Emmanuel

Today, the Sunday School department proudly presented The Christmas Play,2010.  It was the story of a family of Shepherds who prayed and looked forward to the birth of the Christ-child.  " Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us" Matthew 1:23

Water turned into wine

 Our speaker during Family Bible Hour was Mr Billy Stevenson of Tampa, Florida.  His message was based on John 2:1-11 :  ¹And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there:

 ²And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage.

 ³And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine.

 ⁴Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come.

 ⁵His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.

 ⁶And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece.

 ⁷Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim.

 ⁸And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it.

 ⁹When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom,

 ¹⁰And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now.

 ¹¹This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him.

The above passage records the first of Jesus' miracles. There came a moment when they ran out of wine during  the marriage at Cana.  Judaism, when equated to the lack of wine at the wedding,  is mechanical, has no life, and no joy. The Lord Jesus is the "... wine that maketh glad the heart of man..." (Psalm 104:15). The only thing that can fill lives and hearts to the brim is the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. He is the pre-eminent One among the wedding guests, and He must be pre-eminent in our hearts. Mr Stevenson's message, in full and in context, is available on DVD. Please see Romy.

The Great Catch of Fish

 Our speaker during Family Bible Hour was Mr Steve Modrzejewski.  His message was based on Luke 5:1-11 -- And it came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he stood by the lake of Gennesaret, 2 And saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets. 3 And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon's, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship. 4 Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon,Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught. 5 And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net. 6 And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake. 7 And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink. 8 When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord. 9 For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken: 10 And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men. 11 And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him.
From the above passage, we we can quickly summarize that the person whom God uses :
(A) has to be willing to yield  --- verse 3
(B) follow's God's instruction/command --- verse 5
(C) gives credit to whom credit is due --- verses 6-8
(D) sees God's vision. or sees the bigger picture --- verses 9-10
(E) is willing to sacrifice everything --- verse 11


Mr Modrzejewski message, in full and in context, is available on DVD. Please see Romy.