GateWay Church of Visalia
Advent: The Savior is Born!
Pastor Ed Kemp December 8 & 11, 2022
Locations & Times
GateWay Church
1100 S Sowell St, Visalia, CA 93277, USA
Thursday 6:45 PM
Sunday 8:30 AM
Introduction
So What?!
King Jesus has called us to:
#1. Believe the message of the Kingdom; Gospel.
#2. Become citizens of the Kingdom; Disciples.
#3. Enact the demands of the Kingdom; Discipleship.
#4. Comprise the outpost of the Kingdom; Church.
#5. Spread the Kingdom; Mission.
#6. Know the enemies of the Kingdom; Demons.
#7. Experience the coming of the Kingdom; Hope.
Advent: The Savior is Born!
Matthew 1:1-18
Pastor Ed Kemp, 12/8 & 11/2022
Prayer Requests:
Group Discussion: What is one of your or your past family’s traditions at Christmas?
Read out loud: Matthew 1:1-18
King Jesus has called us to:
#1. Believe the message of the Kingdom; Gospel. Gospel means, “good news,” therefore what part of the good news is good to you? Read Matthew 5:1-11, which beatitude do you need to emulate?
#2. Become citizens of the Kingdom; Disciples. Most people call themselves, “Christians,” but in the early church that title was an insult!!! The word disciple meant you followed Jesus, like a student would follow a rabbi or teacher. What does it mean to follow Jesus?
#3. Enact the demands of the Kingdom; Discipleship. What was the job description of a disciple?
#4. Comprise the outpost of the Kingdom; Church. The word church was used in the first century as a, “mob with a purpose.” Since the early church didn’t have any buildings but met in the courtyard of the Temple in Jerusalem, public spaces and homes, how do you think the early church defined who they were in contrast to how we define ourselves as the church today?
#5. Spread the Kingdom; Mission. The mission of the church is to be an invading army. Jesus said, “The gates of hell will not prevail against the church!” That’s a picture of an invading army breeching the walls of a fortified city. How has the church changed rolls and moved from an invading army to that of a fortified city and how do we change it back?
#6. Know the enemies of the Kingdom; Demons. I Peter 5:8 says, “…the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” Satan is “like” a roaring lion but Jesus is called the lion from the tribe of Judah. Jesus is more powerful than Satan therefore for whom should we have a greater sense of respect? How do we show our respect for Jesus? How should we ignore or battle against Satan?
#7. Experience the coming of the Kingdom; Hope. How does Christmas bring a sense of hope in your life?
Family Time: Read Matthew 1:18-22 to your kids and talk about what it would be like to talk to a powerful angel.
Matthew 1:1-18
Pastor Ed Kemp, 12/8 & 11/2022
Prayer Requests:
Group Discussion: What is one of your or your past family’s traditions at Christmas?
Read out loud: Matthew 1:1-18
King Jesus has called us to:
#1. Believe the message of the Kingdom; Gospel. Gospel means, “good news,” therefore what part of the good news is good to you? Read Matthew 5:1-11, which beatitude do you need to emulate?
#2. Become citizens of the Kingdom; Disciples. Most people call themselves, “Christians,” but in the early church that title was an insult!!! The word disciple meant you followed Jesus, like a student would follow a rabbi or teacher. What does it mean to follow Jesus?
#3. Enact the demands of the Kingdom; Discipleship. What was the job description of a disciple?
#4. Comprise the outpost of the Kingdom; Church. The word church was used in the first century as a, “mob with a purpose.” Since the early church didn’t have any buildings but met in the courtyard of the Temple in Jerusalem, public spaces and homes, how do you think the early church defined who they were in contrast to how we define ourselves as the church today?
#5. Spread the Kingdom; Mission. The mission of the church is to be an invading army. Jesus said, “The gates of hell will not prevail against the church!” That’s a picture of an invading army breeching the walls of a fortified city. How has the church changed rolls and moved from an invading army to that of a fortified city and how do we change it back?
#6. Know the enemies of the Kingdom; Demons. I Peter 5:8 says, “…the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” Satan is “like” a roaring lion but Jesus is called the lion from the tribe of Judah. Jesus is more powerful than Satan therefore for whom should we have a greater sense of respect? How do we show our respect for Jesus? How should we ignore or battle against Satan?
#7. Experience the coming of the Kingdom; Hope. How does Christmas bring a sense of hope in your life?
Family Time: Read Matthew 1:18-22 to your kids and talk about what it would be like to talk to a powerful angel.