"Children of Christmas" (John 1:9-13)

"Children of Christmas" (John 1:9-13)
Pastor Cameron Jungels
Eastside Baptist Church
Sunday AM, December 13, 2020
 
John 1:1–13 NIV
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
6 There was a man sent from God whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. 8 He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.
9 The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.
 
1. We are not by nature children of God, and we are blind to the light.
 
John 1:9–11 NIV
9 The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.
 
2. We cannot by our own natural ability see the light to become children of God.
 
John 1:10–11 NIV
10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.
 
John 1:13 NIV
13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.
 
3. It is only by the supernatural grace of God that we see the light and become children of God.
 
John 1:12–13 NIV
12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.
 
1 John 3:1 NIV
1 See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.
 
Main Idea: God graciously opens our blind eyes to see the light of Christ and believe, becoming children of God.

"The Light of Christmas" (John 1:4-9)

"The Light of Christmas" (John 1:4-9)
Pastor Cameron Jungels
Eastside Baptist Church
Sunday AM, December 6, 2020
 
John 1:1–9 NIV
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
6 There was a man sent from God whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. 8 He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.
9 The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world.
Jesus, the Eternal Word, is Life.
The Eternal Word possesses independent life.
John 5:26 NIV
26For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself.
The Eternal Word provides all creation with life.
John 1:3 NIV
3Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.
 
Colossians 1:16 NIV
16For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.
 
Hebrews 1:2 NIV
2but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe.
The Eternal Word provides his people eternal life.
John 1:12 NIV
12Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—
 
John 5:24–26 NIV
24“Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life. 25Very truly I tell you, a time is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live. 26For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself.
 
Jesus, the Eternal Word, is Light.
 
John 1:4–5 NIV
4In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
The Eternal Word brought light into the darkness at Creation.
Genesis 1:3 NIV
3And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.
The Eternal Word brought light into the darkness at his Incarnation.
John 1:5 NIV
5The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
The Eternal Word brought the light that overpowered the darkness of sin and death.
John 1:5 NIV
5The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
 
John 1:5 NKJV
5And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.
 
John 12:35 NIV
35Then Jesus told them, “You are going to have the light just a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you. Whoever walks in the dark does not know where they are going.
 
John 12:36 NIV
36Believe in the light while you have the light, so that you may become children of light.” When he had finished speaking, Jesus left and hid himself from them.
 
John 12:46 NIV
46I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.
 
John 1:6–9 NIV
6 There was a man sent from God whose name was John. 7He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. 8He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. 9The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world.
 
John 8:12 NIV
12When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
 
Main Idea: Jesus Christ is the eternal, Divine Word who created all things and came into the world to give life and light to all who believe.

"The Man of Christmas" (John 1:1-3)

"The Man of Christmas" (John 1:1-3)Pastor Cameron JungelsEastside Baptist ChurchSunday AM, November 29, 2020
John 1:1-3, NIV
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.
Christmas is about a person—the man Jesus Christ.
The Man of Christmas Is Eternal.
The Man of Christmas Is Wisdom.
The Man of Christmas Is Deity.
The Man of Christmas Is Creator.
Main Idea: Christmas is about a person—the man Jesus Christ, who is the Eternal, Wise Creator-God.

“The Good Shepherd of Israel” (Ezekiel 34:1–31)

