Sermon Notes, December 24, 2011
Pastor C.M. Pruitt
The
Christmas Eve message was titled “God’s Christmas Gift for You,” with scripture
from Luke 2:10-14. Christmas is all
about the fact that you matter to God. The idea of giving came from God: “God
so loved ... that He gave.”
“The
angel said, ‘Don’t be afraid! I
bring you the most joyful news ever announced, and it is for
everyone! Today your Savior was born…He
is Christ, the Lord…Give glory to God in heaven, and on earth let there be
peace among the people who please God.’” (Luke 2:10-11, 14 NCV) Some people are afraid of God. So He came as a baby so we wouldn’t be
scared. He wants to relate to us—He’s
the God-man who lived among us.
This
Christmas Accept God’s Gift of Happiness.
God wants you to be happy, to enjoy Him and enjoy life. “…I bring you
the most joyful news ever announced”
Jesus said “I came to give life—life in all its fullness.” (John
10:10) Make room in your life for more
of Jesus. What are you filling your life
with so there’s not room for more of Jesus?
Accept God’s Gift of Hope. Our greatest need is for a Savior, so He sent
His son. “…Today your Savior was born!” He gives forgiveness for the past (but
don’t minimize sin or what God did for us.)
He doesn’t remember. “God did not
send his Son into the world to condemn it, but to save it.” (John 3:17 LB) He gives freedom for the present. Today is the day you can give all your
problems to Him. He gives fulfillment
in the future. Let go of who I am, and
let Him do His job. Quit struggling; He
can’t save you until you do.
Accept God’s gift of Harmony. He wants you to have good relationships. “…Let there be peace among the people.” He wants us to have a good relationship with
Him. “God reconciled us to himself
through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation.” (2 Corinthians
5:18) He wants us to have good
relationships with others. Forgive those
who have hurt you. “Thanks be to God for
his gift that is too wonderful for words.” (2 Corinthians 9:15) Accept God’s
gift to you; life is too short not to enjoy it!
Holiday
Schedule
January 8, 2012—will be our first
service of 2012. Invite a friend and
come join us!
Prayer Requests
Prayer Requests
- Pray for our church board, the
Pruitts and District Superintendent Phil Fuller as they lead us through
this time.
- Pray for all to draw closer to
Jesus and that hearts will be touched and healed.
- Pray for Liz Heiderscheit’s
sister, Arlene Edwards, who has been given six months to live.
- Pray for Ed Kowalski’s
co-worker, Sara Robinson, who is undergoing medical treatment for Lyme
disease and has been unable to work for over a month.
- Pray for Karen Kowalski’s
mother, Elaine Bortner, who will have knee surgery January 30.
- Pray for Gwen Kowalski, who
will have surgery to repair a perforated ear drum on December 28 at 9 a.m.
- Pray for Cindy Padgett’s
sister, Brenda (Sue) whose cancer has come back. Brenda and her husband, Lew Cresell, are
still dealing with Lew’s cancer as well.
- Pray for Donna Edwards as she
has a procedure at UVA Dec. 29.
- Pray for the sick and hurting
in the congregation.
- Sue Davis (scleroderma)
- Gay Hopkins (fibromyalgia)
- Frank Graham (back problems)
- Ross Shackelford (diabetes)
- Pray for those suffering
financial problems or hunting for jobs
- Pray for the salvation of our
children, youth, and loved ones
- Pray for the local homeless
shelters and food closets that are struggling financially.
- Pray for missionaries serving
around the globe.
- Pray for our military
(especially Richard Mc Pherson in
- Pray for our nation and its
leaders
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