Confrontation and Confirmation

While in our study of Matthew we increasingly see Jesus in conflict with the religious establishment with the Pharisees and the scribes recently.

In a study with saying that the fantasies criticized the disciples of Jesus for eating grain on the fields on the Sabbath day. They also criticize Jesus when he healed the man with a withered hand in the synagogue, as he also did that on the Sabbath. We also saw not only on the critical that's bad enough, but there actually conspiring to kill him. And so we read in Matthew 12 verse 14 the Pharisees went out.

That is out of the synagogue. After seeing the miracle of Jesus and conspired against him how to destroy him. Amazing statement to those who have eyes to see, to those of ears to hear the evidence in front of them as incontrovertible. These men are the scribes and Pharisees have started to the Bible, the Old Testament, they know the Old Testament Scriptures. They memorize part of its but they miss seeing the one, of whom all of Scripture speaks, namely our Lord Jesus Christ. All of the Old Testament is pointing to this man to God, man, the Messiah, the Christ, the son of the living God. God with us. Emmanuelle is going to be celebrating over Christmas limits that we saw last week that their hostility against Jesus reaches a fevers page. As they say that Jesus is the Prince of demons. Think of that they look at Jesus and say we know how you can cast arguments because you yourself are the Prince of demons layout in spiritual darkness and hatred of Jesus is going to climax in his being nailed to an old rugged cross at Calvary Golgotha.

The place of the scroll. Paul writes in Ephesians 6, verse 12 of the cosmic powers over this present darkness the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places cosmic powers over this present darkness the spiritual forces of evil and those who do evil, love the darkness rather than light in Ephesians 5, Paul encourages those who are following Jesus to walk as children of light and take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness that is light and there is darkness, followers of Jesus are not to walk in the darkness are not to partake, as it were of the fruits of darkness, but are to walk in the light of the beginning of this message, a challenge every single one of you you walking in darkness, or you walking in the use of alum. I'm a follower of Jesus.

Again, the question is think back over this last week or two as last month say part of your life. Any facet of your life. Perhaps what you hide, but it is the darkness. I do know if the doctors you know it's wrong. Do not walk in the darkness would follow Jesus as the light of the world and the passage of were going to look at today is an unusual passage, but that will help us, I believe, to live in the light unto time and from the darkness each day.

You are to keep your eyes on Jesus, and that you follow Jesus you have this assurance that he never ever lead you into the dark. So keep following Jesus when I was a teenager used to sometimes argue with my father as to what I could or couldn't do. My father one time said to me well as long as your following Jesus. Go ahead, made me pause is Jesus going to lead you into such and such a place.

You follow Jesus.

I do such and such a thing. That's he is the light of the world. He says that he follows me will never walk in the darkness, but will have the life of light never going to see the characteristics of those who are hostile to Jesus of those were in the darkness and then finally the characteristics of those who are members of the family of God and what a difference.

Let's first read in their Bibles verses 33 through 37 where we will learn that evil words come from evil hearts, evil words come from evil heart to the word of God to us today. Matthew chapter 12 verse 33, Jesus is speaking and says either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad for the tree is known by its fruits. You brood of vipers.

Can you speak good, when you're evil part of the abundance of the heart the mind speaks. The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good and evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil.

I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned evil words come from evil hearts. You know this is true, our words reveal our hearts and Jesus gives a simple illustration here in verse 33 is a tree, some person says this is a good tree you can put a label on it. Good tree but if it's fruit is bad if it's fruit is evil is about tree cellulite invited the tree could speak. I would say I'm a good tree but when you tasted fruit is bad to the point, you can say your good Pharisees, you can say your good sitting here at Calvary church. You can say you are a follower of Jesus, but if the fruit is bad. You are bad verse 33 for the tree is known by its fruit. You know that earlier. Jesus told us in the sun on the mind to be where all false prophets and teachers. He says that as usual recognize them by their fruits. The Pharisees, they seem very prized leasing that is really just they seem very good with her long flowing robes. The long prayers that recitation of Scripture on the face of it, they are good people. We are the fantasies we are the scribes we are good we are religious, but says Jesus, your words are demonstrating that you are in fact evil. Verse 34. Did you notice it, but I did all of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks their accusation that Jesus is in league with the devil the conspiracy to destroy him our proofs evidences of that evil heart. So he calls them a brood of vipers. Your snakes are dangerous or evil. All you say your good.

