A THRILL OF HOPE

December 26, 2016 By Pastor David Stone

Strange how we can hear a song all our life and then suddenly one word or phrase jumps out at us and impresses our heart as never before. That’s what happen to me this week when the words “a thrill of hope” from “O Holy Night” caught my attention. That started a landslide of thoughts. While Christmas is thrilling to a lot of folks, especially children, it is a task to others. For them it becomes a burden rather than a blessing. That’s why we need to keep our focus on the true meaning of Christmas. It inspires hope!

If the world needs anything it is hope. I’m not talking about wishing. I’m talking about the hope that is mentioned in the Scriptures that speaks of absolute assurance, confidence, expectation, a firm conviction that our desires will be met. At this very moment there are those who are wondering where their next meal will come from, how they will pay their bills, or if God will heal their body, restore their marriage, or bring their wayward children back home. They are terrorized by fear and in need of hope.

The good news is that, although the character of the world won’t change, we can live in hope. Regardless of our circumstances we can know that our sins are forgiven, our home is in heaven, and that the grace of God will help us until we get there. Is that not thrilling? So as you worship our soon coming King and look forward to that “new and glorious morn” when He will reign over all the earth– rejoice! Remember, we are able to live in hope because Jesus came, was crucified, buried and raised from the dead. May that thought thrill your heart as never before! My prayer for you is what Paul expressed in Rom. 15:13 “Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost”. You don’t have to live without hope any longer! Christ is our hope (1 Tim. 1:1) and that gives us help and happiness!—HDS

THE MESSAGE OF CHRISTMAS

December 24, 2016 By Pastor David Stone

“That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.”–John 3:15—17

I heard about a family who was driving to church for a Christmas Eve service and singing Christmas songs. Each member was choosing a favorite that they all would sing. When it came to the youngest boy in the family, he said that his favorite Christmas song was “Jesus Loves Me.” While that’s not what we normally think of as a Christmas carol, it is certainly fully appropriate at Christmas and all through the year, for it sums up the message and meaning of Christmas perfectly.

This special time of year is a celebration, most of all, of God’s amazing love for us. We had nothing good in ourselves—no hope of salvation and no reason to expect grace. Yet the greatest love in the universe brought the very Son of God from Heaven’s throne to a manger, and then to a cross. The message of Christmas is the message of God’s love.

Jesus did not come to be praised and worshiped, though He is worthy of all praise. He did not come to take an earthly throne, though one day He will rule the world. Jesus came to provide us the gift of eternal life. He said, “Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:28). As you celebrate Christmas this year, remember that Jesus loves you, and that He loves the world. Then do all you can to share that love with those who have not yet received it. (Paul Chappell)

THE WISE MEN

December 24, 2016 By Pastor David Stone

“Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.” Matt. 2:1-2

Although little is recorded in the Bible about the wise men they receive a lot of attention every Christmas. There’s just something about their story that attracts attention. One pastor called their story “The first Star Trek”, but it was popular long before anyone ever heard of that. It seems that every preacher has in his sermon arsenal a message about the wise men.

There are a dozen different ways to construct an outline of their story, but this is what comes to my mind when I read Matt. 2:1-12.

I. THEIR SEARCH FOR GRATIFICATION

These men were held in high esteem by others but something was missing. Their worldly status could not satisfy. Even the rich and famous need Christ! Absolutely nothing can fill the void in man’s heart except Christ.

II. THEIR NEED FOR GUIDANCE–vs.2“…Where is he that is born King of the Jews?”

Here we find a reminder of the fact that we could never find Christ without God’s help. In their case it came not only in the form of a star, but also from others–even an unlikely instructor like Herod. Be thankful for those in your life you point you to Christ and provide spiritual direction–they are God-sent.

III. THEIR EXPRESSION OF GLADNESS— vs. 10 “When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.”

Their search was over! The thrill of hope was overwhelming, causing them to rejoice with “exceeding great joy“. How could you do otherwise. When God brings you to the One who is altogether lovely it is only natural that you have joy unspeakable and full of glory!

