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Istrouma Baptist Church (BR)
Dec 19, 2021

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December 19 | The Characters of Christmas
Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org.

We glorify God by making disciples of all nations.
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December 19, 2021 | Tim Keith
"The Message of Christmas"
Luke 2:1-20

‭‭Luke‬ ‭2:1-20‬‬
In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the whole empire should be registered. This first registration took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. So everyone went to be registered, each to his own town. Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family line of David, to be registered along with Mary, who was engaged to him and was pregnant. While they were there, the time came for her to give birth. Then she gave birth to her firstborn son, and she wrapped him tightly in cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. In the same region, shepherds were staying out in the fields and keeping watch at night over their flock. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people: Today in the city of David a Savior was born for you, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be the sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped tightly in cloth and lying in a manger.” Suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying: Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to people he favors! When the angels had left them and returned to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go straight to Bethlehem and see what has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” They hurried off and found both Mary and Joseph, and the baby who was lying in the manger. After seeing them, they reported the message they were told about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary was treasuring up all these things in her heart and meditating on them. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had seen and heard, which were just as they had been told.

Why did God send the angel to the shepherds?

The Good Shepherd was coming

‭‭John‬ ‭10:7-9‬‬
Jesus said again, “Truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep didn’t listen to them. I am the gate. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will come in and go out and find pasture.

‭‭John‬ ‭14:6‬‬
Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

‭‭John‬ ‭10:11‬‬
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

The Lamb of God was coming

‭‭John‬ ‭1:29‬‬
The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!

The Savior of the world was coming for ALL

“You save the humble, but Your eyes are on the haughty to bring them low.” 2 Sam. 22:28

“This is what the Lord says: ‘This is the one I esteem; he who is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at My word.” Isaiah 66:1

“For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” Mt 23:12

"God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time. – 1 Peter 5:5-6

What can we learn from the shepherds?

Go to Jesus (Now!)

‭‭Luke‬ ‭2:15-16‬‬
When the angels had left them and returned to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go straight to Bethlehem and see what has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” They hurried off and found both Mary and Joseph, and the baby who was lying in the manger.

Tell the Christmas story

‭‭Luke‬ ‭2:17-18‬‬
After seeing them, they reported the message they were told about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.

Rejoice in the goodness of God

‭‭Luke‬ ‭2:20‬‬
The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had seen and heard, which were just as they had been told.

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Istrouma Baptist Church (BR)
Dec 12, 2021

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December 12 | The Characters of Christmas
Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org.

We glorify God by making disciples of all nations.
==========

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December 12, 2021 | Tim Keith
"When God Shows Up"
Matthew 1:18-25

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭1:18-25‬‬
The birth of Jesus Christ came about this way: After his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, it was discovered before they came together that she was pregnant from the Holy Spirit. So her husband, Joseph, being a righteous man, and not wanting to disgrace her publicly, decided to divorce her secretly. But after he had considered these things, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, don’t be afraid to take Mary as your wife, because what has been conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” Now all this took place to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet: See, the virgin will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and they will name him Immanuel, which is translated “God is with us.” When Joseph woke up, he did as the Lord’s angel had commanded him. He married her but did not have sexual relations with her until she gave birth to a son. And he named him Jesus.

1. He Gets Your Attention
v. 20-21

2. He Changes Your Plans
v.21-23

3. He Tests Your Faith
v.24-25

‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭11:6‬‬
Now without faith it is impossible to please God, since the one who draws near to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

4. He Blesses Your Life
v.21

‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭2:9‬‬
But as it is written, What no eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no human heart has conceived — God has prepared these things for those who love him.

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Istrouma Baptist Church (BR)
Dec 5, 2021

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December 5 | The Characters of Christmas
Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org.

We glorify God by making disciples of all nations.
==========

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November 28, 2021 | Tim Keith
"God Always Makes A Way"
Luke 1:6-7

‭‭Luke‬ ‭1:12‬‬
When Zechariah saw him, he was terrified and overcome with fear.

‭‭Luke‬ ‭1:6-7‬‬
Both were righteous in God’s sight, living without blame according to all the commands and requirements of the Lord. But they had no children because Elizabeth could not conceive, and both of them were well along in years.

1. Seeking God doesn’t keep you from the difficulties of life
(v. 7)

‭‭Luke‬ ‭1:13‬‬
But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will name him John.

2. God’s promises are true, but you must be obedient.
(v.24)

‭‭Malachi‬ ‭4:5-6‬‬
Look, I am going to send you the prophet Elijah before the great and terrible day of the Lord comes. And he will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers. Otherwise, I will come and strike the land with a curse.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭1:16-17‬‬
He will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. And he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of fathers to their children, and the disobedient to the understanding of the righteous, to make ready for the Lord a prepared people.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭1:18‬‬
“How can I know this?” Zechariah asked the angel. “For I am an old man, and my wife is well along in years.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭1:65-66‬‬
Fear came on all those who lived around them, and all these things were being talked about throughout the hill country of Judea. All who heard about him took it to heart, saying, “What then will this child become?” For, indeed, the Lord’s hand was with him.

3. God’s discipline is to draw you closer to Him. He loves you.
(v.20)

‭‭Luke‬ ‭1:20‬‬
Now listen. You will become silent and unable to speak until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their proper time.”

4. Your story is not about you.
(v.31, 76)

‭‭Luke‬ ‭1:31‬‬
Now listen: You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus.

‭‭Luke‬ ‭1:76‬‬
And you, child, will be called a prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways,

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Text ISTROUMA IBC to 73256 or go to:
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Istrouma Baptist Church (BR)
Nov 28, 2021

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Novermber 28 | The Characters of Christmas
Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org.

We glorify God by making disciples of all nations.
==========

Connection Card
https://istrouma.org/myinfo

November 28, 2021 | Dwayne Pitre
"The Characters of Christmas"
Matthew 2:1-12

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭2:1-12‬‬
Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet: “‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’” Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.” After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.

1. A disturbed response
When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him (v3).

2. A disinterested response
…and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet:
“‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler
who will shepherd my people Israel’” (vv4-6).

3. A devoted response
And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense, and myrrh (v11).

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Click here to add your name to our mailing list:
https://istrouma.org/email

Give Online
Text ISTROUMA IBC to 73256 or go to:
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Our Website
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