Celebrate the Miracles 2020

WE CELEBRATE JESUS!

10b “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. 11 The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! 12 And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.” 13 Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”  Luke 2:10b-14 NLT

WE CELEBRATE SOULS BEING SAVED!

17 This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! 18 And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him. 19 For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation.  2 Corinthians 5:17-19 NLT

• 100 salvations here in our church and online.
• Thousands more through the ministries we support.

WE CELEBRATE MINISTRY!

• Ministry is meeting the needs of others with God’s love.

WE CELEBRATE JESUS AND DISCIPLESHIP WHEN:

 WE PUT JESUS FIRST IN ALL THINGS 

34 Then, calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me.35 If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will save it. 36 And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? 37 Is anything worth more than your soul? 38 If anyone is ashamed of me and my message in these adulterous and sinful days, the Son of Man will be ashamed of that person when he returns in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”  Mark 8:34-38 NLT 

• Our focus should be on our Lord and pleasing Him in every area of our lives. 
• We must put off self-centeredness and put on Christ-centeredness.

WE FOLLOW JESUS’ TEACHINGS 

31 Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. 32 And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:31-32 NLT

WE ARE FRUITFUL 

5 “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.

6 Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. 7 But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! 8 When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father.”  John 15:5-8 NLT

WE LOVE OTHER DISCIPLES 

34 “So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. 35 Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” John 13:34-35 NLT

• We are told by Jesus that love of other believers is the evidence of our being a member of God’s family.

WE ARE MAKING DISCIPLES OF OTHERS 

18 Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. 19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20 NLT

NEXT STEPS FOR ME TODAY…

• I will celebrate Jesus today!
• I choose to give my life to Jesus today!
• I choose to be a disciple maker for Jesus today!