“The Good Shepherd of Israel” (Ezekiel 34:1–31)Pastor Cameron JungelsEastside Baptist ChurchSunday PM, December 23, 2018Candlelight Communion Service
Ezekiel 34:1–31 (NIV)
34 The word of the Lord came to me: 2 “Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel; prophesy and say to them: ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Woe to you shepherds of Israel who only take care of yourselves! Should not shepherds take care of the flock? 3 You eat the curds, clothe yourselves with the wool and slaughter the choice animals, but you do not take care of the flock. 4 You have not strengthened the weak or healed the sick or bound up the injured. You have not brought back the strays or searched for the lost. You have ruled them harshly and brutally. 5 So they were scattered because there was no shepherd, and when they were scattered they became food for all the wild animals. 6 My sheep wandered over all the mountains and on every high hill. They were scattered over the whole earth, and no one searched or looked for them.
7 “ ‘Therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the Lord: 8 As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, because my flock lacks a shepherd and so has been plundered and has become food for all the wild animals, and because my shepherds did not search for my flock but cared for themselves rather than for my flock, 9 therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the Lord: 10 This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I am against the shepherds and will hold them accountable for my flock. I will remove them from tending the flock so that the shepherds can no longer feed themselves. I will rescue my flock from their mouths, and it will no longer be food for them.
11 “ ‘For this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I myself will search for my sheep and look after them. 12 As a shepherd looks after his scattered flock when he is with them, so will I look after my sheep. I will rescue them from all the places where they were scattered on a day of clouds and darkness. 13 I will bring them out from the nations and gather them from the countries, and I will bring them into their own land. I will pasture them on the mountains of Israel, in the ravines and in all the settlements in the land. 14 I will tend them in a good pasture, and the mountain heights of Israel will be their grazing land. There they will lie down in good grazing land, and there they will feed in a rich pasture on the mountains of Israel. 15 I myself will tend my sheep and have them lie down, declares the Sovereign Lord. 16 I will search for the lost and bring back the strays. I will bind up the injured and strengthen the weak, but the sleek and the strong I will destroy. I will shepherd the flock with justice.
17 “ ‘As for you, my flock, this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I will judge between one sheep and another, and between rams and goats. 18 Is it not enough for you to feed on the good pasture? Must you also trample the rest of your pasture with your feet? Is it not enough for you to drink clear water? Must you also muddy the rest with your feet? 19 Must my flock feed on what you have trampled and drink what you have muddied with your feet?
20 “ ‘Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says to them: See, I myself will judge between the fat sheep and the lean sheep. 21 Because you shove with flank and shoulder, butting all the weak sheep with your horns until you have driven them away, 22 I will save my flock, and they will no longer be plundered. I will judge between one sheep and another. 23 I will place over them one shepherd, my servant David, and he will tend them; he will tend them and be their shepherd. 24 I the Lord will be their God, and my servant David will be prince among them. I the Lord have spoken.
25 “ ‘I will make a covenant of peace with them and rid the land of savage beasts so that they may live in the wilderness and sleep in the forests in safety. 26 I will make them and the places surrounding my hill a blessing.  I will send down showers in season; there will be showers of blessing. 27 The trees will yield their fruit and the ground will yield its crops; the people will be secure in their land. They will know that I am the Lord, when I break the bars of their yoke and rescue them from the hands of those who enslaved them. 28 They will no longer be plundered by the nations, nor will wild animals devour them. They will live in safety, and no one will make them afraid. 29 I will provide for them a land renowned for its crops, and they will no longer be victims of famine in the land or bear the scorn of the nations. 30 Then they will know that I, the Lord their God, am with them and that they, the Israelites, are my people, declares the Sovereign Lord. 31 You are my sheep, the sheep of my pasture, and I am your God, declares the Sovereign Lord.’ ”
1. The Failure of Sinful, Human Shepherds (34:1–10).
a. The Indictment of the Shepherds of Israel (1–6)b. The Sentencing of the Shepherds of Israel (7–10)
2. The Need for a Righteous, Divine Shepherd (34:11–22).
a. Deliverance from External Threats (11–16)b. Deliverance from Internal Threats (17–22)
3. The Coming Righteous, Divine-Human Shepherd of the Covenant of Peace (34:23–31).
a. The Agent of Peace (23–24)b. The Nature and Significance of the Peace (25–31)

“The Gift of Christ: Eternal Life with God” (John 3:16; John 5:19–29)

“The Gift of Christ: Eternal Life with God” (John 3:16; John 5:19–29)Pastor Cameron JungelsEastside Baptist ChurchSunday AM, December 23, 2018
John 3:16 (NIV) 16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
John 5:19–29 (NIV)        19 Jesus gave them this answer: “Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. 20 For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does. Yes, and he will show him even greater works than these, so that you will be amazed. 21 For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son gives life to whom he is pleased to give it. 22 Moreover, the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son, 23 that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father, who sent him.        24 “Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life. 25 Very truly I tell you, a time is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live. 26 For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself. 27 And he has given him authority to judge because he is the Son of Man.        28 “Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice 29 and come out—those who have done what is good will rise to live, and those who have done what is evil will rise to be condemned.
1. Jesus, the Son of God, is the Genesis of All Life.
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. (John 1:1–4, NIV)
1 In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. 3 The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word.  (Hebrews 1:1–3, NIV)
15 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. (Colossians 1:15–17, NIV)
2. Jesus, the Son of God, is the Giver of New, Spiritual Life.
21 For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son gives life to whom he is pleased to give it. (John 5:21, NIV)
25 Very truly I tell you, a time is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live. 26 For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself. 27 And he has given him authority to judge because he is the Son of Man. (John 5:25–27, NIV)
 1 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. 4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. (Ephesians 2:1–5, NIV)
3. Jesus, the Son of God, is the Grantor of Eternal Life that Begins in the Present Age.
24 “Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life. (John 5:24, NIV)
18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. (John 3:18, NIV)
1 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, (Romans 8:1, NIV)
14 We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love each other. Anyone who does not love remains in death. (1 John 3:14, NIV)
11 And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. (1 John 5:11–12, NIV)
10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. (John 10:10, NIV)
4. Jesus, the Son of God, is the Guarantor of Eternal Life in the Age to Come.
28 “Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice 29 and come out—those who have done what is good will rise to live, and those who have done what is evil will rise to be condemned. (John 5:28–29, NIV)
40 For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.” (John 6:40, NIV)
27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. 30 I and the Father are one.” (John 10:27–30, NIV)

