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1. We are called to be strong in the Lord. (Ephesians 6:10)
   • Put on God’s full armor. (Ephesians 6:11)
   • Stand against the devil’s schemes. (Ephesians 6:11)
   • Our struggle is not against flesh blood but against authorities/ powers of darkness/ evil. (Ephesians 6:12)
   • Therefore for complete victory we must continually put on God’s full armor. (Ephesians 6:13)
2. God tells us if we put His armor on we will be victorious! (Ephesians 6:13)
3. Armor of God:
   • Belt of Truth. (Ephesians 6:14)
   • Breastplate of Righteousness. (Ephesians 6:14)
   • Feet, fitted in readiness. (Ephesians 6:15)
   • Shield of Faith, to extinguish arrows from the evil one. (Ephesians 6:16)
   • Helmet of Salvation. (Ephesians 6:17)
   • Sword of the Spirit. (Ephesians 6:17)
   • Prayer in the Spirit. (Ephesians 6:18)
4. Paul asks for prayer for himself as a leader so he may preach/ teach the word of God fearlessly. (Ephesians 6:19) I am asking the same from you!

Do you desire to be the creation God created you to be? Do you desire to be all God created you to be? If so, put on His armor; His complete and total armor, so that you may glorify God and start your victorious journey in becoming all He created you to be!

1. Jesus’ Prayer for Himself. (John 17:1-5)
   • Glorify Your Son, so He may glorify You. (John 17:1)
   • Eternal life in knowing God. (John 17:3)
   • Jesus brought God glory and asks God to glorify Him (Jesus) with the glory He had before. (John 17:4-5)
   • Jesus’ prayer for Himself was all about glorifying God!
2. Jesus’ Prayer for believers. (John 17:20-26)
   • Prayer is for all people whom the believers’ touch (John 17:20)
   • That all may be one in God, as is Christ. (John 17:21)
   • Jesus has given them and they accepted the glory of God. (John 17:22)
   • May we all be brought to complete unity with each other and God. (John 17:23)
   • Christ wants us to be with Him through all eternity. (John 17:24)
   • The world rejects those given to Him, but I knew them. (John 17:25)
   • Jesus makes all believers known to God. (John 17:26)
   • Jesus will continue to make God known to them. (John 17:26)
   • “I will continue to be in them / guide them.” (John 17:26)

We are to be light amongst the darkness! The most important tool that we use to be His disciples and believers/followers is prayer.

• First: We must, in faith, pray for all we need to be obedient to His word, will and way.
• Second: We must be willing to accept God’s answers to our prayers.
• Third: We must respond in obedience to God’s answers to our prayers.
• Finally: We must accept, in faith, all of God’s blessings that come from our prayers, faith, obedience and actions.

As God prays for us, we must pray for ourselves and each other. In such prayers comes the commitment, obedience, wisdom, direction and guidance that lead to our true, faithful alignment with God. In that alignment, we learn to live the lives that God has created for us. We can become all He created us to do an be!

1. Jesus first defines and discusses who His Disciples are:
   • I revealed you to them. (John 17:6)
   • You gave them to me and they obeyed your word. (John 17:6)
   • They now know everything comes from/through you. (John 17:7)
   • They accepted your words and teachings. (John 17:8)
   • They know I came from you and you sent me. (John 17:8)
   • I pray for them and not the world. (John 17:9)
   • You gave them to me, yet they still belong to you. (John 17:9)
   • All I have is yours; all you have is mine. (John 17:10)
   • Protect them in this world by Your Holy Name. (John 17:11)
   • So we are all one. (John 17:11)
   • None we lost other than Judas in order to fulfill scriptures. (John 17:12)
2. Items Jesus asks for us as His Disciples:
   • I’m coming home to glory / full measure of joy to be with us. (John 17:13)
   • I’ve given them your word / the world hates them / strengthen them. (John 17:14)
   • They are not of this world anymore than I am. (John 17:14)
   • My prayer is not that you take them out of th earthly world. (John 17:15)
   • Protect them from the evil one. (John 17:15)
   • Sanctify them with the truth, with your word; a Holy lifestyle. (John 17:17)
   • As you sent me, I sent them; bless them. (John 17:18)
   • For them, I sanctify myself so they are sanctified. (John 17:19)

Jesus prays for His true disciples then and now!  Do we qualify as His disciples? Are we living the life Jesus commands us to live; a holiness lifestyle?

