Ending and beginnings. December 31st, New Years Eve, 2006.

Intro...Christmas Eve (night) Kel and I got to see the Cases…(Ryan, Tara, daughter, Lisa, husband, son, Rick, Paula etc. ) As we caught up we all realized that we’d known each other 21 years! The years fly by, huh?
Out with the old in with the new. Starting fresh. Turning over a new leaf. Making a clean break.
Reflecting back on this last year, I’m sure we all have things we’d like to have done better. It’s inevitable, cause no one is perfect. Yet timing is everything...

Text: Ecclesiastes 3:1-11

I believe God gives us a calendar so we can change with the seasons.
(Even though we live in the land of no seasons….Christmas day was like summer, sat in the sun, etc.)
As the seasons usher in a new mindset, so does the end of one year and the beginning of another. Especially when it falls on a Sunday.
Reflecting on a year passed and one ahead is always a good thing.

Let’s take a look at Psalm 1.
The Psalms are packed full of “from the heart honesty.” Lots of rejoicing in God’s goodness, lots of confession because of mans weakness/sinfulness.
This Psalm is a great intro to all the rest. It reminds us that if we chose righteous behavior, we will have a fruitful life. God likes to bless us when we follow him.
It’s good to actually delight in God’s laws instead of run from them or try to re-write them for our own personal interests. What happens if we do that?
We get planted in the right place and bear the right fruit. We’re solid, absorbing all the nutrients we need from God’s river of life.
Matthew 7:13-14
The contrast with ungodly choices are obvious. We become spiritually dead and guilty before God. Instead of a healthy tree, we become like dry straw. Easily blow away.
V. 6 is a shocking wake up call!

Conclusion:
It’s good to be reminded of our need for God all year long and especially today. (Surfed on Tuesday and got tossed on the rocks…)
Let’s not wait for the big wake up call. Use our better judgment!

1 John 1:9. Let’s spend some time in reflection, confession and silence. If you’d like to write some stuff down on the page provided, feel free.

Christmas Eve, morning and evening service, 2006

Intro….
Christmas is exciting...tell me why?

Text: The Christmas story…Luke 2:1-20
(props to RC Sproul….)

Nothing like a new baby in the house...
Yet something we have to remember at Christmas is that Jesus was born to die...what a contrast to the excitement of birth.
Christmas actually points towards Good Friday...the birth of Jesus was the beginning of his destiny. A destiny to lay down his life for us.
Imagine the excitement of these shepherds! They’ve seen and heard it with their own eyes and ears, a savior has come!
The coming of a savior is found throughout the Bible. Two weeks ago we talked about Jesus in the OT and those verses talk about a savior coming.
Not just a “great guy” who would perform some miracles and say some profound things.
He is “Jesus” because he will save his people from their sins.
Singing and hearing all these great Christmas songs remind us of the important role Jesus came to play. I love hearing those songs in public…think about the words!
“God rest ye…remember Christ our savior...” “Joy to the world, the savior reigns…”
Caroling on Thursday night...serious words...

At the beginning of the Christmas story, everything is good so far, exciting, positive, new baby Jesus, etc.
Then look at what happens next, Luke 2:25…33-35.
The sword refers to the agony to which Mary would have to bear.
Imagine as a new mother, father, grandparent etc. if you were told (even by God) that right from the start.
All the joy, gladness of new birth/Christmas and along comes this.
Isaiah 53 reminds us (hundreds of years before) that Jesus would have to be the suffering servant.
Saves us from our sins by suffering. Look at Isaiah 53:10...11

So why did Jesus come?
To complete the will of his Father, to suffer. Not exactly what you like to hear on Christmas, but a necessary and important reality.
We can’t really understand and fully appreciate Christmas apart from Jesus death. It’s the same way with how the OT completes the NT, gotta read both to have a complete understanding of God’s plan.
As Jesus grew into an adult we see that he is beginning to grasp the reality of why he was born, especially as he nears the crucifixion.
Matthew 26:36-39
This coming after a very busy week with the disciples, debating the Pharisees, all of the events around the passover event that was about to take place.
Just had the “last supper” with the disciples…told them one of them was to betray him….they were tired, emotionally drained...
Judas betrays Jesus, Peter denies him...then they go with Jesus to Gethsemane.