"The King from Bethlehem" (Micah 5:1-15)

"The King from Bethlehem" (Micah 5:1-15)Pastor Cameron JungelsEastside Baptist ChurchSunday PM, December 16, 2018
Micah 5:1-15 (NIV)
5  Marshal your troops now, city of troops,
for a siege is laid against us.
They will strike Israel’s ruler
on the cheek with a rod.
2 “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,
though you are small among the clans of Judah,
out of you will come for me
one who will be ruler over Israel,
whose origins are from of old,
from ancient times.”
3 Therefore Israel will be abandoned
until the time when she who is in labor bears a son,
and the rest of his brothers return
to join the Israelites.
4 He will stand and shepherd his flock
in the strength of the Lord,
in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God.
And they will live securely, for then his greatness
will reach to the ends of the earth.
5 And he will be our peace
when the Assyrians invade our land
and march through our fortresses.
We will raise against them seven shepherds,
even eight commanders,
6 who will rule the land of Assyria with the sword,
the land of Nimrod with drawn sword. 
He will deliver us from the Assyrians
when they invade our land
and march across our borders.
7 The remnant of Jacob will be
in the midst of many peoples
like dew from the Lord,
like showers on the grass,
which do not wait for anyone
or depend on man.
8 The remnant of Jacob will be among the nations,
in the midst of many peoples,
like a lion among the beasts of the forest,
like a young lion among flocks of sheep,
which mauls and mangles as it goes,
and no one can rescue.
9 Your hand will be lifted up in triumph over your enemies,
and all your foes will be destroyed.
10 “In that day,” declares the Lord,
“I will destroy your horses from among you
and demolish your chariots.
11 I will destroy the cities of your land
and tear down all your strongholds.
12 I will destroy your witchcraft
and you will no longer cast spells.
13 I will destroy your idols
and your sacred stones from among you;
you will no longer bow down
to the work of your hands.
14 I will uproot from among you your Asherah poles 
when I demolish your cities.
15 I will take vengeance in anger and wrath
on the nations that have not obeyed me.”
1. Israel’s Current Humiliation (v. 1)
a. Siege and Defeatb. Humiliation and Subjugation of Israel’s King
2. Bethlehem’s Future Exaltation (v. 2)
a. Humble Originsb. An Exalted Ruler
3. Emptiness but Expectation (v. 3)
a. Emptinessb. The Birth of a Sonc. A Family Reunion
4. A Righteous Shepherd-King (v. 4)
a. Empowered by Godb. Motivated by the Glory of Godc. God’s People Flourishing under God’s King
5. Deliverance for God’s Oppressed People (vv. 5–9)
a. Hope in Times of Defeat (5a)b. Vindication in Victory (5b–6, 9)c. Israel as the Centerpiece of the Nations (7–8)
6. Purification and Renewal of God’s People (vv. 10–15)
a. Elimination of Idols (10–14)
i. Trust in the Strength of Armies (10)ii. Trust in the Wealth and Security of Cities (11)iii. Trust in Divination and Witchcraft (12)iv. Trust in False gods (13–14)
b. Judgment of Idolatrous Nations (15)

“The Gift of Christ: The Object of Our Faith” (John 3:16–18, 36)