Imagine the Son of God praying for you and me, praying for all of us in alignment with His word, will and way. Can we do anything less than becoming the daily fulfillment of Christ’s prayers? Can we do anything less than becoming all He has created us to do an be?

Let us come together this day and become the answer to all of Christ’s prayers!

When we ask ourselves why reconciliation and forgiveness is not metered out fairly and with Christian love, we need to realize that what we are in reality saying is that there is something more important to us than reconciliation and forgiveness: mainly our idols!

In our scripture lesson today, Paul shows us that idolatry is not just one kind of sin but what is fundamentally wrong with the human heart. Because there are idols in our lives and heart we find we cannot reconcile or forgive; something else has become more important to us than God’s callings and commands.

1. Idolatry is always the reason we do everything we do wrong. (Romans 1:20)
2. God’s power has always been seen so man has no excuse. (Romans 1:20)
3. Although man knows God, many choose not to glorify Him and therefore remain foolish, disobedient and in darkness. (Romans 1:21-22)
4. They exchange God’s glory and eternal life for images made by man that seem to have secular importance. (Romans 1:23)
5. Therefore, because of their idolatry, God gave them over to the desires of their hearts which leads to the degrading of their bodies and lives. (Romans 1:24)
6. They exchanged the truth of God for the lies of men. (Romans 1:24)
7. They worshiped their idols instead of their God and lost their eternal and earthly way. (Romans 1:25)

In today’s world, relationships are often contingent upon happiness instead of God’s joy.

• If I could have anything in the world what would it be and how long would it make me happy?
• Do I know what would really make me happy?

If reconciliation, forgiveness and happiness seem to avoid you, perhaps it is time to be honest and take a good look at the idols in our lives. What are we putting before God? Are we letting the idols of work, security, health, pride, family, control and relationships come before God?

Lose the idols and keep God first in your lives. Put God first in all things and be willing to reconcile, forgive, love and live, and accept God’s blessing of total Godly Joy!

1. One party is not willing to confess their sins to God or Man
2. One party is not willing to give or accept forgiveness from God or Man.
3. One or both parties are not willing to establish a new relationship between the parties.

Reconciliation and forgiveness means establishing a new relationship between parties!

Bible Study: “Walking in the Light”

1. God is the light and there is no darkness in Him. (1 John 1:5)
2. If we claim the fellowship with God and yet walk in darkness we are liars. (1 John 5:6)
3. If we walk in the light we have fellowship with one another and we are purified from all sin and grudges. (1 John 5:7)
4. If we claim to be without sin we deceive ourselves. (1 John 5:8)
5. If we confess our sins God is just and faithful and forgives our sins. (1 John 5:9)
6. If we claim to have no sin we make a liar out of God. (1 John 5:10)
7. His Word is no longer within us. (1 John 5:10)

When forgiveness doesn’t work we have refused to start a new relationship.

1. Forgiveness is always granted so all sinners may be brought back to alignment with God. (Galatians 6:1)
2. We are all called to win our brothers back to Christ. (Matthew 18:15)
3. Forgiveness or reconciliation is NEVER about your feelings but about obedience to God’s commands.
4. Forgiveness and reconciliation marks the end of an old relationship and the beginning of a new one.

So what are we to do if the other party won’t forgive or reconcile?