Some people say your good to stand up in the synagogue but your words demonstrate that in fact you are evil. Someone you meet for the first time comes to your workplace. In the course of your work, you spend quite a bit of time with them. You have no idea about this person until they speak until they act and they can call themselves fingerlike. They considered good.

They can say the religious they can say that a Christian they they they can say anything they want but the heart is review you know this by what they say by how the act by the conduct foot out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. So I have to ask you what your heart is your heart you may profess to be a follower of Jesus, you may make all kinds of statements about yourself.

You may get other people to say to write you this person SS and such. But Jesus is saying if your words are corrupt or blasphemous other people you invite evil words and conduct regular hearts very convicting verses 36 and 37 Jesus drives her home that God holds us accountable for our words, for by your words you will be justified.

Verse 37 and by your words you will be condemned. The hostile attacks by the fantasies against Jesus reveal their hearts. Words are important and your speech honest make promises you can't keep July children Elijah parents, business people, July through your employer July to your customers July to your wife or husband. Don't lie. Don't curse men. Dear me, don't curse my general children brought up in a home where the father loses his temper quite frequently and curses insurance abuse and his wife. Here are two or three-year-old children in the here the father cursing the mother so you may have been brought up in the kind of home what damage is done. Don't curse don't blaspheme, don't use includes language.

James says in James one verse 26 if anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless. Don't say that you're a good person, but when you speak your words are evil part of words with her words.

We can encourage someone currently words of kindness, words of healing words of encouragement, words of constructive criticism is all very helpful.

All of us have been blessed humbly by someone just saying a word of encouragement, a kind word, a note of thanks words impact us profoundly about your words of the kind, encouraging critic the same time that can blast God can also curse that tongue of yours can be crude, destructive, unkind and even blasphemous. Some of you are familiar with everybody at the moment I am no Persian pulling unthinkingly with 10th or 11th century. He writes the moving finger writes, and having the Ritz moves on. Not all like polythene or which alluded back to cancel half a line, or all I tears wash out a word of it. My mother used to quote it to us little by other will return a wise Persian poet, notices the moving finger.

It keeps writing you might want to take that back. That lets you know that IMO you wrote that twitter-year-old that note on social media that comments that word you said but it's there and it's targeted all of your tears come wash it out understand God can forgive but the impact of your work. That's what the Persian boy to say yes for the word of God is saying that the impact of our words are incalculable. And Jesus is saying you will be held account for by your words you will be justified by your words will be condemned.

No we are not saved.

Please understand were not saved on the basis of her speech were not saved on our conduct by being in encouraging nice person.

That's not the point. The point is this, that our words and actions demonstrate our heart demonstrate our faith.

The reality of our faith in Jesus Christ fact evil words come from evil hearts. You can know the tree by its fruit. Not by the label on it, but by the reality of what the person says and how they will live in the cultures with overly last few years is becoming very harsh extreme unkind rhetoric. Social media makes much worse doesn't what people say on social media what what is said in the crudités's and the words that would never ever be said on television even 20 years ago and knows that ultimately are not adopted by whole culture that people use words and expressions which are accrued which are nasty and which are very very kind of that kind of talk is not even them in the community of believers. The some of the nastiest, most abusive can I say evil letters, emails which I received her, my fellow leaders in the church have received here in another churches have come from professing believers of Jesus Christ and you wonder how can this individual who says that a believer in Jesus Christ right such nasty unkind heart and often untrue statements stop and involved in a fight with some social media stuff. Listen to Paul pulsates with a Christian. Our words are to give grace to those who hear my words.

Corrections are my words kind.

Think of this, you have the ability to give grace to someone to display grace. A soft answer turns away and then then you say well I am the kind of person who just tells her this is I should I shoot from the hip. Shooting from the hip stop. We are to be slow to speak, don't pride yourself you the kind of individual who just tells it as it is no don't tell it as it is. Be thoughtful becoming. Jesus was the most righteous, the most holy, the strongest man he was in some kind of web women, but they marveled at the gracious words that proceeded from his lips ever been in a situation, perhaps in the meeting which which perhaps was getting a little idle hands and someone speaks words of grace yes with truth. What difference serving a situation in your home where there was a an argument going on between two people is when life parent child, brother, sister, and someone speaks words of grace, grace.

