The Arkansas Traveler

MOVING AHEAD

(Facing the New Year)

Joshua 1:1-10

INTRO: Joshua and the people of Israel stood on the brink of the future. It was time to claim the Promised Land. What would they do? How could they do it? We learn lessons from them that will help us face the New Year (or any future).

TAKING STOCK OF THE SITUATION

    Moses has led the people for 40 years.

    Moses is dead.

   Joshua is now in charge.

   The Jordan is between them and the Promised Land.

THEIR ACTION PLAN

   Let go of the past. (1:1-2)

   Affirm the presence of God. (1:5)

   Rely on the power of God. (1:5)

   Take action. (1:2-3)

   The result is history. They took the Promised Land!

THE LESSON FOR US:

   As we face the New Year (Any future)  

      We look back on some victories.

      We look around at some dismal realities.    

      We look ahead to some big challenges.

   Our action plan should be the same as Joshua's.

What does the New Year promise for you? Maybe you don't have any idea! Maybe you have some fears. But one thing is sure, we must go ahead. The choice is ours. Move ahead in fear or move ahead with confidence in God.

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Sermon for December 27, 2009

Greenville Southern Baptist Church

Pastor Fred D. Kerr

THE SAVIOR IS BORN

Luke 2:1-20

INTRO: Christmas time is a time to go home. For students, soldiers, and anyone, Christmas time is a time to return to our roots. For the Christian, Christmas time should be time for us to go back to our roots as we go to Bethlehem. While we cannot go there physically, we can do so in our mind and our heart. Someone has said that takes 5 things:

THE STABLE

   The stable reminds us of the humility of Christ.

   He left the glories of heaven to come to show us God's love.

   While there was no room for Him in the inn, here was room.

   While the world does not have room, we can and should.

THE SHEPHERDS

  The announcement to the shepherds brings us into the picture.

  Jesus birth was first announced to lowly who would believe.

   The shepherds sought the child and worshiped him. Will we?

SINGING

   The angels sang the glories of God.

   They sang the praises of the new born king.

   We should sing his praises today.

A STAR

   We have to go to Matthew and the wise men to find the star.

   The star is a reminder of God's guidance.

   It is also a fore gleam of who Jesus would be.

   He is the bright and morning star.

THE SAVIOR

   Jesus is the central figure. Too often we forget.

   Without Jesus there is no Christmas.

   Without him all the rest is just tinsel.

CONCLUSION: Remember the star. It has 5 points. 5 things Jesus gives us: hope, love, peace, joy, eternal life. Do you have these? He will give them. Without Him, you will not find them.

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This is an old story, but ever new! God sent forth His son that He might bring us to the Father! His forgiveness is the only way this can be. So at Christmas time we celebrate the love that God has for us. Without Him we have no hope and without Him there is nothing to celebrate! So Merry CHRISTmas to each of you. Let's celebrate.

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Sermon for December 20, 2009

Greenville Southern Baptist Church

Pastor Fred D. Kerr, fred.kerr@frontier.com

DON'T MISS CHRISTMAS!

Matthew 1:18-2:12 (Luke 2:6-7)

INTRO: All of you have probably heard the story of the man who got locked in his safe and spent Christmas there, and no one missed him. In the account of Jesus' birth, there are different groups of people who missed the significance of His birth. At this Christmas, let's be careful that we not make the same mistake.

THESE MISSED THE FIRST CHRISTMAS

   The innkeeper missed the event in the rush of his business.

   Herod missed it because of his jealous fears of an opponent.

         Herod equated king and Messiah.

   The priests missed Jesus

      Even though they knew the scriptures about his birth,

         They did not go looking for Him!

HOW ABOUT US TODAY?

   Are we like the innkeeper?  

            Do we sometimes miss the real meaning in the hassle?

   Are we like Herod?  

            We sometimes fear the cost of recognizing Him?

   Are we like the priests?

            We know all the facts, but still miss the real essence.

WHAT SHOULD THE TIME BE?

   A time of celebration:

            The Savior (Jesus) has been born. (1:21)

   A time of redemption:

            The Christ (Messiah) has been born. (2:4)

   A time of joy:

            The shepherd-ruler has come! (2:2 & 6)

DON'T MISS CHRISTMAS! Take time to reflect on the real event we celebrate. There is something to celebrate. If not, it is just another day! Remember, the Shepherd Savior Deliverer!

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Sermon delivered at Greenville (CA) Southern Baptist Church, Dec. 6, 2009