Why would Jesus be so overwhelmed? He knew this was coming, right?
Why couldn’t he be “super Jesus” and look right past what was to come?
For reasons we can’t fully understand, Jesus is now deep in sorrow.
Yes, he knew it was to be, but possibly now it’s really sinking in.
“The work Jesus did for us was done voluntarily. Jesus is not bullied by the Father to go to the cross.” Jonathan Edwards.
For God’s plan to be complete, Jesus suffering on the cross could not have happened accidentally.
Remember, God had this planned out right from the start. As a result, Jesus knew what was coming. His human side kicks in and sorrow is real.
We look to Jesus as our example, always. This is no exception.

What about the trials you face in your life?
If could be death, illness, loss of health, loss of job, Broken relationships, abuse.
Will you still trust in God’s bigger plan? Will you say, “No matter what God, I will still follow you and trust you.”
Ran into a friend this week. Meant to go surfing, God had another plan. We talked about the doubts he’s having in his faith. Close friends walking away from God. I encouraged him to embrace God even more now.

Matthew 26:39, 42, 44
Jesus is saying, “Is this the only way?”
What was in the cup? Death...but so much more than a torturous death on a cross.
Psalm 75:8 The color of blood, The sins of the world.
Isaiah 51:17 The cup of God’s wrath, his judgment.
The cup is filled with God’s wrath and fury against evil and sin. God takes the sin of his people and pours it in that cup. In that cup was Hell itself.
Apostles Creed, “he descended into Hell…”
The babe in the manger was born to go to Hell for us.
Jesus prayed, 3 times “If it be your will” and so should we. Always trusting God’s will.
And that is why we celebrate Christmas because “For unto us a Child is born, a Savior, Jesus Christ the Lord.”

(To conclude our 3 week series, “Who is Jesus?”) What is Jesus doing today?
He’s plenty busy….See page 2

Conclusion:
VIDEO/SONG “The Greatest gift of all.”

Jesus Christ is now the Head of the Church.
Ephesians 1:20-23

Jesus Christ is building his Church by pouring out the gift of holy spirit to all those who believe.
Acts 2:46- 47, 3:32-33

Jesus Christ is interceding for us as our mediator.
Hebrews 7:24 and 25, Romans 8:34

Jesus Christ hears our prayers and responds to us.
Acts 1:23-26

Jesus Christ is giving grace to all believers.
Ephesians 4:7

Jesus Christ is strengthening and protecting his people.
2 Thessalonians 3:3

Jesus Christ is giving revelation to the members of his Body.
Galatians 1:11-12

Jesus Christ is giving ministries to Christians.
Ephesians 4:11-13

Jesus Christ is the Commander of the angels.
Hebrews 1:4-5

Jesus Christ will return and is eagerly anticipating raising all dead Christians and giving them and all living Christians new bodies when we meet him in the air.
Philippians 3:20-21
1 Thessalonians 4:15-18
Revelation 19

Christmas Evening
A message from God to His children:

It has come to my attention that many of you are upset that folks are taking My name out of the season. Maybe you've forgotten that I wasn't actually born during this time of the year and that it was some of you're predecessors who decided to celebrate My birthday on what was actually a time of pagan festival. Although I do appreciate being remembered anytime.

How I personally feel about this celebration can probably be most easily understood by those of you who have been blessed with children of your own. I don't care what you call the day. If you want to celebrate My birth just, GET ALONG AND LOVE ONE ANOTHER. Now, having said that let Me go on.

If it bothers you that the town in which you live doesn't allow a scene depicting My birth, then just get rid of a couple of Santas and snowmen and put in a small Nativity scene on your own front lawn. If all My followers did that there wouldn't be any need for such a scene on the town square because there would be many of them all around town.

Stop worrying about the fact that people are calling the tree a holiday tree, instead of a Christmas tree. It was I who made all trees. You can & may remember Me anytime you see any tree. Decorate a grape vine if you wish: I actually spoke of that one in a teaching explaining who I am in relation to you & what each of our tasks were. If you have forgot that one...John 15: 1 - 8.

If you want to give Me a present in remembrance of My birth here is my wish list. Choose something from it.

Instead of writing protest letters objecting to the way My birthday is being celebrated, write letters of love and hope to soldiers away from home. They are terribly afraid and lonely this time of year. I know, they tell Me all the time. Or write a letter to someone telling them how much you love them, maybe even someone you really don’t get along with.

Visit someone in a nursing home. You don't have to know them personally. They just need to know that someone cares about them.

Instead of writing President Bush complaining about all things you are upset about, why don't you write and tell him that you'll be praying for him and his family this year. Then follow up. It will be nice hearing from you again.

Instead of giving your children a lot of gifts you can't afford and they don't need, spend time with them. Tell them the story of My birth, and why I came to live with you down here. Hold them in your arms and remind them that I love them.
(on a personal note, talk with “Earl”, his son worked hard, could’ve spent more time with him etc.)

