December 15, 2014
Our Savior Understands
We do not have a Savior who's isolated in heaven with no idea what it feels like to have human struggles. No, our Lord left the glories of heaven behind and added humanity to His deity. He temporarily gave up the use of some of His attributes, applying them only as the Father directed Him.
Jesus understands precisely how we feel because He went through the same types of situations we do. Though details of our lives may not match His, the experiences and feelings are alike. Let's look at several examples of how He identifies with us:
- Misunderstanding: People constantly misunderstood His claims to be the Son of God.
- Rejection: He was unappreciated by the ones He came to love and die for.
- Pressure: Crowds surrounded Him, begging for help and demanding His attention.
- Exhaustion: He experienced all the weakness of humanity.
- Loneliness: At Gethsemane, when He needed human companionship the most, His closest friends fell asleep.
- Temptation: Satan hit Him with every imaginable type of attack and temptation.
- Hatred: Religious leaders despised Him.
- Injustice: Though Jesus lived a sinless life, He died a criminal's death.
- Pain: He suffered the excruciating pain of scourging and crucifixion.
Whatever you're going through right now, remember that Jesus knows how you feel and sympathizes with your pain and weakness. He may not remove the anguish or change your situation, but He'll always give you the grace to resist temptation, endure suffering, and grow in spiritual maturity.
Used with permission from In Touch Ministries, Inc.
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Current Sermon Series:
Fear attacks us right where our faith lives and keeps us from stepping into the plans God has for us. Created for the Christmas season, Fear Not helps us overcome fear and transform it into faith and obedience. With messages on the angels' visits to Mary, Joseph, and the shepherds, Fear Not assures us that God will always give us the guidance we need to reject fear.
Last Week:We looked into Joseph's interaction with the Angel of the Lord. Joseph dealt with the fear of what other people think about him, and he chose the harder thing to do, and that was to obey the Lord. We need to obey when God leads us.
Sunday's message is available for streaming or for download on our website, just under the calendar, or by visiting us on iTunes.
Next Week: Lord willing, we will be finishing our series Fear Not by looking into the Fear Of Where You Stand With God, which will follow our Sunday School Program.
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December 15 - Trustee Meeting at 7 PM.
December 16 - Men's Bible Study at the church beginning at 7 PM. We will be covering James 4.
December 21 - Sunday School Christmas Program at 11 AM
December 24 - Christmas Eve Service at 5 PM
December 31 - New Year's Eve Family Game Night at the Church. We will also have our first Waffle-Off, it is not a contest, but waffles for everyone. We will supply the waffles, you just need to bring the toppings.
January - Get to Know You Dinners. This is for our church to get to know one another better. Please sign up in the foyer for this great time of fellowship. See pastor or deacons for more details.
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