A.    Praise, Love, and Glorify God – Mark 12:30

o   Mark 12:29-30 “And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: vs 30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.”

1.     To sing and worship God with Godly music

a.     God established music for His people to praise Him and thank Him.

o   Psalm 149:1 “Praise ye the LORD. Sing unto the LORD a new song, and his praise in the congregation of saints.”

b.     Singing and playing an instrument is to be for God’s Glory and not for our Pleasure. Music is not to be used to pamper the flesh.

·        A man of God said, “The music we Christians use must reflect God’s character.”

o   Psalm 29:2 “Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.”

·        A Christian’s music must not be conformed to this world . . .” (Rom. 12:2).

-         The world uses sensual music that appeals to the flesh. This is a subtle counterfeit worship that only appeals to the flesh and plays with people’s emotions.

-         God is Holy and desires to be worshiped in the beauty of holiness.  

o   1 Peter 2:9-11 “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: vs 10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. Vs 11 Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;”

c.      However, godly music is able to edify our Spirit, and it is used to build up and admonish Christians.

o   Colossians 3:16-17 “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. vs 17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

·        Johann Sebastian Bach said, “All music should have no other end and aim than the glory of God and the soul’s refreshment; where this is not remembered there is no real music but only a devilish hub-bub.”

·        Bach headed all of his compositions:  “J. J.,” the initials for ”Jesus Juva” which means “Jesus help me.”

·        He ended them “S.D.G.,” the initials for, “Soli De-i Gratia” which means “To God alone be the glory.”

2.     To serve God with a pure heart – Colossians 3:22-23

 o   Colossians 3:22-23 “Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God: vs 23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;

a.     Serve to please God; do it for the eyes of God!

·        Note: If we were to do everything only for the eyes of men, we would be faithful only as long as they were watching; but if we do all that we do for the eyes and glory of God, we will be faithful at all times.

b.     Not a self-seeking service.

·        Simplicity, sincerity,
·        For the sake of God’s glory

-         Self-seeking service comes through human effort.
 -        God-Glorifying service comes by the Spirit’s power.

  -         Self-seeking service is impressed with the "high place."
-           God-Glorifying service is satisfied with the “low place.”

-         Self-seeking service looks for recognition and reward
 -        God-Glorifying service understands serving God is its own reward.

-         Self-seeking service picks and chooses whom to serve.
 -        God-Glorifying service has a heart to serve all.

-         Self-seeking service is temporary.
 -        God-Glorifying service is a life-style.

c.      Be more concerned of what God thinks of your service

·        Have God’s stamp of approval in all you do!

-         Have the faithfulness of a good Soldier (be not entangled with the affairs of this life)

-         Have the patience of a farmer (labour and work hard, and wait on the Lord)

-         Have the discipline of an Athlete (Be consistent & do not cut corners) 

d.     “....And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily,”

-         Serve with all your heart

-         Do your best for God

-         Work with a good attitude

-         Not with a grudging spirit, but serve with gladness

e.     ...as to the Lord, and not unto men;”

-         Though there may be those that are blind to your service, I want to remind you today that God is watching.

o   Hebrews 6:10 “For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.”

·        When you do it for Christ your labour is not in vain.

o   Mark 9:41 ”For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward.

3.     To strive to hear, love and do God’s Word – 1 John 3:18

a.     Be under the Word of God

b.     Love the Word of God

c.      Live the Word of God

-         Note: True love for Jesus is demonstrated in your obedience to Him!

-         Jesus said “If you love me, keep my commandments.”

o   1 John 3:18 “My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.”

·        I heard someone once say, “Your walk talks more than your talk, talks.”

·        Charles Haddon Spurgeon once said, “Wisdom is the right use of knowledge. To know is not to be wise. Many men know a great deal, and are all the greater fools for it. To know how to use knowledge is to have wisdom.”

o   James 1:22-25 “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. Vs 23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: vs 24  For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. Vs 25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.”

·        A wise man/women will not only Hear God’s Word, but will also Heed God’s Word!

o   Proverbs 14:1-2 “Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands. vs 2 He that walketh in his uprightness feareth the LORD: but he that is perverse in his ways despiseth him.

4.     To seek God in Prayer for wisdom to walk in His ways – James 1:5

 o   James 1:5-8 “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. vs 6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. Vs 7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. vs 8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.”

a.     Ask of God (Talk to God about it)

-         Result, God will not withhold his council, but will freely give it.

b.     Ask in Faith (Either you believe God or not)

-         Do not be in a hurry and take matters into your own hands.

  c.      Ask with one Mind (Nothing wavering)

-         Be determined that God’s wisdom, and His Word is the only option.