Proverbs 1218 says there is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts like stabbing someone with the sword. Time and time and time again and to get even be proud of the fact that they can use the sword as one whose rash words are like sword thrust for the tongue of the wise brings healing homes need you term problems at home, something in the family some relationships a bit off was going to bring healing and ways to do with kinds gracious work. Yes, truthful words, of course, always, always speak truth. Bring healing with words opposite evil words come from evil hearts knows what cornet versus 38 through 45 we see that an evil generation. This generation with an evil words refuses to repent. In spite of the evidence.

Some people do not repent, verse 38 this is fascinating as I think so. Some of the scribes and Pharisees answered him, saying, teacher, we wish to see a sign from you but you answered them an evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the men of Nineveh will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah and the whole something greater than Jonah is here. The Queen of the South will rise up in the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for she came from the ends of the to hear the wisdom of Solomon and behold, something greater than Solomon parts of the Lord's and goodbyes could ask my some insightful ceilings mentioned Matthew hearing in the recording at the sacred Scripture describes in the fantasies verse 13 eight I we want to see a sign from your teacher is very nice, doesn't it.

We want a spectacular sign. What more do they want if seeing the medicals of Jesus. They were there in the synagogue, they solve for themselves the man's hand being healed. They saw Jesus casting out demons that had this teaching, but they still want a spectacular sign a sign from heaven going to say in chapter 16 verse one something spectacular. But Jesus is not kind of person is the entertainer is to be a celebrity is a circus performer is medicals not to draw attention to himself and silly like no magician is medicals are done in the part of the spirit to help those in need, not to impress the skeptic and Jesus as he answers, describes them as this must've shot the as an evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign. No very very request demonstrate your heart is hard in this unbelieving brother signed and the only sign is the sign of the prophet Jonah when these people decide some writing in the sky something spectacular. You believe in God that such and such can a person you had all of the evidence to the evidence is not enough for you want something more and you become quite argumentative, sometimes with your Christian friends and say well I want God to do something God did this.

I would then believe you Jesus is another context, someone rose from the dead, they still would not believe the problem is not with the evidence they have all of the evidence. The problem is not with the teaching of Jesus is the master teacher, was the problem.

The problem is there evil heart parts answers Jesus you've got the sign you got the sign of the prophet Jonah member join the way prophet is told to go and preach repentance to the Ninevites, the Ninevites, the Assyrians, fierce warriors inserted a card that they literally skin people alive and was signing up for that mission trip you're going to people if they don't like to do the skin you alive is another good trip. I could go on. Yes, there is visible inside going to Tarshish, and so Jonah jumps on the boat runs away from God. He doesn't wondered what the right who would want to go God hasn't finished with Jonah member gets thrown overboard in the storm, and right there is a great fish. This kind of submarine in the Mediterranean, not the submitting of Ringo Starr with another submarine and it's right there, a big fish and swallows up Jonah and for three days and three nights is in the belly of the fish. As Jesus says, Jesus believes the story. It's not a whale of a tale is a tale of a whale, and it's true and Jesus is giving authenticity to the story of Jonah the whale throws up Jonah what is going to do it and was the what's his message is a tough one for two days and Nineveh will be overthrown. If you don't repentance God is going to judge you and an understanding thing happens miraculously, these hard warriors. These pagans that depends preaching. Jonah that your son was the point, the Ninevites pagans. They repented at the preaching of Jonah, but something greater than Jonah is here something that sadly someone not a prophet of God but the son of God. God incarnate, is right there in their midst, and you are not pagans you know your Bible you've had the evidence to find opportunities much more than the Ninevites and you still have not repented the Ninevites repent, with these religious leaders in that generation or so heart that they continue in the on repentance facility to Jesus sign of Jonah should should have been enough.

Jonah didn't perform a sign he is the sign and Jesus will be three days and three nights. Verse 14 in the heart of the and he will be raised from the dead Jonah active mind of the great fish alive yes is a prophet of God, but someone greater than Jonah something the kingdom of God is right in your midst greater than Jonah.

