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Tuesday, December 24, 2024
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"What The World Needs Now"
Message summary: What the world needs now and always has is love and more specifically the love of God expressed through Jesus Christ. It is our prayer that each of you experience abiding joy in the lasting gift of love that God has provided through His redeemer Son, Jesus!
Listen to our message on your audio player.
“This
is love: not
that we loved
God, but that
He loved us
and sent His
Son as an
atoning
sacrifice for
our sins” (1
John 4:10).
Several weeks ago we shared a message titled "A Bundle Of Joy" illustrated by an ad I had seen during a football game. I stated in that message that many ads are tolerable at best and some offensive, but today I illustrate with another ad that I actually find very encouraging.
It shows the employees of a concert hall working very hard behind the scenes to get the venue prepared for a concert. One older janitor begins to sing as he works and it's loud enough for the other employees hear him. Apparently he sings his favorite song, "What the world needs now is love, sweet love" and they really seem to appreciate it.
So
they buy
him
a black tuxedo
jacket from
Amazon (now
you know the
ad) and
surprise him
with it by
placing him in
front of the
microphone and
presenting the
jacket to him.
The employees
are gathered
in the seating
area and he
begins to
sing. He
sounds great
as he launches
into a longer
portion of the
song, in part
due to the
sound
reinforcement.
The
ad conveys
kindness,
humility and
appreciation
for
co-workers,
all qualities
that are
Biblical and
so needed
today. (link
to a video of
the ad is
posted below)
The
song was a
popular song
that came out
about 60 years
ago. It's not
a Christmas
song or even
Christian
although it
does have a
very true
biblical
message. What
the world
needs now and
always has
needed is love
and more
specifically
the love of
God expressed
through Jesus
Christ.
Our daily verse is a great statement to memorize and hide deep within our hearts: "This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins" (1 John 4:10).
It’s not a verse necessarily associated with Christmas but a message of the greatest and most lasting gift God has provided. He loves us and acted on that love by sending His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. May we rejoice in this truth every day and may it never get old! Let us live with an attitude of praise to the Lord for His lasting gift!
Bible teacher Bob Utley writes, "The New Testament is unique among the world religions. Typically religion is mankind seeking God, but Christianity is God seeking fallen mankind! The wonderful truth is not our love for God, but His love for us. He has sought us through our sin and self, our rebellion and pride. The glorious truth of Christianity is that God loves fallen mankind and has initiated and maintained a life-changing contact."
but love applied it.
It
is our prayer
that each of
you experience
abiding joy in
the lasting
gift of love
that God has
provided
through His
redeemer Son,
Jesus!
Be encouraged today, Hebrews 3:13
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily
prayer:
Father, though
we often
express thanks
for the gift
of Your Son,
we do it again
as we can
never express
it enough. We
are so
grateful for
His gift of
salvation that
has
everlasting
value for
every
generation and
abiding joy
for all who
walk in His
ways. Amen.
Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources
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Each year we share several online resources that we have used over the years and that may be a blessing to families and churches during this Christmas season.
"In Remembrance of Me" pdf This is a passion-filled Scripture reading for two adults. Brooksyne and I have used this reading with great receptivity during Christmas Eve services many years. We suggest, if possible, a musical background as the message is read. It is also a great lead-in to a Communion service. It should be thoroughly practiced and read with great expression.
"When Christ Was Born" pdf This is an adaptation to the tune of "How Great Thou Art". It's a great song to sing as a congregation since most are familiar with and love the tune.
Responsive Christmas Scripture readings for church or family:
John 1:1-18 pdf "O Come Let Us Adore Him" pdf
My First Christmas In Heaven This is a blessed reminder for all who lost a loved one this year. We first posted this when my Mom died in 2005.
Christmas Knowledge Test Test yourself to see how well you know the Christmas story! After you finish there is a link to test key.
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Encouragement
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In considering support we are so pleased when we hear from you, our readers, that our messages are a source of teaching and encouragement to you. We also urge you to consider the mission aspect of these daily teachings that are freely available and read by many all over the world.
Stephen & Brooksyne
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Scripture references are from The Holy Bible: New International Version. © 1984 by International Bible Society; NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. and the King James Version and a variety of other versions.
Personal Mission Statement: "I am created by God to bring Him glory. Through God's Son Jesus Christ I have been redeemed and make it my life's goal to please the Lord. My mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity."
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