Country Christmas Week One
Sunday, December 3, 2017
Pastor Kris Freeman
Revolution Church
Scripture: John 1:1-14 (NLT)
1 In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He existed in the beginning with God. 3 God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him. 4 The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone.
5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it. 6 God sent a man, John the Baptist, 7 to tell about the light so that everyone might believe because of his testimony. 8 John himself was not the light; he was simply a witness to tell about the light. 9 The one who is the true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. 10 He came into the very world he created, but the world didn’t recognize him. 11 He came to his own people, and even they rejected him. 12 But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. 13 They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.
14 So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.
This is not your TYPICAL Christmas sermon, but I want to talk about the spiritual and historical origins of Jesus.
Does everybody remember that person in your family that always had their CHAIR? No one else sat in the chair but them! Who was that person in your family? ______________________
What are the most common qualities you remember about the person who sat in that chair?
Wise
Older
Comfortable
Relaxed
Well-experienced but life-weary
Inviting
Happy, joyful, jolly
Or maybe….they were ASLEEP!!!
Our view of God the FATHER is often like a wise, old grandpa rocking in a chair and watching over his family, but at the latter end of a long life.
However, the Bible tells us that there is a three-wide EQUALITY to the God-head. This concept is not used as a word in scripture, but it’s known as the TRINITY (TRIUNE) of GOD.
God the Father - the creator, the sovereign and wise
God the Son - the savior, the human form, the prophet/servant
God the Spirit - the guide, the comforter
God was not CREATED, but neither was Jesus or the Holy Spirit! God always WAS, always IS and always IS TO COME.
I am the Alpha and the Omega--the beginning and the end," says the Lord God. "I am the one who is, who always was, and who is still to come--the Almighty One. (Revelation 1:8 NLT)
God is described as one who sits on the throne! But the qualities of Jesus and the Holy Spirit complete the full picture of God as three in one.
GOD - This is what the Lord says: “Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. Could you build me a temple as good as that? Could you build me such a resting place?” (Isaiah 66:1, Acts 7:49 NLT)
JESUS - John 1:14 is INCARNATE - God in the flesh and dwelt among us, then…
Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us. (Romans 8:34 NLT)
HOLY SPIRIT - But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you. (John 14:26 NLT)
26 And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. (Romans 8:26 NLT)
How do we understand that the same Jesus who we celebrate and remember as a baby, has the AUTHORITY and RIGHT to sit upon the throne of God and judge, rule and reign forever? He is the only one worthy to sit in Papa’s Chair!
19 I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power 20 that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms. 21 Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else—not only in this world but also in the world to come. 22 God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made him head over all things for the benefit of the church. 23 And the church is his body; it is made full and complete by Christ, who fills all things everywhere with himself. (Ephesians 1:19-23 NLT)
And then, there is a promise for YOU!
Those who are victorious will sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat with my Father on his throne. (Revelation 3:21)
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