And Jonah's case there was a kind of safety they of virtual resurrection, so that by the fish, but with Jesus, there's going to be an actual bodily resurrection of the dead to demonstrate that he is truly God.

Yes, they're going to crucify him yes is going to be buried on the third day he's going to be raised from the dead of the living God, demonstrating that is greater than the forces of darkness and is alive for ever more on this one. The very Messiah is in their midst. The chosen servant of God to bring salvation is greater than Jonah and you still don't believe you still want another sign. Furthermore, verse 42 Jesus talked about the Queen of the South machine. She's the Queen of Sheba. She's also a Gentile poet whether she comes from Jane. She comes from, probably what we know today as Yemen dine in Arabia and think of this woman. She hears of the wisdom of Solomon is in Jerusalem. These hundreds and hundreds of miles away. She hears of his wisdom. She hears of his wealth and Jesus I got to go with go and see this man and so she travels by air or by car by combo brings camels all that way in the desert can imagine going all of that way through what we call Saudi Arabia into what we call today Jordan and finally into Israel, and she has this meeting and just time with Solomon himself, the wisest man who ever lived and was the responses Gentile clean this woman who does not raise like the Pharisees in the Old Testament Scriptures, she's open to God she's seeking truth, and then she leaves. She said you know the half is not being told. His wisdom is far greater. This riches are far greater than my reported to me when I was in Sheba. This is this is amazing and she blesses the God of Israel, a pagan woman the day of judgment.

She's going to rise as Jesus and she's going to condemn this generation.

Think of the little privilege that she had and she believed in. Think of the great privileges you've had the Pharisees and you still do not believe a bowl. Someone greater than Solomon is in your best guess Solomon was the wisest man who ever lived, but now in their midst is God himself was all wise because everything about everything.

He's there right in their midst and still they had opposed silver going to destroy them. Still, their hearts are hard, and looking for the sign rather than listening, responding to Jesus coming from the truth hardens the heart true with you is your heart heart to give all your privileges. Many of you been been raised in a Christian home. Many of you have sent of this pews for a long time, but perhaps you still have not repented, perhaps, are still arguing with God arguing with others saying I want to sign is the story Jesus tells verse 43 when the unclean spirit is going right of a person that passes through motherless places, seeking rest, but finds none. Then it says I will return to Mars from which I came. And when it comes, it finds the house empty, swept, and put in order.

Then it goes and brings with it. This seven other spirits more evil than herself, and they enter and dwell there and the last state of that person is worse than the first, so also it will be with this evil generation coming from the truth hardens the heart and Jesus gives this rather strange profitable illustration of the unclean, restless spirit, leaving the person claims of the house. He lays out for a while and he goes back is in order and he brings with it seven more evil spirits invite more evil than itself, so the last state of that person is worse than the first to the communal neutrality in following Jesus. Some of you, as it were, have have made some adjustments and might've cleaned up your life as it would be have never experienced the supernatural power of God.

You've gone through the formalities of religion perhaps your heart has not been changed by the Spirit of God to the communal neutrality regarding Jesus, you leave the house empty is aware and there's going to be problems you one that you want to sit in the fence you say what one they'll make up my mind when when is that day. What what evidence do you want what what what your problem why are you waiting is an individual who may have made some changes with his never responded to the parlor and the truth of God's people like us there there there there drawn the door to Christ. Did they come in they even enjoy the worship today. There is a saying some of the hymns in the contemporary songs in the something about the Christian faith in the something about the church.

The something about the gene about Jesus that attracts them and they come, but only go so far that there there attracted that some level you could say that on the very edge of the kingdom of God. I would leave. You seem very very close but they don't accept Christ nursing.

People like that go back and back and back into the darkness and the subsequent condition is worse than it was before. You see, how does that happen in the word of God's supernatural is sharper than the two rigid sort, and the word of God, that you read it at your home is your explosive collapse in Bible study as you listen to the preaching of the word.

The word of God is either softening your heart or hardening. It's it's the same words like the sun which melts the bottle and hardens the clay sundries on change of pump properties of the sun don't change the truth is the same two people are sitting here one of them there heart is soft, the other the heart is hardened. The truth is what bounces off them there always thinking of an objection that the critical over or perhaps there's a yeah that's it's true that there's something in that I must explore that further. But they never trust Christ rescuer why are you sitting on the fence that sin in your life that darkness and why might you continue to play with, you know it's wrong and the difficulty is, if it isn't dealt with.

