Luke 2:15-20 What Child is This? Summary: It's getting close to Christmas! I hope you're excited - I know I am. But can you imagine the excitement of the shepherds when they were visited by angels in the field, telling then of Jesus' birth? Those shepherds were amazed! They probably ran to Bethlehem to see the baby, and to tell everyone what they had seen! Today, let's pray that God would fill us with that kind of excitement that God has sent us a Savior! Outline: 1. How can we be silent? 2. What should kindle wonder? 3. How do we slow down and ponder? 4. What should bring us to worship this Christmas? Verse: Luke 2:14 14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” Discussion Questions: 1. As you read this passage and remember the moment of the angelic visit, what might have been your response if you heard the reports of the shepherds? Would there be skepticism? 2. What are the things that tend to quench rather than kindle wonder at Christ's coming? What are some realistic steps you can take to change that this Christmas? 3. Why do you think Mary is described the way she is in verse 19? What would

All words about Krampus and Krampus customs

Christmas is about Jesus coming to earth to save us from our sins.

Revelation 1:9-19 NIV

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel Luke 1:76-79 Summary: It is time to celebrate Christmas again! One of the great songs we sing at Christmas is

Psalm 74 Arise O God! Summary: When hard things happen in your life, did you know that God WANTS you to cry out to Him for help? Psalm 74 is an example of someone doing that very thing. When we don't understand what is happening, when things are scary or confusing, God wants us to come to Him! Let's see five ways He prays: Outline: Five Prayer Requests that are always acceptable: 1. Why God? 2. Remember your people, O God 3. How long, O God? 4. Remember Your Covenant, O God 5. Arise, O God! Verse: Psalm 74:1212 ... God my King is from of old, working salvation in the midst of the earth. Discussion Questions: 1. Why was this psalm writer so distraught? Can you think of a time when it seems like God has forgotten you? 2. How does this Psalm wrestle from confusion to faith? 3. How does this Psalm point us to Christ and His work? 4. How can this Psalm help you as you pray for the circumstances in your own life this week?

1 John 1:1-2:6 NIV

Psalm 136:1-9 NIV

Psalm 136:1-9 NIV

Psalm 73 Does it Pay to Serve God? Summary: Sometimes life seems backwards to us. It seems like those who do wrong are not punished, and those who do right suffer. Sometimes it seems like those who rebel against God prosper, while being a Christian brings hardship! Does the Bible help us understand this! Yes! Let's look to Psalm 73 for help: Outline: 1. Confusion 2. Clarity 3. Comfort Verse: Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides You. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. (Psalm 73:25-26) Discussion Questions: 1. What are some ways in which you see the wicked prospering in your world? 2. How are you tempted to envy them? 3. Think of a time when you’ve given into the temptation to live like those who don’t believe. How would this Psalm and the hope described in it have impacted your decisions in that situation? 4. Read 1 Peter 2:21-25. How does Christ’s response during his suffering help us understand how we ought to navigate trials?

Matthew 24:35 NIV & Hebrews 4:12 NIV

Psalm 50 God the Judge Summary: God gave us the Psalms to help us as we learn to love, obey and worship God. For the next few weeks we'll study Psalms written by a man named Asaph. He was a man who led music for God's people in the temple during the time of King David. Today in Psalm 50 we will hear God encourage us to worship and obey God from the heart, not just on the outside. Let's listen! Outline: 1. The summons: God calls His people to court 2. The charges: Charge #1: Your god is too small Charge #2: You have forgotten your God 3. The gracious call to repent Verse: Psalm 50:2 Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God shines forth. Discussion Questions: 1. What are the ways this psalm confirms God's right to be the judge of the universe? 2. Verses 7-15 detail God's indictment against formalism, the temptation for the believer to worship outwardly, but not from the heart. Where do you see this lurking in your own worship? How do these verses elevate our view of God to draw us toward Him? 3. Verses 16-21 are God's rebuke of the hypocrite who claims obedience outwardly but in reality lives in disobedience. Where might you need to confess such hypocrisy in your life? 4. It may be difficult to find evidence of God's grace in this psalm. Where do you see mercy, pointing us toward the Gospel of Jesus?

