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Church notes - December 2017
1 Chronicles 16:23 -27

Psalm 42
Big Questions - The Psalmist is distressed
vs 2, 3
What is going on?
Not questions of disrespect
Questions of genuine confusion
Deep down God hasn't forgotten him, it just feels like it.
- Look at the world today!
- Despair from grief
- Relationship breakdown
The world tries to get answers
- Despair
- - distract yourself!
- - give up!
Very short sighted answers
God does care
He is interested in all the big and small things in your life.

Three actions
Remember
The presence and faithfulness of God.
vs 4
God was present in the past. He is present in the here and now.
vs 6 - 8
Painting a picture of his life.
- Feeling like he's drowning?
Feelings - like their's no hope.
Knowledge of the truth
- Remembering God's Character and Actions

Preach
Preaching to yourself God's truth
Battle between the mind and spirit.
Don't let the Devil infiltrate your feelings
We need to be waiting patiently upon God's timing.

Isaiah 40:31

Not a peaceful Psalm, a desperate situation
We need to see our need for Him as a necessity.
- An Instinct

Jonathan Edwards - "The Enjoyment of God is the only happyness with which our souls are satisfied."

vs 11


10th December
Psalm 23

Hope - The hope of Jesus' Return

Journey of Hope
Matthew 2:1 - 12
The Magi journeyed to find the Saviour.

Wise Men Still Seek Him
A journey of hope - they were yearning for Him.
No matter where we are today, we are invited to worship.
Mary didn't understand everything, but she treasured it in her heart.

A romanticised picture
- But there's a dark underbelly
- Herod's jelousy! He wanted to maintain power.
- So Mary and Joseph had to flee to Egypt!

Isaiah 7:14
Isaiah 9:2

A period of waiting
(A contrast to our 'instant gratification' culture!)
The wait reminds us of what our hope is. We also wait for the ultimate fulfillment, of His Return.

Revelation 7:15 - 17


17th December
Isaiah 9
Luke 1:24 - 36

Communion
Mark 13:33 - 39

Sermon - Joy to the World
The Lord is Come - a source of joy.
Luke 2:8 - 10
The Good News causes great joy. But this time of year is filled with anxiety for most people.
No lasting joy other than in the person of Jesus Christ. He came into this world.
God displaces our fears and anxieties
Psalm 98
It speaks of a Saviour coming
A new and conditional love.
Breaking News of great joy. Fullness of joy in Jesus' Presence.

Through the joy of Jesus the circumstances of our lives can be redeemed. This joy flows from the fact that Jesus has achieved victory over sin and death.
Repentance - thinking and acting differently.
Are you saying a default 'no' to Jesus.

Because they're aware of the joy, things looked different to the sheperds.

Revelation 4:8


24th December
2017 was a 'train wreck'! But there is Good News!
We need to have the right posture before God.
Total humility before God.
Dancing with all our might.
Fall on your knees
A vulnerable position
Drinking in the wonder of Christ coming to Save us from our sins.
The thrill of life - hands out to receive the gift of forgiveness.
Pointing to the future with a sense of hope.
We are caught up in the wonder of Salvation,


Christmas
Psalm 98:1 - 6

'Joy to the World': https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HDAUPz2RohU

Luke 2:8 - 20

'O Little Town of Bethlehem': https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2vc4CexxlX8

God wants you to be in a good mood.
If the Spirit is in you, you should radiate positivity.
Jesus came into the world to affect the collective mood.
Joy to the world, the Lord has come, let Earth receive it's King.
vs 3 of Joy to the World
- Genesis 3 - the Curse
He comes to make his blessings flow
The shepherds returned praising God.
Angels - Always happy
- singing the announcement of Jesus' birth.
Luke 1:41
Unborn John joyed to be in the presence of Jesus
Herod lived his life in imagined threat and grumpiness

Being critical of oneself
- Anxious mulling instead of joyeous giving.

Thank the Lord - His mercies are new every day.

Long lay the world in sin and ever pining
Till He appeared and soul felt its worth.

The great value God sees in you.
Hebrews 4:3
The Israelites fear prevented their entry into the Promised Land.
Come Thou long expected Jesus born to save

Worship Jesus in your problems
Joseph - Mary was pregnant!
Mary - Pregnant out of wedlock
Jesus - Herod trying to kill him.

James 1:2

When problems come - say 'Problem! I consider it all joy in Jesus' Name!'

Jesus has overcome death.

O Little town of Bethlehem
---
The hope and fears of all of us.

In the person of Jesus, there is hope of salvation, to walk into Eternity in the presence of the Father

Isaiah 9:6, 7

'Oh, come all ye faithful': https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xzG4OOCoG2Y

2 Corinthians 1:20


31 December
1 Corinthians 15:51 - 58
'This is Thankful' - Don't Worry
The Case For Christ
The Resurrection - If it isn't true, everything else in Christianity would be like a house of cards.
If the Resurrection is true...
vs 57
A Declaration of New Life in Jesus
The fact that Jesus has saved us from death should be cause for celebration from day to day.
vs58
Be focused and firm on the Truth.
Don't let any aspect of the world distract you from the truth.

What sin in your own life do you need to stand against. eg impatience.
But we also need to stand against legalism.
We need to fully imerse ourselves in God's work. Fill your days with things that count for Christ.
New Life is a gift that is freely given. But there is a time limit! Judgement is coming.
Living for Jesus in our relationships.