AN EXCELLENT EXAMPLE

December 20, 2016 By Pastor David Stone

Matt. 1:18-25

Christmas is a celebration of the birth of Christ, but it also serves to enlighten us regarding the unfolding of God’s plan to bring Christ into the world. Among the many lessons, we see Mary as a model mother and Joseph as an excellent example. Greatness is not always recognized, but when you realize that out of all the men on earth God chose Joseph to be a father to His Son you know there is something special about a man like that. I believe he serves as an excellent example for all those who would serve the Lord. Considering what we’re told about his character we would be wise to consider his story.

I. HIS DISCOVERY— Matt. 1:18

Upon Mary’s return from her visit with Elisabeth, Joseph discovered that she is pregnant. Imagine what a devastating blow that shocking discovery would be! Having your dreams shattered like that would be difficult to deal with. In this we see a harsh commentary on life. Things don’t always happen as we plan or expect. So, what do you do when your dream turns into a nightmare?

II. HIS DILEMMA— Matt. 1:19-23

A. His Reasoning–vs. 19. He could have stoned her, but he decided to give her a bill of divorcement as allowed in Deut. 24:1. However, not wanting to hurt her or embarrass her he reasoned it would be best to deal with the matter privately. Remember, at this point he didn’t have all the facts and was unaware of the fact that God was at work behind the scenes.

B. His Revelation– vs. 20-23. It came while he was thinking (vs. 20). Fortunately he didn’t react without thinking as some do. As he was thinking, God shed light on the subject and revealed that this was a fulfillment of the O.T. prophecies.

III. HIS DECISION— Matt. 1:24

Armed with the facts Joseph made the wise choice. He embraced God’s plan and was properly married to Mary. He did so although he knew it would subject him to the scorn of unbelievers and the duties of fatherhood. He made this decision out of love for God and Mary– factors that should govern all our decisions.

IV. HIS DEDICATION— Matt. 1:25

This is revealed in his—

A. Attitude– which we just mentioned.

B. Abstinence– Knowing she was to be a virgin, he complied with God’s plan. He was willing to deny himself to please God. That’s what true greatness is all about.

C. Announcement– “he called his name JESUS”

This was an act of obedience that required courage and confidence–faith in God.

D. Actions afterward– He fulfilled his role as a father and carried out his God-given mission. Read on and you will see the qualities that made him an excellent example for all of us. He was just (vs. 19), compassionate (vs. 19), prudent (vs. 20), obedient (vs. 24), courageous (vs. 24), disciplined (vs. 25), a man of faith (vs.25), and committed (2:13-15).

God has given to each of us a work to do and if we make ourselves available He will make us able. There is a place in God’s plans for each of us, if we will but submit ourselves to Him. Here is an excellent example, the rest is up to you. You can receive it or reject it, but you cannot escape being responsible for your choice.–HDS

A MODEL MOTHER

December 19, 2016 By Pastor David Stone

In this day of decadence we need role models as never before. For mothers there can be no better model than Mary. Although there is much misinformation about her that has caused much confusion and serious error, the Bible presents her as she should be seen and explains why she should be seen as a role model.

I. HER CALL— Luke 1:30-33

The appearance of the angel Gabriel must have been a great surprise to Mary. It must have been even more shocking when he announced “..thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus”. Being a Jew Mary was no doubt familiar with the O.T. prophecies promising that the Messiah would be born of a virgin, but surely she was shocked when she found out that she was the one!

Human reasoning might suppose that the Messiah would descend in a chariot of fire, accompanied by bands of angels and the blare of trumpets, but that wasn’t God’s plan. He chose to use a frail, frightened, poor girl to bring His Son into the world. His plan was to use a sinner to send the Savior. The creature would give birth to the Creator!

II. HER CHARACTER— Luke 1:27-28

Although God chose to use a sinner He didn’t just choose anyone. Mary was chosen for a reason, not at random. God chose her because of her character, not by chance. She was a “vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use..“(2 Tim. 2:21), Mary had maintained her purity, rather than yielding to fleshly lust. Even so God still demands purity today, and if you expect God to use you this should be a matter of concern.

III. HER CONSECRATION— Luke 1: 34-38)

Notice Mary’s reply–“Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word“. That was her way of saying, “I’m available. Do with me as you please”. She made her humanity available so He could manifest Himself to the world. That is what He wants from all of us (Rom. 12:1-2). God is looking for those who will make themselves available without hesitation, question, or reservation. Don’t worry about your lack of ability. Make yourself available and God will make you able!

