Scriptures: Genesis 1:3, 6-7, 9, 14-15, 20, 24, 26, 28-31 Deuteronomy 8:14-19, Hebrews 13:14-16 NLT

God displayed his GENEROSITY as the very first giver of gifts.

Gifts were meant to be EXCHANGED between us and God.

God’s gifts remind us to live other-WORLDLY.

Christmas was always part of God’s plan for restoration.

Genesis 3:15 NLT

...I will cause hostility between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring. He will strike your head, and you will strike his heel.”

Genesis 49:8-10 NLT

“Judah, your brothers will praise you. You will grasp your enemies by the neck. All your relatives will bow before you.

9 Judah, my son, is a young lion that has finished eating its prey.

Like a lion he crouches and lies down; like a lioness—who dares to rouse him? 10 The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from his descendants, until the coming of the one to whom it belongs, the one whom all nations will honor.

Isaiah 7:14 NLT

...Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel (which means ‘God is with us’).

Isaiah 9:6-7 NLT

For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 His government and its peace will never end. He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David for all eternity. The passionate commitment of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies will make this happen!

Christmas brings righteousness, holiness, and PURITY .

Isaiah 1:16-18 NLT

Wash yourselves and be clean! Get your sins out of my sight. Give up your evil ways. 17 Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the cause of orphans. Fight for the rights of widows. 18 “Come now, let’s settle this,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson, I will make them as white as wool.

Christmas makes the GODLY whiter than snow.

Revelation 3:1-5 NLT

...“I know all the things you do, and that you have a reputation for being alive—but you are dead. 2 Wake up! Strengthen what little remains, for even what is left is almost dead. I find that your actions do not meet the requirements of my God. 3 Go back to what you heard and believed at first; hold to it firmly. Repent and turn to me again. If you don’t wake up, I will come to you suddenly, as unexpected as a thief.

4 “Yet there are some in the church in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes with evil. They will walk with me in white, for they are worthy. 5 All who are victorious will be clothed in white. I will never erase their names from the Book of Life, but I will announce before my Father and his angels that they are mine.

What MEMORIALS do you need to build? Joshua 4:1-7

Wilderness Miracles (Exodus 13-17)

• Daily provision of manna and quail
• Provided water from a rock
• Protected them against enemies
• Led them with a physical presence
• Sustained their resources
• God kept his promises

What STORY do you need to share? Deuteronomy 7:4-10 NLT

What MERCIES do you need to recall? Psalm 103:1-5 NLT

God’s Tender Mercies

• He forgives our sin
• He heals our disease
• He redeems us from death
• He crowns us with love
• He renews our strength
• He gives us justice
• He showers us with compassion
• He is patient and slow to anger
• He withholds the punishment we deserve
• He understands our weaknesses
• He saves the children’s children of those who live for him

Question 1: What is your HEART full of? Luke 6:45, Proverbs 4:23

Question 2: How to have a THANKFUL heart every day? Colossians 2:7, Psalm 95, Psalm 7:17, 1 Chronicles 29:13, Psalm 9, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Question 3: What does a Thankful Heart PRODUCE in our lives?

A Thankful Heart Produces:

• PEACE
• WORSHIP
• JOY
• A SHIFT IN RELATIONSHIPS

Saul/Paul

• Ministry: AD ∽40-67
• Situation: Early Christianity
• Message: Jesus as Messiah
• Power: 10+ major miracles
• Fame: NT Writings & Missions
• Successor: Timothy
• Death: Executed in Rome

Observation 1: God gives COMFORT while utilizing our suffering for good. 2 Corinthians 1:3-7, 2, 4:8-12 NLT

Observation 2: TRIALS keep us humbly connected to Jesus. Deuteronomy 8:10-14, 2 Corinthians 12:6-10 NLT

Observation 3: In every trial, God’s GRACE is sufficient. 1 Corinthians 10:12-13 NLT

ELIJAH OF TISHBE

• Ministry: 870-850 BC
• Situation: idolatry (Baal)
• Message: Punishment
• Power: 10+ major miracles
• Fame: Prophets of Baal
• Successor: Elisha
• Death: Whirlwind to Heaven

Observation 1: Not every discouraging situation is PERSONAL. 1 Kings 17:1-7 NLT

Observation 2: Difficult journeys require SPIRITUAL nourishment. 1 Kings 19:1-8 NLT

Observation 3:You won’t find God in the HYPE. 1 Kings 19:9-13 NLT

The Life of David

• Anointed – 1 Sam 16:11-13
• Needed – 1 Sam 16:19-23
• Victorious – 1 Sam 17:48-51
• Celebrated – 1 Sam 18:6-7
• Envied – 1 Sam 18:8-9
• Challenged – 1 Sam 18:23-35
• Hated – 1 Sam 19:9-10
• Hunted – 1 Sam 20:41-42
• Humiliated – 1 Sam 21:12-13
• Respected – 1 Sam 24:16-22
• Tempted – 1 Sam 26:8-11
• Dismissed – 1 Sam 29:6-11

The Strength to Overcome Discouragement comes from God. 1 Samuel 20:1-6

Step 1: Trust in the Sovereignty of God. 1 Samuel 17:41-47

Step 2: Reflect on God’s Goodness. Psalm 13, 1 Chr. 10:11 Ps. 100:5 Acts 10:38 Ps. 23:6 Ps. 119:68 Rom. 2:4 Ps. 27:13 Ps. 136:1-3 Rom. 8:28 Ps. 31:19 Ps. 145:7-9 Rom. 11:22 Ps. 33:5 Jer. 31:14 Eph. 2:7 Ps. 34:8 Lam. 3:25 Titus 3:4-5 Ps. 53:9 Mic. 7:18-19 Heb. 13:15-16 Ps. 84:11 Nah. 1:7 Jas. 1:17 Ps. 92:1-2 John 10:11 Rev. 15:3-5

Step 3: Offer God Sacrificial Praise. 2 Samuel 24:21-25

Scripture: Eph. 4:30, 6:10-12, 1 Pet. 5:8-9, Eph. 6:13-18, John 16:33

Main Points:

• Dark Spirituality: There is an exponential increase in fascination with paranormal activity and dark spirituality. While this reveals that people are searching, it has implications for the Church.
• Vigilance: Christians do not need to fear the inevitable attacks of the enemy as long as we remain ready for attack through vigilance and spiritual preparation for war.
• Spiritual Obesity: The Church is stuffed to the brim with popular sermons and professional worship. It has depleted our need to live the Gospel and make that our worship. Unless we recognize the value of the Gospel and live our worship, we are not ready for Spiritual Attack.