WEBVTT 00:00:01.389 --> 00:00:03.629 If you have your Bibles, I would love to direct 00:00:03.629 --> 00:00:06.410 your attention to the book of Luke. And let me 00:00:06.410 --> 00:00:09.269 say, I know it was mentioned already. We're so 00:00:09.269 --> 00:00:11.990 thankful for each one of you that's here worshiping 00:00:11.990 --> 00:00:15.230 Jesus Christ here during this Christmas season. 00:00:15.750 --> 00:00:20.329 Isn't he worthy? He is so worthy. And you can 00:00:20.329 --> 00:00:23.469 feel that there is just a lot of people in this 00:00:23.469 --> 00:00:27.109 sanctuary that know there's nobody like Jesus. 00:00:27.820 --> 00:00:30.699 And we honor each one of you for being here to 00:00:30.699 --> 00:00:33.359 our guests. Thank you. I know the Dean family 00:00:33.359 --> 00:00:36.140 has some guests with them, family with them, 00:00:36.240 --> 00:00:39.380 and we're glad they're here. And there's others 00:00:39.380 --> 00:00:41.679 I may not know, but we're glad. If you're a guest 00:00:41.679 --> 00:00:46.079 here today, don't we love when guests come? We're 00:00:46.079 --> 00:00:49.299 glad you're here. Good to see you, Brother and 00:00:49.299 --> 00:00:51.280 Sister Romanette. We're glad you all are here 00:00:51.280 --> 00:00:55.020 as well. These folks are doing... A great work 00:00:55.020 --> 00:00:57.600 for God, and they are being sensitive to the 00:00:57.600 --> 00:01:00.219 leading of the Lord, and we're glad they're worshiping 00:01:00.219 --> 00:01:05.560 the Lord with us today. In Luke chapter 24, I 00:01:05.560 --> 00:01:08.280 want to preach a Christmas message, but those 00:01:08.280 --> 00:01:11.760 of you familiar with your Bible, you will know 00:01:11.760 --> 00:01:15.859 that I'm about 22 chapters off where I need to 00:01:15.859 --> 00:01:20.060 be, but hopefully we will get there. But this 00:01:20.060 --> 00:01:25.140 is a very important part of why Jesus came. And 00:01:25.140 --> 00:01:27.519 I feel like it's important to focus on that. 00:01:27.620 --> 00:01:30.560 And I don't want this to sound like a disclaimer, 00:01:30.640 --> 00:01:33.739 but maybe it needs to be. There will be some 00:01:33.739 --> 00:01:36.299 portions of this message you'll say, well, that's 00:01:36.299 --> 00:01:40.260 kind of goofy. That may even be kind of curious. 00:01:41.099 --> 00:01:45.439 But get past all that. And at the very end, would 00:01:45.439 --> 00:01:49.109 you do something for me? Would you believe that 00:01:49.109 --> 00:01:53.129 if Jesus came to Bethlehem, he can come here 00:01:53.129 --> 00:01:56.750 today? And whatever you need. In fact, I believe 00:01:56.750 --> 00:02:01.030 he's already here. He inhabits the praises of 00:02:01.030 --> 00:02:06.310 his people. He's here. And whether you feel him 00:02:06.310 --> 00:02:10.770 right now or not, he is as close as the mention 00:02:10.770 --> 00:02:14.099 of his name. And what I really want you to do, 00:02:14.159 --> 00:02:16.419 regardless of everything else that may distract 00:02:16.419 --> 00:02:19.840 you by this message, I'd like for you to believe 00:02:19.840 --> 00:02:21.939 that you can receive what you need from Jesus 00:02:21.939 --> 00:02:25.400 today. And I know that God wants to do something 00:02:25.400 --> 00:02:30.639 great for all of us. Luke 24, verse 46. This 00:02:30.639 --> 00:02:34.939 is Jesus speaking. And this is what the Bible 00:02:34.939 --> 00:02:45.800 says. And thus it was necessary. Everybody say 00:02:45.800 --> 00:02:51.780 necessary. For the Christ to suffer and to rise 00:02:51.780 --> 00:02:58.060 from the dead the third day. The third day. I 00:02:58.060 --> 00:03:03.199 have to believe that if you are a true student 00:03:03.199 --> 00:03:06.620 of scripture or just even someone that is a devout 00:03:06.620 --> 00:03:11.759 worshiper of God, you have to go back. 2 ,000 00:03:11.759 --> 00:03:14.300 years ago a little bit more and say, man, that 00:03:14.300 --> 00:03:20.080 whole major scene, was that necessary? I mean, 00:03:20.099 --> 00:03:23.159 being born in a stable, there's no room in the 00:03:23.159 --> 00:03:26.879 inn, was that the only way he could have pulled 00:03:26.879 --> 00:03:31.479 it off? And then to live and die the way he died. 00:03:32.360 --> 00:03:35.379 And then, of course, to rise again. All of that, 00:03:35.460 --> 00:03:40.960 Jesus tells us in Luke 24 and 46, It was necessary. 00:03:41.379 --> 00:03:45.379 It had to happen. Just the way that it happened. 00:03:45.680 --> 00:03:49.319 And I don't pretend to understand it all. But 00:03:49.319 --> 00:03:53.099 I do believe that God wants us to know why it 00:03:53.099 --> 00:03:58.159 was necessary. Amen. So I want to preach this 00:03:58.159 --> 00:04:03.379 simple thought. What kind of tree? What kind 00:04:03.379 --> 00:04:07.439 of tree? Let's ask the Lord to speak to us. Lord 00:04:07.439 --> 00:04:11.639 Jesus. Thank you for this privilege to be in 00:04:11.639 --> 00:04:14.020 your presence. Thank you for this opportunity 00:04:14.020 --> 00:04:18.040 to hear your voice today. Thank you for our guests 00:04:18.040 --> 00:04:23.160 that are here. In the name of the Lord Jesus 00:04:23.160 --> 00:04:29.839 Christ, I love you and I praise you. I bless 00:04:29.839 --> 00:04:34.220 your name, oh God, and I thank you. I want you, 00:04:34.259 --> 00:04:38.569 Lord, to speak to us, help us. to hear your voice 00:04:38.569 --> 00:04:43.589 today. Oh, hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah. 00:04:44.769 --> 00:04:48.910 I honor you. Thank you for helping us today. 