The Man Who Tried to Stop Christmas

Notes: The man who tried tostop Christmas

Pastor Greg

Harvest OC

Matt 2

December 22, 2013

What Christians are being asked of is not tolerance, but acceptance and endorsement of sin.

Luke 12:51-53 (NKJV)

Do you suppose that I came to give peace on earth? I tell you, not at all, but rather division. [52] For from now on five in one house will be divided: three against two, and two against three. [53] Father will be divided against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law."

Matthew 2:3 (NKJV)

When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.

Matthew 2:16 (NKJV)

16 Then Herod, when he saw that he was deceived by the wise men, was exceedingly angry; and he sent forth and put to death all the male children who were in Bethlehem and in all its districts, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had determined from the wise men.

1. Herod, the man who tried to stop Christmas.

There are people like Herod today that oppose Christmas and Christ himself.

He pretended to be a worshiper.

Matthew 2:3 (NKJV)

When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.

2. The chief priest and scribes.

They were the experts of their day. Knew the scriptures so well but cared so little.

Believers can be asleep like these scholars.

3. The Wisemen

Matthew 2:2 (NKJV)

saying, "Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him."

Matthew 2:11 (NKJV)

And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

Everyone worships at Christmas. They worship something not necessarily God.

The Wisemen worshipped Jesus.

How can we worship.

One way is singing.

Revelation 5:12 (NKJV)

saying with a loud voice: " Worthy is the Lamb who was slain To receive power and riches and wisdom, And strength and honor and glory and blessing!"

Serving others is an act of worship.

Hebrews 13:16 (NKJV)

But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

The Greatest Story Ever Told: The Birth of Jesus Christ

Notes: The Greatest Story Ever Told: The Birth of Jesus Christ

Dec 15th - Pastor Greg Laurie

Luke 2 - The Greatest Story Ever Told

1. When did Jesus Christ come?

Galatians 4:4-5 (KJV)

But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, [5] To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

The story of Jesus birth starts in heaven and unfolds on Earth.

Luke 1:28 (KJV)

And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.

Luke 2:1-7 (KJV)

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. [2] ( And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) [3] And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. [4] And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) [5] To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. [6] And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. [7] And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

Luke 1:3 (KJV)

It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus,

In a time when man wanted to be god, God became a man.

Proverbs 21:1 (KJV)

The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord , as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.

God is in control.

History is His Story

History swings on the hinge of the door of a stable in Bethlehem.

2. Where was Jesus born?

A barn, or a cave.

Luke 2:8-15 (KJV)

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. [9] And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. [10] And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. [11] For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. [12] And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. [13] And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, [14] Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. [15] And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

Luke 2:11 (KJV)

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

Time is in Favor of the Christian

Notes: Time is in Favor of the Christian

Pastor Jack Hibbs  

December 5, 2013 

Ephesians 1:17 (NKJV)

that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him,18 (NKJV)

the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,

Genesis 3:8-9 (NKJV)

And they heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden. [9] Then the LORD God called to Adam and said to him, "Where are you?"

1 Peter 3:15 (NKJV)

But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;

Isaiah 17:1 (NKJV)

The burden against Damascus. " Behold, Damascus will cease from being a city, And it will be a ruinous heap.

Matthew 24:44 (NKJV)

Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.

Hebrews 10:24-25 (NKJV)

And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, [25] not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

Isaiah 45:21-22 (NKJV)

Tell and bring forth your case; Yes, let them take counsel together. Who has declared this from ancient time? Who has told it from that time? Have not I, the LORD? And there is no other God besides Me, A just God and a Savior; There is none besides Me. [22] " Look to Me, and be saved, All you ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other.

Christmas: The Big Announcement

Notes: Christmas: The Big Announcement

December 1, 2013 

Pastor Greg Sunday service

God came near - Luke 1

1. Mary lived a Godly life in an ungodly place.

Mary was a nobody in a nothing town

Lot in Genesis 19

Isaiah 7:14 (NLT)

All right then, the Lord himself will give you the sign. 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').

Luke 1:29 (NKJV)

But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was.

2. She was honestly surprised that God selected her and not someone else.

Don't boast about what you have given up to follow Jesus.

Luke 1:47 (NKJV)

And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.

Luke 1:31-32 (NKJV)

And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name JESUS. [32] He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David.

Luke 1:34 (NKJV)

Then Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I do not know a man?"

3. Mary was completely obedient.

Luke 1:38 (NKJV)

Then Mary said, "Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word." And the angel departed from her.

Jeremiah 29:11 (NKJV)

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Romans 12:1-2 (NKJV)

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. [2] And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

Present yourself to God. Then don't be conformed to this world.

Matthew 1:19 (NKJV)

Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly.

Joseph is the unsung hero of the Christmas story according to Pastor Greg.

God chose Joseph as surely as He chose Mary.

If you take away the virgin birth then you lose everything.

Even Mary had to ask to be forgiven of her sins.