The Incarnation - God becoming flesh in Jesus Christ, sent by God to us - has enormous implications for us, the church. We have been sent, just as the Father sent Jesus (John 20:21). We are called to minister in this world as the Word made flesh in our own context. And we are called to empty ourselves to serve and reach those whom God has called us to love. We are Christ's Body; the Incarnation continues in us. What are we going to do about it?
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First Baptist Church is a loving community of believers in Jesus Christ. Our history goes back for about a century of serving Jesus in our community. We have exciting ministries for people of all ages, including youth and children. You can keep up with us here for sermons, podcasts, blogs, and events.
Sunday, December 30, 2012
Sunday, December 23, 2012
Incarnation: Means of Redemption
When God took on flesh in the baby Jesus in Bethlehem, He, as one commentator put it, "forever hallowed the flesh." Since God voluntarily joined Himself with His creation, we can celebrate in that the Kingdom of God has come and that all of creation will one day be redeemed through Jesus. Jesus came into the world He created, but it did not receive Him. But all that do receive Him receives the right and power to become a child of God, inheriting eternal life in the Kingdom. Wherever you are in your relationship with Christ (whether lifelong believer or simply curious skeptic), listen to this week's message and open up your heart to receive Jesus more than ever this Christmas.
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Listen to this episode
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Tuesday, December 18, 2012
God in Flesh, Dwelling With Us
When we look at peaceful nativity scenes and hear beautiful Christmas music, it's easy to forget that Jesus was not born into an idealic world. He was born into a world like ours, and he faced this world as we face it. He identified with us in our limitations and our suffering. And in doing so, he answered once and for all the question, "Does God really care?"
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Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Incarnation: God Revealed
God is beyond our understanding. He is God--completely limitless in all things. We are not God. We cannot hope to grasp the limitless. To make matters worse, although we are created in God's image and have knowledge of the soul within us that senses eternity, we have rebelled against our Creator. The result is darkness that we cannot escape, unless God takes mercy on us.
We needed God to stoop down while we were still sinners and rebels and shine light into our darkness. That's what Christmas really means. God could have left on our own to destroy ourselves and one another. But He came near us instead. As a result, now, through Jesus, we can know God and discover who we are created to be.
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Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Do You See What I See?
“Do you see what I see?”
a musical presentation for Christmas
“How does this look to your eyes?”
“Now all will call me Blessed” — Mary
“You come to my door and I can’t care no more, unless…” — Innkeepers
“This is all I have to give. You can share my home and bear my name” — Joseph
“God has come and you must prepare the way” — Elizabeth
“We came to seek a king, but how do you prepare to meet the Lord?” — Magi
Sunday, Dec. 16th, 5 p.m. - Meal to follow
223 W. Ruby St, Stephens — For more info call (870) 947-0084
Admission and meal are free.
Free Audiobook by Dietrich Bonhoeffer: God is in the Manger
Christianaudio has a free audiobook download every month. This month's offering is from one of my favorite theologians, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, and is approriate as we think about the Incarnation. It's free! Check it out.
Sunday, December 2, 2012
Incarnation: Extravagant and Mysterious
The Christmas season is upon us with all the advertisers telling us how we can wow the people on our lists. Simple solution: spend more!! But there is something appropriate (if ultimately misguided) about wanting to give extravagantly at ...
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Christmas: the gift of the Incarnation--God becoming the man Jesus Christ--that we celebrate at Christmas is the most extravagant gift ever conceived. This week we pause in wonder to look into the greatest mystery in all of history: when "the Word became flesh."
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