Episodes
Sunday Dec 29, 2013
Don’t Miss The LIGHT Because of the Darkness
Sunday Dec 29, 2013
Sunday Dec 29, 2013
12/22/13
(Luke 2:8-14; Matt. 2:13, 16-18)
There are two sides of the Christmas story. You have the incredible, light-filled appearance of the angels to the Shepherds, announcing good news of great joy for all people because a Savior is born. And just miles away in Bethlehem, you have the terrible and senseless murder of innocent children. How do you reconcile these two sides of the Christmas story? In truth these two sides are the Christmas story. They are the reason for Christ coming into the world. Matthew, quoting the prophet Isaiah, summarized the meaning of Christmas this way: “These people who live in darkness will see a great light. They live in a place covered with the shadows of death, but a light will shine on them” (Isa 9:1–2).
Jesus came into this world precisely because of the depths of darkness and death that prevails in our experience. Maybe you circumstances are somewhat different than the stresses Mary and Joseph experienced or the tragedy that occurred in Bethlehem, but you none-the-less know the deep sorrow of loss, maybe you have gone through a divorce or lost a loved one, or feel lonely.
The Christmas story speaks to us today as much as it did 2000 years ago. It reveals three critical truths about Christ’s coming into the world, that brings good news of great joy to all people, that brings light into our darkness.
Sunday Dec 22, 2013
Don't Miss Christmas Again
Sunday Dec 22, 2013
Sunday Dec 22, 2013
12/15/13 (Luke 2:7, asst)
Many people this year and every year miss Christmas. Not because they
are hospitalized, or stationed abroad in the military. It’s not that
they won’t celebrate the holiday, but that they simply have
no idea what they are celebrating. But that really is nothing new, the
Bible tells us of some folks who missed the very first Christmas, as
well.
Today we are going to look at some of these people and
see why they missed Christmas. As we consider them and the spirit or
attitude that caused them to miss Christmas, we see that it still lives
on in the hearts and lives of many today, who continue to miss what
Christmas is all about--the fact that Jesus came to be our Lord and Our
Savior.
Wednesday Dec 11, 2013
Left Behind
Wednesday Dec 11, 2013
Wednesday Dec 11, 2013
Series: Signs of the Times 12/1/13
(Matt 24:36-42)
In this passage, Jesus
deals with the stark reality that when He returns, there will be people
who are not spiritually ready. They will be left behind.
Do you ever remember a time as a child when
you were left behind, perhaps at the grocery, a restaurant or a store?
Can you remember the terrifying feeling of panic that flooded your soul
at the moment you realize your parents were gone and you had been left
behind? It is a horrifying feeling to be lost, separated, or left
behind. I don’t think we can even begin to imagine what it would for
those remaining when they realize the rapture has occurred and they have
been left behind to endure the great tribulation that will come upon
the earth.
There are several truths that Jesus tells us about
the rapture, that I believe should help us make sure that we are not
left behind.
Wednesday Dec 11, 2013
What to Do If You Are Left Behind
Wednesday Dec 11, 2013
Wednesday Dec 11, 2013
Series: Signs of the Times 12/8/13
After the rapture, when Jesus removes His church from the earth, a period of seven years will follow, which Jesus described as the “great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be” (Matt 24:21). It will be a time when the anti-Christ will rise to power, a time of great famine, and horrible plagues that decimate huge segments of earths population.
It will be a time so horrific, that Jesus says, “men’s hearts will fail them for fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of heaven will be shaken” (Luke 21:25-26).
The question that we must ask this morning is what do you do if you are left behind, if you miss the rapture and remain on earth to endure the Great Tribulation? My prayer is that no one hearing this message will be left behind, but the reality is that could be a real possibility for some, and in that event what should you do. You’ve got to have a plan. In this message we will explore several things to remember if you miss the rapture.