"While You Were Sleeping" cover song sung by Lighthouse Village Church of God's worship band
12/21/2025 morning worship service Pastor Anthony Fields " "The Miracle of the Manger" JOHN 1 We live in a very skeptical society and I would certainly agree that we have come by such skepticism honestly. We all know of people who make false and fraudulent claims. Who is this baby lying in the manger? Could he really be who everyone says he is? What if He is? John's Gospel describes for us in beautiful and poetic imagery this miracle of the manger. John 1:1-5, 9-14 I. Astonishing claims Could He be who He claims to be? He is the Lord, a liar, or a lunatic. He cannot be just a nice man with a beard. II. Staggering implications What if He is who He claims to be? IlI. A fateful choice Do you believe? We must all consider the question and answer for ourselves. No one can decide for us when it comes to this miracle of the manger." ______________________ "Christ is coming. Christ has come. Christ will come again. Psalm 104:32 - 37 — May the glory of the Lord endure for ever : may the Lord rejoice in all his works, He looks at the earth and it trembles : he touches the mountains and they smoke. I will sing to the Lord as long as live : I will praise my God while I have my being. May these words of mine please him : I will rejoice in the Lord Let sinners be consumed out of the earth : and the wicked be no more. Bless the Lord, O my soul : Hallelujah! Christ is coming. Christ has come. Christ will come again." _____________________ "Thank you, Lord, May that your promises are not for some distant future but are to be claimed right now, today. Teach us what we must do and say in our local communities and in our larger world to participate in your promise, Amen." ______________________ " "THINK ON THIS: MIRACLE" Defined as a surprising and welcome event that is not explicable by natural or scientific laws and is therefore considered to be the work of a divine agency. Miracles involve God directly acting outside or above the known laws of nature. They function as "signs" pointing to God's identity and message, not just random wonders. Miracles confirm the divine authority of God's chosen servants (Moses, Jesus, Apostles) and the truth of their message. Matthew 16:17 "these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues;..." They most often showcase God's omnipotence, whether through creation, provision (manna, water to wine), healing, or resurrection." _______________________ " "The greatest of all the commandments is love" Mark 12: 28-34 By Jesus' time, the Jews had created hundreds of rules for following God. There were so many rules, some leaders started sorting them into major and minor laws. ▪︎ What does it mean to love God with all your heart, mind, and soul? ▪︎ What's one way you can love a co-worker, classmate, or neighbor this week? ▪︎ Think about your life before Jesus. What are some of the ways you were hard to love? How does that change your perspective on the hard-to-love people in your life today?"
