Falls Presbyterian Church (OPC)

Both the Old Testament and the New Testament issue a call to repent and believe! 1. John the Baptist preached repentance. (v.1-6) 2. He preached fruit in keeping with repentance. (v.7-10) 3. The message has two sides: Spirit and fire. (v.11-12) Home Application Questions: Why is it good news when we hear a call to repentance? 2 Peter 3:9 How is it evident to others when we repent? Heb. 12:17 What happens to one who never repents? Mt. 3:12, 1 Cor. 1:18-21

We value harmony as one of the most beneficial gifts from God through Christ, and possessing it is cause for our celebration. 1. Harmony is good and pleasant. (v.1) 2. Harmony is like: a) being so saturated with the precious oil of gladness that we are dripping with it and the fragrance spreads everywhere and b) being so drenched with heavy morning dew from the mountains, that everything and everyone is refreshed and invigorated. (v.2) 3. Why is harmony so wonderful, and how do we get it? (v.3) What is it about unity that makes it so special and pleasant? On what occasions do various brothers/sisters gather? 2 Sam. 5:1-10 Who received the Spirit? John 3:34; 17:20-23 and 1 John 4:20 How can we get harmony? John 10:16, Eph. 1:3; 4:3, Acts 2:42

Our Father in Heaven fulfills what He promised in protecting His children through the coming of His Son. For what things can we trust God? 1. For salvation through the coming of His Son. (v.13-14) 2. For fulfilment of God's good intentions in the coming of His Son, despite the bad intentions of men. (v.15-18) 3. For ongoing protection for all His children through the coming of His Son. (v.19-23) Discuss these questions: Why should Joseph be encouraged by 'until I tell you' v.13? Look for 'fulfilled' in v.15,17,23. Can we trust God's promise? God protected baby Jesus. (1:20, 2:13,19,22). Can we trust Him?

Only because the anger of God was turned toward Christ for us, can His anger be turned away from our sins. 1. The Light shined. (v.1-7) 2. The call to turn from darkness to Light. (v.8-13) 3. The damage of wickedness. (v.14-21) How do we understand the predictions of Christmas? What is the source of light? Matthew 4:14 What is offered to those in darkness? John 8:12. John 12:46 How would you describe God? Hebrews 12:29

At Christmas, God warned us with the picture of a false king and gifted us with The True King. How do we find the true King? 1. Recognize the gift of Jesus reigning over us. (v.1-3) 2. Receive God's invitation to worship Jesus. (v.4-6) 3. We find Jesus when we respond with joy, worship, and gifts. (v.7-12)

1. Midnight: the darkness of our world without Jesus 2. Sunrise: the dawn of the day of our salvation in Christ 3. Daylight: the light of life in the new world of our Lord.

Because of whose son this baby is, we must worship and obey Him! 1. The Son of David. (v.18-20) 2. The Son of Abraham. (v.21-23) 3. The Son of God. (v.24-25) Application Questions: Do we, like Joseph (v.24), do what we are commanded? The first coming of Jesus was pre-promised. The second? Who is Jesus' biological Father? Mt 1:23,3:17 So what? 1 Tim 1:15.

The family tree of Jesus leads up to the birth of the long-expected Christ, and the eternal Trinity. 1. Obey the Son, for He is the King. (v.1,6) 2. Trust the Father, for His promises were fulfilled. (v.1) 3. Receive the Spirit, for He anointed the Son, and keeps adding to the family tree. (v.16) What does a genealogy have to do with Christmas? Who is it who has all authority? Matthew 28:18 For whom did Jesus come? Matthew 9:13 Who has mercy? Matthew 12:7

Luke's Gospel begins with great hope in the birth narratives. But that hope is threatened by the events surrounding the cross, as exemplified by these 2 disciples who have lost hope. This message is about how Jesus transforms them, from wandering to witness, from sorrow to joy, and from despair to renewed hope and service. Jesus shows them how the entire Old Testament points to Him, and how everything happened just as it had to according to God's plan. 1. Jesus pursue his wandering disciples 2. Jesus opens their eyes with Scripture 3. Jesus rekindles their hearts with living hope

Philemon shows the Power of the Gospel to... 1. Transform the Human Heart. (v.8-11) 2. Transform Relationships & Community. (v.12-17) 3. Bless the Guilty with Grace. (v.17-22) 4. Restore Hope and a Future. (v.20-22)

While we wait, we must constantly join together in prayer, because it is the way Jesus reigns over us. 1. We wait and pray for what God promised. (v.12) 2, We wait and pray in unity with other Christians. (v.13) 3. We wait and pray constantly, until we prevail. (v.14) How can we learn to wait and pray? How can we maintain unity? Acts 2:42,46; 6:4,7 Eph.4:3 What must we do while we wait and work? Col. 4:2 When will we prevail? Acts 12:5,11-17

Why sing the songs of ascent, why even go up to Jerusalem? Because it was God's desired dwelling place, and from there, God's King will come! 1. David vowed to establish a dwelling place for God. (v.1-10) 2. God vowed to keep David's sons on the throne. (v.11-12) 3. God chose Zion as His home; blessed it abundantly. (v.13-17) What does this Psalm have to do with Christians today? What was the ark (v.8)…the horn (v.17)? 2 Sam. 6:1-4, Luke 1:69 Did God 'go to His resting place'v.8? Num.10:33-36, Heb. 8:1-6 Who chose God's 'home'? Deut. 12:5, Josh. 21:43-45

1. Welcome your covenant Lord 2. Behold the Lamb of God 3. Rejoice in the Giver of the Spirit