Mount Olive Ministries

What is under the surface? We try to look good on the outside (Luke 11:39-40) Real life is messy What is written in the sand? The woman was guilty (John 8:4-5) Jesus wrote something (John 8:6,8) No accuser remained (John 8:10) Who do you know? We have an advocate (1 John 2:1) Repent and Believe the Good News (Psalm 32:5) Who needs forgiveness? (Matthew 18:21-22)

Who are You? Our Identity is More than our Doing What we do flows from who we are Who we are becoming is related to how we spend our time Find Your Identity in Jesus Come to him (Matthew 11:28) Be Still (Psalm 46:10) Seek first the kingdom (Matthew 6:33) Seven Disciplines of Being Abide in the Word (John 8:31) Pray (Matthew 9:38) Worship (Luke 4:8) Rest (Mark 6:31) Fast (Matthew 6:17) Eat and celebrate (Luke 15:23) Sabbath (Mark 2:27)

Sometimes we miss the mark Christians have a reputation What is our aim? Hear these words (Matthew 7:24a) Listen to Jesus (Matthew 17:5) Listen and learn Put them into practice (Matthew 7:24b) Build your house on the rock Practice makes perfect Let’s get started

See Jesus Revealed Did the disciples almost miss it? (Luke 9:32) The disciples saw Jesus’ glory! We recognize the splendor of His majesty (John 1:14) Look to Jesus It is good to be here (Luke 9:33) Listen to Him (Luke 9:35) There is a cloud around us too (Hebrews 12:1-2) Reveal Jesus The disciples kept silent (Luke 9:36) We can tell others what we’ve seen (Hebrews 3:6)

Jesus Lived a life of Love He loved all (John 3:16) He gave everything away (Philippians 2:6-7) He laid down his life, even for his enemies (Romans 5:8) Love Your Enemies (Luke 6:27) Do good to those who hate you (Luke 6:33) Do not seek revenge (Luke 6:28-29a) Treat others as you want to be treated (Luke 6:31) Love Generously (Luke 6:30) Let go of your things (Luke 6:29b) Give Yourself Away

Mind your business (Luke 5:2) The fishermen were at work Much time and energy are devoted to our work At Your Word (Luke 5:5) Simon agreed to let down the nets We can follow the Word of Jesus The Power of Jesus (Luke 5:6) The catch of fish exceeded their expectations (Luke 5:7) Jesus does more than we ask or think Glory and Grace Standing in the presence of God brings us to our knees (Luke 5:8) God gives grace (Isaiah 6:7) Gone Fishing (Luke 5:11) Discipleship means complete surrender He calls his followers to be witnesses

Actions Speak Louder than Words Words without actions are meaningless Deeds without words can be confusing The authority of Jesus is demonstrated in word and deed (Luke 4:32) Jesus Heals We are all infected (Jeremiah 17:9) Jesus spoke words of healing (Luke 4:35, 39a) His touch made people well (Luke 4:40) He healed body, soul, and mind Seek Jesus (Luke 4:42) Be healed (Jeremiah 17:14) Serve the Lord (Luke 4:39b) Proclaim the Good News (Luke 4:37)

Jesus Fulfills the Word The Bible is full of Promises from God (Joshua 21:45) All the promises of God are Yes in Him(2 Corinthians 1:20) He announces the fulfillment of Isaiah’s words (Luke 4:21) The Word is Good News! Our ears are filled with bad news Jesus is anointed to proclaim good news (Luke 4:18) This is the Gospel Share the News! We naturally share important news The Spirit of the Lord is on us (1 Cor. 12:13) Do your part (1 Corinthians 12:27-28)

Perfect Plans and Possibilities We want everything to be perfect We plan for what we expect (John 2:3) Where do you turn in time of need? Observation and Obedience The servants filled the jars (John 2:7) See the signs (John 2:11) What is Jesus telling you to do? Jesus Responds to our Needs Jesus’ response demonstrates His abundance (John 2:10) We can believe in His power

Following We all enjoy tradition and habits (Luke 2:41-42) We learn to follow the rules (Luke 2:51) We often go with the crowd (Luke 2:43) Lost and Found Jesus was separated from his family (Luke 2:44) Jesus can be found in the Father’s house (Luke 2:46) Work and Wisdom Jesus was wise beyond his years (Luke 2:47) He understood his purpose (Luke 2:49) We are called to work in his kingdom (Ephesians 2:10)