00:04:52.029 --> 00:04:55.870 In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Can you 00:04:55.870 --> 00:04:59.050 say in Jesus' name? God bless you. You may be 00:04:59.050 --> 00:05:01.889 seated. Now again, this is going to sound a little 00:05:01.889 --> 00:05:05.769 bit goofy, but it happened to me. Not too long 00:05:05.769 --> 00:05:09.970 ago, I had a few spare minutes, and so I didn't 00:05:09.970 --> 00:05:12.370 want to waste those minutes, so I pondered some 00:05:12.370 --> 00:05:15.269 of the deep mysteries of the universe, and the 00:05:15.269 --> 00:05:17.889 one I fell upon on this particular day was simply 00:05:17.889 --> 00:05:24.069 this. If I could be any kind of tree, what kind 00:05:24.069 --> 00:05:27.790 of tree would I be? Now, you maybe have not thought 00:05:27.790 --> 00:05:30.009 about that, but you've got a few minutes now. 00:05:30.310 --> 00:05:33.350 You can think about it. And if you don't want 00:05:33.350 --> 00:05:35.730 to think about it ever again, that's fine. And 00:05:35.730 --> 00:05:38.029 if you don't want to tell anybody that you thought 00:05:38.029 --> 00:05:41.009 about it, even for a brief moment. But I'm confessing 00:05:41.009 --> 00:05:45.750 that for just a little bit of time, I asked myself 00:05:45.750 --> 00:05:48.769 the question, if you could be any kind of tree, 00:05:48.990 --> 00:05:53.930 what kind of tree would you be? Now, because 00:05:53.930 --> 00:05:56.230 it was close to Christmas, I couldn't help but 00:05:56.230 --> 00:05:58.189 think about a Christmas tree. But then I thought, 00:05:58.230 --> 00:06:01.300 my goodness. A lot of those are fake. I don't 00:06:01.300 --> 00:06:04.540 want to be fake. And then the ones that are real, 00:06:04.660 --> 00:06:06.819 well, then they end up throwing them away after 00:06:06.819 --> 00:06:10.339 some time. I don't want to be one of those throwaway 00:06:10.339 --> 00:06:13.220 trees. And so I thought, well, maybe I could 00:06:13.220 --> 00:06:15.800 still at least be an evergreen tree. But my goodness, 00:06:15.920 --> 00:06:18.279 a lot of those evergreen trees grow where it's 00:06:18.279 --> 00:06:21.910 really cold. And when I was thinking about this 00:06:21.910 --> 00:06:24.230 a couple weeks ago, it was really cold. It's 00:06:24.230 --> 00:06:26.430 not really cold right now, but I mean, I just 00:06:26.430 --> 00:06:28.410 don't want to be anywhere where it's all that 00:06:28.410 --> 00:06:30.889 cold, so I'm not going to be an evergreen tree. 00:06:30.990 --> 00:06:34.850 And I love North Carolina. I think the pine is 00:06:34.850 --> 00:06:38.490 the official tree, and there's also a lot of 00:06:38.490 --> 00:06:41.069 maple trees, I think red maples. As long as I 00:06:41.069 --> 00:06:43.250 don't have to have red hair, I don't mind being 00:06:43.250 --> 00:06:46.029 a red maple tree because I love North Carolina 00:06:46.029 --> 00:06:50.420 and I'd like to be. Where I can be in North Carolina. 00:06:50.459 --> 00:06:54.019 And then I thought, my goodness, if I could be 00:06:54.019 --> 00:06:59.819 a palm tree, I'd be on the beach right now. Am 00:06:59.819 --> 00:07:03.459 I preaching where you wish you were living? But 00:07:03.459 --> 00:07:07.300 that's what I was thinking about. What kind of 00:07:07.300 --> 00:07:10.800 tree? Could I be? Now, I'm going to tell you, 00:07:10.819 --> 00:07:14.500 I did discover, and only dads will understand 00:07:14.500 --> 00:07:17.879 what I'm about to say. And if you are a mom and 00:07:17.879 --> 00:07:21.579 you don't get it, do not apologize because you 00:07:21.579 --> 00:07:25.819 have to be as goofy as a dad when I say, when 00:07:25.819 --> 00:07:30.319 I thought about all the trees I could be, I decided 00:07:30.319 --> 00:07:38.839 I would like to be a ministry. A lot of the dads 00:07:38.839 --> 00:07:41.120 are embarrassed that they're chuckling, but at 00:07:41.120 --> 00:07:44.819 least you got it straight away. And your sons 00:07:44.819 --> 00:07:47.800 and daughters are annoyed with you as they usually 00:07:47.800 --> 00:07:51.439 are when they hear a dad joke. But now 1 Peter 00:07:51.439 --> 00:07:56.079 4 says, verse number 10, As each one of you has 00:07:56.079 --> 00:08:02.240 received a gift, minister to one another as good 00:08:02.240 --> 00:08:06.259 stewards of the manifold grace of God. There's 00:08:06.259 --> 00:08:10.439 probably a drop -off here, a certain age demographic 00:08:10.439 --> 00:08:14.160 in this sanctuary. I don't know, around 16, 17, 00:08:14.399 --> 00:08:18.620 18, 18 and below. You're pretty focused on gifts 00:08:18.620 --> 00:08:21.709 right now. You get a little bit older than that, 00:08:21.730 --> 00:08:24.550 you're really not about receiving, you're more 00:08:24.550 --> 00:08:27.269 about giving. And I'm not slamming the receivers 00:08:27.269 --> 00:08:30.649 today. But it's interesting that whatever gifts 00:08:30.649 --> 00:08:33.210 you've ever received for Christmas, or might 00:08:33.210 --> 00:08:36.129 even get this Christmas, or you might not receive 00:08:36.129 --> 00:08:39.210 any gifts, how many of you know that you've received 00:08:39.210 --> 00:08:43.889 a whole lot from God already? Sure, we all have. 00:08:44.840 --> 00:08:48.559 And so the Bible says, as each one of us has 00:08:48.559 --> 00:08:54.539 received a gift, so let us minister one to another 00:08:54.539 --> 00:08:59.080 as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 00:08:59.600 --> 00:09:02.960 There's a whole lot of trees around Christmas 00:09:02.960 --> 00:09:06.679 time, and I'm thankful for all the decorations 00:09:06.679 --> 00:09:10.580 and all of that, but we need more than Christmas 00:09:10.580 --> 00:09:13.879 trees at Christmas time. We need some ministries. 00:09:14.669 --> 00:09:19.169 We need some people that can live as though God 00:09:19.169 --> 00:09:23.610 has been so good to me. How can I bless others? 00:09:23.850 --> 00:09:28.090 How can I bless his kingdom? How can I be someone 00:09:28.090 --> 00:09:33.850 that lives as a good steward of the manifold, 00:09:34.129 --> 00:09:39.019 many -faceted grace of God? There are times that 00:09:39.019 --> 00:09:41.720 we are disappointed during the holidays for many 00:09:41.720 --> 00:09:44.879 reasons. There are people that this season is 00:09:44.879 --> 00:09:47.860 a season that brings sadness. And I don't want 00:09:47.860 --> 00:09:50.240 to belittle that or even make light of that. 00:09:50.360 --> 00:09:52.720 But you know what I have discovered? And some 00:09:52.720 --> 00:09:56.399 of you can say a hearty amen. Sometimes the best 00:09:56.399 --> 00:10:00.500 way to get through a difficult time is to focus 00:10:00.500 --> 00:10:03.779 on the needs of others. And even if you've got 00:10:03.779 --> 00:10:06.860 your own disappointments, hey, hasn't God been 00:10:06.860 --> 00:10:10.269 so good? good that I can always give of myself 00:10:10.269 --> 00:10:14.009 to help somebody else that hasn't been blessed 00:10:14.009 --> 00:10:17.629 hey this church is filled