Apr 24 2011 dcfc english Worship [The Master & The Disciple] Luke 24: 28-36
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CHRISTMASAkiane KramarikDate: 11/2007.101 SermonCentral.com - Rodney Buchanan (Methodist) God continues to show up in our day, though largely unnoticed by an unbelieving world. When he comes again it will be impossible to ignore him, for every eye will see him (Revelation 1:7). But until then, we need to have eyes that see and ears that hear. There are many examples that I could use, but take this one for a start. Akiane Kramarik is only 12-years-old, but she has abilities far beyond her years. Her mother chose to give birth to her underwater at the family home on July 9, 1994 in Mount Morris, Illinois. The family now lives in Idaho. Akiane speaks four languages, writes poetry, plays piano and composes her own music, and most of all she paints. Her paintings have deep expression and magnificent, living colors. She explains that she had a spiritual encounter with God at the ripe old age of four, and that now her paintings are attempts to help people experience God through her eyes. She claims to have actually visited heaven and gives vivid expression to what she saw there. She wants to put on canvas what she has seen in her visions and dreams. She says, "I want my art to draw people's attention to God. I want my poetry to keep people's attention to God.? Her desire is that people find hope in her paintings. The picture of Jesus here is entitled, "Father forgiven them," and was painted when she was 9. The next one is called "The Journey" also painted when she was 9. This painting is called "Slanted Eyes, “and the one next to it is called "Prince of Peace." Both were painted when she was only 8. Her web site defines her goal as: To be an inspiration for others and to be the gift to God. That's very profound for a 12-year-old - to be the gift of God. But the interesting part of the story is that Akiane did not come from a Christian home. Her American father is a culinary art instructor and chef, and her stay-at-home, Lithuanian mother was an atheist. There was no teaching in the home about the Christian faith, they never went to church and there was no talk of God. The entire family has now converted to Christianity, but home was not the place where she received any spiritual training. She has appeared on many TV shows, and been featured in several magazines. How did God break through to a 4-year-old girl in an atheistic home? I have absolutely no idea. Why did he do it? Well, he gave this girl a vision and a mission. But beyond that, this is just what God does. He chooses unusual people in unexpected places. Jesus was not born in the Temple, he was born in a stable. His father was not a priest, he was a peasant. His mother was not wealthy, they lived in poverty. They did not live in Jerusalem, they lived in Nazareth. No one really knew about Jesus’ birth and very few cared anything about it. But God was changing the world, and only a handful of people were in on the secret, and even they did not understand the full impact of what was happening. CHRISTMAS
ChristmasDate: 3/1998.1105 The Muslim calendar is dated from the Hegira, when Mohammed fled to Medina to escape persecution. Our calendar is also dated from a journey, but it was not a journey to flee persecution. Christ willingly made the journey from Heaven to earth, and when his time had come, willingly went to the cross to die at the hands of his enemies. -- Robert C. Shannon, 1000 Windows, (Cincinnati, Ohio: Standard Publishing Company, 1997). See: Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 2:1-14; Galatians 4:4
Date: 11/2007.101 Sermoncentral.com - Stephen Colaw How does Christmas change your world? Think about that for just a minute. How does Christmas change your world? How will your world be different on December 26th, January 18th, February 12th or March 23rd because of Christmas? Will you be happier? Will you have more peace in your life? Will you be a better person? Or will you simply have more things and owe more money and have to work more hours to help eliminate the additional strain that debt puts on your budget? If we are completely honest, Christmas doesn't really change our world all that much. Even for those of us believe in Jesus Christ as God's Son and the Savior of the world, Christmas doesn't change our lives that much. Largely, we celebrate Christmas as a great American holiday. Snow, Santa, holly and mistletoe, family and friends gathered around the fireplace remembering what Christmas was like when we were kids. The shopping, the