IV. THEIR SENSE OF GRATITUDE— vs. 11 “And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.”

Being in His presence stirred them to worship, which include the giving of gifts. How can we give less than our best to the One who gave all for us?

The great need in churches today is to make Christ known. When the church atmosphere is what it should be sinners will take note of God’s presence (1 Cor. 14:23-25). I pray that you will attend church this Christmas and that you will sense His presence and worship Him in spirit and truth.

THE FIRST CHRISTMAS TREE

December 22, 2016 By Pastor David Stone

Matt. 1:1-17 just might be the most unread section of the N. T. Genealogies just don’t interest most people, but it hasn’t been that way. In ancient times people often memorized their genealogy because it related to their privileges, obligations, and inheritance. While I’m not all that interested in my genealogy I am very much concerned with the lineage of Jesus. You could say, “His genealogy was the first Christmas tree!” That is of interest to me because it reminds me that God uses people.

God uses faithful people. Notice the notable names mentioned here who are mentioned elsewhere as being faithful–Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, David, Solomon, Asa, Jehoshaphat, Hezekiah, Josiah, etc. If you are faithful you can rest assured God will use you!

God uses fallen people. God doesn’t pull any punches. He tells it like it is. He mentions the bad as well as the good, the failures as well as the faithful–Judah, Rahab, Rehoboam, Ahab, Manasseh. God even uses people who do not realize they are being used–people who don’t even see themselves as God’s servants.

God uses forgotten people. As you read through this list you see names of people you’ve probably never heard of–people you don’t know anything about. But, there they are–branches on the first Christmas tree, each a part of the glorious plan to bring Christ into the world so as to meet man’s greatest need.

Make no mistake about it–you are here for a purpose. Nobody is a “nobody”. Everybody is a “somebody” as far as God is concerned. He has a plan for each person and fulfilling our part should serve as our purpose in life. Read through that list again and you will see that God is active, amazing, able, and available. None of us are in the genealogy leading up to the birth of Christ, but there is a place for all of us in God’s plan for the future. His grace made it possible for us to be accepted by the God of whom it may be said, “History is His-story”. You had nothing to do with bringing Christ into the world, but you can have a lot to do with Him coming into the heart of some poor lost sinner. Let us not fail to do our part in making Christ known.

SHEPHERDS & THE SHEPHERD

December 21, 2016 By Pastor David Stone

“And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.”–Luke 2:8-9

Viewed by the world, some people don’t seem to be very important. They have no unusual talent, notable title, honorable position, or anything that is admired by the masses. They just quietly go about their business without any fanfare, seeking no attention, and content with their lot in life. That seems to describe the shepherds to whom the angel of the Lord appeared. And regardless of what good qualities they might possess they were often looked upon with disdain by the people in that day. Some describe them as social outcast. Yet God had a plan for them. Amazingly they were among the first to receive the news of the Savior’s birth.

We could spend a lot of time trying to figure out God’s purpose in this and still have questions. Why was this not announced to the kings of the earth and those in authority, or the religious leaders, rather than these lowly shepherds? We’ll leave all that up to God–it is, after all, His business. I simply want you to see that God doesn’t always make the obvious choice and that He can use whoever He chooses–even you. You don’t have to be among the rich and famous, nor greatly talented, to be used of God. In fact not having those assets might be your best asset.– the main reason why God can use you.

No child of God should ever feel insignificant or useless. Just as God used the shepherds to tell others of Christ He can use you. Out of the depths of His wisdom and by means of His great power, God is able to use the foolish, weak, base, and despised things for His glory. Even if you are uneducated, untalented, poor, in ill health, and unloved by others there is nothing to prevent God from using you except your will. Give your imperfect self to the perfect One who gave Himself for you. The greatness of His gift should motivate you to give your best to the One who gave all. In giving yourself you will gain a sense of satisfaction greater than anything the world can give.–HDS

A THRILL OF HOPE

THE MESSAGE OF CHRISTMAS

THE WISE MEN

THE FIRST CHRISTMAS TREE

SHEPHERDS & THE SHEPHERD

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