Proper Response To Christmas
Stand in Faith
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SUMMARY
RESPONSE 1: We break strongholds – we don’t have to think like the world.
RESPONSE 2: We surrender to the promises of God – living sacrifices (ZOSAN)
It is pleasing to God for you to know his beautiful and perfect will – thats why He sent his son…
John 17:3 (ESV) And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.
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ROMANS 12:3-4
Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us. 4 Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, 5 so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.
Privilege and Authority (Mercies Received)
Through Jesus “In Jesus name”…
Power in the name of Jesus.
Authority in the name of Jesus
Not on us – its on Jesus
Romans 4:5
But no one earns God’s righteousness. It can only be transferred when we no longer rely on our own works, but believe in the one who powerfully declares the ungodly to be righteous[a] in his eyes. It is faith that transfers God’s righteousness into your account!
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Faith God has Given Us (Mercies Received)
We measure our life, we prioritize our life by the faith God has given us. If faith is a form of hope and we only have hope because God has declared us righteous through Jesus – Jesus is the gift of faith.
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Hebrews 11:1 – Faith definition
Now faith brings our hopes into reality and becomes the foundation needed to acquire the things we long for. It is all the evidence required to prove what is still unseen.
When the faith of the heart meets the imagination of the mind – miracles happen!
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Romans 5:1
Our faith in Jesus transfers God’s righteousness to us and he now declares us flawless in his eyes. This means we can now enjoy true and lasting peace with God, all because of what our Lord Jesus, the Anointed One, has done for us.
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RESPONSE 3: WE STAND IN FAITH NOT IN PRIDE
Don’t think you are better than God
(Do not think more highly of yourself – Humble yourself – Living sacrifice)
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1. GOD CARES ABOUT YOU MORE THAN YOU DO.
DANIEL 10:10-11
10 Just then a hand touched me and lifted me, still trembling, to my hands and knees. 11 And the man said to me, “Daniel, you are very precious to God, so listen carefully to what I have to say to you. Stand up, for I have been sent to you.” When he said this to me, I stood up, still trembling
You are very precious to God.
Not only does God love you—he likes you.
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2. GOD IS DOING MORE THAN YOU UNDERSTAND.
Daniel 10:12-13
12 Then he said, “Don’t be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day you began to pray for understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your request has been heard in heaven. I have come in answer to your prayer. 13 But for twenty-one days the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia blocked my way. Then Michael, one of the archangels, came to help me, and I left him there with the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia.
So long that you feel stupid. Why bother? God’s not going to do anything. Nothing’s going to change. God probably doesn’t even care.
Since the first time you begin to pray—your prayer has been heard in heaven.
First time you prayed—God heard the cry of your heart!
When did Daniel start praying—21 days ago
Looked like God wasn’t doing anything—Doing and HAS DONE more than you understand!
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3. GOD’S STRENGTH IS MADE PERFECT IN YOUR WEAKNESS.
Until you understand your weakness you won’t appreciate God’s strength.
Daniel 10:17-19
17 How can someone like me, your servant, talk to you, my lord? My strength is gone, and I can hardly breathe.” 18 Then the one who looked like a man touched me again, and I felt my strength returning. 19 “Don’t be afraid,” he said, “for you are very precious to God. Peace! Be encouraged! Be strong!”
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STAND IN FAITH
He cares about me more than I do.
Doing more than we understand.
His strength is made perfect in my weakness.