GOD'S SPECIAL MESSENGERS!
The focus of week four in Advent is Love and also the Angels. We will light the "Angel's Candle" on Sunday. Have you ever thought about how significant the "Messengers" God chose to prepare and announce Immanuel. The archangel (the highest ranking of an angel) Gabriel visited Mary to announce to her that she had been chosen to bear the Son of God. We are not sure who the angel was who visited Joseph and told him that though Mary was with child and it was going to be alright. Many believe this important visit was also by Gabriel. Mary and Joseph were given clarity, hope, and a new excitement with the Angel's announcement. They were chosen and their lives were about to change forever. And then the Angel, and Heavenly hosts, announcing the arrival of the baby Jesus to the Shepherds. These Messengers were given extremely important responsibilities and privileges in the arrival of Immanuel. Their message was one that generations had been waiting for, anticipating for years. And now THE Messiah had arrived.
We are nearing the end of Advent. We grow with anticipation of the coming of Immanuel. This Sunday's theme is LOVE. Love, Agape, Unconditional Love. Love that the Christmas Season is ultimately all about. God's gift of Immanuel, to be our sacrifice and our savior. The One who restores our opportunity to fellowship, worship, and have that personal pure relationship with our Creator. Jesus commands us (John 13:34) "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another." Our world longs for LOVE. And we know where it can be found. So, what better gift to give, better yet live, than to LOVE.
Ways I can give the gift of "Immanuel's love" to others; Again, I challenge you to make and then follow through with your own list.
Claim the unconditional gift of LOVE that comes from Christ. (Again, you cannot share what you do not have.)
Love my neighbors, even if they are hard to love. (Be tolerant)
Give the gift of quality time.
Say thank you.
Give the gift of a hug - at least a smile.
Let people know they really are important and do matter. (Send a note or text)
Live in an attitude of true love. (Create and share laughter, happiness, and acceptance)
Today is December 23. In Luke 23, we see Jesus led to Pilate then Herod and back to Pilate, who finds NO basis for the charges made against him, but finally, reluctantly surrenders Jesus to the will of the crowd. And Jesus is crucified, dies, and is buried. It is a powerful chapter, and a great one to read and remind us of the significance of Christmas. Verses 38-43 speak of his interaction with the two thieves being crucified on either side of him. One thief realizes that Jesus has done nothing wrong and truly is "the King''. (verses 42-43)
Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.
And Jesus answered him, "Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise."
Even in intense suffering and pain, Jesus shows His unconditional love to this man, who is transformed from a thief to a member of the Family of God. What JOY was shown and celebrated through the Love of our Savior, even as He suffered and died. And because of this death, as our sacrificial lamb, we too can receive the gift of life and also join our Savior in paradise.
Jesus reminds us in John 15:13,"Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends." And He did.
Then he tells us (v. 14) "You are my friends if you do what I command." And His command is to LOVE!
This Sunday we will Celebrate, twice, the ultimate gift of LOVE. I hope to see you there...and Always Remember...
YOU ARE TRULY LOVED!
Pastor Lonnie
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WHY DO WE CELEBRATE COMMUNION AND BAPTISM?
from Pastor Lonnie
There are two ordinances that we as a New Testament Church follow: Communion and Baptism. These ordinances allow us to ceremonially worship even deeper. We choose to come to the Communion Table every Sunday. This sacrament reminds us of the ultimate gift of Christ's death, his body and blood, and resurrection, forgiving our sins - completely, and giving us life eternally. And there is Believer's Baptism.
Have you had the privilege of following Christ through the ordinance of Believer's Baptism? Many Churches will "baptize" or "christen" babies. However, Believer's Baptism is when you, at an age of understanding (accountability) decide to follow the example Jesus set by being baptized in the Jordan River by John the Baptist. The act of baptism is an opportunity for us to show the world, through a public profession of our faith, that we have been saved and have chosen to be a follower of Jesus Christ. It is a true celebration.
If you have never experienced this special celebration and would like to, please let me know. In fact, next Sunday, December 31, we are planning on celebrating Believer's Baptism. What better way to end the year and enter into the new one than to publicly acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Savior and Lord. (Again, please let me know if you would like to be baptized.)
(You can reach Pastor Lonnie by calling or text 615-496-2502 or send an email to lonniecastle@gmail.com)