The Mountaintop

 

    When you are on the mountaintop, it is time to prepare for the Valley.  You spent a lot of time and energy to get to the mountaintop.  You appreciate the view and enjoy your time at the top, but you have to go back down eventually.  The best way to prepare is to listen to God's voice.

    When Jesus was on the mountaintop with Peter, John, & James, it was life changing.  Jesus transfigured before their eyes.  Moses and Elijah came for a visit.  It was like a dream that could terrify or exhilarate a person.  It is enough to make you flee to never want to leave that moment.  For those three it was pretty much a perfect day.

    The things is that Jesus almost always had the twelve apostles with him at all times.  Why did he only take three this time?  Maybe they were the only three ready for the experience.  Maybe they were the only three that needed it at that time.  We may never know, but God did choose those three to experience that mountaintop with him.  They got to experience something special and then they had to go back to their "normal" lives.  (How normal could life be to live life with Jesus?)

    We have those spiritual high moments.  We all experience mountaintops.  We all have feelings that we don't want things to change, but reality is that we can't stay on the mountaintop.  Do not try to hold on out of fear of the unknown. Choose obedience and walk in strong faith.  God is bigger than any unknown.  He has control, so you can walk in confidence.

    Jezebel wanted to kill all of God's prophets, but God protected them.  The mountaintops are great, but they can take a lot out of you when you walk off the mountain top.  Elijah hit major depression.  We all need to take time to recover from the journey, but never forget there is work to be done in the valley too.  Remember there is always an order of progression.

    Are you willing to show up when it is not where you may want to be in life?  The journey is very hard at times, but if you endure then the reward is worth it.  If you obediently make it to the mountaintop, then you may just see God's power in a new way.  You may just experience the impossible.  If you walk in faith, then people can experience God through your life.

1 Kings 18:26-36, Matthew 9:18-34, & Luke 9:28-36

On the Mountain Top

 

    When you are on the mountain top you see great things.  This is literal and metaphoric.  The journey to the mountain top takes work.  It prepares you for what is to come.  When you get to the top you appreciate the journey.  When it is a spiritual journey the most important thing is that you receive and follow God's instructions.  It will keep you out of all kinds of trouble that could prevent you from getting to the mountain top and receiving your blessing.

    Immanuel means God is with us.  Christmas is a mountain top, but to truly appreciate it, you need to put some thought, preparation time, and remembrance into the journey.  God is really with us.  He sent His son to us because He loves us.  We should get excited about that.  It is exciting that the Holy Spirit lives life with us.  We are never alone in the journey, but we can still have peace, quiet, and stillness.

    God is in every aspect of life.  As long as we live, He is there.  He meets us where we are in the journey when we are ready to meet Him.  He takes a lot of the load off our shoulders and travels with us.  He helps us grow.  It is our choice to journey throughout life alone or with Jesus.

    Free will is one of the best gifts that God gave us, but it is one that can get us in a lot of trouble if we don't handle it responsibly.  God is the Lord over our hearts or Satan is.  Either way you have someone ruling your heart.  You travel with God or you travel with Satan.  It is your choice and you can't blame anyone else for where the destination takes you.

    Jesus came into this world to deliver us from Satan's control.  Believe it or not, you need God.  You need Him in every aspect of your life: the valleys, the journey, and the mountain top.  Like it or not, you are never alone.  He is there until the final moment, but you can journey your whole like like you are alone by ignoring Him.  It is your choice.  Remember this Christmas why Jesus came.  He came for you and enjoy the mountain top with him.  Do not be afraid to take that journey.

Exodus 34:1-11, 1 Kings 18:26-39, Proverbs 21:31, & Matthew 1:20-23

Fourth Advent Sunday

 

    On the forth advent Sunday all four of the purple candles are lit.  It is where hope, peace, and joy come together with love.  The forth advent Sunday is known as the Angel's Candle Sunday.  It represents God's love for people.  It was made clear with Him giving us His son to live as one of us.  The message of God's love was given by the angels.  This is the last Sunday to prepare for Christmas and the joy it can bring.  It is time to reflect on what God gave to us freely knowing Jesus would be sacrificed to forgive the sins of the world.  

    Some churches have a Christmas Eve or Christmas Day service.  If that is the case there is normally a white candle in the middle of the advent candle wreath.  This is the Christ candle.  At the beginning of the service all four of the purple candles are lit and then the big white one in the middle.  It represents Jesus' arrival into the world.  This candle is optional, but it does bring a since of completion to the scene.

    Jesus' birth was a show of God's mighty power.  He put all of Jesus' power into a small baby to live as a human.  He did that so we have the opportunity to salvation.  The other options is to endure God's anger and be lost forever.

