Dover Assembly of God
12.5.2021 | The Christmas Story - Part 1
Locations & Times
Dover Assembly of God
4790 Carlisle Rd, Dover, PA 17315, USA
Sunday 10:30 AM
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December 5, 2021
Welcome to Dover Assembly!
We are so glad you have chosen to attend Dover Assembly this morning. It is not by accident that you are here. We believe that God has allowed you to be here so that you might receive all that He has for you. We pray you are blessed as you allow the Lord to work in your life.
THIS WEEK
Sunday
9:00 am ~ Coffee & Donut Fellowship
9:30 am ~ Sunday School
10:30 am ~ Worship Service
10:30 am ~ R.O.C.K. Children’s Ministry
1:00 pm ~ Spanish Service
Monday
6:00 pm ~ Deacon Board Meeting
Wednesday
6:30 pm ~ FAMILY NIGHT
Thursday
6:30 pm ~ Prayer Night
Saturday
9:00 am ~ Kids Play Practice
6:30 pm ~ Spanish Service
UPCOMING EVENTS
Christmas Caroling
We will be going Christmas Caroling on Friday, December 17 as we sing carols on Main Street right here in our very own Dover neighborhood! Hot chocolate and cookies back at the church immediately following.
BODY NEWS
Bible Release
We currently host the program that allows children to learn the bible during school hours. This program is in need of some adults who are willing to help on Tuesdays from 12:30-2:00. If you are willing to help, please contact the church.
Shut Ins
Continue to pray for those of our church family who are no longer able to join us for worship.
~ Marian T.
~ Olga K.
~ Rose K.
~ Cindy D. (Angel’s mom)
~ Beulah S.
New Life For Girls Christmas Blessing
There is a table outside the nursery with a list of items that the New Life Girls are in need of. If you would like to bless them this year, please take a copy of their list and bring the gift back UNWRAPPED and we well deliver them in time for Christmas! Thank you in advance! Deadline for drop-off is Dec. 12!
Prayer Warriors!
Prayer nights continue on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays at 6:30 pm. Join us as we seek the Lord for Dover Assembly and our own lives!
Mailboxes
The mailboxes are up and ready for Christmas Cards! If you would like to leave a Christmas Card for church family, you can place them in the mailboxes. There is a numbered sheet listing all the members of our church. Please note that the numbers have changed slightly from last year. If you did not receive a box and would like to, please see Pastor Jeff.
NOTE: If anyone is planning on visiting one of our shut-ins, please take their cards and a gift bag with you!
Special Thanks!
To Mary Stevens who donated the new water cooler. And to Chad Landis, who installed it!
MARK YOUR CALENDAR!
Sat. Dec 11
9:00 am ~ Kid’s Christmas Practice
Sun. Dec 12
10:30 am ~ Kid’s Christmas Play
Thur. Dec 16
6:00 pm ~ Deacon Christmas Dinner
Fri . Dec 17
7:00 pm ~ Neighborhood Caroling
Wed. Dec 22
NO EVENING SERVICE
Fri. Dec 24
6:00 pm ~ Christmas Eve Service
Sat. Dec 25
CHRISTMAS
Sun Dec 26
NO SUNDAY SCHOOL
10:30 am ~ WORSHIP SERVICE ONLY
Wed. Dec 29
NO EVENING SERVICES
Sat. Jan 1
NEW YEARS DAY
Welcome to Dover Assembly!
We are so glad you have chosen to attend Dover Assembly this morning. It is not by accident that you are here. We believe that God has allowed you to be here so that you might receive all that He has for you. We pray you are blessed as you allow the Lord to work in your life.
THIS WEEK
Sunday
9:00 am ~ Coffee & Donut Fellowship
9:30 am ~ Sunday School
10:30 am ~ Worship Service
10:30 am ~ R.O.C.K. Children’s Ministry
1:00 pm ~ Spanish Service
Monday
6:00 pm ~ Deacon Board Meeting
Wednesday
6:30 pm ~ FAMILY NIGHT
Thursday
6:30 pm ~ Prayer Night
Saturday
9:00 am ~ Kids Play Practice
6:30 pm ~ Spanish Service
UPCOMING EVENTS
Christmas Caroling
We will be going Christmas Caroling on Friday, December 17 as we sing carols on Main Street right here in our very own Dover neighborhood! Hot chocolate and cookies back at the church immediately following.
