Sunday Reflect (11 Dec 2011)
Yesterday was one of those days when you are glad to be a pastor. Everything fell into place.
Attendance in the morning was a record for any gathering other than Easter or Christmas Eve. And we've never even come close to 570,000 baht on one Sunday before! Wow. Thanks be to God.
Here's a link to the sermon text. And if you are thinking/studying further at home. Here are some questions you could ask yourself.
(1) Did you know the story of the original St. Nick? How do stories of the Saints make you feel? Share about a "saints" from your own life that you know personally?
(2) The sermon argued that Luke roots his gospel in history (i.e. dating and placing with the Roman Emperor and the Governer of Syria). What difference does it make that this is historical vs if it is a "once upon a time" story?
Luke also works hard to point out that this birth (and entire story of Jesus) is no accident but was planned from years ago (reference to Virgin Birth (Isaiah 7:14) and Bethlehem as the place of birth (Micah 5:2)). John 1 even talks about this birth as being "from eternity". I pointed out in the sermon that one thing this means is that a man did not become God but that our God became human (Incarnation)
(3) Getting this wrong (that we can become god or godlike) is the earliest heresy. (Gen 1) Have you heard this lie before? Where do you see it? (Think broadly, not just religiously. For example - some of the adverts you see for luxury brands I think appeal to this desire to be treated as a god.)
The early Christians talked about Jesus as a "ransom" for sin to set us free (i.e. we are no longer slaves). This can be true literally (as in the case of the three girls Nicholas of Myra ransomed). It can also be true more figuratively...
(4) It's like we can become a "slave" to our desires to be godlike (though control, anger, pursuit of alcohol/drugs, money, power, etc...) Of all the things people are slaves to today, which ones ignite the most passion in you to see people liberated from?
(5) How does it feel to know that God has "ransomed" you from slavery to sin and death?
- Great nativity scene (thanks Suzy and Cherry for all the hard work).
- Great choir (thanks to the Adventist ladies who joined us, and the regular choir ladies, and to Welmer, Shawn and Reggie).
- Great testimony (thanks Ajarn Sirirat).
- Great turnout (morning had over 200 people and evening had over 60).
- Great generosity (over 570,000 baht was given for ministry)
- And one request for Baptism.
Attendance in the morning was a record for any gathering other than Easter or Christmas Eve. And we've never even come close to 570,000 baht on one Sunday before! Wow. Thanks be to God.
Here's a link to the sermon text. And if you are thinking/studying further at home. Here are some questions you could ask yourself.
(1) Did you know the story of the original St. Nick? How do stories of the Saints make you feel? Share about a "saints" from your own life that you know personally?
(2) The sermon argued that Luke roots his gospel in history (i.e. dating and placing with the Roman Emperor and the Governer of Syria). What difference does it make that this is historical vs if it is a "once upon a time" story?
Luke also works hard to point out that this birth (and entire story of Jesus) is no accident but was planned from years ago (reference to Virgin Birth (Isaiah 7:14) and Bethlehem as the place of birth (Micah 5:2)). John 1 even talks about this birth as being "from eternity". I pointed out in the sermon that one thing this means is that a man did not become God but that our God became human (Incarnation)
(3) Getting this wrong (that we can become god or godlike) is the earliest heresy. (Gen 1) Have you heard this lie before? Where do you see it? (Think broadly, not just religiously. For example - some of the adverts you see for luxury brands I think appeal to this desire to be treated as a god.)
The early Christians talked about Jesus as a "ransom" for sin to set us free (i.e. we are no longer slaves). This can be true literally (as in the case of the three girls Nicholas of Myra ransomed). It can also be true more figuratively...
(4) It's like we can become a "slave" to our desires to be godlike (though control, anger, pursuit of alcohol/drugs, money, power, etc...) Of all the things people are slaves to today, which ones ignite the most passion in you to see people liberated from?
(5) How does it feel to know that God has "ransomed" you from slavery to sin and death?