-         Do not go to God in prayer with a preconceived attitude.

o   Vs 7 “For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. vs 8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.”

o   James 4:13-15 “Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: vs 14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. vs 15 For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.”

o   1 Corinthians 10:31 “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.”

Dear Friends,

I pray that your season will be blessed. I know Christmas to be a time of rejoicing, remembering, and reaching. Rejoicing that we have a Saviour that loves us. Remembering His promises and the day we believed on Him to save us from sin. Reaching out to others with the precious Gospel – good tidings.

Matthew 1:23 "Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us."

  God with us!

I heard about two missionaries who were captured and imprisoned in the same cell but forbidden to speak to each other. Christmas came. One of the missionaries, shivering and silent, sat on the floor covered with hay. As he was playing with bits of hay around him, he thought that he discovered a silent way of communicating with his friend. He spelled out the word Immanuel. As soon as his friend saw the word, immediately he lit up with joy. They were captives, but they both believed that God was with them and that ultimate triumph would be theirs.

To make Christ the center of Christmas and the center of your Life will only guarantee that God will be with you now and for all eternity no matter the circumstances.

Luke 2:11 “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.”

     Christ for us!

Many people are left empty after the Christmas holidays.  As the season of eating, drinking, and merry-making passes, so does the smile on people’s faces. This temporary happiness occurs as people forget the true meaning of Christmas. People must value the gift that was born to die on the tree (Cross).

Grace Davidson took her four-year-old granddaughter to “big church” for the first time. She sat quietly taking in every aspect of the service and her attentive curiosity stayed in check until the pastoral prayer. The pastor said, “We thank You, Lord, for Your presence.” The little girl’s eyes flew open and she whispered to her grandmother, “Granny, we’re gonna get presents!”

When you take Christ out of Christmas your life will only be unfilled.  How much better it is to keep Christ the Lord the very center of Christmas and of our lives.  Keep Christ in Christmas, and Christ in your lives.

Someone once said that Xmas means Xhaustion, Xcuses, Xchanges, Xcesses, Xtravagances, Xasperations, Xhibitions and worldly Xcitement.

How sad to see that many people do not know the true meaning for this season of Christmas.

"Jesus is the Reason for the Season." He is the promised redeemer, the one that was born to die to save His people from their sin! Jesus is the greatest gift ever given to the world. Have you considered Him and received Him?

Romans 6:23  "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

Without Christ we do not have a Christmas.

Without Christ we do not have forgiveness.

Without Christ we do not have a purpose.

I challenge you to leave Christ in Christmas and in the very center of your life.

In Christ Alone,

C Haddad - Galatians 2:20

W: www.gbbc.org.au I E: charlie@eternal.org.au I W: www.eternal.org.au

M: Po Box 318 Kotara, NSW, 2289 I P: 0401 955 955 I P: (02) 4023 4889
Meeting: 135 Ambleside Cct, Lakelands I 10:30am & 5:30pm Sunday services

Isaiah 9:6 “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”

Isaiah here is prophesying or foretelling the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ; the Messiah, the Holy One that is to come.

This was the anticipation for many of the people of God in the Old Testament, waiting for the Messiah to come.

As the people of God in the New Testament/the church age we wait for the signs of the times for the Second coming of Christ, the people of the Old Testament waited for the signs of the first coming.

The Prophet prophesied that Jesus Christ would be born of a Virgin.

Isaiah 7:14 “Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”
“WHO IS THIS SON THAT IS TO BE BORN & WHAT SHALL HIS NAME BE CALLED?”

 Isaiah 9:6 “….and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”

 1.    Wonderful

 Wonderful = “wonder, to make one marvel” Jesus is Extraordinary, Amazing, Awesome, Overwhelming, and Breathtaking. He is Wonderful in all that He does.

 Psalm 139:14 “I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made…”

 2.    Counsellor

 John 1:1 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”

 If you desire to have wonderful counsel, look no further than in the pages of the Bible. The Biblos (Bible) means = “THE BOOK” Jesus is the revealed Word of God from the beginning. He is the “Way, the Truth, and the Life!”

 3.    The Mighty God

 Isaiah 63:1 “… I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save.”