parties, and all of the busy activities that we cram into the season are a part of how Christmas goes. But when everything is said and done, the only real change Christmas brings to our world is that it makes us a little bit poorer and a lot more tired; and all of this for an event that God never called us to commemorate. We are never once asked to remember the birth of Christ. Our celebration of Christmas is a purely human endeavor. He commanded us to remember his death, which we do through the act of communion, but he never asked us to celebrate his birth. That's our thing. It's not a bad thing, in fact it can be quite good, but does it change our lives? The purpose of Christmas, the birth of Christ, was to bring a change to our world. I don't mean just the world in general, but I mean he came to bring a change to each and ever one of our personal worlds. Where we carry out life on a day to day basis, our job, our relationships, our families, our spirituality, all should be radically transformed by Christmas. Not transformed by our celebration of Christmas, but transformed by Christmas itself. How does Christmas change my world? CHRISTMAS Christmas LinebackerDate: 12/2008.101 Media - Taking Christ out of Christmas CHRISTMAS Christmas themeDate: 11/2007.101 Stonebrier - Chuck Swindoll "Mary had a little Lamb" CHRISTMAS First Radio MessageDate: 12/2007.101 Sermon Central The first ever vocal radio broadcast on December 24, 1906 - Consisted of a reading from Luke chapter two. - A Canadian engineer and inventor, Reginald Fessenden - 1866-1932 - The eldest son of an Anglican minister growing up near Niagara Falls On Christmas Eve, 1906, from his workshop in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, Fessenden sent the Morse message "CQ....CQ", alerting all ships at sea to expect an important transmission. When the telegraphers had assembled in their shipboard radio shacks, they heard the unimaginable: The sound of the human voice! . Fessenden, at this moment spoke for the first ever a vocal radio broadcast. He read from Luke 2 including, "Glory to God in the highest -and on earth peace to men of good will," then played the song O Holy Night on the violin. Those who were listening that night were no less stunned than if a tree had talked to them. Earphones that had only ever carried Morse code were communicating the full range of sound View the Sermon
Date: 12/2007.101 Sermon Central Illustration ?e-mail letter I received As you well know, we are getting closer to my birthday. Every year there is a celebration in my honor and I think that this year the celebration will be repeated. During this time there are many people shopping for gifts, there are many radio announcements, TV commercials, and in every part of the world everyone is talking that my birthday is getting closer and closer. It is really very nice to know, that at least once a year, some people think of me. As you know, the celebration of my birthday began many years ago. At first people seemed to understand and be thankful of all that I did for them, but now in these times, no one seems to know the reason for the celebration. Family and friends get together and have a lot of fun, but they don't seem to know the meaning of the celebration. I remember that last year there was a great feast in my honor. The dinner table was full of delicious foods, pastries, fruits, assorted nuts and chocolates. The decorations were exquisite and there were many, many beautifully wrapped gifts. But, do you want to know something? I wasn't invited. I was the guest of honor and they didn't remember to send me an invitation. The party was for me, but when that great day came, I was left outside. They closed the door in my face......... and I wanted to be with them and share their table. In truth though, that didn't really surprise me that much because in the last few years it seems all are closing their doors to me. Since I was not invited, I decided to enter the party without making any noise. I went in and stood in a corner. They were all drinking; there were some who were drunk and telling jokes and laughing at everything. They were having a great time. To top it all, this big fat man all dressed in red wearing a long white beard entered the room yelling Ho-Ho-Ho! He seemed drunk. He sat on the sofa and all the children ran to him, shouting: "Santa Claus, Santa Claus"... as if the party were in his honor! At 12 midnight all the people began to hug each other; I extended my arms waiting for someone to hug me and.... do you know.... no one hugged me. Suddenly they all began to share gifts. They opened