Christ the Saviour is Born! December 25, 2011

May the Christ of Christmas be with you in a special way as we celebrate His Birth together in His House!  He will rejoice over us as we worship Him on this special day of the year.  May God give you a blessed New Year!

   

“For unto you is Born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.  And suddenly there was with the Angel a multitude of the heavenly host Praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth Peace, good will toward men.”  −Luke 2:11-14

   

Thoughts from Pastors Heart: As we gather together in the Lord’s house today, it is with a heart of thankfulness that I write.  The saints here at Commerce are a great gift to me.  As your Pastor for these 27 years I am so thankful for you!  You are a great Gift to the Body of Christ!  Friendship among the brethren and the sisters are a special Gift from God and the Lord Jesus Christ, Holy Ghost being a great part of the Gift!  Because God loved us and sent His Son empowered by the Holy Ghost to be our Saviour, we have the Gift of Eternal Life.  We also have the Gift of the Body of Christ and thus the Friendship of the Saints.  I always think of one of the Psalms at a time like this, is says:  “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!  It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments; As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the Lord commanded the blessing, even life for evermore.”  − Ps 133.   How awesome it is to think about the Gifts that God has so graciously bestowed upon us through Jesus our Lord, the King.  There is an Anointing that belongs to the Saints as they partake of the Friendship wherein God has blessed us. Today as we celebrate Jesus Birth, let us give thanks for all the Blessings He has given to us, especially the Gift of Friendship within His glorious Body, the Church.  Let us give thanks for the Gift of Life that He has given us and let us remember our incarcerated friends who are also the Body of Christ.  Wishing you a special Christmas filled with the presence of the Holy Ghost empowering you for the New Year ahead!  Happy Lord’s Birthday and have a blessed New Year! Loving you and Trusting God for a glorious New Year, Pastor

Holy Ghost in Advent! December18, 2011

As we enter this Fourth week of Holy Advent, we see the “Power” behind the glorious Advent of the Coming Christ Child, and the Resurrected Lord Jesus Christ.  It is the Power of the Holy Ghost, may you sense His presence today as we worship together!

            

Anticipating The King!

First Week in Advent; The Conception of our King!

Second Week in Advent; “Salutation, Annunciation, and Declaration!

Third Week in Advent, JOY − The Confirmation!”

Fourth Week in Advent, “Holy Ghost in Advent!”

“For there are Three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these Three are One.”  − 1 John 5:7

Throughout the Messages of Advent we have “proved” by Scripture that Jesus is the Son of God.  Born of a Virgin and witnesses by Wise men and Shepherds as they were guided to the Birth of the Christ. We continue this Fourth Sunday to reveal and “prove” the Power behind Advent.  It is not often that we have heard of the Holy Ghost in detail at Advent, as the Birth of Christ unfolds. It was the Spirit of God that inspired the Prophets to reveal the Virgin Birth. 2 Peter 1:21 “For the Prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but Holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” It is the same Spirit that inspired the New Testament writers to record the Account of our Saviour’s Birth.  Old Testament speaks of God’s Spirit while the New Testament calls Him the Holy Ghost.  They are one in the same, the difference is: in the New Testament He has come to live in mankind through the Sacrifice of Jesus Christ the Son of God. So as we celebrate the Lord’s Birth let us go behind the scenes as some would say to see the strength and power behind all the Supernatural happenings that transpire throughout Advent. The Bible begins with “In the beginning God!” Vs 2 reveals the Triune God head who created all things. “The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.” Vs 3 “And God said [spoke the Word] Let there be Light! Who is the Word, who is the Light!  In the beginning of all things, it is as John wrote there are “Three that bare record in heaven.” It was the Holy Ghost at Jesus Birth, He was revealed to Joseph as he pondered wither he should take Mary to wife. The Holy Ghost was present at Jesus dedication when Simeon took Jesus up in his arms and pronounced Blessings!  The Holy Ghost was present at Jesus Baptism, and drove Jesus into the wilderness to be tempted … no doubt the Holy Ghost was His strength in that moment, for we read that Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness being “full of the Holy Ghost! It was the Holy Ghost that touched John the Baptist who would go before Jesus to proclaim Him the Lamb of God!  It was the Promise of the Father that He would send a Comforter and Jesus proclaimed − John 14:26 The Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in My name, He shall teach you all things … What an Advent! The Coming of the Holy Ghost!    Loving you, and wishing you a Christmas filled with God’s Spirit!

Anticipating The King! - Confirmation December 11, 2011

First Week in Advent; The Conception of our King!

Second Week in Advent; “Salutation, Annunciation, and Declaration!

Third Week in Advent, “JOY − The Confirmation!”

As we enter this third week of Holy Advent, we see the “Confirmation” of our Lord Jesus Christ, He is the fulfillment of Promise!  We trust that you will be blessed as we celebrate this glorious season together!