Life is full of Mysteries A mystery generates curiosity Many mysteries are never solved Christmas is a mystery God Revealed the Ultimate Mystery! Paul was a recipient of revelation (Ephesians 3:3, Galatians 1:12) We receive the promise of Jesus (Ephesians 3:6) We understand this mystery by faith His Promises are for Everyone Through faith in Christ, all people have access to God! Proclaim the Mystery (Ephesians 3:10)

Christmas Eve message from Mount Olive. Merry Christmas! God is With Us.

Great Expectations Israel and Judah were being humbled by their enemies People were hoping for change Where would you expect a King? Humble Origins (Micah 5:2) The Humility of Christ (Luke 1:48) Meekness doesn’t mean Weakness Our Ruler Reigns! He is the real ruler He is triumphant (Micah 5:4) He is our peace (Micah 5:5a)

Looking for Signs John asked for assurance (Luke 7:20) We trust what we can experience What are you looking for? (Luke 7:24) Sights and Sounds of the Kingdom The Kingdom is where the King is (Zephaniah 3:17) Jesus brings restoration (Luke 7:21) Go and Tell (Luke 7:22) We have seen the Kingdom We have heard His word Rejoice in the coming of the King (Zephaniah 3:14-15)

Ready or Not… Life is full of preparations The World was not Ready for Jesus (Luke 3:1-2) John the Baptist prepared the way for Jesus Malachi and Isaiah foretold the forerunner (Malachi 3:1) John Paved the Way for Jesus (Luke 3:4-6) Repentance gets us Ready (Luke 3:3) Be cleansed through forgiveness of sin Bear Fruit in keeping with repentance (Luke 3:8, 10-14)

The Son of Man Will Return (Luke 21:27) Jesus is the King His return is promised (Rev. 22:20) The Day of the Lord brings Judgment and Joy! Where you stand makes all the difference We all will face judgment (2 Corinthians 5:10) Believers in Jesus face the day with Joy Your Redemption is Drawing Near (Luke 21:28) The Son returns for redemption (Jer. 33:16) Stay ready! (Luke 21:34) Hold on to Hope

Our God is a Consuming Fire (Hebrews 12:29) God’s presence can make us fear (Hebrews 12:21) His holiness cannot be approached (Hebrews 12:20) His Kingdom cannot be shaken (Hebrews 12:28) Jesus is the King of kings (Revelation 19:16) Jesus is seated at the right hand of God (Hebrews 12:2) His kingdom is not of this world (John 18:36) He invites us into His kingdom Serve the King Worship Him with reverence and awe (Hebrews 12:28) Listen to His voice (John 18:37) Run your race (Hebrews 12:1-3)

The Old Testament God had a covenant relationship with Israel (Genesis 17:1-21) Rites and sacrifices foreshadowed what was to come (Hebrews 8:5) A New Covenant (Hebrews 9:15) God created a better covenant (Jeremiah 31:31) Jesus offered a better sacrifice, himself (Hebrews 9:23) Promises Kept (Hebrews 8:6) We are purified by the work of Jesus We are saved to serve (Hebrews 9:14)

The Pursuit of Perfection People desire to please God We want to play our part The Provision of Priests The Levitical priesthood was about Law and Sacrifice (Hebrews 7:11) The Church in Luther’s time had a system for salvation A Permanent Priest Jesus is priest forever! (Hebrews 7:17) He guarantees a better covenant (Hebrews 7:22) He saves us (Hebrews 7:25) A Better Hope (Hebrews 7:19) Luther recovered hope in Jesus (Romans 1:17) We are set free! (John 8:36)

Give Me a Break Running on Empty We all need rest We can be so restless Everything is Harder when You’re Tired Sabbath Rest At Creation, God rested on the Seventh Day (Hebrews 4:4) Jesus Rested in the tomb (Luke 23:53-54) God commanded that we rest (Exodus 20:9-11) Rest in Peace God gives us rest (Hebrews 4:3) Jesus invites us to rest (Matthew 11:28-29) We can rest in His grace (Hebrews 4:16)