“The Gift of Christ: The Object of Our Faith” (John 3:16–18, 36)Pastor Cameron JungelsEastside Baptist ChurchSunday AM, December 16, 2018
16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. (John 3:16–18, NIV)
36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them. (John 3:36, NIV)
1. It is not how much faith you have, it is the object of your faith: Jesus.
25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; 26 and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” 27 “Yes, Lord,” she replied, “I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.” (John 11:25–27, NIV)
24 “Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life. (John 5:24, NIV)
29 Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.” (John 6:29, NIV)
47 Very truly I tell you, the one who believes has eternal life. (John 6:47, NIV)
24 I told you that you would die in your sins; if you do not believe that I am he, you will indeed die in your sins.” (John 8:24, NIV)
2. Faith in Jesus is an Exclusive Faith.
a. Exclusive of other objects of faith.
6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14:6, NIV)
12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12, NIV)
b. Exclusive of other means of salvation (e.g., works)
28 For we maintain that a person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law. 29 Or is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles too? Yes, of Gentiles too, 30 since there is only one God, who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through that same faith. (Romans 3:28–30, NIV)
3. Faith in Jesus is an Abiding Faith.
31 To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. (John 8:31, NIV)
1 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. 5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. (John 15:1–5, NIV)
4. Faith in Jesus is an Active Faith.
14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? 15 Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. (James 2:14–17, NIV)
5. Faith in Jesus is a Graciously Given Faith.
9 The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. (John 1:9–13, NIV)
8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—9 not by works, so that no one can boast. (Ephesians 2:8–9, NIV)
"Nothing human, however great or excellent, can bring about the birth of which he speaks. Over against this John sets the way people are born into the heavenly family. The new birth is always sheer miracle. All human initiative is ruled out. People are born “of God”; they can be born into the heavenly family in no other way." (Leon Morris)

"The Gift of Christ: Sent for Redemption" (Galatians 4:4-5)

"The Gift of Christ: Sent for Redemption" (Galatians 4:4-5)Pastor Cameron JungelsEastside Baptist ChurchSunday AM, December 9, 2018
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16, NIV)
“But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship.” (Galatians 4:4–5, NIV)
1. The Redemption of Christ Was on Time (v. 4.
2. The Redemption of Christ Was Incarnational (v. 4).
3. The Redemption of Christ Set Us Free from Bondage (v. 5).
4. The Redemption of Christ Adopted Us into God's Family (v. 5).

“The Gift of Christ: Motivated by Love” (John 3:16)

“The Gift of Christ: Motivated by Love” (John 3:16)Pastor Cameron JungelsEastside Baptist ChurchSunday AM, December 2, 2018
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16 NIV)
1. The Gift of Christ was not motivated by:
a. Obligation or Duty
b. Indebtedness
34 "Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?" 35 "Who has ever given to God, that God should repay them?" (Rom. 11:34-35 NIV)
c. Our Merits or Worthiness
6 For you are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be his people, his treasured possession. 7 The LORD did not set his affection on you and choose you because you were more numerous than other peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples. 8 But it was because the LORD loved you and kept the oath he swore to your ancestors that he brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the land of slavery, from the power of Pharaoh king of Egypt. 9 Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments. (Deut. 7:6-9 NIV)
d. Our Good Works
4 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, (Tit. 3:4-5 NIV)
2. The Gift of Christ was Motivated by Love.
a. Love is a fundamental attribute of God at the core of his essence.
6 And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, "The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, 7 maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation." (Exod. 34:6-7 NIV)
7 Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. (1 Jn. 4:7-8 NIV)
b. God’s love is self-initiated.
This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. (1 Jn. 4:9-10 NIV)
c. God’s love is unconditional.
"There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God. All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one." (Rom. 3:10-12 NIV)
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Rom. 5:8 NIV)
d. God’s love is sacrificial.
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16 NIV)
Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends. (John 5:13 NIV)
God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. (2 Cor. 5:21 NIV)
2 and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. (Eph. 5:2 NIV)
e. God’s love is generous.
See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 2 Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. (1 Jn. 3:1-2 NIV)
f. God’s Love is never-ending.
38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Rom. 8:38-39 NIV)
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good. His love endures forever. (Ps. 136:1 NIV)

“The Good News of the Messiah” (Isaiah 61:1–3)

“The Good News of the Messiah” (Isaiah 61:1–3)
Pastor Cameron Jungels
Eastside Baptist Church
Sunday AM, December 24, 2017
 
Isaiah 61:1–3 (NIV)
1 The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, 2 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, 3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.
 
 
The Messiah’s Authority.
 
The Messiah’s Proclamation.
 
