Beloved, what we know concerning worship is that man does not need to be told to worship. It is in his nature to do so. He will worship something or someone. Even those who seek to live a life void of God and deny any need to worship are actually worshipping self when they do so.

However, man does need to be taught WHO to worship. The words of Jesus forever settle any discussion on the matter of who is to be the recipient of our worship. Jesus said, “WORSHIP THE LORD YOUR GOD.”
Matthew 4:8-10 says, “Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9And he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.” 10Then Jesus said to him, “Be gone, Satan! For it is written, “‘You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.’”
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Beloved, over two thousand years ago a group of wise men, “Magoi” in the Greek, saw a star which led them to worship our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Wise men still in fact still seek to worship Jesus. Do you?

Beloved, we are soon to once again celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is the human Son of man and the divine Son of God. He is one hundred percent human and one hundred percent God.

While there were many people instrumental in the birth of Christ, this morning we will look at His birth through the eyes of Joseph, His legal father. There is not too much known about the man who would care for Christ as He grew up. We know that Joseph was possibly a carpenter but most importantly we know that he was a righteous man who did the right thing.

When others would have ran away from a responsibility that was not even their own, Joseph stood steadfast and remained faithful to the end. We can learn much from his character and apply his attributes of faithfulness, purity, and perseverance to our own lives.
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May you have a Blessed Christmas week and may Christ always be at the center of your lives!

Beloved, despite the arrogance of the Roman Government, despite the animosity of prejudiced circumcised believers and despite the advent of an approaching world famine, the early church exploded in growth.
Church Historians tell us that the Church exploded in growth because of the Roman Road System, the Pax Romana, the common Greek language and the hungry hearts of seekers of truth.

But there were other just as valid if not more valid reasons for Church growth, the believers themselves. They refused to allow the circumstances of the day to get in their way of bringing others into the Kingdom of God.
Primarily, the church grew because Christians declared the Gospel. The church grew because Christians demonstrated grace towards one another and towards unbelievers. The Church grew because Christians were dedicated to giving. Early Christians spoke out, they stood out and they shelled out.
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Beloved, as we examine these three marks of a Christian, why don’t you take inventory and check how you are doing. Unlike Meatloaf’s “Two Out of Three Ain’t Bad” song; in this case if you are not three for three, then you are missing it, you are falling short. Beloved, the Lord wants to move mightily before He returns. Will you allow Him to move in your life?