BODY NEWS
Bible Release
We currently host the program that allows children to learn the bible during school hours. This program is in need of some adults who are willing to help on Tuesdays from 12:30-2:00. If you are willing to help, please contact the church.
Shut Ins
Continue to pray for those of our church family who are no longer able to join us for worship.
~ Marian T.
~ Olga K.
~ Rose K.
~ Cindy D. (Angel’s mom)
~ Beulah S.
New Life For Girls Christmas Blessing
There is a table outside the nursery with a list of items that the New Life Girls are in need of. If you would like to bless them this year, please take a copy of their list and bring the gift back UNWRAPPED and we well deliver them in time for Christmas! Thank you in advance! Deadline for drop-off is Dec. 12!
Prayer Warriors!
Prayer nights continue on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays at 6:30 pm. Join us as we seek the Lord for Dover Assembly and our own lives!
Mailboxes
The mailboxes are up and ready for Christmas Cards! If you would like to leave a Christmas Card for church family, you can place them in the mailboxes. There is a numbered sheet listing all the members of our church. Please note that the numbers have changed slightly from last year. If you did not receive a box and would like to, please see Pastor Jeff.
NOTE: If anyone is planning on visiting one of our shut-ins, please take their cards and a gift bag with you!
Special Thanks!
To Mary Stevens who donated the new water cooler. And to Chad Landis, who installed it!
MARK YOUR CALENDAR!
Sat. Dec 11
9:00 am ~ Kid’s Christmas Practice
Sun. Dec 12
10:30 am ~ Kid’s Christmas Play
Thur. Dec 16
6:00 pm ~ Deacon Christmas Dinner
Fri . Dec 17
7:00 pm ~ Neighborhood Caroling
Wed. Dec 22
NO EVENING SERVICE
Fri. Dec 24
6:00 pm ~ Christmas Eve Service
Sat. Dec 25
CHRISTMAS
Sun Dec 26
NO SUNDAY SCHOOL
10:30 am ~ WORSHIP SERVICE ONLY
Wed. Dec 29
NO EVENING SERVICES
Sat. Jan 1
NEW YEARS DAY
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Dec 5, 2021 - Rev. Jeff Bender
Over the next few weeks, we're going to take a detour from our series in Revelation to focus on Christmas.
We'll start by looking that account, found in Luke 2.
We'll start by looking that account, found in Luke 2.
As we have mentioned many times, it is always helpful to know a little about the time it was written, the author and the context of his account.
At the beginning of the New Testament, there had been no revelation or word from God for over 400 years. Malachi’s prophecy of Elijah returning was the last word of the Lord. Israel had fallen away from God and were living by tradition instead of what God said.
During these 400 years is when the Pharisees and Sadducees came into being.
It has always been a truth that whenever there is a lack of leadership, someone or someone’s will step up to fill the void. Whether they are called to be a leader or not.
Since no one had heard from God and there were no prophets, someone had to step in and fill the gap.
So now we get the Pharisees and Sadducees.
At the beginning of the New Testament, there had been no revelation or word from God for over 400 years. Malachi’s prophecy of Elijah returning was the last word of the Lord. Israel had fallen away from God and were living by tradition instead of what God said.
During these 400 years is when the Pharisees and Sadducees came into being.
It has always been a truth that whenever there is a lack of leadership, someone or someone’s will step up to fill the void. Whether they are called to be a leader or not.
Since no one had heard from God and there were no prophets, someone had to step in and fill the gap.
So now we get the Pharisees and Sadducees.
That’s one reason why the church has to always recognize God and His word is the final UNCHANGING authority.
There will always be times when people will want to step in and take leadership positions. Some good, some not. That’s why God’s word has to be the final authority over any individual or group.
So Israel for the most part had slid into the trap of tradition and allowed the leaders to continue that mistake.