 “…There shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel …”
Num. 24:17─The Wise men came & inquired: “Where is He that is born King of the Jews? we have seen His Star in the East, and are come to worship Him.”  Matt. 2:2 

In this Third Week of Holy Advent we continue to “prove” that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He was miraculously born of a Virgin, John the Baptist went before Him proclaiming Him the Lamb of God!  He was declared to be the Light of the world and Salvation to mankind. The Confirmation is: Old Testament Prophecy confirms that the Promise of God is fulfilled in Him.   As we mention the Prophets, we are reminded that Jesus talked about this very thing… He said: “All things must be fulfilled, which were written in the Law of Moses, and in the Prophets, and in the Psalms, concerning Me.” Luke 24:44. Isaiah the Prophet pro-claimed Him the Prince of Peace!  And Paul wrote under the inspiration of the Holy Ghost and declared:  “In Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the Blood of Christ. For He is our Peace.” Eph. 2:13-14 ─ O what glorious Confirmation, what Joy there is in our Saviour!  We find powerful Confirmation is the Book of Romans [8:3], “For what the Law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, condemned sin in the flesh:” We hear the immortal Words of John the Revelator: “The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the Only Begotten of the Father, full of Grace and Truth!” John 1:14.  O let the Church “Anticipate the King of Glory!”  There is overflowing JOY in obedience as we see Jesus conquer Death, Hell and the Grave!  Rising triumphantly in the Glory on Resurrection Morning!  The Virgin Mary was obedient, Joseph was obedient, Wise men obediently followed the Star, and Shepherds rejoiced and made haste to see the new born King!  The atmosphere was filled with Joy, Worship, and Praise, thus the “pink” candle represents Joy & Praise as our Salvation is confirmed in Jesus Christ our Lord & Saviour!   Loving you, & Anticipating a Joyful Christmas, Pastor

Anticipating The King! December 4, 2011

Second Advent; "Salutation, Annunciation, and Declaration!"

“The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. The glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.” -Isa.40:3-5

To day we embrace the second week of Holy Advent, the season of our Lord’s Birth. We are blessed that you have joined us for this glorious occasion!  May you received the Christ of Christmas for He is the greatest Gift that you will ever receive.  You are loved in this house of His.

            

In this Second week of Holy Advent, we continue to “Anticipate the Coming of the King of Glory!”  Now we note that there is a second miraculous birth about to take place.  As Mary, the carrier of the Christ Child, comes to visit her cousin Elizabeth, a miracle has taken place in Elizabeth’s life also. Elizabeth once barren, and at a great age, now miraculously with child, hears the Salutation, the greeting of her  Cousin Mary, and Scripture tells us:  “It came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost:” – Lk. 1:41 Once more we turn to the Prophets of the Old Testament to see God’s plan unfold. The Prophet Isaiah tells us; there will be a “Voice crying in the wilderness, prepare ye the way of the Lord!”- “And the Glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.” -Isa.40:3-5 John the Baptist, Jesus Cousin would proclaim the Annunciation!; “John shall go before Jesus in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the… disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”   John was sent to bare witness of the Light, thus his Declaration; “Behold The Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world.” -John 1:29 John declared “I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire: John declared in 1:34 “I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God!” What a glorious report that verifies the miraculous Birth and Ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ!  He is the King of kings and the Lord of Glory and He is Coming again, an Advent of all Advents … “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” This is our Comfort – “Anticipating the King of Glory!”  Loving you, Pastor

Anticipating The King! November 27, 2011

First Week in Advent; The Conception of our King!

“Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a Son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.”  ─ Matthew 1:23

As we begin to celebrate the Holy Christmas Season, we once again go to the Scriptures in St. Luke and see the glorious account of Jesus Birth.  The Conception of our Saviour is miraculous and we marvel as we read of this awesome account of His Birth!  As we come into the first moments of this Holy Advent, we see the first mention of the Holy Ghost. He has been called the Holy Spirit on several occasions in the Old Testament, it was the Spirit of God that moved upon the waters in the beginning of creation. The Holy Spirit/Holy Ghost is the Creative Spirit of God. He came into the earth in a most unique way, He came as Jesus was crucified. Jesus “… commanded His followers that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the Promise of the Father, which, saith He ... For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be Baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.” Acts 1:4-5. The Holy Ghost is a great part of the Conception of our Saviour. Can you image the Anticipation that Joseph felt when the angel came to him and told him to take Mary as his wife, for that which was “conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.” And what “Anticipation Mary must of felt when the angel delivered the Advent Message to her:  In astonishment she questioned the Angel how this could be and this was the answer:  “The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the Power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that Holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.” Luke 1:35  Today, we continue to anticipate the “Coming of our King!”  ‘He is coming in power, O hail the Blessed hour!’ What a song of anticipation!  One last thought, the Creative force of God lives in you dear saints for Jesus said: “…The Spirit of Truth; … Ye know Him; for He dwelleth with you, and shall be in you!” And on the day of Pentecost Scripture tells us “They were all filled with the Holy Ghost!” Acts 2:4:  Anticipate great things as Jesus lives in you!   Give Him Praise in this Holy Season!  Loving you & praying this will be a Precious season for you, Pastor