with testimonies of 00:10:17.629 --> 00:10:22.669 people that in this season and every season you're 00:10:22.669 --> 00:10:26.110 a ministry that's what kind of tree you are and 00:10:26.110 --> 00:10:29.029 I know I need some help with spelling but work 00:10:29.029 --> 00:10:32.909 with me now Can I say to the heaven view faithful, 00:10:33.049 --> 00:10:35.129 and no doubt some of our guests would qualify, 00:10:35.370 --> 00:10:40.009 thank you for finding a way to serve others at 00:10:40.009 --> 00:10:43.870 Christmas time and all the time. Thank you for 00:10:43.870 --> 00:10:47.450 finding ways to encourage others at Christmas 00:10:47.450 --> 00:10:51.230 time and all the time. Thank you for finding 00:10:51.230 --> 00:10:56.269 ways to serve others at Christmas time and all 00:10:56.269 --> 00:11:00.330 the time. I love our go time opportunities. All 00:11:00.330 --> 00:11:03.509 throughout the year, so many of you are signing 00:11:03.509 --> 00:11:07.330 up to serve. Thank you so much. I love those 00:11:07.330 --> 00:11:10.690 that get together on a Saturday fairly frequently, 00:11:10.809 --> 00:11:14.269 and you'll go knock on doors, not just to leave 00:11:14.269 --> 00:11:16.789 a door hanger that invites them to church. Really, 00:11:16.990 --> 00:11:20.070 it's much bigger than that. Hey, can I pray for 00:11:20.070 --> 00:11:22.990 you? Is there something that we can talk to you 00:11:22.990 --> 00:11:26.169 about that will help you experience what God 00:11:26.169 --> 00:11:29.929 has for you? Whatever you are doing, however 00:11:29.929 --> 00:11:34.389 you are serving. When you found a need, you found 00:11:34.389 --> 00:11:38.809 a ministry. And so thank you for being everything 00:11:38.809 --> 00:11:43.990 that God has called us to be. I got a text from 00:11:43.990 --> 00:11:47.250 one of our outreach members this last few weeks, 00:11:47.309 --> 00:11:49.789 and it was very encouraging. They were writing 00:11:49.789 --> 00:11:52.070 to the rest of the group and saying, thank you 00:11:52.070 --> 00:11:55.090 for going out on that cold Saturday the other 00:11:55.090 --> 00:11:58.769 day. And he said, I just met a lady in the text, 00:11:58.870 --> 00:12:01.710 remembering that he had knocked on that door, 00:12:01.850 --> 00:12:04.610 had left a door hanger, and he didn't know who 00:12:04.610 --> 00:12:08.230 the lady was. back at those apartments he did 00:12:08.230 --> 00:12:11.210 meet the lady and found out that when she got 00:12:11.210 --> 00:12:15.129 the door hanger she promptly threw it away I'm 00:12:15.129 --> 00:12:17.809 glad the story doesn't end there but as they 00:12:17.809 --> 00:12:20.350 begin to talk and she said oh heaven view I think 00:12:20.350 --> 00:12:22.850 I remember that I think I threw that paper away 00:12:23.820 --> 00:12:25.659 She said, you know, it's interesting that you 00:12:25.659 --> 00:12:28.700 would come to me today because I really need 00:12:28.700 --> 00:12:32.059 a healing in my life. And before you know it, 00:12:32.080 --> 00:12:35.059 right there on the doorstep, they are praying 00:12:35.059 --> 00:12:39.000 in the name of Jesus. The power of God, the presence 00:12:39.000 --> 00:12:42.539 of God was flowing. She testified, I'm coming 00:12:42.539 --> 00:12:45.279 to that church and I'm bringing my friends with 00:12:45.279 --> 00:12:49.539 me. And this person said, God's timing is perfect. 00:12:49.740 --> 00:12:53.279 It's always the perfect time to be a minister. 00:12:53.289 --> 00:12:56.549 ministry to make a commitment to the Lord at 00:12:56.549 --> 00:12:59.990 Christmas time and any other time. I'm not going 00:12:59.990 --> 00:13:03.549 to live for myself. I'm going to live for Jesus. 00:13:03.610 --> 00:13:07.289 Hey, this Christmas time, let us be a people 00:13:07.289 --> 00:13:12.429 that find a way to give of ourselves. To help 00:13:12.429 --> 00:13:15.090 others. I am thankful and I won't say much about 00:13:15.090 --> 00:13:17.950 it. But so many of you have already and for many 00:13:17.950 --> 00:13:20.950 years have responded to Christmas for Christ. 00:13:21.129 --> 00:13:24.370 Thank you. It's giving time at Christmas time. 00:13:24.629 --> 00:13:28.429 And you know why not give the best gift to Jesus 00:13:28.429 --> 00:13:31.870 Christ. There are more people in our organization, 00:13:32.230 --> 00:13:34.929 the United Pentecostal Church, wanting to start 00:13:34.929 --> 00:13:38.470 churches all over North America. And we can be 00:13:38.470 --> 00:13:42.110 a part of that miracle. Thank you. for giving 00:13:42.110 --> 00:13:44.710 your money to Christmas for Christ, but also 00:13:44.710 --> 00:13:48.870 thank you for giving your time. This past weekend, 00:13:48.970 --> 00:13:51.950 our life groups were getting together, and every 00:13:51.950 --> 00:13:55.149 so often throughout the year, they are meeting 00:13:55.149 --> 00:13:58.789 the needs of others. I ran into a life group 00:13:58.789 --> 00:14:02.269 leader just this past Friday. They were on location 00:14:02.269 --> 00:14:05.929 providing food, encouragement for one of our 00:14:05.929 --> 00:14:08.769 churches, the church in King, and I had to be 00:14:08.769 --> 00:14:11.759 so grateful for the testimony. Hey, we don't 00:14:11.759 --> 00:14:14.299 want to just keep the presence of God all to 00:14:14.299 --> 00:14:17.480 ourself. He's done so much for us. Why don't 00:14:17.480 --> 00:14:19.799 we do something for others? Is there anybody 00:14:19.799 --> 00:14:23.179 that can say, Jesus, that's how I feel about 00:14:23.179 --> 00:14:26.899 you. Just here a few days before Christmas, I'm 00:14:26.899 --> 00:14:30.940 not focused on what I need to receive. I'm focused 00:14:30.940 --> 00:14:37.259 on how I can give. Amen. Jesus said in Matthew 00:14:37.259 --> 00:14:43.120 5 and 16, let your light so shine before men 00:14:43.120 --> 00:14:47.860 that they may see your good works and glorify 00:14:47.860 --> 00:14:52.360 your Father in heaven. There are so many pretty 00:14:52.360 --> 00:14:56.299 lights at Christmas time. I love all the decorations. 