Pick someone that has hurt you in the past and forgive him or her.

Did you know that someone in your town will attempt to take their own life this season because they feel so alone and hopeless? Since you don't know who that person is, try giving everyone you meet a warm smile, it could make the difference. Also, you might consider supporting the local Hot-Line: they talk with people like that every day.

Instead of nitpicking about what the retailer in your town calls the holiday, be patient with the people who work there. Give them a warm smile and a kind word. Even if they aren't allowed to wish you a "Merry Christmas" that doesn't keep you from wishing them one. Then stop shopping there on Sunday. If the store didn't make so much money on that day, they'd close and let their employees spend the day at home with their families. (Or eat at Chic-fil-A)

If you really want to make a difference, support a missionary, especially one who takes My love & good news to those who have never heard My name. You may already know someone like that.

Here's a good one. There are individuals & whole families in your town who not only will have no "Christmas" tree, but neither will they have any presents to give or receive. If you don't know them, buy some food & a few gifts & give them to the Marines, the Salvation Army, your church or some other charity that believes in Me & they will make the delivery for you.

Finally if you want to make a statement about your belief in and loyalty to Me, then behave like a Christian, act like Jesus. Don't do things in secret that you wouldn't do in My presence. Let people know by your actions that you are one of mine.

P.S. Don't forget; I am God and can take care of Myself. Just love Me & do what I have told you to do. I'll take care of all the rest. Check out the list above & get to work; time is short. I'll help you, but the ball is now in your court. And do have a most blessed Christmas with all those whom you love - and remember...I LOVE YOU.

December 17th, 2006

Who is Jesus, part 2 “The claims Jesus made”

Intro...VIDEO “Who is Jesus?”
Imagine if I told you that I could fly, the I could make you rich,…..You better be able to back that up…
Ali, he made some famous claims….and backed them all up!
Jesus made some audacious claims...and did back them all up!
CS Lewis quote
“A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic--on the level with a man who says he is a poached egg--or he would be the devil of hell. You must take your choice. Either this was, and is, the Son of God, or else a madman or something worse. You can shut him up for a fool or you can fall at his feet and call him Lord and God. But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about his being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us.”
Lets read the “red letters” for ourselves. Hopefully a lot of this will be review for most of you. You may also learn some new stuff.

Text: John 11:25-26

Jesus Possesses Supreme Authority.
Matthew 28:18-20, (Matthew 10:34-37)
Will you submit to that authority? Why is that important?

Jesus Will Judge All Men and Determine Their Eternal Destinies.
Matthew 25:31-46 (John 5:22, Matthew 16:27)
How is knowing that Jesus is the final judge a relief?

Jesus Claimed that He Came to Save Mankind and forgive Sin.
Luke 5:20-26 (Mark 2:3-12; Luke 7:48,49, Matthew 20:28, Matthew 26:28, John 8:24)

Jesus claimed that Men Can Have Fellowship with God and Eternal Life Only through Him. (No other religious leader has made this claim.)
John 3:13-15, John 14:6, John 10:27-29
What does it mean to have fellowship with God?

Jesus claimed to have eternal Existence, sharing God’s glory in heaven.
John 6:38; 16:28, 17: 5 & 24.
Was is it important that Jesus has been around forever? (This was always God’s plan.)

Jesus claimed to live a sinless life
John 8:46-47
Why is it important that Jesus lived a sin free life? (He wouldn’t be God, just a great prophet, miracle guy.)

Jesus claimed to be a heavenly king.
John 18:36-37 Why is it important that Jesus was a heavenly king?
This identifies him with God. He had a greater purpose than to defeat the oppressive Roman government. He came to set up God’s kingdom.

Jesus claimed to be able to give everlasting life.
John 6:40, 11:25-26
Is the goal of the Christian life to just await Heaven?
Local needs, Christmas food gift certificates?

Jesus claimed that he would die and come back to life.
Luke 18:31-33
Why was Jesus death and resurrection critical to God’s plan?

(Warning, big claims coming!!)
Jesus claimed to be the Messiah, Christ, the Savior.
John 4:25-26, Matthew 26:63-66.
Why did the high priest have such a drastic reaction in Matt. 26?

