Come and See, Go and Tell

John 1:35-42 New King James Version (NKJV)

35 Again, the next day, John stood with two of his disciples. 36 And looking at Jesus as He walked, he said, “Behold the Lamb of God!”

37 The two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. 38 Then Jesus turned, and seeing them following, said to them, “What do you seek?”

They said to Him, “Rabbi” (which is to say, when translated, Teacher), “where are You staying?”

39 He said to them, “Come and see.” They came and saw where He was staying, and remained with Him that day (now it was about the tenth hour).

40 One of the two who heard John speak, and followed Him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. 41 He first found his own brother Simon, and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which is translated, the Christ). 42 And he brought him to Jesus.

Now when Jesus looked at him, He said, “You are Simon the son of Jonah. You shall be called Cephas” (which is translated, A Stone).

SERMON NOTES:
Introduction: As we begin the new year, we will be made aware of our Church's theme which we wiil try to use a guide to direct us in all that we do throughout 2018. The encouragement "Come and see" is not as much to show to others who we are as to Who Jesus is. When they do, then like us, they will "go and tell".

The passage that we will look at today presents an example of how this can be done:
i. The _____________________ (vs. 35,36)
ii. The _____________________ (vs. 37,38)
ii. The _____________________ (v. 39a)
v. The _____________________ (vs. 39,42)

Living the Abundant Life in 2018

Ecclesiastes 11:7 - 12:14 (NKJV)  Read passage here

SERMON NOTES:
Introduction: As we have crossed over to a new year, may we, like the Israelites be prepared for the changes that we'll meet, focused on Jesus and not on others, pure in our motives and morals (cleansed, forgiven and forgiving), forward looking to the wonders that God will do in our midst and be trusting in our God to fulfill what He has said and promised to us. The challenge then is for us to live the abundant life in 2018 in a way that pleases God.

The last verses of Ecclesiastes give us insights as to how to go about this living:

i. ___________________ each new day ______________________ (11:7,8)
ii. ___________________ your youth  ______________________ (11:9-12:2)
iii. ___________________ your aging ______________________ (12L3-8)
iv. ___________________ for tomorrow  ______________________ (12:9,14)

What will it take to face the New Year

Joshua 3:1-17 (NKJV)

Read passage here

SERMON NOTES

INTRODUCTION: The people of Israel were now on the east bank of the river Jordan ready to cross over to their new land and home. It had been a dreary, difficult, depressing 40 years of wandering in the wilderness. Across the river will be a new life, challenges, opportunities that God will provide for them. How will they cope?

Like them, we are also about to cross over to a new year, unknown and foreboding yet will be filled with opportunities, possibilities and challenges from the Lord. What will it take to face 2018? From the passage, let me present 5 ways for us to do so.

i. Be ________________(v.4) "you have not passed this way before"
II. Be ________________ (v.3) "see the ark fo the covenant.."
III. Be ________________ (v.5) "Sanctify yourselves..."
IV. Be ________________ - ________________(v.5) "tomorrow the LORD"
V. Be ________________(v.6-8) "as I was with Moses, so I will be with you."

Christmas Day

Luke 2:8-14  (NKJV)

8 Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. 10 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”

13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:

14 “Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”