Christmas – It’s All Around
In our post-everything skeptical world, people may not know Jesus, but they’re not totally ignorant of the things of God. It gives me hope that millions of people are singing about the miracle of Christmas. Whether people profess the name of Jesus, whether they say the name, “Jesus” or “Yeshua”, the fact still remains that the Son of God came to this earth to save us from our sin. There may be a “war on Christmas” but walk into any public place this time of year and you’ll see it everywhere – people singing Carols and proclaiming Jesus as Lord and Savior. Even though there are plenty of Rudolph and jingle bells to go around in our culture’s Christmas songs, there’s space left for good theology (even from unbelievers). One of the popular songs of recent years sung by everyone is, “Mary Did you Know.” Look at the words… Mary did you know that your baby boy will one day walk on water? Mary did you know that your baby boy will save our sons and daughters? Did you know that your baby boy has come to make you new? This child that you've delivered, will soon deliver you Mary did you know that your baby boy will give sight to a blind man? Mary did you know that your baby boy will calm a storm with his hand? Did you know that your baby boy has walked where angels trod? And when you kiss your little baby, you have kissed the face of God Mary did you know, Mary did you know, Mary did you know The blind will see, the deaf will hear and the dead will live again The lame will leap, the dumb will speak, the praises of the lamb Mary did you know that your baby boy is Lord of all creation? Mary did you know that your baby boy will one day rule the nations? Did you know that your baby boy is heaven's perfect Lamb? This sleeping child you're holding is the great I am Mary did you know, Mary did you know, Mary did you know News flash – Mary did know she was carrying the Son of God. She was chosen by God to carrying His One and only Son. Just think, everyone who sings this song is proclaiming the message of God to the world and people are responding to the faithfulness of God. I have personally witnessed many coming into a life-changing relationship with the Lord Almighty. So in the midst of some trying to push Christ out of Christmas by removing the message from a cup or a billboard, God still reigns and He is still actively involved in this culture. Let’s continue to let His light shine through us as we sing the songs and serve a lost world. Invite someone to the Christmas Eve services on Sunday. Remember, there is only one service in the morning (10:45am) and two candlelight services (4 & 6pm) that evening. I love the sounds of Christmas. Better yet, I love the sounds of God’s people gathering together and encouraging each other in the Lord. Thank you for being the Church… Joy in Jesus! Pastor Mike
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Jesus answered, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6
There are so many translations of the Bible out there, I thought I would bring one in that many have not read or have never even heard of before. It is called the German Common Language Translation (GeCL). It says something equivalent to our translations, “I am the way, and I am also the goal, since in me you have the truth and the life.” The questions is this, “What is the relation between the words way, truth, and life?” In the present context Jesus as “the way” is the primary focus, and “truth” and “life” are somehow related to Jesus as “the way.” Let’s look at two possible directions: The emphasis may be on the goal to which the way leads according to the GeLC translation. It could look like, “I am the way that leads to the truth (about God) and to the life (that God gives). The emphasis may be on the way itself. “Truth” and “life” may be taken as qualifiers of “way,” which is primary in the context. Then you could read it as, “I am the way that reveals the truth (about God) and gives life (to people).” Both interpretations are close in meaning and support each other but I am leaning toward the latter. The fact that Jesus says, “no one goes to the Father except by me” indicates that the way is the focus, and the Father is the goal to which it leads. God is the source of all truth and life. So in light of Advent, Jesus’ coming to this earth provided a pathway to the Father. He is the only way we have back to the Father. There are no other ways available to experience the life God provides. This is the message we proclaim at Christmas. Hallelujah! Our children did a fantastic job as they presented the message on Sunday. There were 21 preschoolers and 50+ elementary children heralding the story of redemption. We are so proud of them. What energy they bring to our church. We are so blessed! This Sunday our choir and ensemble will be bringing a powerful word about the holiness of God in this season. You will not want to miss this Sunday. We will continue our series, “Once Upon a Time” as we gather to worship the King. Let’s not have Findlay First Church of the Nazarene be the best kept secret in Findlay, Ohio. God is on the move and we are experiencing the glory of the One and only. Invite someone to attend the 3rd Sunday of Advent. Glory to God in the Highest! Joy in Jesus! Pastor Mike This Advent season is marked with family, presents, trees, lights, games, Christmas Carols, and snow. The most important part of all the fun celebratory tools is the presence of Jesus. When the God of love comes down and touches us through Jesus, and our response is one of repentance and forgiveness, then the power of sin, Satan, and hell are broken. The life giving Spirit of God is poured out upon us and we will forever be changed. The high looks of the proud are brought down; the dead in spirit are revived; worshipers of mammon are changed into lovers of God; the tongues of the profane are made to sing God’s praise; drunkards cast away the cup of intoxication for the cup of salvation; the unclean who used to be the slave of lust are now saturating in the Words of God; ringleaders in sin’s camp are now unflinching in their service of Christ. All of this happens when people embrace the baby, soon to be King and walk through the doors of salvation by repenting of their sins before a holy God. That is worth it all.
I want to encourage you to read Mark 1 and see the impact Jesus had everywhere He went. Men would drop whatever they were doing to follow Him. Evil spirits were driven out. People were healed of their infirmities. Let’s seek God for miracles this Christmas. Make plans to invite someone to come and participate in what the Lord is doing at the Naz. Lives are truly changed when we come into this season seeking Jesus. This Sunday, we will have two different services. The first service at 9:15am will be held in the Worship Center and will focus on another Christmas Carol of old in the series, “Once Upon a Time.” The second service will be in the Family Life Center at 10:45am with the children’s musical, “In a Galilee Far, Far Away.” They will be going on an interplanetary exploration to discover the Glory of God throughout the universe, and beyond! It all leads back to a manger in Bethlehem, and the Savior of the World! It will be a great day as we come together and Worship the Christ Child. May God richly bless you today and this week as we anticipate a life transforming Advent experience this year. Joy in Jesus! Pastor Mike |
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Rev. Mike McClurgSenior Pastor, Findlay First Church of the Nazarene Archives
March 2020
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