00:14:56.639 --> 00:15:00.279 I love all the pretty lights. But there is no 00:15:00.279 --> 00:15:04.340 light as beautiful as the light that shines from 00:15:04.340 --> 00:15:08.460 a believer. that finds a way to encourage others 00:15:08.460 --> 00:15:12.539 and serve others. Oh my goodness, there's so 00:15:12.539 --> 00:15:15.960 many pretty Christmas trees, but the tree that 00:15:15.960 --> 00:15:20.139 shines the brightest in this season is the ministry. 00:15:20.299 --> 00:15:23.879 Those wonderful believers that have made up their 00:15:23.879 --> 00:15:27.059 mind in this Christmas season, we're going to 00:15:27.059 --> 00:15:30.039 love others. We're going to serve others. We're 00:15:30.039 --> 00:15:32.720 going to bless others. Anybody take a moment 00:15:32.720 --> 00:15:37.370 again and say, Jesus, that's me. That's my family. 00:15:37.490 --> 00:15:40.850 That's my mission. That's the tree I want to 00:15:40.850 --> 00:15:46.429 be. I want to be a ministry. In the New Testament, 00:15:46.529 --> 00:15:50.850 we read Colossians chapter 3. And whatsoever 00:15:50.850 --> 00:15:56.389 you do, do it heartily as to the Lord and not 00:15:56.389 --> 00:16:00.080 unto men. Knowing that of the Lord you shall 00:16:00.080 --> 00:16:04.820 receive the reward of the inheritance. For you 00:16:04.820 --> 00:16:09.919 serve the Lord Jesus Christ. Things go south 00:16:09.919 --> 00:16:13.700 where it's nice and warm. Sometimes incredibly 00:16:13.700 --> 00:16:18.740 hot. When we start living as though it's just 00:16:18.740 --> 00:16:22.659 about pleasing others. But if we can serve others 00:16:22.659 --> 00:16:26.990 like we're serving him. If we can do whatever 00:16:26.990 --> 00:16:31.190 we do as unto the Lord. How many people have 00:16:31.190 --> 00:16:34.610 lived for God for a season when it was just about 00:16:34.610 --> 00:16:37.710 Jesus, but then when it became about... people. 00:16:37.809 --> 00:16:40.990 Then they lost their fervor and their fire. They 00:16:40.990 --> 00:16:43.830 pulled away from ministry. Oh, my brothers and 00:16:43.830 --> 00:16:47.490 sisters in this season, why not recommit yourself? 00:16:47.970 --> 00:16:52.870 I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, 00:16:53.070 --> 00:16:57.029 but I can do something. And what I can do, I 00:16:57.029 --> 00:17:00.730 ought to do. And what I ought to do by the grace 00:17:00.730 --> 00:17:04.069 of God, I shall do. I'm not just going to come 00:17:04.069 --> 00:17:06.609 to church. I'm not just going to wear a Christian 00:17:06.670 --> 00:17:09.069 t -shirt. I'm not just going to go through the 00:17:09.069 --> 00:17:13.309 motions of my Christianity. I want to be a ministry. 00:17:13.450 --> 00:17:17.450 I want to love others and serve others and be 00:17:17.450 --> 00:17:22.130 a blessing to others. Praise the name of the 00:17:22.130 --> 00:17:25.089 Lord. Now you might be saying about this time 00:17:25.089 --> 00:17:27.170 in the message, go back to the shepherds. That's 00:17:27.170 --> 00:17:31.240 more fun. Go back for the wise men. Don't beat 00:17:31.240 --> 00:17:33.720 us up, pastor. I don't want to beat anybody up, 00:17:33.759 --> 00:17:37.279 but I'm telling you, Christmas time is a horrible 00:17:37.279 --> 00:17:41.859 time to be focused on just what you need or what 00:17:41.859 --> 00:17:45.140 you want. Don't go into a new year like that. 00:17:45.279 --> 00:17:49.059 Go into a new year saying, how can I serve? How 00:17:49.059 --> 00:17:52.319 can I minister? How can I be a blessing? Oh, 00:17:52.400 --> 00:17:55.140 where can I get involved in the work of God? 00:17:55.299 --> 00:18:00.119 I'd like to be a tree. I'd like to be a ministry. 00:18:00.119 --> 00:18:04.660 In fact, Ecclesiastes says, whatever thy hand 00:18:04.660 --> 00:18:10.420 find to do, do it with thy might. There's a good 00:18:10.420 --> 00:18:13.980 chance that you are sitting on a pew with somebody 00:18:13.980 --> 00:18:17.400 that lives for God that way. That's the kind 00:18:17.400 --> 00:18:19.920 of church that we're privileged to be a part 00:18:19.920 --> 00:18:23.400 of. And can I say thank you? But can I say more 00:18:23.400 --> 00:18:27.279 than thank you? Let's keep serving. Let's keep 00:18:27.279 --> 00:18:32.140 giving. Let's keep blessing. Because the reality 00:18:32.140 --> 00:18:38.549 is, if your whole life is a ministry, then you 00:18:38.549 --> 00:18:42.670 will be fruitful to God and fruitful to others. 00:18:42.950 --> 00:18:45.869 And the fruit of your life will not just be for 00:18:45.869 --> 00:18:49.250 your own benefit, but it will be for the benefit 00:18:49.250 --> 00:18:53.410 of God's kingdom. and God's purpose. The psalmist 00:18:53.410 --> 00:18:56.849 said it this way, blessed is the man who walks 00:18:56.849 --> 00:19:00.069 not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands 00:19:00.069 --> 00:19:03.990 in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat 00:19:03.990 --> 00:19:07.490 of the scornful. We need to be careful because 00:19:07.490 --> 00:19:11.630 there is a spirit in our age that causes us to 00:19:11.630 --> 00:19:14.869 be a little bit more scornful or cynical about 00:19:14.869 --> 00:19:17.950 some of these old -fashioned truths about giving 00:19:17.950 --> 00:19:21.609 yourself and serving. and living your life for 00:19:21.609 --> 00:19:24.150 the kingdom of God and not just for yourself. 00:19:24.309 --> 00:19:27.690 What did Jesus say? If you gain your life, you'll 00:19:27.690 --> 00:19:31.009 lose it. But if you lose your life, you'll gain 00:19:31.009 --> 00:19:34.329 it. Come on, that psalmist goes on to say, but 00:19:34.329 --> 00:19:38.190 his delight is in the law of the Lord. And in 00:19:38.190 --> 00:19:42.589 his law, he meditates day and night. He shall 00:19:42.589 --> 00:19:47.569 be like a tree planted by the rivers of water 00:19:47.569 --> 00:19:51.410 that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose 00:19:51.410 --> 00:19:55.569 leaf also shall not wither, and whatsoever he 00:19:55.569 --> 00:20:00.670 does shall prosper. That's the kind of tree I'd 00:20:00.670 --> 00:20:04.049 like to be. I want to be fruitful for the kingdom 00:20:04.049 --> 00:20:07.690 of God at Christmas time and into a new year. 00:20:07.910 --> 00:20:11.210 I want to be fruitful for the work of God, for 00:20:11.210 --> 00:20:14.730 the church of God. I want to be a giver. I want 00:20:14.730 --> 00:20:18.190 to be a worker. I want to be a server. I want 00:20:18.190 --> 00:20:22.140 to be a Involved in what matters to Jesus. That's 00:20:22.140 --> 00:20:27.460 the kind of tree I would like to be. You might 00:20:27.460 --> 00:20:31.019 say, well, I'm not sure I've been that kind of 00:20:31.019 --> 00:20:35.440 tree in the last year. That's okay. It's a new 00:20:35.440 --> 00:20:39.039 year coming. And old things can be passed away. 00:20:39.819 --> 00:20:43.539 All things can become new. And I understand there 00:20:43.539 --> 00:20:48.079 are times when even good trees. go through storms. 