired by the bum.
We finally got through the meal. My husband went to pay, Erik and I headed for the door. The old man was poised between me and the door. I uttered a prayer “Lord just let me out of here before he speaks to me or Erik.”
As I drew close the man, I turned my back trying to side-step him and avoid any air he might be breathing. As I did Erik leaned over my arm, reaching with both arms in a baby’s ‘pick-me-up’ position.
Before I could stop him, Erik had propelled himself from my arms to the man’s. Erik in an act of total trust, love and submission laid his tiny head upon the man’s ragged shoulder. The man’s eyes closed and I saw tears hover beneath his lashes. His aged hands, full of grime, pain, and hard labor gently, so gently, cradled my baby’s bottom and stroked his back.
The old man rocked and cradled Erik in his arms for a moment and then his eyes opened and set squarely on mine. He said in a firm, commanding voice, “You take care of this baby.” Somehow I managed “I will” from a throat that contained a stone. I received my baby and the man said “God bless you ma’am you’ve given me my Christmas gift.”
I ran to the car. My husband wondered why I was crying and saying “My God, my God, forgive me.
The ragged old man, unwittingly had reminded me “To enter the Kingdom of God we must become as little children.”
It reminds me of the little girl who misquoted John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only forgotten Son.”
Mary captured this in her song recorded in Luke 1:52:
“He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble.”
Paul said it this way in 1 Corinthians 1:26-29:
“Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth…He chose the lowly things of the world and the despised things…so that no one may boast before Him.”
I love what Corrie Ten Boom once said:
“If Jesus were born one thousand times in Bethlehem and not in me, then I would still be lost.”
It’s time today to make sure that Jesus is born in you.
http://www.sermoncentral.com/sermons/the-shepherds-joy-about-jesus-brian-bill-sermon-on-christmas-advent-99751.asp?Page=1
MEN'S MOCK TURTLENECK
Size 2X - Color Dark Blue
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PHIL’S AMAZON GIFT LIST:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/wishlist/ref=gno_listpop_wi
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