Pastor's Corner: WHAT'S THE BIG IDEA?

  GOD KNOWS YOUR NAME! Luke 1:56-66 Introduction : Naming a baby can sometimes stir up discussions in families, and it certainly does on the occasion of the naming of the child of Elizabeth and Zechariah! In the Bible, the meaning of names is often important. Most importantly we know what the angel said to Joseph in a dream in Matthew 1 when Joseph was struggling with what to do when he learned that Mary, before their marriage was consummated, was pregnant… Joseph son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins. The angel told Joseph about the miraculous conception of the life in Mary’s womb, and then told him what this child would be called and why: Jesus, the Greek form of the name Yeshua , “Yahweh saves,” for He will save His people from their sins . The name would testify to the work that Jesus would do. ...

  BLESS THE LORD, O MY SOUL! Luke 1:39-56 Introduction : This week the news reported… Two children were found on the New Jersey-Delaware border after taking their parents' car for a joyride, police said. The 12-year-old boy and his 7-year-old cousin are believed to have taken the white Range Rover around 9 a.m. Monday from… 115th Street in New York City. Police say the incident may have stemmed from some kind of social media challenge. The two kids were found at the state border by 2:30 p.m. [after one tried to use their parents’ credit card!]. They were not injured and there were no accidents or damage reported to the vehicle. The kids were being brought back to NYC to talk to police . That is a pretty shocking story, and it could have ended very badly, but thankfully no one was hurt. Later in this gospel we’ll read of Jesus, as a 12-year-old in Jerusalem with his parents for the Passover, being left behind in the city!   How did that happen? And, to make matters wor...

  Christmas: A New Day Dawning! Luke 1:26-38 Introduction : It was an unlikely start to the greatest story ever told, as God began to carry out His plan for world redemption. The fulness of time had come, and God was about to send forth His Son. One of the great themes that surround the life of Jesus is perhaps the most unlikely: the humble circumstance of his birth, life, and death . It was not what anyone expected! Born in a stable to a working class family. Raised the son of a carpenter. Never owning a home or business of his own.  Dying a young, a criminal’s death.  We would do well to remember, “ Thou didst leave thy throne and thy kingly crown when thou camest to earth for me …”  We would do well to remember as we look at our manger scenes and Christmas cards “ Who He is in yonder stall, at whose feet the Shepherds fall …”  He came to offer us a gift, by grace through faith, “ The wages of sin is death, but the [free] gift of God is eternal life …”...