It will take over your life.

We see that very very forcibly with someone who is involved in alcohol and drugs they think they can control it every every alcoholic say so I can stop anytime I want them to find the current similarly with the drug Arctic.

Similarly with a person goes into secular morality before they know it's they are controlled by Withers alcohol, drugs on sexuality or money or whatever the particular sin is and they become worse and worse and worse hardens. Yes, by the word of God. How many times in Scripture to really today.

His voice, do not harden your heart.

Today's the day of salvation. Tomorrow is the word of the devil. The word of Jesus is today.

Get right with God today get on your knees today. Repent of that sin believe in the Lord Jesus Christ today, not tomorrow. What mode you on this. No more sign. There's no more evidence of hardening the question is will you trust Christ we live a life in the light. Finally, in verses 46 and 50 receipt those forgiven out in God's eternal family had a wonderful and will be God. Verse 46 while they were still speaking to the people balled his mother and his brother stood outside asking to speak to him when you reply to the man who told who is my mother and my brothers and stretching out his hand toward his disciples.

He said, here are my mother and my brothers for whoever does the will of my father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother. There's these are encouraging words and put whoever does the will of my father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.

Those forgiven out in the family of God. The eternal family of God and obey God over these last two days.

Most of us have been with her family and friends is wonderful wonderful to have strong family ties all of us appreciate that when when these relationships are broken or if a loved one passes on is very difficult, isn't it. But we value the family and actual family. I certainly do.

But Jesus is saying something very profound that the spiritual family.

The family of God is greater is more important than the physical family. My younger brother who I love dearly standing here with Sam, the father of Christ cannot have fellowship with him.

I sent level, yes, but another level. No he is not in the family of God. And so here is you you the Calvary work in some your members today as it what you brothers and sisters while bond we have in Christ to just travel you. You understand that you go on a mission trip you. You spend some time with people in another country and immediately there's a bond mother not in your physical family more important later in this virtual family of God, and they are in this wonderful eternal family. I know this incidentally just touch on this.

Jesus has brothers. Some people dispute that and and and say believe in the perpetual virginity of Mary, which is that Mary was a virgin, not only before Jesus was born. That is sadly true we we we certainly believe that but they say that Mary was a virgin throughout her entire life will think a little of Mary tonight at the argument service and they say that Jesus was Mary's only child that has no biblical support] Matthew one at the end of Matthew one word to Joseph and says in verse 25 of Matthew on the Jesus that Joseph knew her, that is Mary not until she'd given birth to a son and called his name Jesus. Yes before Jesus was born, there was no marital relationship between Joseph and Mary that is true. She Jesus is conceived as part of a virgin. We believe that believe that strongly, but after the birth of Jesus. Joseph and Mary had children refers to his brothers, his mother's and brother standing up verse 46 in Matthew 13 verse 56 we read of the sisters of Jesus, so the idea that Mary is perpetually a virgin has no biblical support but what is the point that Jesus is making here is you being disrespectful to midshipmen family know he loved Mary to make provision for her right from the cross as he entrusted to John know Jesus loves his mother.

We are to honor our father and mother, that's not the point important point is this spiritual relationships eternal and have a higher priority than human relationships. Jesus going to say that if you can leave your father mother followed me worthy of me that our love for Christ is to be number one of course are to love our family, of course, worked on that appearance but our first love.

Our primary love is love Jesus with all of our heart, soul, mind, and said and what that is right. Everything falls into place as it will hurt you get into the family of God is by joining Calvary church no. You can join Calvary church. He could be a member of Calvary church and still not a member of the family of God, you survive have got to be baptized with the people being baptized.

The earlier services is not the way it is my baptism got me into the family of God. No, baptism is a sign, those becoming members today are already in the family of God. How did I become a Monroe.

I was born into the Monroe family. My father Thomas Monroe. He is my father and born into physical family.