them one by one with great expectation. When all had been opened, I looked to see if, maybe, there was one for me. What would you feel if on your birthday everybody shared gifts and you did not get one? I then understood that I was unwanted at that party and quietly left. Every year it gets worse. People only remember to eat and drink, the gifts, the parties but nobody remembers me. I would like this Christmas that you allow me to enter into your life. I would like that you recognize the fact that almost two thousand years ago I came to this world to give my life for you, on the cross, to save you. Today, I only want that you believe this with all you heart. I want to share something with you. As many didn't invite me to their party, I will have my own celebration, a grandiose party that no one has ever imagined, a spectacular party. I'll still making the final arrangements. Today I am sending out many invitations and there is an invitation for you. I want to know if you wish to attend and I will make a reservation for you and write your name with golden letters in my great guest book. Only those on the guest list will be let into the party. Those who don't answer the invitation, will be left outside. Do you know how you can answer this invitation? It is by extending it to others whom you care for... I'll be waiting for all of you to attend my party this year... See you soon.... I love you! -Jesus-
Date: 11/2007.101 The church was crowded. The minister said he was very glad to see so many out to the Easter services, and as many of you will not be here again until next Easter, I want to take this occasion to wish you a Merry Christmas. Paul Lee Tan, Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations : A Treasury of Illustrations, Anecdotes, Facts and Quotations for Pastors, Teachers and Christian Workers (Garland TX: Bible Communications, 1996, c1979). CHRISTMAS Michigan AveDate: 12/2007.101 9 Dec 2007 - DCFC English - Ps 96 - Tell the Candy Cane Story 9 Dec 2007 - DCFC Mandarin (both) Ps 96 - Tell the Candy Cane Story Personal - Trip to Chicago Catherine's Wedding 2007 There were bright neon lights everywhere, flashing billboards, red & green Christmas lights blinking down the entire street, even the trees were lit up. The sounds of Christmas jingles were mixed with the blare of car horns from the traffic on the street. You could feel the festive season in the air. My wife and I were wrapped up like dumplings walking through the icy cold street of Chicago, down Michigan Avenue, also known as the Golden Mile of Chicago. You could see a mist coming out with every breathe we took, as we strolled down the street, trying to take in the sights. We had driven around for an hour in the down town of Chicago just to find a parking spot. I would have given up after 5 minutes, but my friend who brought us around was a determined person. I did not know how determined until, after an hour, we were still circling the block. He said, "The Christmas lights on Michigan Avenue are the best, you need to walk down the street and enjoy the sights." We said, "Can't we just drive down the street? I mean we have already driven up and down this street quite a few times and I have seen everything." "No! It's different." So we did. We found a parking spot and then walked down the street. And because we had spent an hour searching for a parking space, we decided that we must at least walk for an hour to make the wait worth it! It was so cold about 35-38 F, and we went "wooyrrugh! Cold! Oh that's nice! Hmm! Blinking lights, wow! Wooorrygh! Cold! Hmm! Oh look at that!" I was just amazed at the amount of "Christmas" activities. Everywhere you turn it was sale, sale, sale. You have Santa Claus, Rudolph, Christmas elves and all kinds of Christmas stuff and it was not even Thanksgiving yet! And yet, in the midst of the hustle and bustle, there is little mention about Christ - the Christ of Christmas. The reason for celebration! CHRISTMAS The True meaning of the Candy CaneDate: 8/2007.101 9 Dec 2007 - DCFC English - Ps 96 - Tell the Candy Cane Story 9 Dec 2007 - DCFC Mandarin (both) Ps 96 - Tell the Candy Cane Story Intense Illustrations - Jim Burns & Mike Devries P118 Many years ago as the Christmas season approached, a humble candy maker living in a small town in the state of Indiana wanted to create something with his own hands that would be symbolic of the true meaning of Christmas. Although his creation had become known throughout the world simply as a candy cane. It actually offers an often needed reminder of the birth, ministry, death of Jesus Christ! This is that story