Jesus claimed to be God in the flesh.
John 6:35, 8:12, 23-24, 11:25
C.S. Lewis quote
“Among these Jews there suddenly turns up a man who goes about talking as if He was God. He claims to forgive sins. He says He has always existed. He says He is coming to judge the world at the end of time. Now let us get this clear. Among pantheists, like the Indians, anyone might say that he was a part of God, or one with God: there would be nothing very odd about it. But this man, since He was a Jew, could not mean that kind of God. God, in their language, meant the Being outside the world who had made it and was infinitely different from anything else. And when you have grasped that, you will see that what this man said was, quite simply, the most shocking thing that has ever been uttered by human lips.”

Feedback?

What to do with all this information?
If you are not a Christian...GOSPEL
If you are, start living like Jesus is the Lord of your life. Leave no room for doubt that you take seriously the claims of Jesus. Apply these claims generously to your life, your actions.
The impact Christianity has made today, quote from page 2.

December 10th, 2006

Who is Jesus?, part one. “Christ in the Old Testament, Israel’s true Messiah”

Intro...Video, “Who is Jesus?”
Text: Zechariah 9:9-10
Today I’ll show you numerous OT scriptures that speak of Jesus, hundreds of years before he was born, showing that he was God’s son, our savior, deliver. IXOYE
(Credit this website: www.christadelphia.org/pamphlet/christ.)

Like the interview we saw in the video, most people know that there was a Jesus who lived...making a deeper connection to God is hard for some.
Why is that the case? Why do people often answer like we saw in the video?
Obviously it’s easy to read all about Jesus in the New Testament.
There is throughout the Old Testament, on every page, scripture that speaks in advance the nature of Israel's coming Messiah. The whole Bible points to Jesus.
We have the life history of Jesus written centuries before he was born. The OT describes Jesus before he was born, the birth, life, mission, death and resurrection.
Really, our understanding of Christ will be diminished if we don’t take into account the information presented in the OT

What do you think of when you hear the word Messiah?
For Christians, it’s usually Jesus. For others it could be anyone with a strong personality. Who were some other “Messiahs”?
Messiah is a Hebrew word right from the OT meaning “anointed” which in Greek is kristos, our English word, Christ. In the OT Messiah means Promised One, the Coming King, the one "whose right it is" (Ezekiel 21:26— “Sovereign Lord”).
The Dead Sea Scrolls (found in 1947, some of them pre-dating Jesus by 200 yrs.) have the same prophecies Isaiah describe in his book.
Same with the Greek translations of the OT (known as??? Septuagint) also made 2-3 centuries before Jesus.

Jesus himself spoke of the OT and how it must be fulfilled.
Luke 24:44-46, Luke 24:25-27 (the importance of believing all the scriptures and not just select passages)

Remember, the Bible is the story of redemption, how God rescues us from sin and death.
It begins in Genesis with the story of how sin entered into the world (Adam and Eve) and ends with a description of God’s plan fulfilled (Rev. 21:3-4).
Jesus Christ is the bridge between the two GOSPEL. OT prophecies about Jesus are the beginning of God’s plan for salvation fulfilled.

The OT tells in detail how the Messiah/Savior/Deliverer would be born.
”I will raise up your offspring to succeed you...and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever…” (2 Samuel 7:12-13)
”out of you will come one who will be ruler over Israel, origins from of old (Micah 5:2)
"Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign; Behold, a virgin will conceive, and bear a son, and will call his name Immanuel." (Isaiah 7:14)
"I will be his father, and he will be my son." (1 Chronicles 17:13)
"He will cry unto me, You are my father, my God, and the rock of my salvation. Also I will make him my firstborn, higher than the kings of the earth." (Psalm 89:26,27)
"I will declare the decree: the LORD has said unto me, You are my Son; this day have I begotten you." (Psalm 2:7)

Back in Genesis 3:15 we see the very first promise of Jesus through the virgin birth.
Jesus came through Mary and he dealt defeated Satan at the cross.

Remember John the Baptist? What did he do?
Announced the coming of Jesus, he was a forerunner, prepared the way.
Isaiah 40:3

The message of the Lord Jesus Christ came as comfort and healing to the minds of the ordinary people.
Isaiah 61:1-2 foretells of this ministry.

We also know that Jesus was despised and rejected, then crucified, our redeemer,
Isaiah 53:3, 49:7
Psalm 22:16,17, Even the casting of lots for his clothes, Psalm 22:18
Redeemer, Isaiah 53:4-6

All of these verses about Jesus would mean nothing had he not risen from the dead.
Psalm 16:10,11 Sited by Paul in Acts 13:35 as referring to the rez. of Christ.

