This message was preached by Dr. Earl Johnson, Jr. at Grace Bible Baptist Church. We are located at 1518 N. Rolling Road, Catonsville, Maryland 21228 (410-788-6132). Everyone is welcome to attend all services and events. We also invite you to view our weekly television program, The Everliving Story, Sunday mornings at 10:00 a.m. on Channel 54 and Cable Channel 14. For more information, log on to www.GraceBibleBaptist.org.
Pastor Doug tells us more stories from our new series "Tell Me A Story." Jesus talked in parables, and although the mustard seed is small, it grows into a mighty tree. In like manner, we are each called to sow small seeds as part of the Body of Christ.
God doesn't look for great men, God makes great men. He uses the weak to show strength, He calls mediocre men to stand and produce great leaders. It isn't the measure of the man that counts but the greatness of our immeasurable Almighty, All sufficient God. Judges 6-8. Gideon was just such a mediocre man.
There was a time when God was silent. Pastor Jeff makes a humorous comparison to what that feels like when we ourselves give or are given the silent treatment to/by others as he shares how we must respond when God breaks His silence. In obedience, simple, humble and quick. For more information on the ministry or to see other videos, visit www.ongoodground.org Download this sermon and others for FREE on I-Tunes.
Reading through the lessons reminds me of the song “O Little Town of Bethlehem” in which we sing, “The hopes and fears of all the years are met in Thee tonight.” That’s a good way to describe our readings; they are a mixed bag of hopes and fears. Isaiah gives us a hopeful scene of miracle healings and joyful singing when Messiah comes. But then Matthew tells us of John the Baptist sitting in a dark and dungy prison cell and expressing doubt and perhaps even disappointment with Jesus. I suspect John thought life would go a little more smoothly for him once the Messiah came. Will this Christmas season be all that you expect it to be? Snow-covered roads, illness, and family squabbles are just a few of the possible disappointments you may face in coming weeks. But these don’t have to threaten your joy at Christmas. Rather than pin all your hopes on a glitch-free holiday season, find your rest in the Savior who sets you free from your sins and heals your soul. You have his forgiveness, his friendship and his love. And that, really, is all any of us needs to have a truly merry Christmas.
Reading through these lessons, there were four words that caught my eye: the fullness of time. What a thought-provoking phrase that is! For many people Christmas time is more full than we’d like. Our calendars are stuffed with so many things to do that we can hardly catch our breath. When we allow busyness to take over our lives there may be no room left for moments of quiet reflection, laughter, and relaxation. Our frantic prayer becomes, “Lord, just let me get through the holidays!” The apostle Paul says that Jesus was born when the fullness of time had come (Gal.4:4). He means that Jesus showed up at just the right time, just when we needed him most. So many people fall into the trap of a life that leaves no time for God. Jesus was sent to rescue us from that trap. As we celebrate his birth our attention is called away from our “to-do” lists to the good news of what God has done on our behalf. His works are the only works that can give us any lasting peace or rest. So my prayer for you this Christmas is that your times may be filled, not with things that need doing, but with the confidence that God knows exactly what you need. And through Jesus He will provide it to you at just the right time. Have a blessed and merry Christmas!
Why are we baptised? Baptism lets a Christian know that God is standing next to us always- that is why baptism is so important. Through baptism, God tells us who we are and that we have been saved!
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