IV. HER COURAGE

Think about all the problems associated with this. How would she explain her pregnancy to her family and friends, especially Joseph? Yet she was willing to risk her reputation and relationships to do God’s will. She was willing to subject herself to the discomforts of pregnancy, the difficulties of motherhood, and the danger of Herod’s wrath.

Serving God isn’t easy. It takes courage to commit your ways unto the Lord and do as He commands. It requires confidence in God to allow Him to use you any way He pleases and depending on Him to supply all your needs. That kind of courage comes only from having a right relationship with God and that is possible only through faith. Mary was a great model and we would do well to emulate her example. God still speaks today and He is looking for people who are available. He has a plan for your life and wants to use you. Are you available? Will you say, “Yes Lord”? –HDS

YOUR PART IN GOD’S PLAN

December 19, 2016 By Pastor David Stone

“And it came to pass, that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; and they called him Zacharias, after the name of his father. And his mother answered and said, Not so; but he shall be called John. And they said unto her, There is none of thy kindred that is called by this name. And they made signs to his father, how he would have him called. And he asked for a writing table, and wrote, saying, His name is John. And they marvelled all.”— Luke 1:59-63

One of the many things Christmas teaches us is that God has a plan and that He uses people to carry it out. While Christmas centers on Christ there were many people involved in His coming to earth. Here we are reminded of John the Baptist, the forerunner of Christ, and his parents–all played a role and all were important. The plan was set in motion when Gabriel announced to Zacharias that he and Elisabeth would have a son and that his name was to be called John.

When the time came to name the child some of the people opposed the name. It appears that they first protested to Elisabeth and then to Zacharias. Both refused to compromise and stuck to the plan God had revealed. Considering the difficult ministry that lay ahead for John, their example was greatly needed. If ever a child needed a lesson in courage it was him. There is no way to over estimate the value of their example. All three of these were a part of God’s plan and all were willing to fulfill their role. Are you?

Success may be defined as discovering and doing the will of God. It might be difficult and dangerous, but we aren’t excused from duty. To do it takes commitment. There will be times when people will question, oppose, or try to resist you, but you must not quit. Playing our part in God’s plan is serious business and we must not fail. Whatever work calls you to, do it with unwavering loyalty and a cheerful attitude. What you do might appear unimportant to others and you might not even see the significance of it, but it is important none the less. Do it!—HDS

NO ROOM FOR JESUS

December 17, 2016 By Pastor David Stone

“And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.”–Luke 2:6–7

Though Bethlehem was just a small village, a few miles away from Jerusalem, it had a large place in Israel’s history because it was the boyhood home of the great King David. As a result, when the Roman order was given for people to return to their ancestral home to register for the census, the town of Bethlehem quickly filled up. Those who had close relatives there undoubtedly stayed with them, and those who did not took every room in what was apparently the only inn in town where visitors could find lodging.

By the time Joseph and Mary arrived in Bethlehem, there were no rooms available, so despite the fact that Mary was about to give birth, they had to settle for staying with the animals in a nearby stable. That is why on His first night on Earth, the very King of Heaven, the Lord of Glory, the Son of God was carefully wrapped and placed into a feeding trough for animals.

This would not be the last time the world would have no place for Jesus. During His ministry, Jesus was often rejected. He warned one potential follower of what to expect if he were to follow Him: “And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head” (Matthew 8:20). This lack of room for Jesus is easily seen in our day, and we must be on guard to make certain that He is the center of our lives.—Copied

BELIEVE IN GOD

December 15, 2016 By Pastor David Stone

“The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God…” – Psalm 14:1

Can a person find God by reasoning? No. We are incapable of proving God. Sometimes an atheist will say to a believer, “Prove there is a God.” That never threatens me. I just smile and say, “Prove there is no God.” Sometimes it’s leveled against Christians as though it’s an accusation: “You just accept by faith there’s a God.” That’s right. And let me tell you what the unbeliever does. He accepts by faith there is no God. He does not know there is no God. He has never proven there is no God. He accepts by faith there is no God.

Some of the finest minds this world has ever known have been given to the gospel of Christ. It’s not a matter of intellect. It’s not a matter of reason. It’s beyond reason and above reason.

All men are believers. I choose to believe in God. The atheist chooses not to believe in God. If a man doesn’t believe in God, it’s because he doesn’t want to believe in God. He has chosen not to believe in God. But make no mistake, we’re all believers.

You don’t prove God, and you don’t disprove God. You believe in God. He is the God who is presented, not proven.–Adrian Rogers

AN EXCELLENT EXAMPLE

A MODEL MOTHER

YOUR PART IN GOD’S PLAN

NO ROOM FOR JESUS

BELIEVE IN GOD

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