1. Ask ourselves, “Have we honestly done everything we could do?”
2. Continue to pray for the other party.
3. Continue to live our lives in alignment with God’s Word, Will and Way.
4. Be ready for every opportunity and NEVER GIVE UP!
5. Accept God’s peace.

God calls us to be His Light within the world for all to see! Keep that light shining; love each other enough to forgive and reconcile! Love each other enough to truly love each other. –Matthew 22:37-39– All true Christian relationships hang upon these two commandments; in obedience to them we become God’s true light in the darkness!

1. Reconciliation is needed because there are things that will cause people to sin.  (Luke 17:1-2)
2. Therefore we are called to watch ourselves. (Luke 17:3a)
3. If our brother sins rebuke him. If he repents forgive him; even seven times in one day! (Luke 17:3b-4)
   • Repentance is not contingent upon immediate fruit; nor should forgiveness.  Reconciliation and forgiveness are processes; matters of sin, faith and duty which lead to obedience in forgiving others.
   • We are to forgive and reconcile with others because God calls us in obedience to His plan and if we don’t or wont we are not worthy to worship.(Matthew 5:23-24)
4. Disciples respond by asking for an increase of faith but Jesus did not accept their excuses. (Luke 17:5)
5. Jesus instead called the disciples to obedience based on the size of a mustard seed.  (Luke 17:6)
6. Jesus gives them the story of the obedient servant. (Luke 17:7-9)
7. Jesus compares the servant to us doing our Christian duty. (Luke 17:10)

Ministry and true obedience to God will demand a life of sacrifice. What have we been sacrificing for God/Christ? When Christians quarrel, gossip and offend one another we allow loose ends to rob the church of strength and the ability to unite for God’s will.

In order to strengthen the church and its people there must be present a total, truthful and real desire for reconciliation and forgiveness amongst God’s people. Reconciliation and forgiveness are totally new relationships that are established through our personal confession of sin and repentance and through forgiveness by God and Man.

We are called to reconcile and forgive amongst ourselves in obedience to God’s love and sacrifice for His creation; to do less weakens the church and every congregation. Do you have someone to forgive? Are you still holding a grudge? Let it go now and receive God’s blessing. In obedience you will be blessed!

We have taken a spiritual journey to Bethlehem to find:

1. The Faith of Christmas
2. The Promise of Christmas
3. The Peace of Christmas
4. The Christ of Christmas

Q: Where will we go now in our faith journey?

I) What is Our Calling as Disciples of Christ?

1. Our first and primary calling is to be a follower, a Disciple, of Christ. This is what God calls every person to be; a person who trusts in and follows Jesus’ commands.
2. Q: What is happening in Matthew 4?  Answer: Jesus, the Savior the people have been waiting for, calls Peter & Andrew to “come follow me.” Likewise with the other disciples!
3. Obedience is a big deal to God!

II) How is God calling you to go further in your Christian journey? (Luke 5:1-11)

1. On the shore of the Sea of Galilee, Peter (Simon), Andrew, James & John all hear Jesus preaching to the crowd.
2. When Jesus addresses Peter & Andrew, Peter responds & calls Jesus master.
   Peter is already beginning to recognize Jesus’ authority through His preaching.
3. As Jesus performs the fish miracle, He gives them even more of a glimpse of His power & authority.

Q: How did they respond when Jesus commands them to follow Him?
A: Without delay, they obeyed & followed Him.

Q: What is God calling you to be and do this year? How can you further the Word of God in your own life and in our community?

Q: In what way is Christ calling you to be more committed disciples; to further your commitment in serving Him and advancing His kingdom?

We must make Goals for moving forward in our Faith Journey. This is not a New Years Resolution sermon; it is about COMMITMENT! What can we do to further our commitment to the Word of God; to serving the Lord; to commit ourselves following and obeying God’s call in our life?

I challenge everyone here, to discover what God is calling you to be and do for this coming year, and make sure you obey it when you discover what that calling is.  Are you a shareholder in what you believe?