00:20:48.680 --> 00:20:51.980 And even good trees feel like they've been cut 00:20:51.980 --> 00:20:54.980 down. But oh, if you can get in the presence 00:20:54.980 --> 00:20:58.599 of the Lord. If you could say, Jesus, I don't 00:20:58.599 --> 00:21:01.839 want to live another day, another month, another 00:21:01.839 --> 00:21:06.619 season, a new year focused on myself. Oh, no, 00:21:06.740 --> 00:21:10.059 I want to be a ministry. In fact, in the book 00:21:10.059 --> 00:21:14.779 of Job, we read there is hope for a tree. If 00:21:14.779 --> 00:21:18.740 it is cut down, it can still sprout again. It 00:21:18.740 --> 00:21:22.259 will sprout again. And that its tender shoots 00:21:22.259 --> 00:21:27.240 will not cease, though its roots. may grow old 00:21:27.240 --> 00:21:32.160 in the earth and its stump may die in the ground. 00:21:32.359 --> 00:21:37.000 Yet at the scent of water, it will bud and bring 00:21:37.000 --> 00:21:40.539 forth branches like a plant. Can I tell you, 00:21:40.559 --> 00:21:43.500 the Lord has promised us in his word that his 00:21:43.500 --> 00:21:47.519 spirit is like a river of living water. If you 00:21:47.519 --> 00:21:49.619 don't feel like you've got much of a ministry, 00:21:49.880 --> 00:21:53.220 get in the presence of God today and say, Jesus, 00:21:53.299 --> 00:21:56.329 before we get to Christ, Christmas Eve, I don't 00:21:56.329 --> 00:22:00.170 want this season to be about me, my family, what 00:22:00.170 --> 00:22:03.769 I want, what I think. I want to have a ministry. 00:22:03.890 --> 00:22:07.769 I want to be a ministry. And I promise you, if 00:22:07.769 --> 00:22:10.970 you can get in the presence of God, you can be 00:22:10.970 --> 00:22:14.130 fruitful again. If you can get in the presence 00:22:14.130 --> 00:22:18.829 of God, you can be fruitful again. Oh, could 00:22:18.829 --> 00:22:22.509 you clap your hands and lift your voice and let 00:22:22.509 --> 00:22:26.869 the Lord know. I want to be a ministry. I want 00:22:26.869 --> 00:22:36.650 to be fruitful. You say in Jesus' name. I grew 00:22:36.650 --> 00:22:43.269 up in a community that some would say was basically 00:22:43.269 --> 00:22:49.809 a concrete jungle. No trees. You had to walk 00:22:49.809 --> 00:22:55.660 about six or seven blocks. to find grass more 00:22:55.660 --> 00:22:57.339 than just a little spot here and there. I'm not 00:22:57.339 --> 00:23:00.880 talking about marijuana, please. It's so hard 00:23:00.880 --> 00:23:03.500 to communicate these days with all the different 00:23:03.500 --> 00:23:08.799 things going on. But anytime people speak of 00:23:08.799 --> 00:23:13.420 a concrete jungle, it's not very favorable. It's 00:23:13.420 --> 00:23:15.599 not very positive. People almost feel sorry. 00:23:15.680 --> 00:23:17.299 Oh, you grew up in a place like that. I'll tell 00:23:17.299 --> 00:23:19.460 you right now, when I moved to North Carolina, 00:23:19.500 --> 00:23:22.519 I never looked back. I love where I live. No 00:23:22.519 --> 00:23:25.279 offense to people that still live in concrete 00:23:25.279 --> 00:23:30.180 jungles. But just like it's sad in the natural, 00:23:30.400 --> 00:23:35.339 it's sad in the spiritual when a church becomes 00:23:35.339 --> 00:23:40.180 a concrete jungle. And if we ever get inward 00:23:40.180 --> 00:23:44.059 focused where it's just about me and my family 00:23:44.059 --> 00:23:46.400 and what I think and what should be happening, 00:23:46.539 --> 00:23:51.009 I'm telling you, it'll dry up so fast. We need 00:23:51.009 --> 00:23:55.490 some trees. We need some ministries. I'm not 00:23:55.490 --> 00:23:58.430 talking about programs. I'm talking about when 00:23:58.430 --> 00:24:01.509 you find a need, you found a ministry. I'm not 00:24:01.509 --> 00:24:04.369 talking about positions in a church. I'm talking 00:24:04.369 --> 00:24:06.990 about ministries. Don't wait till you have a 00:24:06.990 --> 00:24:10.869 position to be a ministry. Don't wait until everything 00:24:10.869 --> 00:24:14.130 just floats your way to be a ministry. Make up 00:24:14.130 --> 00:24:17.960 your mind. God has been so good to me. And as 00:24:17.960 --> 00:24:20.660 we face a new year, I'm going to start off this 00:24:20.660 --> 00:24:24.039 very week of Christmas by serving others, blessing 00:24:24.039 --> 00:24:27.380 others, helping others. Hey, we need more trees 00:24:27.380 --> 00:24:31.200 in the kingdom of God. We need more trees even 00:24:31.200 --> 00:24:35.339 at Heaven View. We need more trees. That can 00:24:35.339 --> 00:24:42.720 be fruitful. Amen. Obviously, I can't keep going 00:24:42.720 --> 00:24:45.740 on in this message without... talking a little 00:24:45.740 --> 00:24:50.000 bit about Christmas trees. We got a few of them 00:24:50.000 --> 00:24:54.779 around here. And about 25 years ago, when we 00:24:54.779 --> 00:24:59.940 started decorating for Christmas, we didn't put 00:24:59.940 --> 00:25:04.359 up any Christmas trees because we knew some people 00:25:04.359 --> 00:25:07.079 would get their feelings hurt. They'd be like 00:25:07.079 --> 00:25:13.240 Ichabod. The glory has departed. And I'm just 00:25:13.240 --> 00:25:15.400 going to... I'm just going to say this about 00:25:15.400 --> 00:25:18.380 that. And it's how I'm going to move into the 00:25:18.380 --> 00:25:20.859 part of this message where you're going to say, 00:25:20.980 --> 00:25:25.460 I can get a miracle today. I can get an answer 00:25:25.460 --> 00:25:30.119 to prayer today. But I think it's important to 00:25:30.119 --> 00:25:35.099 consider that sometimes Christmas is about everything 00:25:35.099 --> 00:25:40.079 but Jesus. And our lives can become that way. 00:25:40.670 --> 00:25:44.329 Even as Christians, we can go through the motions 00:25:44.329 --> 00:25:49.509 of church and we're doing everything but doing 00:25:49.509 --> 00:25:54.170 Jesus. And one of the ways that can happen is 00:25:54.170 --> 00:25:58.589 when you are focused on yourself, you got to 00:25:58.589 --> 00:26:02.890 be a ministry. You got to find a need. And when 00:26:02.890 --> 00:26:07.130 you find a need, you found a ministry. But the 00:26:07.130 --> 00:26:10.769 reality is this, even to this day, Haters are 00:26:10.769 --> 00:26:13.750 going to hate. And debaters are going to debate. 