Because of their backsliding and apathy towards the truth of God’s word, Israel found themselves scattered among the land, but still under the rule of the Roman government.
Because they were scattered, instead of one temple that they had to travel to, they now had synagogues.
The Romans allowed them to get together and have synagogues and worship as long as it didn’t interfere with the government and what the government was doing.
The Pharisees and Sadducees were given prominent positions by the people because they appeased the government and didn’t want to cause any problems.
Peace at any costs and we talked about that before.
The moment we start trying to please everybody, we will stop pleasing God.
There will always be times when people will want to step in and take leadership positions. Some good, some not. That’s why God’s word has to be the final authority over any individual or group.
So Israel for the most part had slid into the trap of tradition and allowed the leaders to continue that mistake.
Because of their backsliding and apathy towards the truth of God’s word, Israel found themselves scattered among the land, but still under the rule of the Roman government.
Because they were scattered, instead of one temple that they had to travel to, they now had synagogues.
The Romans allowed them to get together and have synagogues and worship as long as it didn’t interfere with the government and what the government was doing.
The Pharisees and Sadducees were given prominent positions by the people because they appeased the government and didn’t want to cause any problems.
Peace at any costs and we talked about that before.
The moment we start trying to please everybody, we will stop pleasing God.
The Pharisees and Sadducees kept the government off the back of the Jews by trying to please the government.
So all that to say this: Israel was in a dark spiritual condition. Most of the Jews were apostate. It was in the middle of this dark spiritual condition that God chooses to send his promised savior.
Look at the analogy of today.
I would venture to say that throughout the world, that mainline Christianity is becoming more and more like the Jews of the New Testament. Going along to get along. Getting prominent positions or good press because they aren’t rocking the boat and causing problems.
The Bible tells us what the spiritual condition will be like when Christ returns for His church.
So all that to say this: Israel was in a dark spiritual condition. Most of the Jews were apostate. It was in the middle of this dark spiritual condition that God chooses to send his promised savior.
Look at the analogy of today.
I would venture to say that throughout the world, that mainline Christianity is becoming more and more like the Jews of the New Testament. Going along to get along. Getting prominent positions or good press because they aren’t rocking the boat and causing problems.
The Bible tells us what the spiritual condition will be like when Christ returns for His church.
I think we may be there or at least fast approaching it.
So it’s during these dark spiritual times that Luke writes His account.
Luke as we know was a physician and took much time to verify and chronicle his account.
So it’s during these dark spiritual times that Luke writes His account.
Luke as we know was a physician and took much time to verify and chronicle his account.
Christianity is something you can research and come to your own conclusions.
Once you become convinced from your study and life experiences, you should be confident to share those with others.
Luke was a teacher to Theophilus. He was mentoring and discipling him.
Once you become convinced from your study and life experiences, you should be confident to share those with others.
Luke was a teacher to Theophilus. He was mentoring and discipling him.
God was moving sovereignly throughout the nations to bring into fulfillment what was prophesied in the Old Testament.
Look at what God was doing to fulfill a promise he made. He was moving nations of people in order to get things and people exactly where he wanted them.
How many of us are hanging on to a promise from God?
It was over 400 years since he said it, but now, he was moving nations to bring it about.
You may have been waiting many years for God’s promise to you to come true.
2 things of note about that:
1) It will happen. It will take longer than we like or expect, but God will do it. The bible says that God’s promises are yes and amen!!
2) God will do seemingly impossible things to bring it about. It may look in the natural that it will never happen. It’s easy to look at the situation today in your life and see no way of an answer. But if God can move nations to accomplish his plan. He can change situations in your life to accomplish his plan for you.
The one thing about the Christmas account is this. God will do what he says he will do! It took 400 years, but it happened!
What are you waiting on God to do for you that His word promises? Healing, salvation, etc?
Look at what God was doing to fulfill a promise he made. He was moving nations of people in order to get things and people exactly where he wanted them.
How many of us are hanging on to a promise from God?
It was over 400 years since he said it, but now, he was moving nations to bring it about.
You may have been waiting many years for God’s promise to you to come true.
2 things of note about that:
1) It will happen. It will take longer than we like or expect, but God will do it. The bible says that God’s promises are yes and amen!!
