12/3 – An Unanswered Prayer (Psalm 4)
Have you ever felt like you prayed for something over and over, but God just didn’t answer? All of us understand that we may have to wait a little for God to address our situation, but there are times when it feels like He just hasn’t heard at all. In those moments, we have to figure out what we’re going to believe and how we’re going to respond. This song from David is about that very spot in life. David cries out to God for an answer. It is as though he has been asking about something over and over, but God has not answered. How does David process this and what does this song teach us about a situation like this?
1. I Need An Answer (v. 1-2)
Seems that this has been a prayer for a while – and no answer has come
Relief from my distress
Mercy on me – HEAR my prayer
Possible that v. 2 is David’s original complaint – people aren’t taking God seriously – they are turning to worship other gods
Ultimately, the content of David’s request isn’t as important to us today as David’s way of dealing with God’s lack of answer
2. What Do You Believe? (v. 3-5)
Know
The Lord has set apart His faithful servant for himself – I am the Lords, even when He doesn’t answer
The Lord hears – v. 1, please hear me… now, I know he hears me
Do not sin – still worthwhile to obey – do right, and stop doing wrong – listen to Him, even when it feels like He isn’t listening to us
Offer sacrifices – still worth sacrificing, honoring, worshipping God
Trust in the Lord – what do I believe?
3. I Know You’ll Answer (v. 6-8)
Who will bring us prosperity – who will meet our needs – we have lack now, we need supplies now, but God isn’t answering
David’s answer…. God loves us and is just about to let the light of His face shine on us
WHEN their grain and new wine abound, I will be filled with joy – it’s coming, and I’m already envisioning the answer that seems like it will never come
I will be at peace – I will sleep
You make me live in safety – you alone
QUESTION: Are there prayers in your life that seem unanswered? Do you believe that God still hears, that He still holds you, that it’s still worth living for Him? Can we put our faith in Him even when He hasn’t answered yet?
12/10 – What A Beautiful Name (Eph 5:19-20; Matt 1:21; 16:15-16; Acts 10:36; Acts 4:12)
Christmas Cantata
The Christmas story is precious for many reasons, but one of them is that it is a story of a baby. Any parent understands how overwhelming it is to experience the birth of your child. They are unspeakably valuable and irreplaceably necessary in your life. When it is your first child, you suddenly go from just being a regular person to being a parent! And then you get to name this tiny infant. The story of Jesus’ birth includes the details of giving Him a name. And as our choir sings this musical entitled “What A Beautiful Name” we are reminded that the name of Jesus is more than just something we call Him. It stands for WHO HE IS. So we’ll close our service by taking a few minutes to look at the beautiful, wonderful, powerful name of Jesus!
The name of Jesus
Jesus – Matt 1 - Savior
Christ – Peter confession – promised one, Son of the Living God
Lord – leader – the one who leads us
His name is who He is
His name is what He promised – that God Himself would come and save us – then show us the way to live
Taking us from death to life, from darkness to light, and from bondage to freedom
QUESTION: Do you know Jesus like this? Is He your Savior, God, and Leader?
12/17 – Jesus Isn’t Seasonal (Matthew 6:9-13)
Kids Christmas Program
Christmas is a time of year when our thoughts turn to music and lights. Some of the greatest enjoyment we get on Christmas is connecting with the wonder and excitement of children. So this day is a special one each year as our kids present their Christmas songs. And we will love having them on stage and sharing their voices and smiles with us. But Christmas is more than warm feelings and sweet memories. The true message of Christmas is one that goes beyond Christmas season. And we’ll take a few moments at the end of the service to look at some of the most famous words that Jesus ever said, and what they mean for us.
Daily Bread – Lord’s prayer….
Every day – we need Him every day
Manna – only for today
What Christmas brings, you need – and not just during Christmas season or on Christmas eve – every day
Life doesn’t wait until it is convenient to get hard and heavy – pain shows up without warning, and struggle arrives uninvited
You need Jesus all the time
We meet EVERY week – and we give our lives to Jesus every day
QUESTION: Will you consider expanding what Christmas means to you beyond just this coming week? Does your life need more than just one week’s worth of spiritual help or hope?
12/24 – Christmas Eve Service
This is the night each year that we gather to anticipate the celebration of Christmas Day. It is steeped in tradition and family, but there is only ONE reason that we hold it so precious: Jesus Christ our Savior was born. The Bible tells us that He is God’s Son, sent to rescue each person from death and sin, and to offer restoration of our relationship with our Creator. The hope and peace that are available to each person is the greatest gift ever given, and the story of our Savior begins with the events of Christmas.
12/31 – When I Can’t Go On (Psalms 5 & 6)
Human beings have limits. Sometimes, we give up too easily. But many times, we feel our exhausted bodies or hearts giving way. Whether it is a physical, emotional, relational, or spiritual struggle, we all find ourselves in dark moments when it feels like we can’t go on. David felt this way too, and the two Psalms we’ll look at today capture his thoughts and prayers during a moment like this. Our faith doesn’t wipe away how difficult and painful life can be. And it can feel like God is abandoning us or ignoring us. But this song reminds us that we can have a conversation with ourselves in our faith and it can make a miraculous difference, allowing us to endure in hope.
A Groaning Heart (5:1-3)
My Case (5:4-12)
An Exhausting Journey (6:1-10)
QUESTION: Can you relate to David’s experience? Will you walk this pathway the way He did, holding onto faith when it seems like there is no response from God? Will you believe that He has ‘heard your cry’?
1/7 – Looking for God’s Glory (Psalm 8)
More and more people are taking up the conversation about the existence of God. The theme of this age is, where is He? They ask, “If God exists, why doesn’t He show Himself?” This psalm from David is the answer to that question. God is indeed NOT hidden. Evidence of Him is visible throughout the earth. And David tells us that this evidence expresses the glory and majesty of God. But the central point of this song is not about God’s greatness; instead, David uses the majesty of God as the setup to his amazement at how good God is to mankind. And from this psalm we learn that God is most clearly seen in His kindness and care for people.
God’s Majesty is through all the earth (v. 1, 9)
You can see evidence of God’s greatness everywhere you look – from biology to astrophysics, from the simple gift of life to the joy of being alive
Seen in the heavens (1, 3)
We don’t look up like men have throughout history – but when we do, it gives us a sense of HOW GREAT God is
And how small we are
The beauty of creation can take our breath away – and fill our hearts with wonder
Using the small to show His strength (2)
God is so great that He even uses the very small to display his power
God Is SO Good To Us (v. 4-8)
This is the big point of the psalm – God loves mankind
He doesn’t have to – and no one makes Him care about us
But it is beyond dispute that He does care about us – and that He has given us amazing gifts
We are crowned with glory and honor – beyond the angels who live in heaven itself
He cares for us beyond His love for the angels – He died to rescue us, not them!
It is not OUR beauty that drives this love – it is His love – and we are amazed
QUESTION: Have you marveled at how great God is? Has your heart been filled up with the thought that He loves you, even though you are so small compared to Him? Will we open our eyes to see the glory of God?
