Living in the Light of the Incarnation (Matthew 2:1–12)

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Living in the Light of the Incarnation
Matthew 2:1–12

I. The Wise Men dwelled on God's revelation of Christ
Resolution: Make a specific plan to read and treasure the Bible more. 

II. The Wise Men spent their resources for Christ
Resolution: Become more cheerful and sacrificial givers of money, time, and resources. 

III. The Wise Men were changed by their encounter with Christ
Resolution: Walk in continual repentance and learn to treasure Christ above all. 

Songs of Great Joy: The Song of the Angels (Luke 2:1-14)

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Songs of Great Joy:
The Song of the Angels: Gloria in Excelsis Deo
Luke 2:1-14

I. A historic event

II. An incomparable Savior
    A. The angels brought good news
         1. A Savior is born
         2. He is Christ the Lord

III. A perfect outcome
     A. Glory to God in the highest
     B. Peace on earth

Songs of Great Joy: The Song of Zechariah (Luke 1:59-80)

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Songs of Great Joy:
The Song of Zechariah
Luke 1:59-80

I. God shows his glory to us through Jesus (vs. 68-73)
In Jesus, God has:
   A. Visited us
   B. Redeemed us
   C. Raised up a horn of salvation
   D. Fulfilled prophecy
   E. Saved us from our greatest enemies
   F. Shown mercy
   G. Remembered his covenant

II.  Because of Jesus, we are free to serve God without fear in holiness and righteousness (vs. 74-75)

III. Like John, we go forth as ambassadors preparing the way for our King’s return (vs. 76-79) 
   A. We give the knowledge of salvation (because of God’s tender mercy)
   B. We give light (to guide feet into the way of peace)

Peter is Restored and Made a Model for Church Leadership (John 21:15-25)

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Peter is Restored and Made a Model for Church Leadership
John 21:15-25

I.  Peter is restored without shame
    A. Pride came before Peter’s destruction
    B. Love for God was not Peter’s problem
    C. Humility was the catalyst to his restoration

II. Peter is set as a standard bearer for church leadership
    A. There is God-established authority in the local church
    B. There is a pattern of teaching that follows

Fulfilling Gospel Ministry in the Power of Jesus (John 21:1-14)

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Fulfilling Gospel Ministry in the Power of Jesus
John 21:1-14

I. We need Jesus and the power of his resurrection to fulfill the work of ministry (1-14)
   A. Our efforts will be fruitless without his power
   B. Our work will be purposeless without his direction
   C. Our faith will be strengthened as he proves faithful

International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church 2017

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International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church 2017

Learn more about how you can pray for and support the persecuted church at https://www.opendoorsusa.org


“When we pray for those in prison for their faith, we remember that the gospel came to us in letters written from jail. When we plead for those whose churches are burned in Egypt, we remember that our hope isn’t in building religious empires but in a New Jerusalem we’ve never seen. When we weep for those who are (sometimes literally) crucified in the Middle East, we are reminded that our Lord isn’t a life coach or a guru but a crucified Messiah. That can remind us of the gospel we signed up for in the first place, and free us from our fat, affluent, almost-gospels, which could never save in the first place. And we can be reminded that the persecuted Christians for whom we pray and advocate very well may be those who will send missionaries to carry the gospel to a future post-Christian Europe or North America.”
-Russell Moore

Jesus Appears to His Followers--Part 2 (John 20:20-23)

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Jesus Appears to His Followers
John 20:20-23 (2)

II. Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection changed the relationship between mankind (20-21)
    A. Vintage Church pursues an incarnational lifestyle
    B. Vintage Church is called to a life of proactive proclamation
        Incarnational Ministry-Gospel = Liberalism
        Gospel-Incarnational Ministry = Legalism
        Gospel+Incarnational Ministry = Biblical Theology
    C. Vintage Church is called to breathe the breath of God

The Pre-Trial of Jesus and Peter’s Denial (John 18:12-27)

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The Pre-Trial of Jesus and Peter’s Denial
John 18:12-27

I. Every person is affected by the curse of Adam
   How we should respond knowing the depravity of our heart?
   1. We should be empathetic to others when they sin
   2. We should be compassionate with them as they come back to the flock
   3. We should be united to strengthen our bond of holiness
   4. We should be mindful of the things we see, hear, and say
   5. We should be conscious of our inability

II. Every person is helpless against temptation