    People walk in darkness without hope until Jesus came.  He became the beacon of hope lighting up the world.  We should rejoice instead of being depressed.  He showed us the way to live life in the light and freed us from the power of darkness.  He was born to govern, show us peace, and live out love.

    Bethlehem was only a small village.  It is like going to a small town and not even really realizing you are in a town.  Nothing really made Bethlehem stand out until Jesus was born.  Mary giving birth in that town freed the world from the abandonment to their enemies.  Jesus represented strength and majesty, but like Bethlehem the world didn't recognize how special he really was.  He is the source of peace.  He watches over his people.

    Mary praised God for her son.  Her spirit rejoiced in him.  Her accepting to be the mother of Jesus gave blessings to the world.  He is mighty and did great things.  He is merciful, but should be feared by the haughty and proud.  He is power.  He can do anything, but he exalts the humble.  He fed the hungry and too care of the poor and sick.  He makes it where your hands are never empty.  This Christmas be merciful in remembrance of Jesus.  

    Jesus came into this world to save lives.  He became the final sacrifice, so God's animals would no longer have to be butchered for our selfish desires to sin.  Jesus came to do the will of God as it had been promised since the beginning of time.  He will return one day to finish that promise.  His life and death canceled the blood covenant to be replaced by the faith covenant.  

Psalm 80:1-7, Isaiah 9:2-7, Micah 5:2-5, Luke 1:46-55, & Hebrews 10:5-10

Third Advent Sunday

 

    The third advent Sunday is called Gaudete Sunday.  Gaudete is Latin for Rejoice.  The third advent Sunday represents rejoicing.  You have found hope and peace, now you find the joy in Christmas.  The joy comes from the announcement that Jesus was born.  Your joy in the good news that you can have salvation if you just accept it.  Find your joy in the fact the He is returning.

    When you are in the darkness and you see a light, it is Jesus.  He brings light to the darkest places.  His light brings rejoicing.  His presence on Earth broke the burden of slavery to sin.  He broke the oppressor's control where it can't destroy you anymore.  God sent His son to show us a better way.  His peace never ends.  His rule is fair, just, and passionate.

    One day all Christians will all rejoice and thrive when Jesus returns.  His birth brought singing and joy.  God's glory was given to the world for a while.  This is the good news.  Do not be afraid, but find strength in the truth.  Jesus came to free you.  Believe and have your eyes opened and ears unplugged.  Rejoice in the truth.

    Jesus' birth brought overwhelming joy.  His life, death, and resurrection brought freedom to be able to have salvation.  He dresses his followers in righteousness.  He is justice brought to the world.  Rejoice in His righteousness when you understand your freedom.

    The night Jesus was born, there were some shepherds in a nearby field watching over their sheep.  Suddenly an angel appeared to them telling them not to be afraid, but rejoice because he brought joyful news.  The savior, their Messiah, had been born that night.  The angel then gave them the sign to be able to find Jesus and what to look for once they arrived.

    When you suffer for following Jesus remember the value in it.  You have been called by God to live a humble and gentle life.  Be patient with people and make allowances for their faults because you love like Jesus.  Make every effort to live in peace and work as one body with fellow Christians.  You have been called to a glorious hope: Jesus.  You have your faith in the truth and that is enough to rejoice no matter the circumstances.

Isaiah 9:2-7, 35:1-6, 61:10, Luke 2:8-12, & Philippians 4:1-6

Second Advent Sunday

 

    The count down to Christmas is about anticipation and preparation.  The second Advent Sunday is about peace.  It is about making space for Jesus in our lives, so not to get caught up in the world wind of events.  It is a reminder to pray for peace in our hearts, families, communities, nations, and the world.  

    On the second advent Sunday you relight the first candle and then you light the second candle to emphasis faith and hope in Jesus' coming.  This is the Sunday that is typically focused on John the Baptist and his reaction to Jesus.  Preachers will point out how Jesus' birth includes Gentiles in having the opportunity for salvation.  

    God told Malachi that He was sending a messenger to prepare a way before me.  This was 400 years before John the Baptist or Jesus were born.  The savior that the Jews were seeking will suddenly come to his temple.  How will the people endure?  Who will be able to face him?  He came to purify, so that we can be acceptable to God.  Jesus came to make things right.

    Praise God for redemption.  Praise God for Jesus, the mighty savior.  God is merciful by never forgetting His promises.  He sent John to prepare the way and Jesus to be the savior.  Jesus is the light, our salvation, and forgiver of sins.  God's tender mercy was proven through Jesus.  Jesus came to guide us to the path of peace and hope.

    When you pray thank God and make request in joy.  Pray for the people spreading the Good News.  Pray for those that defend and confirm the truth.  God knows how much you love Jesus and the world sees it in your compassion.  Pray that your love overflows and that you keep growing in your knowledge and understanding.  Grow in your faith to live pure and blameless lives.  Pray the the fruits of your salvation thrive and bring God the glory.