00:26:14.369 --> 00:26:17.910 And this season for some is just an opportunity 00:26:17.910 --> 00:26:19.890 to be critical. Well, I don't like this about 00:26:19.890 --> 00:26:22.130 Christmas. I don't like that about Christmas. 00:26:22.250 --> 00:26:25.109 I don't think they should do this. Now, we haven't 00:26:25.109 --> 00:26:28.670 got any nasty emails. I'm not throwing shade. 00:26:28.809 --> 00:26:30.950 I'm just saying that's the world we live in. 00:26:31.210 --> 00:26:33.369 That if you can find something to be critical 00:26:33.369 --> 00:26:36.369 about, you'll be critical about it. In fact, 00:26:36.369 --> 00:26:38.970 I heard a survey this week. This blew me away. 00:26:39.089 --> 00:26:43.910 The average person thinks 60 ,000 thoughts a 00:26:43.910 --> 00:26:47.269 day. And for the average person, this is part 00:26:47.269 --> 00:26:51.390 of that same statistic, about 80 % of those thoughts 00:26:51.390 --> 00:26:56.829 are negative. So we're all going to have to battle 00:26:56.829 --> 00:27:02.269 against stinking thinking at Christmas time and 00:27:02.269 --> 00:27:07.700 any other time. It's real important that you 00:27:07.700 --> 00:27:10.940 make up your mind. You know, I could waste my 00:27:10.940 --> 00:27:14.460 time hating with the haters and debating with 00:27:14.460 --> 00:27:17.900 the debaters. Or I could just find a way to be 00:27:17.900 --> 00:27:22.720 fruitful. I can find a way to let my light shine. 00:27:22.900 --> 00:27:29.839 I can be a ministry. In fact, this is about the 00:27:29.839 --> 00:27:36.029 last little part of our Western culture. where 00:27:36.029 --> 00:27:39.970 even with all the trappings and traditions that 00:27:39.970 --> 00:27:43.569 have nothing to do with Jesus, there'll be more 00:27:43.569 --> 00:27:46.609 people thinking about Jesus this Christmas day 00:27:46.609 --> 00:27:51.609 than at any other time of the year. So why don't 00:27:51.609 --> 00:27:55.480 we capitalize on that? Instead of being distracted 00:27:55.480 --> 00:27:59.519 by what Christmas is not, let's be focused on 00:27:59.519 --> 00:28:03.240 what Christmas is. Christmas is Jesus coming 00:28:03.240 --> 00:28:07.039 to this earth to reach lost people, to rescue 00:28:07.039 --> 00:28:09.700 those that are hurting. And I want to be a part 00:28:09.700 --> 00:28:25.880 of that mission. with this little notation, this 00:28:25.880 --> 00:28:34.000 statue is so we can honor the unknown God. Don't 00:28:34.000 --> 00:28:37.720 you know the Apostle Paul could have been a hater 00:28:37.720 --> 00:28:41.200 and a debater? What's wrong with you people with 00:28:41.200 --> 00:28:45.599 all this paganism? How in the world can you have 00:28:45.599 --> 00:28:49.880 a statue to an unknown God? There's no way that 00:28:49.880 --> 00:28:53.000 the Apostle Paul felt like that lined up with 00:28:53.000 --> 00:28:55.880 his theology. But if you look in Acts chapter 00:28:55.880 --> 00:29:01.900 17, he used their tradition to show them Jesus. 00:29:03.380 --> 00:29:06.670 Isn't that awesome? In fact, in Acts chapter 00:29:06.670 --> 00:29:10.529 17, verse 24, he's speaking to them about Jesus. 00:29:10.630 --> 00:29:13.329 In other words, you see this statue that's to 00:29:13.329 --> 00:29:18.009 the unknown God. Let me tell you who he is. And 00:29:18.009 --> 00:29:21.089 here's what he says. God, who made the world 00:29:21.089 --> 00:29:24.289 and everything in it, since he is Lord of heaven 00:29:24.289 --> 00:29:28.069 and earth, does not dwell in temples made with 00:29:28.069 --> 00:29:30.589 hands. You know who he's talking about? He's 00:29:30.589 --> 00:29:33.190 talking about Jesus. He could have been critical 00:29:33.190 --> 00:29:36.029 of their tradition. He could have thrown shade 00:29:36.029 --> 00:29:38.710 at everything that wasn't who God really is. 00:29:38.849 --> 00:29:41.829 But instead he said, let me show you who Jesus 00:29:41.829 --> 00:29:44.829 is. Come on. If you're spending Christmas with 00:29:44.829 --> 00:29:48.269 unsafe family, don't hate the haters. Don't debate 00:29:48.269 --> 00:29:52.109 the debaters. But try to find a way to be a ministry. 00:29:52.369 --> 00:29:55.309 Show them the love of Jesus. Show them the grace 00:29:55.309 --> 00:30:01.470 of God. Praise God. So he goes on to say, here's 00:30:01.470 --> 00:30:06.289 why God is working in these last days, that they 00:30:06.289 --> 00:30:11.529 should seek the Lord in the hope that they might 00:30:11.529 --> 00:30:16.549 grope for him and find him, though he is not 00:30:16.549 --> 00:30:22.809 far from each one of us. For in him we live and 00:30:22.809 --> 00:30:27.259 move and have our being. as also some of your 00:30:27.259 --> 00:30:32.480 own poets have said, for we are also his offspring. 00:30:33.519 --> 00:30:37.779 Is that amazing? He's preaching to them Jesus, 00:30:37.900 --> 00:30:41.079 and he quotes one of their pagan philosophers. 00:30:42.480 --> 00:30:46.200 Why? Because he's a pagan? No. He's just trying 00:30:46.200 --> 00:30:49.200 to take what they know and lead them to who they 00:30:49.200 --> 00:30:53.210 don't know. He wants them to know Jesus. Oh, 00:30:53.309 --> 00:30:56.089 would you close your eyes and raise your hand 00:30:56.089 --> 00:30:59.630 and say, Jesus, I'm thankful for everything that 00:30:59.630 --> 00:31:02.269 Christmas is about. But what I want it to be 00:31:02.269 --> 00:31:05.730 about for me is to take an opportunity between 00:31:05.730 --> 00:31:09.289 now and the rest of this holiday season to let 00:31:09.289 --> 00:31:15.359 somebody know something. About Jesus. God anoint 00:31:15.359 --> 00:31:19.940 us. Help us. Reach for us today. That each one 00:31:19.940 --> 00:31:24.599 of us, even during this Christmas season, we 00:31:24.599 --> 00:31:30.140 would have a ministry. Can you say in Jesus' 00:31:30.299 --> 00:31:35.380 name? Therefore, since we are the offspring of 00:31:35.380 --> 00:31:39.140 God, we ought not to think that the divine nature 00:31:39.140 --> 00:31:44.809 is like gold. Or silver. Or stone. Something 00:31:44.809 --> 00:31:49.089 shaped by art. And man's devising. We got to 00:31:49.089 --> 00:31:52.630 get past the paganism. We got to get past the 00:31:52.630 --> 00:31:56.690 carnality. And we've got to see Jesus. We love 00:31:56.690 --> 00:31:59.690 the traditions. We love the trappings of the 00:31:59.690 --> 00:32:05.829 season. But oh. That people. Would see. Jesus. 