2) God will do seemingly impossible things to bring it about. It may look in the natural that it will never happen. It’s easy to look at the situation today in your life and see no way of an answer. But if God can move nations to accomplish his plan. He can change situations in your life to accomplish his plan for you.
The one thing about the Christmas account is this. God will do what he says he will do! It took 400 years, but it happened!
What are you waiting on God to do for you that His word promises? Healing, salvation, etc?
Luke’s account prior to this tells about how all this started.
If this is the only part we know, (Luke Chapter 2) then we miss what happened up to this point -- how God was working his plan using ordinary faithful people.
If this is the only part we know, (Luke Chapter 2) then we miss what happened up to this point -- how God was working his plan using ordinary faithful people.
Here is a young girl, just living her life. She is doing her best to please God as much as knows how. She was nobody special, did nothing special not known by any elites of that time.
A simple teenager who God found faithful -- and not only faithful, but God says “highly favored”.
We may think that in the grand scheme of things that you will not accomplish anything of significance for God. Maybe nobody knows you. You haven’t done anything notable.
But it is people exactly like us that God can choose to use for great things.
Our job is to just live faithfully.
What was her response when the Angel told her all that she would go thru?
A simple teenager who God found faithful -- and not only faithful, but God says “highly favored”.
We may think that in the grand scheme of things that you will not accomplish anything of significance for God. Maybe nobody knows you. You haven’t done anything notable.
But it is people exactly like us that God can choose to use for great things.
Our job is to just live faithfully.
What was her response when the Angel told her all that she would go thru?
Because this girl was a nobody in man’s eyes, she was simply living her life in a Godly manner, God gave her a tremendous blessing.
You may just be living your life faithfully, outside of anyone’s view, God may call on you. You don’t have to be famous or known by anyone. Just faithful.
But I’m sure she knew it wouldn’t be easy. Even knowing what was to come she said yes.
God may choose you to accomplish his divine purposes in a special way.
Sometimes that way poses hardships and trouble. But if we persevere, God will move nations thru us and because of us.
So our last verse finds her ready to give birth, traveling a great distance because God was moving nations of people around. She probably felt alone during this time and probably worried about the baby.
But the truth was that God was going before her preparing every step of the way. We may be traveling thru some dark times doing God’s will.
Not knowing what may happen and even worrying about what is coming, but the truth is that God is also preparing every step of our journey as well.
You may just be living your life faithfully, outside of anyone’s view, God may call on you. You don’t have to be famous or known by anyone. Just faithful.
But I’m sure she knew it wouldn’t be easy. Even knowing what was to come she said yes.
God may choose you to accomplish his divine purposes in a special way.
Sometimes that way poses hardships and trouble. But if we persevere, God will move nations thru us and because of us.
So our last verse finds her ready to give birth, traveling a great distance because God was moving nations of people around. She probably felt alone during this time and probably worried about the baby.
But the truth was that God was going before her preparing every step of the way. We may be traveling thru some dark times doing God’s will.
Not knowing what may happen and even worrying about what is coming, but the truth is that God is also preparing every step of our journey as well.
This was the first time in over 400 years that angels have appeared. (Except Mary and Zechariah)
They first say, don’t be afraid. You’re in a field in the middle of the night and an angel shows up. Probably a good thing to say to start with.
This was I think meant to comfort them at an angel was showing up. Did they do something wrong that God is sending an angel down?
But also to let them know that the God of peace will be here to rid you all ALL fear.
How? With the Good News?
What’s the good news? It wasn’t a soldier, a new Old Testament judge, or even a great reformer. But a savior.
So don’t be afraid now and don’t be afraid going forward, because God is sending a savior for you. It was a message of peace to a nation familiar with war.
The word “peace” is “shalom” which means: Well being, prosperity, security, soundness and completeness.
It is more to do with internal character than outward experiences.
They first say, don’t be afraid. You’re in a field in the middle of the night and an angel shows up. Probably a good thing to say to start with.
This was I think meant to comfort them at an angel was showing up. Did they do something wrong that God is sending an angel down?
