Reflection
- Sola Statement:
- Jesus Christ is the Son of God, the second member of the Trinity. He is co-equal with God the Father and the Holy Spirit in all power, authority, and dominion in the universe. He was co-creator and rules over all creation from heaven. Jesus existed before the world began. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit in the womb of the virgin Mary. Jesus lived a sinless life and is the only sacrifice for our sins, dying on the cross, and defeating death forever. He rose from the grave to return to heaven where He sits today. Because of His perfect sacrifice we have eternal life as heirs of God. He will return to restore His kingdom and judge all people according to the will of God.
- Read Colossians 1:13-23
Discussion
Christmas is a time for us to remember and celebrate the coming of our Messiah, Jesus Christ. He left the glory of Heaven to come to earth. He lived a perfect, sinless life. He died a sacrificial death on the cross. He defeated death rising from the tomb. He ascended back into heaven. He will return one day to gather us to Himself for all eternity.
Christmas is something of a beginning. Not the beginning of Christ, but a beginning for us as His people. A reset for the world. A turning point of humanity in their relationship with God.
Consider this: The birth of Jesus changed the very way we mark time! Nothing in creation is outside of His control or unaffected by His authority. Your life and my life included.
This year, run to Christ – not away from Him. Find the true, lasting peace for your soul.
Connection
When was a time you felt most connected to God?
When was a time you felt most distant from God?
What changed between those two points?
Where do you find yourself today? Near or far? Connected or distant?
Spend some time in prayer about that this Christmas.
Expansion
Our Triune God – The Trinity
The one, true God exists as three coequal persons: God the Father, Jesus the Son, and The Holy Spirit that together are one in essence as the one, true God. The triune Godhead has eternally existed in the past as three in one and will continue forever into eternity ahead. It was by the will of the Father, through the work of the Son, and with the seal of the Holy Spirit that we live and move and have our being. As His people created by God and sanctified for God we worship the one, true God through living lives of devotion to Him.
Eph 1:3-14;Deu 6:4; Isa 45:5; 1 Cor 8:4; Mat 28:19; 2 Cor 13:14; Mat 3:16-17; Gen 1:26; Gen 3:33; Gen 11:5-7; Isa 6:8; Mat 28:19; Joh 15:26-27; 2 Cor 13:14; Heb 9:13-24; 1 Jn 4:2; Jud 1:20-21