 Mighty = powerful, strong… Jesus Christ is the one that makes the impossible possible. He is the one that made the blind to see, the dumb to speak, the lame to walk, and restored lives with the power of the gospel. He has come to bring life to the lifeless, hope to the hopeless, and help to the helpless. Isaiah 61:1

 4.    The Everlasting Father


 John 14:8-9 “Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father…” vs9 “Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?”

 1 John 3:1 “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.”

 5.    Prince of Peace

 John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”

The peace in which Jesus gives is true peace. He has not given us a Spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

What does it mean to dedicate your Child before the Lord? The word ‘dedicate’ means “to offer up, to give, and consecrate to.”

Hannah prayed and requested of the Lord to have a child, and with her request she promised to dedicate him before the Lord.

1 Samuel 1:11 “...wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the LORD all the days of his life...”

The Lord remembered Hannah’s plea and granted her a child, after which she did follow through and presented him before the Lord

1 Samuel 1:22 “But Hannah went not up; for she said unto her husband, I will not go up until the child be weaned, and then I will bring him, that he may appear before the LORD, and there abide for ever.”

1 Samuel 2:21 “...And the child Samuel grew before the LORD.”

How can a person follow through their promise of dedicating their child to the Lord?

 1. Continue to pray for them

 Philippians 4:6 “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.”

Little children are safe in God’s hands if they die in early childhood. Jesus said “…for such is the kingdom of heaven.” However, we must pray that when they come to an age of understanding, they will trust the Lord as their own personal Saviour.

2. Teach them the Scriptures

 2 Timothy 3:15 “And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.”

A child’s exposure to the Scriptures mustn’t be only on a Sunday from the Sunday school teacher. You must teach your children the Word of God also.

Deuteronomy 6:6-7  “And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: vs 7 And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.’”

3. Be a Godly Example

 When little children see your dedication and love for the Lord they will soon build up an appetite for Him also. Failure to live out what you teach them could be a hindrance in your child’s life.

·         Be faithful to God and put Him first

·         Attend church faithfully and love the brethren

·         Pray & read the Bible with your children 

·         Be a responsible parent & do not neglect them

·         Admit your faults to your children

·         Love and forgive others at all times

-         Do not slander and gossip about others

In Christ Alone,

C Haddad - Galatians 2:20

W: www.gbbc.org.au I E: charlie@eternal.org.au I W: www.eternal.org.au

M: Po Box 318 Kotara, NSW, 2289 I P: 0401 955 955 I P: (02) 4023 4889
Meeting: 135 Ambleside Cct, Lakelands I 10:30am & 5:30pm Sunday services

When studying the Scriptures and using the Golden Rules of Interpretation (As discussed last week) it is good to apply the following:

1.      Understanding the Book

 a.    Who wrote the Book?

b.    What is the purpose of the Book?

c.    Who is the Book addressed to?

d.    What are the major issues?


2.      Details regarding the Book

a.    When was the book written?

b.    Where was the book written?

Note: Get your hands on some good Study Bible tools. Some digital tools are available: Sword Searcher, E-Sword, Blue Letter Bible etc.

3. Define Words from the Book

 a.    Look up words that are hard to understand.

b.    Cross reference words from other books of the Bible. 

c.    Have a clear understanding of each word and how it is used in each verse. Example: the Greek word “Agape” is used as “Love” and Charity” but both mean the same. (unconditional love)


4. Outline the Book
 
a.    Give a title to each passage as you outline it. This could be done in a brief or detailed way.

b.    After you have studied the book and have come to some conclusions, have a look at other commentaries.



5. Challenged from the Book

a.    What is the significance of the book?

b.    How does it apply to me?

c.    Is there something to obey?

d.    Is there a decision to make?

Note: Do not be discouraged when you come across passages that are difficult to understand. Always remember to pray and ask the Lord for guidance in the Scriptures. Studying God’s Word takes time, careful diligence, and labour. God’s Word is the best Book to read and study. Keep in it and keep at it!

2 Timothy 2:15 “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

Study = to use speed, that is, to make effort, be prompt or earnest: - do (give) diligence, be diligent

Rightly divide = to make a straight cut, that is, (figuratively) to dissect (expound) correctly ~ Strong’s

In Christ Alone,

C Haddad - Galatians 2:20

W: www.gbbc.org.au I E: charlie@eternal.org.au I W: www.eternal.org.au

M: Po Box 318 Kotara, NSW, 2289 I P: 0401 955 955 I P: (02) 4023 4889
Meeting: 135 Ambleside Cct, Lakelands I 10:30am & 5:30pm Sunday services