Psalm 50 God the Judge Summary: God gave us the Psalms to help us as we learn to love, obey and worship God. For the next few weeks we'll study Psalms written by a man named Asaph. He was a man who led music for God's people in the temple during the time of King David. Today in Psalm 50 we will hear God encourage us to worship and obey God from the heart, not just on the outside. Let's listen! Outline: 1. God has a right to judge 2. Don't miss WHY we worship 3. Don't merely pretend to obey 4. God gives a gracious warning to repent Verse: Psalm 50:2 Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God shines forth. Discussion Questions: 1. What are the ways this psalm confirms God's right to be the judge of the universe? 2. Verses 7-15 detail God's indictment against formalism, the temptation for the believer to worship outwardly, but not from the heart. Where do you see this lurking in your own worship? How do these verses elevate our view of God to draw us toward Him? 3. Verses 16-21 are God's rebuke of the hypocrite who claims obedience outwardly but in reality lives in disobedience. Where might you need to confess such hypocrisy in your life? 4. It may be difficult to find evidence of God's grace in this psalm. Where do you see mercy, pointing us toward the Gospel of Jesus?

Habakkuk 3:17-19 Joy When Everything Crumbles Summary: Have you ever hoped for something, only to be disappointed? Maybe a vacation, or a gift you were hoping for? Today is our last sermon in the book of Habakkuk, and one of the great lessons he learned in his life was this: Although everything good in life might be taken away from us, there is one thing that can never be lost: no one can EVER take our God away from us! Do you believe that today? If you believe in Jesus, you can lose everything in this world and still have a life of joy! Let's listen to God's Word today: Outline: 1. The loss of everything 2. Our source of joy 3. The victory of living by faith Verse: Habakkuk 3:18 ...I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation. Discussion Questions: 1. By the end of the book, Habakkuk accepts that God's people will endure some of the temporal consequences of their sin. Where might you be suffering some of these? Do you believe it to be God's punishment, or the loving discipline of your heavenly father? Why? 2. How does Habakkuk come to a settled confidence and joy in his life, even though he knows he will lose all earthly provision? Where is your hope and joy found, and how might things change if you lost everything? 3. How does the end of this book demonstrate what it means that

Habakkuk 3:1-16 In Wrath Remember Mercy Summary: The Bible tells us about who God is, and what He is like. It is so important to know this God when we face the troubles of this life. As Habakkuk grew in his understanding of God's ways, it increased his faith as he faced hard things. Let's listen to Habakkuk's prayer of faith as he waits for the day of trouble: Outline: 1. Pray for God's mercy 2. Remember God's salvation 3. Wait in peace as you face the day of trouble Verse: 1 Timothy 1:2 ...Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. Discussion Questions: 1. How does Habakkuk's prayer reflect his growing trust in God's ways? What is the nature of this prayer in chapter three? 2. Why does he pray

Lamentations 3:22-33 NIV

Habakkuk 2:15-20 The Lord is in His Holy Temple Summary: We humans long to be happy and safe. Think about all you do every day to take care of yourself and make yourself happy. What are some of those things? Today as we study this little book of Habakkuk again, we hear God telling us of all the terrible things God's enemies have done to try to be safe and happy. But only God can save and care for us. Let's listen as God speaks to us today: Outline: 1. Using people cannot save you 2. Other gods cannot save you 3. The ray of hope: The Lord is in His Holy Temple Verse: Habakkuk 2:20 But the Lord is in his holy temple; let all the earth keep silence before him.” Discussion Questions: 1. How does God condemn the reckless pursuit of dominance in this passage? How do you see the unbelieving world seek safety, power and pleasure without God today? How might you also seek those things as well? 2. How is the futility of idolatry described in vv. 17-19? How do those same principles of idolatry apply more broadly today? 3. How does v.20 provide the proper answer to those who rebel against God? How did Jesus take the cup of God's wrath (v.16) for you, and how should that encourage your walk this week? How would it influence your fight against sin?

John 1:1-4, 10-14 NIV

Habakkuk 2:5-14 Woe to God's Enemies Summary: It is not an easy thing to think about, but did you know that part of the GOOD news in the Bible is that God is going to judge those who reject Him? Today we will see that this is actually good news for suffering believers! There is hope for us that God will make all wrongs right! Let's think about it: Outline: 1. Riches cannot save you 2. A dynasty cannot save you 3. Oppressing others cannot save you 4. The glory of God is coming! Verse: Habakkuk 2:14 For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea. Discussion questions: 1. In what ways do you seek for safety and security in this life? How might you be tempted to sin to get it? 2. How did the coming of Jesus fulfill the promise that the

Jeremiah 31:31-34 NIV