    Do not forget that a day can be like a thousand years for people.  God is not slow to keep His promises, but He is patient.  He wants everyone to repent and gives us time, but the day of the Lord is coming.  On that day everything will be destroyed and remade.  The world will be filled with God's righteousness.  While you wait make every effort to live in peace.  Live in purity and blameless while remembering Gog's patience.  Don't lose your footing.  

Malachi 3:1-4, Luke 1:68-79, Philippians 1:3-11, & 2 Peter 3:8-18

First Advent Sunday

 

    There are four advent Sundays in December and all have their own meaning.  Each week a candle is lit.  There are normally three or four purple or red candles and one white.  The first advent Sunday is the opening of the Christmas Season for Christians.  It opens with anticipation and preparation for celebrating Christ's birth.  Many churches will decorate the sanctuary while getting a message at the same time on hope.  

    It opens up with the first of four candles being lit.  The mind set is to get prepared with expectation, reflection, and remembering hope of what Christmas brings.  The day was chosen to remind the world that Jesus was born and presented to the world to bring good unto everyone.

    The church normally hang evergreens to represent peace, joy, and victory.  It indicates that Christ has entered the home.  Holly represents a drop of Jesus' blood as you bring Christmas into the home.  While the Christmas tree is lit.  The beauty it presents reminds us of the tree of Life.  It has become a central ornament of Christmas.  Poinsettias represent the flaming star.  It was introduced to the American culture in 1828.  It is the flower of the Holy Night to symbolize the star of Bethlehem.  

    The last piece of decoration is the nativity scene which is not at all accurate to the story, but a very nice reminder all the same.  It speaks of the mystery of God's Wisdom revealed in Jesus' birth.  It represents God reaching out to all people as Jesus comes to people at their level.  

    Christmas gifts are gifts that we give to people and charity work we do to honor Jesus' birth.  It is about Him and not so much about the people that we give to.  We give out of love not material things.  God gave the world His greatest treasure.  We can give back something to express our gratitude of Jesus being our gift from God.  He is the whole point of the holiday season and Christmas tradition.

    The point is that Jesus became the light of the world when he was born.  He leads us out of darkness if we let him.  He releases us from our slavery and saves us from our oppressor.  Jesus is Christ, Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and prince of peace that brought hope into this dark world.  He is the promise that God gave to the world.  He is the salvation to all who believe and the terror of all who reject.

Psalm 122, Isaiah 9:2-6, Jeremiah 33:14-16, Luke 21:25-28, 34-36, & 1 Corinthians 3:5-9

Law of Grace in Tithing

 

    Under the Law of Grace it is a requirement to give a tithe to follow Jesus.  It is listed under the sermon of Woes as the fifth woe.  Tithing falls under the Law of Justice with mercy and faithfulness.  It means that Christians should tithe on everything: giving to the government, faith led by the Holy Spirit, mercy, money, time, attention, things, and energy.

    We all need money to survive, but not acknowledging where the money comes from steals all meaning from the blessing.  To tithe is an action of obedience without neglecting the acts of daily Christian walk.

    Jesus commanded those that follow him to tithe.  It is a spiritual crime to neglect God with what you need to survive.  Tithing is the most elementary action of your Christian walk.  Attending Church without giving back means that you go to church for yourself, not to honor God.  Tithing from your income is basic, but as you mature you learn how to tithe with committing to the church and getting involved.

    Tithing without ever thinking about what you are giving back to God is a sign of a maturing Christian.  If you are looking at your tithe and thinking of better ways to use the money or time, then you still have a ways to go to become a mature Christian or you are backsliding.  

    Your heart condition on giving back to God defines how close you are to God.  God is your financial leader.  When you have a joyful attitude about giving, then you are blessed in ways that people may never see.  Tithing is common sense to true followers of Jesus.

    Do not give with the desire to be blessed or it goes no where.  Give your tithe as an act of love.  If you love God, then you are obedient to Him.  It is a way to display your love.  You do not have to make a spectacle of it.  

    In the world today, you can use your bank bill pay to give without anyone other than the church secretary knowing.  In the average church, only 20% of the people give.  Imagine what the church could do if the other 80% started to tithe.  

    Tithing is not to make the preacher rich, but we do have a responsibility to take care of our spiritual leaders.  They have a responsibility to God to handle the money for missions, church, survival, and helping the community.  The church needs to allow them to do as the Holy Spirit directs.  If they do not, then they will have to deal with God.  You be obedient and let them take care of their own spiritual well being.

Matthew 23:23-24, Romans 6:12-14, Galatians 3:21-22, Ephesians 2:8-10, & Titus 3:3-7