The Shepherds noticed an angel of the Lord (Luke 2:8-14)

1. Noticed God’s Glory; they were terrified (Luke 2:9)
2. Angel told them not to be scared (Luke 2:10)
3. Good news and great joy were coming to them (Luke 2:10)
4. The Christ Child was being born (Luke 2:11-12)
5. Jerusalem was crowded yet only the shepherds saw the angel; not everyone sees Jesus (Luke 2:9)
6. They noticed things and glorified God (Luke 2:13-14)

They went to see the Christ Child (Luke 2:15-20)

1. Shepherds had their priorities straight; they dropped everything to see the Christ Child (Luke 2:15)
2. They rushed to find the Christ Child (Luke 2:16)
3. They spread the news of what the Angel said to them (Luke 2:17)
4. All who heard were amazed (Luke 2:18)
5. The shepherds belonged in the G.N.T. Club (Group that Notices Things)
6. They returned glorifying and praising God (Luke 2:20)

They saw the good news of Christmas; Christ!

1. Shepherds identified the reason for the season; Christ!
2. If Christ is in our hearts, no one can steal Christmas from us.
3. Real Christmas joy is not based on gifts, presents or worldly stuff.
4. The only real gift for Christmas is God’s gift of Jesus.
5. The Shepherds were true charter members of the G.N.T Club. Are we?

Do we notice God’s desire to guide and direct our lives or do we insist on our own way? Are we enslaved by entitlement? Are we no longer aligned with God’s word, will and way? Do we only care for ourselves? Are we enslaved as a part of the “me generation”?

This Christmas, things can change, but it is totally up to us. If our lives are not where we want them to be why do we need to change? This Christmas, let us return to a Christmas that truly features and highlights Christ. Welcome Him into your hearts and watch the blessings flow.

It’s up to us; the same old Christmas as usual? Or a Christmas centered around Christ, change, love and transformation. Christmas is coming; are we truly ready?

One of the most wonderful things Christmas brings to us is the gift of Peace. But how do we get this Peace?

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

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”
–Luke 2:14 KJV

God extended this goodwill, or favor, to all humanity, but only those who are willing to be obedient and faithful to God are those who actually be able to be blessed by God with this Good News! Do you want this peace?

In his study, James Moore suggests that there are three ways Christmas brings us Peace:

1. Christmas brings Us Peace Within
   • The Word of God revives the soul, warms our heart toward God and changes our life anew. If we receive it, we become a new creation, just as we see in Handel’s life.
   • James Moore wrote in this study that what had happened to George Frederick Handel is that he experienced Christmas that day.
   • On that day, Handel experienced “on earth peace, goodwill toward men” It was a life-changing event for him.
2. Christmas brings Us Peace with Others
   • 1 Corinthians 7:15
   • Since God is calling us to live in peace with others, when we receive Christ in true faith, the peace we now have within us, should also produce peace within our relationships with others.
   • “By giving Glory to God in the Highest…” , “By doing all in our power to promote “on earth peace, goodwill toward men.” – B.T. Roberts
   • I urge you to allow the Christ of Christmas to work in your heart, so that you may find the peace with others that Christmas offers us.
3. Christmas brings us peace with God
   • Moore says that “The Christ of Christmas is our personal Savior because there is a hole in our souls that only he can fill.”
   • Hark the herald Angels sing,
     Glory to the new born king;
     Peace on earth and mercy mild,
     God and sinners reconciled.”

The faith of Christmas brings us:

1. Peace within – this can only come from God as we place our faith & trust in what Christ came and did for us on the Cross.
2. Peace with others – God calls us to peace with others, but our personal relationships with others are made new only through the peace that God offers.
3. Peace with God – when we receive Jesus Christ as our personal Lord and Savior, the faith of Christmas brings us reconciliation with God, which in turn brings us peace within our hearts, and peace in all aspects of life.