How do I get into the family of God I got to be born into the family of God. I'm going to be born again had that expression. Jesus is someone is born again the wound and turned it will not see the kingdom of God. What is the father's well here it says whoever does the will of my father in heaven is my brother and sister. What is the will of the father. Jesus answers that question. A very good question you are asking it in John six John six verse 40. It is the will of the father, John six verse 44 this is the will of my father, listening, that everyone who looks on the sun and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. This is the will of God for you since this is the first step. This is the essentials that you look on the sun when the father is saying look at the sun trust. My son your faith in my son, ton ton from the dark and embrace the light of my son and we got that you have eternal life. But those who receive Christ, who believe in his name, become part of the family of God. That is, you must be saved. You must turn from your sin and believe in Jesus Christ's than that of your computer you use it well. As I was brought up in this whole. As a member of such and such a church that's wonderful is not the question.

Do you personally know Christ you pointer time when you cried out to Christ for salvation and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and your safety. If you haven't done that. I urge you to do it now to do today, but tomorrow is what Jesus says here. Whoever does the will of my father in heaven is my brother and sister that is in the family of God's I am to be God I am to resemble my family.

Two brothers were playing the guitar, John Brennan and his brother whose name I don't know visiting and good knee begin the service says to me, they must be brothers. How do you know their brothers.

If you saw them. It's obvious what I commend I saw the one who wasn't.

It wasn't a member here and I thought John must've turned up his his beard and done something to his hair, but they look so similar I could invite some of your families up here in line you up and it would be obvious that these children are all in the one family.

Why is a family resemblance retaining their individual personality. Yes, being different and identical, but there is a family resemblance. And if you're a follower of Jesus Christ that is that family resemblance. One is we don't speak evil words in the context one is we obey the Savior. Jesus himself says if you love me you'll do well, will keep my commandments.

There is a test. If you love someone you seek to please them. If you love someone you don't disregard what they say.

That's not an act of love.

You listen to them you want to spend time with them is a characteristic of true love.

Even in this human relationship is singles of your dating someone and you're beginning to fall in love around in lab you want to spend time with that person you value what they say you want to get to know them. You don't insult them. You don't abuse them with your words as we follow Jesus something wonderful the wonderful ministry of the Holy Spirit were becoming more and more like Jesus.

No, I don't mean physically how wonderful to see that at Calvary. Over the years of people who, becoming more and more like Jesus. And isn't that what our world needs your way our world is really other words, wonderful thought, I'm saying I'm a Christian, but much better to display with your kindness with your love. Yes, speaking the truth not being a whim.

Absolutely not standing strong for Christ not compromising, not going into the darkness, but living a life of righteousness, and displaying the beauty and the glory and the excellency of our lovely Lord Jesus Christ. We follow the Savior's words and actions as retreat as we read them we love him more importance and want to be like that.

I want to be someone who brings blessing and healing and kindness to that person to ask your sailor follow is is is that a family resemblance. We like the Savior you have the wonderful privilege of being a Christian is that you have a heavenly father who loves you. I know God loves everyone but God has a special love for those in his family parents.

I know you love the neighbors kids and you love me but there's a special love you have for your children and suddenly your grandchildren about heavenly father once were and that family is a special love for us and cares for us and he watches over us and we have instant access into his presence.

Someone called me yesterday with a terrible emergency in that I prayed with the dear woman, what do we do we go to heavenly father and say that we can handle the situation.

We don't know what to do, Lord, but you do help us give wisdom guide us. What a privilege of coming into the very throne room of God and the name of our Savior Jesus Christ and God never says well you did make an appointment Galway at Thanksgiving weekend. I'm having a weekend off. Ever since that is is you come boldly in your time of need and that is a member of the family was, as incredible as we are joint heirs with God, we are heirs of God, would joint heirs with Jesus Christ. All that the father gives to the sun. He gives to us that were blessed with every spiritual blessing in Christ. This is my heavenly father.

I'm part of the family of God go show this world. What it means to follow Jesus, not just by your words spread by your actions and your kindness so that others would be drawn to him and that over this Christmas. We would have the joy of seeing many come to the Savior and likes being transformed in his name. Father, help us to do that. This is difficult for us. We confess that all of us are sometimes drawn into the darkness with her words with her actions with her thoughts.

May the light of the gospel shine brightly in our hearts today as we listen to the Savior made our love for the Savior grow and may we display and proclaim there some here who have never made that step of coming to Christ, maybe look to him open their hearts to see the Savior dying for their sins being buried and rising again. We ask it in Christ