00:32:06.230 --> 00:32:11.170 And then. He says this, this is Acts 17 and verse 00:32:11.170 --> 00:32:17.910 30. Truly, these times of ignorance, God overlooked, 00:32:17.910 --> 00:32:26.210 but now commands all men everywhere to repent 00:32:26.210 --> 00:32:31.529 because he has appointed a day on which he will 00:32:31.529 --> 00:32:36.339 judge the world in righteousness. By the man 00:32:36.339 --> 00:32:39.700 whom he has ordained, he has given assurance 00:32:39.700 --> 00:32:46.400 of this to all by raising him from the dead. 00:32:47.920 --> 00:32:50.779 I don't know if you see it just yet, and I've 00:32:50.779 --> 00:32:54.079 reached the end of this message, but he literally 00:32:54.079 --> 00:33:00.200 says, all this paganism and all this carnality, 00:33:00.400 --> 00:33:06.140 all these traditions, you know what? There was 00:33:06.140 --> 00:33:10.180 a time that God just kind of winked at all that. 00:33:10.759 --> 00:33:14.480 People don't know who God really is. And you 00:33:14.480 --> 00:33:15.900 know what? We're just going to give them space 00:33:15.900 --> 00:33:22.599 and time to repent. But now, this is what Paul 00:33:22.599 --> 00:33:26.480 said to those pagans. And this is what the Bible 00:33:26.480 --> 00:33:32.480 says to us. Now, he's calling on everyone to 00:33:32.480 --> 00:33:37.420 repent. Because there's a day coming when God 00:33:37.420 --> 00:33:42.119 is going to judge the world. And the reason why 00:33:42.119 --> 00:33:45.819 he's going to be able to judge the world in righteousness 00:33:45.819 --> 00:33:51.240 is because he's going to point back to a tree. 00:33:52.740 --> 00:33:57.359 Not a Christmas tree as such. But the dads will 00:33:57.359 --> 00:34:01.180 understand this little play on words. It's a 00:34:01.180 --> 00:34:07.839 Christ. Must tree. See, because there's so much 00:34:07.839 --> 00:34:11.019 paganism, there's always been. There's so much 00:34:11.019 --> 00:34:13.960 carnality, there's always been. There's so many 00:34:13.960 --> 00:34:17.960 crazy ideas about higher powers and whether there's 00:34:17.960 --> 00:34:21.480 a God or not. And God just kind of let that go 00:34:21.480 --> 00:34:26.940 on and on and on. But now, because of a tree, 00:34:27.179 --> 00:34:34.980 the Christ must tree. He is a righteous God in 00:34:34.980 --> 00:34:40.420 calling all of us to repent. That's why the manger. 00:34:41.019 --> 00:34:44.539 That's why the shepherds. That's why the wise 00:34:44.539 --> 00:34:48.820 men. That's why the Savior. That's why the cross. 00:34:49.219 --> 00:34:53.519 That's why the resurrection. That's why we have 00:34:53.519 --> 00:34:57.239 repentance. That's why we call on people to be 00:34:57.239 --> 00:35:01.019 baptized in Jesus' name. That's why you can be 00:35:01.019 --> 00:35:03.960 filled with the Spirit. The greatest gift you 00:35:03.960 --> 00:35:09.019 can have at Christmastime. Why? Because before 00:35:09.019 --> 00:35:15.989 that Christ must tree. God didn't have a remedy 00:35:15.989 --> 00:35:20.469 for our sin. God didn't have our remedy for our 00:35:20.469 --> 00:35:23.230 false assumptions about what life is really about. 00:35:23.449 --> 00:35:26.630 God didn't have a remedy for people that live 00:35:26.630 --> 00:35:29.730 self -centered, selfish, critical, cynical lives. 00:35:29.869 --> 00:35:34.289 He didn't have a remedy for that. But oh, on 00:35:34.289 --> 00:35:40.590 that tree, the Christ must tree, when Jesus died 00:35:40.590 --> 00:35:45.619 and shed his blood, Now repentance can change 00:35:45.619 --> 00:35:50.039 everything. Now baptism changes everything. Now 00:35:50.039 --> 00:35:53.440 being filled with the Spirit is actually possible 00:35:53.440 --> 00:36:02.099 because of what happened on that tree. God no 00:36:02.099 --> 00:36:06.980 longer winks at sin. And because of this, we 00:36:06.980 --> 00:36:13.900 must have a tree. God. has called all of us to 00:36:13.900 --> 00:36:19.719 repent. But it means nothing without a tree. 00:36:20.659 --> 00:36:28.039 God will judge every sinner, so we must have 00:36:28.039 --> 00:36:34.960 a tree. The reality is all have sinned and come 00:36:34.960 --> 00:36:38.639 short of the glory of God. And the penalty for 00:36:38.639 --> 00:36:46.420 sin is death. So there must be a tree. Not a 00:36:46.420 --> 00:36:50.980 Christmas tree, no, not at all. But a Christ 00:36:50.980 --> 00:36:56.139 must tree. Where'd you get that language, pastor? 00:36:56.320 --> 00:36:59.400 Well, look again at the words of Jesus in Luke 00:36:59.400 --> 00:37:03.139 24. Then he said to them, thus it is written, 00:37:03.260 --> 00:37:09.019 and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer. 00:37:09.760 --> 00:37:12.179 and to rise from the dead the third day. One 00:37:12.179 --> 00:37:15.380 translation says he told them, the scriptures 00:37:15.380 --> 00:37:20.619 say that the Messiah must suffer. Then three 00:37:20.619 --> 00:37:26.380 days later, he is going to rise from death. Why 00:37:26.380 --> 00:37:31.760 must Jesus Christ suffer? Why must Jesus Christ 00:37:31.760 --> 00:37:34.860 die? I mean, the manger, the shepherd, the wise 00:37:34.860 --> 00:37:37.460 men, that's beautiful. Why can't we leave it 00:37:37.460 --> 00:37:42.059 there? Because the only way for sinners to escape 00:37:42.059 --> 00:37:48.579 death because of our sin is a Christ must tree. 00:37:49.019 --> 00:37:53.599 Where a crown of thorns crushes his brow. And 00:37:53.599 --> 00:37:57.019 nails are placed in his hands and feet. And a 00:37:57.019 --> 00:38:00.460 spear that ripped his side. And as he hangs on 00:38:00.460 --> 00:38:06.019 that