December 3, 2006 Doing Christmas Better: Make Stress Work For You
December 17, 2005 Doing Christmas Better: Sharing Your Faith
December 24, 2006 Doing Christmas Better: Strengthening Relationships
December 31, 2006 Mission Possible

 

December 3, 2006
Doing Christmas Better: Make Stress Work For You

We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. 2 Corinthians 1:8-9

Throughout the Christmas season you can

· Experience God’s presence

The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel"-which means, "God with us." Matthew 1:23

· Be joyful

they were overjoyed. Matthew 2:10

· Feel peaceful

…, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.
Luke 2:14

A stress free holiday is both unrealistic and undesirable

He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. John 1:11

… but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death - even death on a cross! Philippians 2:7-8

Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity … Because he himself suffered when he was tempted
Hebrews 2:14, 18

Stress Can Work For You

· Motivate you to align with God’s plan

· Stimulate you to depend on Him

· Inspire you to live a well balanced life

“ Elijah … prayed … ‘I have had enough, LORD,’ he said. ‘Take my life’ … Then he lay down … and fell asleep. … an angel touched him and said, ‘Get up…’ …He ate and drank and then lay down… I Kings 19:3 - 6

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December 17, 2006
Doing Christmas Better: Share Your Faith

 

Christmas is about telling the story
· God spoke to shepherds who told others

When they [shepherds] had seen him [Jesus], they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. Luke 2:17 - 20

· God speaks to us so we will tell others

… God spoke to ... us by his Son … The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being … Hebrews 1:1-3

Witnessing this Christmas

· Know that some people are ready

The harvest is plentiful Luke 10:2

· Recognize spiritual decisions are a process

I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. … By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should be careful how he builds. 1 Corinthians 3:6,10

· Be intentional and sensitive

Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. 1 Peter 3:15-16

· Depend on the Holy Spirit

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses Acts 1:8

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December 24, 2006
Doing Christmas Better: Strengthening Relationships

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests. Luke 2:14

Forms of peace

1. Absence of war

2. Inner sense of tranquility

3. Harmonious interpersonal relationships

Our relationships may be more difficult at Christmas

1. Stress

2. Christ in us

3. Family dysfunction
a. Extremes in connection
i. Enmeshed
ii. Disconnected
b. Children center of family
c. Conflicts never resolve
d. Abusive environment
e. Families communicate defensively
f. Unfair alliances
g. Extremes in authority
i. Lax – children make decision parents should make
ii. Strong – parents have no consideration for children’s feelings

As it is written: "There is no one righteous, not even one;… and the way of peace they do not know." Romans 3:10, 17

…you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins Matthew 1:21

By God’s power we can break destructive patterns in relationships by becoming whole and selfless people

…in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Philippians 2:3-4

For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men. Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. Romans 14:17-19

Healthy relationships are hard work

What can we do today and tomorrow?

· Make a connection

· Right a wrong

· Celebrate the kingdom of God

· Help each other

And now I want to plead with those two dear women, Euodias and Syntyche. Please, please, with the Lord's help, quarrel no more-be friends again. And I ask you, my true teammate, to help these women
Philippians 4:2-3 The Living Bible

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December 31, 2006
Mission Possible

His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known Ephesians 3:10

God has a plan for this time

… according to his eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. Ephesians 3:11

He [Jesus] was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. 1 Peter 1:20

For he [Father] chose us in him [Jesus] before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. Ephesians 1:4

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

The church is God’s instrument

We proclaim the full gospel

… the unsearchable riches of Christ Ephesians 3:8

the complicated, many-sided wisdom of God in all its infinite variety and innumerable aspects Eph 3:10 The Amplified Bible

this extraordinary plan of God The Message Paraphrase

For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God.
Acts 20:27

I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ.
Philemon 6

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