How To Prepare For Christmas

John 3:16-17 – (16) For God so [greatly] loved and dearly prized the world, that He gave…His [One and] only begotten Son, so that whoever believes and trusts in Him [as Savior] shall not perish, but have eternal life. (17) For God did not send the Son into the world to judge and condemn the world [that is, to initiate the final judgment of the world], but that the world might be saved through Him.

The reason God gave His only begotten son as a gift, is so that HE could eventually give the ULTIMATE GIFT to whosoever will.

Genesis 17:1-5 (1) When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to him and said, “I am El-Shaddai—‘God Almighty.’ Serve me faithfully and live a blameless life.  (2) I will make a covenant with you, by which I will guarantee to give you countless descendants.” (3) At this, Abram fell face down on the ground. Then God said to him, (4) “This is my covenant with you: I will make you the father of a multitude of nations! (5) What’s more, I am changing your name. It will no longer be Abram. Instead, you will be called Abraham, for you will be the father of many nations. 

1. Let God give you a New Name and a NEW IDENTITY

Genesis 17:6 – I will make you extremely fruitful. Your descendants will become many nations, and kings will be among them!

Genesis 17:17 – Then Abraham bowed down to the ground, but he laughed to himself in disbelief. “How could I become a father at the age of 100?” he thought. “And how can Sarah have a baby when she is ninety years old?” 

2. What seems impossible to you is possible with God 

Genesis 17:19 – But God replied, “Sarah, your wife, will give birth to a son for you. You will name him Isaac, and I will confirm my covenant with him and his descendants as an everlasting (blessing) covenant.

Let God name your miracle right now today

Genesis 22:1  (1) Some time later, God tested Abraham’s faith. “Abraham!” God called. “Yes,” he replied. “Here I am.” …

3. When God calls answer YES 

Genesis 22:2-5 – (2) “Take your son, your only son—yes, Isaac, whom you love so much—and go to the land of Moriah. Go and sacrifice him as a burnt offering on one of the mountains, which I will show you.” (3) The next morning Abraham got up early. He saddled his donkey and took two of his servants with him, along with his son, Isaac. Then he chopped wood for a fire for a burnt offering and set out for the place God had told him about. (4) On the third day of their journey, Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance. (5) “Stay here with the donkey,” Abraham told the servants. “The boy and I will travel a little farther. We will worship there, and then we will [return] come right back.”

You are unstoppable when you live your life in surrendered obedience to God. 

4. ALWAYS WORSHIP because WORSHIP ALWAYS yields a high RETURN on investment.

What are a few main takeaways from today’s message?
Name a time when God blessed your obedience?