December 22, 2024

                                                                             THE COMING KING: HE IS ABLE                                                                                                               December 22, 2024

Pastor Jonathan Falwell

What do you envision when you think of Christmas? We walk into a mall and immediately all our senses are on overload. How can we get back to the reason for the season, and celebrate the holy, eternal God, coming in human form as the Babe in the manger (Phil. 2:5-11, Psa. 41:13), the years of His ministry, the cross He endured for our sakes, the empty tomb, and eternal life. It is the angel announcing to a group of shepherds that the longed-for Messiah had been born. It is the angels saying, “Peace on earth, good will toward men.” It was the people—well over five hundred—who saw the crucified Christ walking and talking for forty days after His crucifixion and resurrection. It is His power (dynamite) and authority (all) over everything in creation, and over anything that can happen to us, if we’re willing to make Him our Lord and Savior. It’s nothing about you, or what you’ve done. Not your works, not your lifestyle, not your merit (Is. 64:6). Life—it’s only about Him.

Focal Passages: Isaiah 9:6-7.

He is able to calm your heart:                                                                                                                              

  • Read Isaiah 9:6. For the last four weeks we have discussed these verses, perfect for Christmas, yet perfect for the Second Coming as well. How do they describe Jesus?
  • What are some of the reasons you see the world as crazy now? If you or your parents had years ago envisioned life today, would the possibility of it getting even worse be real? Do you believe it might be the “last days”? Why or why not?
  • When we think of the turmoil, hate, and devastation in so many places, do you think it will get much worse? What are some of the situations people you know are going through right now, that are so bad they are not sure they will make it through?
  • Read Mark 4:39. What did Jesus have authority over? What are other things He controlled with His authority? Do we have any authority? Read 1 Cor. 6:19-20. Do we have any authority that is not given to us by God? Why do we rebel against being told what to do?

He is able to see you through:

  • Is there any storm in your life too big for Him to speak a word and it is over? Read Gen. 18:14a, Jer. 32:17, 32:27. We have read these the past weeks, but they must be internalized until they are part of our natural thinking. Do you believe them?
  • Jesus is Omnipotent and has all What does that mean? Read Mk. 5:1-8. What did Jesus have power and authority over in this passage? Read Lk. 7:11-15. What did He have power and authority over here? Name some other situations where Jesus had both power and authority.
  • What is the hardest thing you can think of that you are going through right now? If God said, “Ok, you can have the authority to fix this,” would you want to? Would it scare you that even though He said you had His permission you still don’t have the wisdom? We would probably make a greater mess than it already is. But what happens if you depend on Him, letting Him take the problem? Does He ever make a mistake? Can we really count on His promises? What are some promises you take great comfort in?

He is able to see you home:

  • Read vs. 7b. Do you have any memory of a time when your parent or guardian was there for you at a time when you were going to be the object of someone’s wrath? How often do you consciously think of the truth that God the Holy Spirit is with you at all times, indwelling you, bringing you through various tough situations?
  • Read John 14:1-6. Can Jesus lie? Then what promise here is so great that we can know it is the truth?
  • Read Rev. 22:12. What is His promise to us? What reward do you think He will give us? Why should we get a reward?

Close:

Do you realize how impressive our God really is? When He was born in the manger in Bethlehem, Mary had given birth to Him just as billions of mothers have had billions of babies. But His existence did not begin at that time—Jesus Christ had existed forever before that night. And He still exists, and always will. He will never change, never stop living, never need to go to Plan B. He is the author and creator of everything in the world, He holds it all together. He has all power to do His perfect will and has all authority over everything. He never has to get permission to do anything—He can do whatever His will determines. We do not have the authority to do anything we want with our bodies, with other people or with life. We have all known people who desire to take their own life and it fails. That is because it was not our right to decide. He controls our lives, including the day we die. Give your entire life—heart, soul, mind, and spirit—to Him, and He will make it beautiful.

By Sandy Day
December 22, 2024

/by