as told through a simple piece of candy: As a believer, the candy maker began with pure hard, white candy - 'white' to symbolize the virgin birth and the sinless nature of Jesus and 'hard' to represent Christ as the solid rock, the foundation of the Church and the firmness of the promises of God. The candy maker then shaped the candy into the form of a J, representing both the precious name of Jesus and also His staff as the Good Shepherd who reaches down into the ditches of the world to lift out His fallen lambs, bringing them into eternal salvation. The candy maker then stained the candy with red stripes to represent the scourging Jesus received and the blood he shed on the cross as redemption for each who will believe in Him and accept Him as Lord. His final act was to make his creation and all that it stood for available to everyone - to partake and to experience its sweetness. Thus the candy maker hung the candy abundantly on the Christmas tree in his shop, around the window and the door frame, offering it free to anyone who would enter the shop and ask. Unfortunately as with many other things now associated with the commercialism of Christmas, the candy cane has become to most of the world just an inexpensive decoration for trees and fireplaces. But like a parable for those who have ears to hear, it's real message is the birth and life and ministry of Jesus Christ for whom this holiday is celebrated. From this day forward, may every candy cane you see remind you of this story. may it also provide you with the opportunity to use this little piece of sweetness to share with at least one friend, relative, classmate or co-worker the true meaning of Christmas and the good news of Jesus Christ!
Date: 11/2007.101 /h9 Dec 2007 - DCFC English - Ps 96 - Tell the Candy Cane Story /h /h9 Dec 2007 - DCFC Mandarin (both) Ps 96 - Tell the Candy Cane Story Orville and Wilbur Wright had tried repeatedly to fly a heavier-than-air craft. Finally one December day, off the sand dunes of Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, they did what man had never done before. They actually flew! Elated, they wired their sister Katherine, ?We have actually flown 120 feet. Will be home for Christmas.? Hastily she ran down the street, shoved the telegram, the news scoop of the century, at the city editor of the local paper. He read it carefully and smiled, ?Well, well! How nice the boys will be home for Christmas!? Maxwell Droke Paul Lee Tan, Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations : A Treasury of Illustrations, Anecdotes, Facts and Quotations for Pastors, Teachers and Christian Workers (Garland TX: Bible Communications, 1996, c1979). On December 17, 1903, Orville and Wilbur Wright made their first flight of an airplane at Kitty Hawk NC. On their 5th attempt, the plane under the control of Orville, embarked on a 12 second flight. Wilbur rushed to the local telegraph office and sent the following message ?WE HAVE FLOWN FOR 12 SECONDS - WE WILL BE HOME FOR CHRISTMAS! Upon receiving the telegram their sister, Katherine went to the newspaper office, told the editor of her brother new flying machine, and informed him, they would be home for Christmas, if he would like to set up an interview. He told her that was nice, and he would be sure to put something in the paper regarding the boys. On December 19th, the local paper placed the following headline on the 6th page of the paper: “WRIGHT BROTHERS HOME FOR CHRISTMAS” The most important story of the year, man’s first flight, and the editor missed it! I wonder if the same could be said about us when it comes to Christmas. Look all around us! The trees are decorated The music is festive The Season is Right It is Christmas, and there are only 14 shopping day’s left! In all of our rushing around, in all of our gift buying, in all the things we have to do during this season ?HAVE WE MISSED THE IDEA ?Jesus has come to earth! Directory: cfs-filesystemfile.ashx -> key -> CommunityServer.Components.PostAttachments CommunityServer.Components.PostAttachments -> General editors john baillie key -> Eternity! Eternity key -> Annotated Bibliography key -> [The first seventeen verses of Matthew consists of Jesus' family tree CommunityServer.Components.PostAttachments -> A box of treasure by beverly carradine key -> The life and times — of — benjamin franklin, — by — joseph franklin, and key -> The flying inn key -> Abraham, or the Obedience of Faith CommunityServer.Components.PostAttachments -> C cares, of the world Download 0.72 Mb. Share with your friends:
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