Elements City Church
The Gift of Christmas wk3 (wrapped in mystery)
The Christmas story is an old story. But let’s see it in a new way because it’s a new year and in fact, it’s been a couple years like none other. Into the turmoil of the day, just like the turmoil of our day comes a gift like no other. A gift that will literally change everything for everyone who opens their heart to receive it. It’s not wrapped like most expected or delivered like any thought. But to those who receive it - it changes them, it anchors them, it blesses them.
Locations & Times
Elements City Church
1825 N Alvernon Way, Tucson, AZ 85712, USA
Sunday 5:00 PM
Thanks for joining us...
Whether you're on-site or online, we are praying that tonight will be an encouragement to your soul. May God whisper to you and help you in taking your next steps in a journey with Him. If you're new, we'd love to have you fill out our connection card.
https://connect-card.com/yr4Y0g8VLBSqzKXeubjbAs we shop, look up, seek out or ask for gifts -- let's do ourselves a favor and REMEMBER the GIFT we've been given by God that first Christmas!
This verse from the Apostle Paul captures the gift of Jesus:
"Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!" -2 Corinthians 9:15
This verse from the Apostle Paul captures the gift of Jesus:
"Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!" -2 Corinthians 9:15
This baby Jesus comes wrapped in mystery...
God became man. Let’s put on the hat of a theologian for a moment.
Undiminished deity took upon himself perfect humanity, and, linking the two natures together in one personality housed in one unique body, the God-man was delivered. No less deity. No less humanity in one person, in one body.
That IS a mystery.
Did anyone ever say it any better than Charles Wesley?
"Christ, by highest heavens adored; Christ the everlasting Lord! Late in time behold him come, offspring of the virgin's womb. Veiled in flesh the Godhead see; hail the incarnate Deity, pleased as man with men to dwell, Jesus, our Emmanuel."
God became man. Let’s put on the hat of a theologian for a moment.
Undiminished deity took upon himself perfect humanity, and, linking the two natures together in one personality housed in one unique body, the God-man was delivered. No less deity. No less humanity in one person, in one body.
That IS a mystery.
Did anyone ever say it any better than Charles Wesley?
"Christ, by highest heavens adored; Christ the everlasting Lord! Late in time behold him come, offspring of the virgin's womb. Veiled in flesh the Godhead see; hail the incarnate Deity, pleased as man with men to dwell, Jesus, our Emmanuel."
John 1:14-18 NLT
14 So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.
15 John testified about him when he shouted to the crowds, “This is the one I was talking about when I said, ‘Someone is coming after me who is far greater than I am, for he existed long before me.’”
16 From his abundance we have all received one gracious blessing after another. 17 For the law was given through Moses, but God’s unfailing love and faithfulness came through Jesus Christ.
18 No one has ever seen God. But the unique One, who is himself God, is near to the Father’s heart. He has revealed God to us.
14 So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.
15 John testified about him when he shouted to the crowds, “This is the one I was talking about when I said, ‘Someone is coming after me who is far greater than I am, for he existed long before me.’”
16 From his abundance we have all received one gracious blessing after another. 17 For the law was given through Moses, but God’s unfailing love and faithfulness came through Jesus Christ.
18 No one has ever seen God. But the unique One, who is himself God, is near to the Father’s heart. He has revealed God to us.
IN JESUS - WE GET TO SEE GOD CLEARLY - the mystery of God revealed…
That causes the APOSTLE Paul (inspired by HS) to write this amazing truth…
Colossians 1:15-19
15 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. 19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him...
The INCARNATION is the beautiful mysterious work of God…
That causes the APOSTLE Paul (inspired by HS) to write this amazing truth…
Colossians 1:15-19
15 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. 19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him...
The INCARNATION is the beautiful mysterious work of God…
**this baby was silently delivered. The nursery was a common stable.
The cradle was a feeding trough. The first cries were heard only by a mother who was cleaning him up, a bewildered husband who stood watching it all happen, and a few common livestock animals.
When God finally did decide to make it known; to introduce the heavenly hype — he slipped out into the countryside and he chose a few average nomadic types as the 1st audience clued in…
Never once are they even named == a bunch of no-named shepherds — because you see it was to no name, no-account people that Jesus came;
not for the elite, but the everyday people
read: Luke 2:8-17
The cradle was a feeding trough. The first cries were heard only by a mother who was cleaning him up, a bewildered husband who stood watching it all happen, and a few common livestock animals.
When God finally did decide to make it known; to introduce the heavenly hype — he slipped out into the countryside and he chose a few average nomadic types as the 1st audience clued in…
Never once are they even named == a bunch of no-named shepherds — because you see it was to no name, no-account people that Jesus came;
not for the elite, but the everyday people
read: Luke 2:8-17
8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
God came down to his people. EMMANUEL (God with us)
Then that baby grew up…
AND God went further down still - down to his death for his people…
During the Advent season we remember Jesus’ “double descent”
= the divine descent to the manger, and eventually a descent to the cross.
You can’t separate one from the other.
QUOTE:
The early church didn’t say, ‘Look what the world is coming to!’
They said, ‘Look what has come into the world’!
- Carl F. H. Henry
We continue to herald that same message…
The Savior has come - The incarnation of the fullness of God is here.
Quote:
There is enough evidence for those who want to believe in God and enough mystery for those who want to turn away.
-Richard Foster
2 Corinthians 9:15
"Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!”
Then that baby grew up…
AND God went further down still - down to his death for his people…
During the Advent season we remember Jesus’ “double descent”
= the divine descent to the manger, and eventually a descent to the cross.
You can’t separate one from the other.
QUOTE:
The early church didn’t say, ‘Look what the world is coming to!’
They said, ‘Look what has come into the world’!
- Carl F. H. Henry
We continue to herald that same message…
The Savior has come - The incarnation of the fullness of God is here.
Quote:
There is enough evidence for those who want to believe in God and enough mystery for those who want to turn away.
-Richard Foster
2 Corinthians 9:15
"Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!”
Thank you for partnering with us...
Thank you for enabling us to be the Church in our city! Your gifts help fuel the mission of Elements City Church, as well as our capacity to share His love with as many as we can. You help us bring the HOPE and LIGHT of Jesus to our city! You can give online at the link below or through the Elements app.
http://elementscitychurch.org/give/We hope you have been blessed by your time worshipping with us!
We'll see you back at Elements this coming Friday Dec. 24th for
Christmas Eve Services - join us at 4pm or 6pm!
On-site or Online.
Invite some friends and family to join ya.
Merry Christmas all!
*reminder: we will NOT be having an in-person Elements service on Sunday December 26th. We WILL HAVE an online worship experience where you can login and participate. watch our online service via the website, facebook or our YouTube page Sunday Dec. 26th at 5pm. Join us back in person in the new year - Sunday January 2nd, 2022.
We'll see you back at Elements this coming Friday Dec. 24th for
Christmas Eve Services - join us at 4pm or 6pm!
On-site or Online.
Invite some friends and family to join ya.
Merry Christmas all!
*reminder: we will NOT be having an in-person Elements service on Sunday December 26th. We WILL HAVE an online worship experience where you can login and participate. watch our online service via the website, facebook or our YouTube page Sunday Dec. 26th at 5pm. Join us back in person in the new year - Sunday January 2nd, 2022.