cross and cries, it is finished. What's 00:38:06.019 --> 00:38:08.880 finished? You don't have to die for your sins. 00:38:09.099 --> 00:38:12.559 You don't have to die for your sins. We don't 00:38:12.559 --> 00:38:17.739 have to die as sinners because of a tree. Not 00:38:17.739 --> 00:38:23.360 a Christmas tree, but a Christ must tree. Jesus 00:38:23.360 --> 00:38:26.170 said. Thus it was necessary. And then he goes 00:38:26.170 --> 00:38:29.690 on to explain that repentance and remission of 00:38:29.690 --> 00:38:33.489 sins should be preached in his name among all 00:38:33.489 --> 00:38:36.469 nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And you are 00:38:36.469 --> 00:38:39.989 witnesses of these things. And behold, I send 00:38:39.989 --> 00:38:43.280 the. promise of my father upon you but tarry 00:38:43.280 --> 00:38:46.960 in the city of Jerusalem until you be endued 00:38:46.960 --> 00:38:50.719 with power from on high I hope you enjoy everything 00:38:50.719 --> 00:38:53.679 about Christmas but if you've never repented 00:38:53.679 --> 00:38:56.739 repent today because that's really what Christmas 00:38:56.739 --> 00:38:59.960 is all about I'm here to tell you enjoy everything 00:38:59.960 --> 00:39:03.159 you do for the holidays but if you've never been 00:39:03.159 --> 00:39:06.400 baptized in Jesus name we've got the water ready 00:39:06.400 --> 00:39:09.690 we've got the robes ready I'm begging you The 00:39:09.690 --> 00:39:12.789 reason why he died is so that you and I could 00:39:12.789 --> 00:39:15.929 be baptized by immersion in the name of Jesus. 00:39:16.030 --> 00:39:18.929 If you've been a follower of Jesus, but you've 00:39:18.929 --> 00:39:21.809 never been filled with his spirit, the reason 00:39:21.809 --> 00:39:26.010 why he had to die is so he could rise from the 00:39:26.010 --> 00:39:32.650 dead and fill us with resurrection power, with 00:39:32.650 --> 00:39:38.190 his Holy Spirit. And can I say this as we stand? 00:39:39.019 --> 00:39:42.340 Many of you have read your Bibles, and you can 00:39:42.340 --> 00:39:45.920 verify what I'm about to say with a hearty amen. 00:39:46.659 --> 00:39:52.519 The blood that Jesus shed, it forgives sin. It 00:39:52.519 --> 00:39:55.900 covers sin. But you know what else it does? It 00:39:55.900 --> 00:40:00.829 heals all our diseases. You know why we need 00:40:00.829 --> 00:40:05.650 a Christ must tree? Because in 2025, people need 00:40:05.650 --> 00:40:08.670 more than traditions. They need the truth that 00:40:08.670 --> 00:40:12.110 there is a God that still rescues the perishing. 00:40:12.150 --> 00:40:14.730 I'm here to tell you during the holiday season, 00:40:14.929 --> 00:40:17.650 if you're fighting depression, there is a tree. 00:40:17.809 --> 00:40:20.730 If you're fighting anxiety, there is a tree. 00:40:20.869 --> 00:40:23.289 If you're struggling with addiction, there is 00:40:23.289 --> 00:40:26.150 a tree. If you're struggling with disease, there 00:40:26.150 --> 00:40:28.610 is a tree. If you're struggling with sickness, 00:40:29.130 --> 00:40:36.909 There is a tree. The Christ must tree. I must 00:40:36.909 --> 00:40:40.769 go to that cross so that people could be healed 00:40:40.769 --> 00:40:45.869 in 2025 on the Sunday before Christmas. I must 00:40:45.869 --> 00:40:50.530 die for sinners so that people can be forgiven 00:40:50.530 --> 00:40:55.869 on the Sunday before Christmas. I must go to 00:40:55.869 --> 00:40:59.500 the cross. So that salvation and healing and 00:40:59.500 --> 00:41:02.940 deliverance and hope can be available to every 00:41:02.940 --> 00:41:05.599 person. I wonder if you would close your eyes 00:41:05.599 --> 00:41:09.619 and raise your hands as if to say, Jesus, I know 00:41:09.619 --> 00:41:13.320 it was for me. I know it was for me. The manger 00:41:13.320 --> 00:41:17.380 was for me. The shepherds was for me. The wise 00:41:17.380 --> 00:41:21.420 men was for me. That amazing story of you being 00:41:21.420 --> 00:41:24.440 born and living and dying and then conquering 00:41:24.440 --> 00:41:29.489 death. It was for me. you had to do it jesus 00:41:29.489 --> 00:41:34.389 so i could be saved you had to do it jesus so 00:41:34.389 --> 00:41:38.869 i could be healed you had to do it jesus so i 00:41:38.869 --> 00:41:42.880 could receive everything you have for me Lord 00:41:42.880 --> 00:41:45.280 Jesus, in the next few moments in this altar, 00:41:45.559 --> 00:41:48.539 whatever brings somebody to the altar today, 00:41:48.780 --> 00:41:52.159 whatever they need from you today, whatever request 00:41:52.159 --> 00:41:55.119 they have on behalf of their family or their 00:41:55.119 --> 00:41:58.239 friends or someone that has a need even in this 00:41:58.239 --> 00:42:01.719 sanctuary, God, let them believe that the cross, 00:42:01.900 --> 00:42:05.869 that the... cross has taken care of it that tree 00:42:05.869 --> 00:42:09.349 that we call Calvary that it's taken care of 00:42:09.349 --> 00:42:12.369 it the price is paid the miracle is available 00:42:12.369 --> 00:42:16.030 because you did what you had to do so I could 00:42:16.030 --> 00:42:19.070 receive what I've got to receive is there anybody 00:42:19.070 --> 00:42:21.329 that would come out of your pew and take the 00:42:21.329 --> 00:42:23.989 last few moments of this service and either bring 00:42:23.989 --> 00:42:26.989 your need to the Lord or bring your worship to 00:42:26.989 --> 00:42:29.949 him anybody that can come out of their pew and 00:42:29.949 --> 00:42:33.150 meet us at the altar and say I didn't come just 00:42:33.150 --> 00:42:37.190 for tradition. I came because of a tree. I didn't 00:42:37.190 --> 00:42:40.690 come just for tradition. I came because of a 00:42:40.690 --> 00:42:45.469 Savior. who died for me thank you for coming 00:42:45.469 --> 00:42:48.590 thank you for coming if you are here and you 00:42:48.590 --> 00:42:51.369 know how to help us pray I ask you to pray for 00:42:51.369 --> 00:42:54.190 everybody you can I know it's Christmas time 00:42:54.190 --> 00:42:57.210 I know we've got things to do and places to go 00:42:57.210 --> 00:43:01.070 and people to see but Jesus died for somebody 00:43:01.070 --> 00:43:04.789 to receive a healing today Jesus died for somebody 00:43:04.789 --> 00:43:06.329 to receive direction today