“The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.”

Scripture: ‭‭‭‭Matthew 1:18-21

“This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.””

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God is love and we must let his love shine brightly through us!

Love Revealed

But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.

-Matthew 1:20

Love Demonstrated

She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus...

-Matthew 1:21a

Love Saves

He will save his people from their sins.

-Matthew 1:21b

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

-‭‭John‬ ‭3‬:‭16‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Let LOVE shine brighter than your Christmas tree this season!

‭‭Luke‬ ‭2‬:‭10‬-‭11‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.”

Introduction: Joy to the World!

Joy's Source...

I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all people.

-Luke 2:10

Joy's Sound...

a. Shout

“Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands!

-Psalm 100:1 NKJV

b. Praise

Serve the Lord with gladness; Come before His presence with singing.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭100‬:‭2 NKJV‬‬

c. Laughter & Happiness

A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

-Proverbs 17:22 NASB

d. Celebration of Salvation

With joy, you will draw water from the wells of salvation.”

-Isaiah 12:3 NIV

Joy is contagious! Light your world with joy!

Isaiah‬ ‭9‬:‭2‬ ‭NIV

“The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.”

Scripture: ‭‭‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭9‬:‭6‬ ‭NIV

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

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Introduction: We can have peace when it seems like our world is falling to pieces.

The Promise of Peace

“Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end."

-‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭9‬:‭7‬ ‭NIV‬‬

The Proclamation of Peace

“Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rest.""

-Luke‬ ‭2‬:‭13‬-‭14‬ ‭NIV‬‬

The Provision of Peace

““The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭1‬:‭23‬ ‭NIV‬‬

a. Believe

b. Receive

c. Retrieve

Conclusion: Let the peace of God rule in your hearts.

- Colossians 3:15 NIV

Luke 2:25–27

“Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required...

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Light shines the brightest in the darkest of times.

Hope in the Darkness:

1. Live with Expectation

Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel...

-Luke 2:25a

2. Lean into Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit was on him (Simeon).

-Luke 2:25b

3. Listen to Holy Spirit

“It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭2‬:‭26‬ ‭NIV‬‬

4. Led by Holy Spirit

“Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required,”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭2‬:‭27‬ ‭NIV‬‬

The light of hope was born in Bethlehem and revealed to Simeon who watched and waited with a faith-filled heart.

1 Corinthians 11:23-26

“For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.”

‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭11‬:‭23‬-‭26‬ ‭NIV‬‬

It is important to pass faith to the next generation!

“For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you..."

• 1 Corinthians 11:23a

Three Table Manners:

Remember Jesus' Sacrifice...

The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.”

-1 Corinthians 11:23b-24

Rejoice in Relationship...

“In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.””

-1 Corinthians 11:25

Respond with Thankgiving...

“So then, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup.”

-‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭11‬:‭27‬-‭28‬ ‭NIV‬‬

As we gather at the Lord's Table this Thanksgiving season, let us be thankful!

Series: At the Table...

Sermon: The Invitation Scripture: Luke 14:15-24

“When one of those at the table with him heard this, he said to Jesus, “Blessed is the one who will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God.” Jesus replied: “A certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests. At the time of the banquet he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’ “But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said, ‘I have just bought a field, and I must go and see it. Please excuse me.’ “Another said, ‘I have just bought five yoke of oxen, and I’m on my way to try them out. Please excuse me.’ “Still another said, ‘I just got married, so I can’t come.’ “The servant came back and reported this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry and ordered his servant, ‘Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame.’ “ ‘Sir,’ the servant said, ‘what you ordered has been done, but there is still room.’ “Then the master told his servant, ‘Go out to the roads and country lanes and compel them to come in, so that my house will be full. I tell you, not one of those who were invited will get a taste of my banquet.’ ””

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We are called the be "At The Table" with Jesus.

1. The Preparation of the Banquet
   
   

“Jesus replied: “A certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests. At the time of the banquet he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭14‬:‭16‬-‭17‬ ‭NIV‬‬

2. The Procrastination of the Guests

““But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said, ‘I have just bought a field, and I must go and see it. Please excuse me.’ “Another said, ‘I have just bought five yoke of oxen, and I’m on my way to try them out. Please excuse me.’ “Still another said, ‘I just got married, so I can’t come.’”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭14‬:‭18‬-‭20‬ ‭NIV‬‬

3. The Pursuit of the Servant

““The servant came back and reported this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry and ordered his servant, ‘Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame.’ “ ‘Sir,’ the servant said, ‘what you ordered has been done, but there is still room.’ “Then the master told his servant, ‘Go out to the roads and country lanes and compel them to come in, so that my house will be full.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭14‬:‭21‬-‭23‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Two PROMISES experienced "At The Table":

1. God's Presence
2. God's Provision

There is room for you "At The Table". (Luke 14:22)