Falls Presbyterian Church (OPC)

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

The way to calm ourselves is to renounce our own pride and to keep on lowering ourselves until we have re-discovered how to intentionally become fully contented and quietly at rest with our LORD, trusting in Him to provide for us, even in the context of a very long wait. 1. Whenever we elevate ourselves to a God-like position with a prideful heart attitude and we look down at others, we end up stirring up our own souls. (v.1) 2. Whenever we take a humble heart attitude and look up to God, we end up calming our own souls with true peace. (v.2) 3. Lesson: less playing God, more trusting God. (v.3) What is the surprising root cause if we are very upset? Who is lowly? Dt. 29:29, Mt 11:29;18:1-4, Phil. 2:3,7-8. How can we be quieted? Lk 14:11, Rom. 12:3, 1 Pet. 5:5-11. What does it look like to trust God? Jn. 4:34, Jms. 4:6.

In the ascension of Jesus, we learn about our King. 1. His timing. (v.6-7) 2. His witnesses. (v.8) 3. His plans. (v.9-11) What is it like to have Jesus as our king? When does the Lord do things? Rom 5:6 and 2 Peter 3:9 Where must we bear witness? Matthew 10:18 What does God have in store for us? Jeremiah 29:11-13

Because of the mercy of The LORD, we pray, marvel, wait, and hope. 1. From rock bottom, we cry to The LORD for mercy. (v.1-2) 2. God lifts us up by forgiving us in Christ; so, we marvel! (v.3-4) 3. We, the church, wait for The LORD's return. (v.5-6) 4. We, the church, hope in The LORD's love. (v.7-8) How are we redeemed from our iniquities? Who takes away the sin of the world? John 1:29 Heb. 9:7-10 Why do we call His name Jesus? Mt. 1:21; 9:6; 26:28, 1 Jn 1:8-10 How did He redeem us? Heb. 10:17, Titus 2:14

The starting point and ongoing focus of The Church is Jesus' work and teaching, which He continues to do now through His Spirit. 1. Jesus teaches us. (v.1-2) 2. Jesus reigns over us. (v.3) 3. Jesus gives us gifts. (v.4-5) What is the most basic thing about us? What should convince us of Jesus' teachings? 1 Cor.15:5-7 How are we able to accept truth? John 14:16 From whom did the Spirit come upon us? Acts 2:33

Because The LORD is righteous, the church maintains great hope by expecting a) persecution, and b) preservation. 1. Preserved through great hostility. (v.1-4) 2. Preserved to the great disappointment of haters. (v.5) 3. Preserved through all ages. (v.6-8) When people hate us, who are they ultimately hating? Why is hostility to Christ/church inseparable? Ps. 2:1-3, John 15:18 Was the violence in Jesus' parable brief or long? Mt.21:33-41 How did Paul describe being afflicted? 2 Cor. 1:10 and 4:8-9

In mighty restoring power, God provides a fountain of grace. How? 1. The LORD our God came to dwell with us. (v.17) 2. Grace from God flows like a fountain to us through His house. (v.18-20) 3. Our LORD God pardons our guilt. (v. 21) How does this grace fountain apply to us? What comes out of the temple? Ezekiel 47:1-12 Eph. 2:20-22 Where will the water of life flow one day? Rev. 22:1-2 What is God faithful to do for us? 1 Jn. 1:9 Jn.7:37-38

In worship, we envision and celebrate the blessings that God often gives in Christ. 1. God often blesses God-fearers with fruit from our work. (v.1-2) 2. God often blesses God-fearers with marriages and spiritual children. (v.3-4) 3. We pray for God to give grandchildren, and the good/peace of the church. (v.5-6) What pathway does a blessed life often take? For our daily work/jobs, how is God involved? Col. 3:23-24 Where are echoes of this Psalm? Eph. 1:3; 6:4, Gal. 4:26; 6:16 Those who fear God also do what? Acts 10:34-35