Even Christ’s ascension back into heaven was predicted in the OT.
Psalm 16:11, 110:1

Jesus' name is even found in the Old Testament. His Hebrew name is Y'shua. Y'shua is found approx 100 times in the Old Testament. Y'shua means "thy salvation".
Consider Isaiah 62:11: "The LORD has made proclamation to the ends of the earth: 'Say to the Daughter of Zion, ''see, YOUR SAVIOR [Y'shua] comes! See, His reward is with Him, and His recompense accompanies Him.'"

What difference does all this make?
Facts are laid out, accept or reject... Gods words will always be fulfilled.
Like Pilate, the Roman governor, we too ask: "What shall I do with Jesus which is called Christ?" He is the promised Saviour of mankind. and the coming King. There is no hope for any of us or for the world without him. Wise men from a Gentile country came to Jesus when he was born. Wise men have come to him ever since. Will you be one of them?

Conclusion:
“Jesus believed that the entire Old Testament (or ‘the Law and the Prophets’ as it was designated by first-century Jews) pointed to Him, prophesied about Him, and was to be fulfilled by Him. To Jesus, the entire Old Testament was nothing more or less than a personal letter written by His Father and addressed to Him for the benefit of all.”
Communion intro...

December 3rd, 2006
What is a healthy church? Conclusion/wrap-up/town hall meeting
2 Corinthians 3-4

Intro.. I’ve been in church pretty much my whole life. It’s interesting to watch the ebb and flow, people coming and going. Growing up, we moved all the time..went to different churches prior to Coastlands. It’s only been since I’ve pastored this church that I really feel the bite when someone has to leave…

Ever heard the quote, “If you ever find the perfect church...don’t go there you’ll ruin it.”
Yet in essence, we’re all looking for the perfect church, yet there is no such thing, ‘cause it’s filled full of us, sinful, selfish humans!
Over the last 6 weeks we’ve done our best to sum up what we feel a healthy church should look like.

Amazingly enough, there is not an exact plan in the Bible for what a church is supposed to look like.
There are however, lots of references throughout the NT especially that help point us in the right direction.
Lets take a brief look in 2 Corinthians 3-4...

Text: 2 Cor. 4:1-2 (From The Message)

What can we learn from 2 Cor. for the church today?
You could call 1 & 2 Corinthians, 1 & 2 Californians…
Corinth was a very immoral city (Aphrodite temple with 1000 prostitutes…)
The Greek term “Korithiazomai” “to act like a Corinthian” meant to practice fornication.
Many Taverns and much drinking going on...sounds like Garnet Ave…
Lots of practical advise in these 2 letters to deal with this situation…how to keep focused as the church in the midst of immorality.

2:14 Thanks be to God that we even exist...hopefully we are the fragrance of him… (Biblically based/Christ centered.) defined…

2:17 Let’s make sure our motivation is always pure, to further the cause of Jesus Christ. (Leadership) defined…

3:2-3 It’s all about the people, changed lives helping to change other lives. It’s never about the building or budget. (Win/build/equip) defined…

3:5, 4:5 Whenever a new person does come to Coastlands and decide to stay, it always needs to be because of God. (Connecting, small groups etc.)defined…

4:18 Our hope for the future of the church. (Missions, local and foreign and stewardship.) defined…

4:6 God is our light, our reason for being. And as a result we worship him. (Worship) defined...

Wanda's dishwasher quit working so she called a repairman. Since she had to go to work the next day, she told the repairman, "I'll leave the key under the mat. Fix the dishwasher, leave the bill on the counter, and I'll mail you a check."
"Oh, by the way don't worry about my pitbull Spike. He won't bother you. But, whatever you do, do NOT, under ANY circumstances, talk to my parrot!" "I REPEAT, DO NOT TALK TO MY PARROT!!!"
When the repairman arrived at Wanda's apartment the following day, he discovered the biggest, meanest looking pitbull he has ever seen. But, just as she had said, the dog just lay there on the carpet watching the repairman go about his work.
The parrot, however, drove him nuts the whole time with his incessant yelling, cursing and name calling. Finally the repairman couldn't contain himself any longer and yelled, "Shut up, you stupid, ugly bird!"
To which the parrot replied, "Get him, Spike!"

So, let’s have this be a good time of sharing, not holding back or blurting out…
Share if you’d like
Write down your thoughts on the welcome card, we can read some of those
Stuff we didn’t address in the six areas you’d like to see

How are we doing in each area, suggestions etc…

Any areas that are not mentioned in these slides (outside of the six) that you feel we could do better in?

Conclusion:
Brief re-cap of the story in 2 Chronicles 21, David wanting to take a census for his own personal security...compared with how it’s easy to do that is church life today also...