But also to let them know that the God of peace will be here to rid you all ALL fear.
How? With the Good News?
What’s the good news? It wasn’t a soldier, a new Old Testament judge, or even a great reformer. But a savior.
So don’t be afraid now and don’t be afraid going forward, because God is sending a savior for you. It was a message of peace to a nation familiar with war.
The word “peace” is “shalom” which means: Well being, prosperity, security, soundness and completeness.
It is more to do with internal character than outward experiences.
The angels praised God at creation now they are praising Him at a new creation.
What was God’s purpose in all this? What was His purpose in salvation? To Glorify God! When Jesus was born, God was glorified. When people come to Christ, God is glorified.
When we continue on when we don’t see things happening, trusting God is working anyways, God is glorified.
When we say yes, like Mary did to God’s call, He is glorified.
When we are faithful without seeing results, God is glorified.
Why? Because He is using us to accomplish His perfect will.
Mary had made the journey with just Joseph. It’s been 9 months and nothing much has happened. No one other than Elizabeth really knew what was happening. Nothing seemed to be changing in society in preparation for Jesus.
I wonder what Mary was feeling? Is this worth it? Is anything going to change?
Think of it this way. Nothing in society was changing for the first time Jesus came. Nothing in society is changing now for the next time Jesus comes, in the rapture.
If we think things will get better, before the rapture, we’re kidding ourselves.
Jesus said when we are least expecting it. . .
Have you ever found yourself in what you thought was God’s plan, but it didn’t seem like anything was happening?
God was already calling others (shepherds) to Jesus without Mary even knowing about it.
What was God’s purpose in all this? What was His purpose in salvation? To Glorify God! When Jesus was born, God was glorified. When people come to Christ, God is glorified.
When we continue on when we don’t see things happening, trusting God is working anyways, God is glorified.
When we say yes, like Mary did to God’s call, He is glorified.
When we are faithful without seeing results, God is glorified.
Why? Because He is using us to accomplish His perfect will.
Mary had made the journey with just Joseph. It’s been 9 months and nothing much has happened. No one other than Elizabeth really knew what was happening. Nothing seemed to be changing in society in preparation for Jesus.
I wonder what Mary was feeling? Is this worth it? Is anything going to change?
Think of it this way. Nothing in society was changing for the first time Jesus came. Nothing in society is changing now for the next time Jesus comes, in the rapture.
If we think things will get better, before the rapture, we’re kidding ourselves.
Jesus said when we are least expecting it. . .
Have you ever found yourself in what you thought was God’s plan, but it didn’t seem like anything was happening?
God was already calling others (shepherds) to Jesus without Mary even knowing about it.
You may not see anything happening yet in your life, but it doesn’t mean that God is not at work in the background working out His plan for you.
We pray for those who don’t know Christ and we don’t see anything happening. But like the shepherds, God is working in the background drawing them to Jesus
Mary traveling on a donkey while 9 months preg, not seeing anything, having to give birth in a food trough was God accomplishing His will.
Look at the result of everyone doing what God asked. Mary said yes, Joseph stayed with Mary, they made the long journey, stayed in a barn.
None of them knew what God was doing in the background.
People were being drawn to Christ.
If you work in a job you may not like but feel God gave you, if you work in any children’s ministry, if you are answering God’s call to preach.
By them being faithful, God drew people to Christ.
If we are faithful, God will draw more people to Christ.
We pray for those who don’t know Christ and we don’t see anything happening. But like the shepherds, God is working in the background drawing them to Jesus
Mary traveling on a donkey while 9 months preg, not seeing anything, having to give birth in a food trough was God accomplishing His will.
Look at the result of everyone doing what God asked. Mary said yes, Joseph stayed with Mary, they made the long journey, stayed in a barn.
None of them knew what God was doing in the background.
People were being drawn to Christ.
If you work in a job you may not like but feel God gave you, if you work in any children’s ministry, if you are answering God’s call to preach.
By them being faithful, God drew people to Christ.
If we are faithful, God will draw more people to Christ.
Thank you for joining us!
If you haven't already, be sure to check out our website and follow us on social media @doverassembly! Have a great week!
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