WELCOME: to Central Church of Christ. As we shift from a wonderful Christmas season to thinking about the new year of 2022, we want to focus on New Beginnings and Psalm 119 is the perfect place to begin!

II Timothy 3:16-17 “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

James 1:22 “Be doers of the Word and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.”  (And Luke 6:46)

Matthew 7:24-27 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”

1 Blessed are they whose ways are blameless,

    who walk according to the law of the Lord.

9 How can a young man keep his way pure?

    By living according to your word.

10 I seek you with all my heart;

    do not let me stray from your commands.

11 I have hidden your word in my heart

    that I might not sin against you.

Matthew 15:18-20 “But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man ‘unclean.’ For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. These are what make a man ‘unclean’; but eating with unwashed hands does not make him ‘unclean.’”

Hebrews 11:24-26 “By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter.  He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time. He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward.”

Titus 2:11-14 “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.”

Psalm 119:11 “Thy Word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against you.”

2 Blessed are they who keep his statutes and seek him with all their heart.

James 1:16-17 “Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”

Ephesians 1:3 “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.” 

14 I rejoice in following your statutes as one rejoices in great riches. 

http://www.pecangrovechurch.com/people/robert-reid/

ILL.- The Anvil of God’s Word

Last eve I passed beside a blacksmith’s door

And heard the anvil ring the vesper chime;

When looking in, I saw upon the floor,

Old hammers worn with beating years of time.

“How many anvils have you had,” said I,

“To wear and batter these hammers so?”

“Just one,” said he; then with a twinkling eye,

“The anvil wears the hammers out, you know.”

And so, I thought, the anvil of God’s Word,

For ages, skeptics blows have beat upon;

Yet, though the noise of falling blows was heard,

The anvil is unharmed – the hammers gone.

~ John Clifford

John Clifford has poetically explained what the good Lord taught 2600 years ago:

‘Is not my word like fire,’ declares the Lord, ‘and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces?’ (Jeremiah 23:29)

Christmas Prep4: A Grateful Hope

Scripture Reading: Luke 2:33-38

INTRO: A Hopeful Invitation

https://jimdaly.focusonthefamily.com/a-story-of-presidential-kindness/

WELCOME: to Central: Week 4 of Christmas Prep

            Week 1: Repentence – God prepared the Christmas story with John the Baptist first.

            Week 2: Deep and Abiding Faith – God prepared for Christmas with Mary making at least 8 references to God Almighty –  instead of references to a cute baby.

            Week 3: Humility – Do you have a humble heart that makes room for Jesus?

            Week 4: Grateful Hope!

Luke 2:25-26  “there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for (anticipating) the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit, that he would not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.”

Luke 2:38  “she began to give thanks to God and to speak of (Jesus) to all who were waiting for (anticipating) the redemption of Jerusalem.”

YES IMPORTANT! BUT THEY WERE! They were important to God! And do you know HOW I know they were important to God? God told us their names… and He told us what they said. Their lives mattered because God said they mattered.

God says that Simeon was “righteous and devout” (Luke 2:25). 

            https://www.shinesty.com/products/western-ugly-christmas-suit – 

            Devoted – https://www.thescore.com/news/1973115

 Anna was an 84 year old widow who “did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day.” (Luke 2:37) Anna was always at the Temple, and she COMMITTED herself to fasting… and to praying night and day.

This is my story, this is my song

I have a hope that’s stronger then the dust I’m standing on

This is my anchor, my cornerstone

This is the anthem I’ll be singing, till the Kingdom comes

I am committed, I’m not ashamed

I pledge my allegiance to Jesus, My King

I am committed, got nothing to hide

I’m not giving up, not selling out, I’m in this for life

I am committed, to Christ

https://abcnews.go.com/Business/salvation-army-bells-noise-complaint/story?id=17780903

ILLUS: CHRISTMAS WISH LIST! 10 year old girl.

 https://www.boredpanda.com/10-year-old-christmas-gift-wish-list/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=organic

  When Anna saw Jesus “she began to give thanks to God and to speak of (Jesus) to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.” Luke 2:38

‘Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the earth,

Every creature was stirring, awaiting a birth.

The time for Messiah was certainly near,

The prophets foretold it; the Bible was clear.

From the book of beginnings, the very first sin,

God’s word made it clear how His grace entered in.

Born of a virgin, He’d come as a man.

The Creator among us, the time was at hand.

The stars were arranged to show marvelous things,

Setting Wise Men to journey and find the true King.

Shepherds in Bethlehem gazed on the sky,

Longing to see him, their Lord the Most High.

How could they know that the very next night

An angel of God would speak words of delight?

How the Savior was born, it was news of great joy.

In a cloth and a manger they’d find the dear boy.

And a heavenly host would soon join to sing

Of the glory of God and of wonderful things.

He entered creation, set position aside

To show us how deeply his love did abide.

Sin sent us away from our almighty Lord.

He became one of us that we might be restored.

He’s the Prince of our Peace; He’s the one who makes whole.

He is Wisdom Incarnate, a Shepherd of Souls.

He’s the Author of Life; He’s the Ruler of All.

He can offer salvation, on His name we call.

The shepherds and Wise Men would bow to adore

Holy God among men, our greatest reward.

All glory and honor is due to this King.

Let all join in worship; let every tongue sing.

Jesus is Lord, all creation proclaims.

He’s the first and last, He is always the same.

History turned on the first Christmas day,

When God became man in a humble display.

As we think of the manger in which He was laid,

Let our hearts welcome Him to the world He made!

Luke 2:1-7

 “I don’t have room for you in the hotel, but I’d love to have you come in for milk and cookies.”

WELCOME To Central Church of Christ.  Week 3.  Put more time into decorating your souls for the coming of the Christ than decorating your house for the coming of Christmas.

            Week 1: Repentence – God prepared the Christmas story with John the Baptist first.

            Week 2: Deep and Abiding Faith – God prepared for Christmas with Mary making at least 8 references to God Almighty –  instead of references to a cute baby.

 Oprah Dealing with Family Disfunction– Rooted in Biblical Principals – https://www.oprah.com/omagazine/dealing-with-a-dysfunctional-family-during-the-holidays/all