The Messiah’s Mission.

“Pierced for Our Transgressions” (Isaiah 53:4–6)

“Pierced for Our Transgressions” (Isaiah 53:4–6)
Pastor Cameron Jungels
Eastside Baptist Church
Sunday PM, December 24, 2017
 
Isaiah 53 (NIV)
1 Who has believed our message
and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?
2 He grew up before him like a tender shoot,
and like a root out of dry ground.
He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him,
nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.
3 He was despised and rejected by mankind,
a man of suffering, and familiar with pain.
Like one from whom people hide their faces
he was despised, and we held him in low esteem.
 
4 Surely he took up our pain
and bore our suffering,
yet we considered him punished by God,
stricken by him, and afflicted.
5 But he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was on him,
and by his wounds we are healed.
6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray,
each of us has turned to our own way;
and the Lord has laid on him
the iniquity of us all.
 
7 He was oppressed and afflicted,
yet he did not open his mouth;
he was led like a lamb to the slaughter,
and as a sheep before its shearers is silent,
so he did not open his mouth.
8 By oppression and judgment he was taken away.
Yet who of his generation protested?
For he was cut off from the land of the living;
for the transgression of my people he was punished.
9 He was assigned a grave with the wicked,
and with the rich in his death,
though he had done no violence,
nor was any deceit in his mouth.
 
10 Yet it was the Lord’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer,
and though the Lord makes his life an offering for sin,
he will see his offspring and prolong his days,
and the will of the Lord will prosper in his hand.
11 After he has suffered,
he will see the light of life and be satisfied;
by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many,
and he will bear their iniquities.
12 Therefore I will give him a portion among the great,
and he will divide the spoils with the strong,
because he poured out his life unto death,
and was numbered with the transgressors.
For he bore the sin of many,
and made intercession for the transgressors.
 

“The Scepter of Judah” (Genesis 49:8–12)

“The Scepter of Judah” (Genesis 49:8–12)
Pastor Cameron Jungels
Eastside Baptist Church
Sunday AM, December 10, 2017
 
Genesis 49:8–12 (NIV)
8 “Judah, your brothers will praise you; your hand will be on the neck of your enemies; your father’s sons will bow down to you. 9 You are a lion’s cub, Judah; you return from the prey, my son. Like a lion he crouches and lies down, like a lioness—who dares to rouse him? 10 The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until he to whom it belongs shall come and the obedience of the nations shall be his. 11 He will tether his donkey to a vine, his colt to the choicest branch; he will wash his garments in wine, his robes in the blood of grapes. 12 His eyes will be darker than wine, his teeth whiter than milk.
 
Like Judah, the coming Messiah would be preeminent among his brethren.
 
Like Judah, the coming Messiah would be a victorious warrior.
 
From the tribe of Judah, the coming Messiah would be a ruling King.
 
The reign of Messiah will be a time of unparalleled peace and prosperity.
 
This coming Messiah would redeem us from our sins and cleanse us of our iniquities, that we might be God’s people.
 

"The Lord Reigns" (Psalm 96)

“The Lord Reigns” (Psalm 96)Pastor Cameron JungelsEastside Baptist ChurchSunday AM, December 27, 2015Psalm 96:1–13 (NIV)

1 Sing to the Lord a new song;

sing to the Lord, all the earth.

2 Sing to the Lord, praise his name;

proclaim his salvation day after day.

3 Declare his glory among the nations,

his marvelous deeds among all peoples.

4 For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise;

he is to be feared above all gods.

5 For all the gods of the nations are idols,

but the Lord made the heavens.

6 Splendor and majesty are before him;

strength and glory are in his sanctuary.

7 Ascribe to the Lord, all you families of nations,

ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.

8 Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;

bring an offering and come into his courts.

9 Worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness;

tremble before him, all the earth.

10 Say among the nations, “The Lord reigns.”

The world is firmly established, it cannot be moved;

he will judge the peoples with equity.

11 Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad;

let the sea resound, and all that is in it.

12 Let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them;

let all the trees of the forest sing for joy.

13 Let all creation rejoice before the Lord, for he comes,

he comes to judge the earth.

He will judge the world in righteousness

and the peoples in his faithfulness.
The Gospel (Good News) is not just about the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. The full Gospel message must include the declaration of the glorious reign of Messiah.1.    The Lord’s Reign is Universal (1–3).2.    The Lord’s Reign is Victorious (4–6).3.    The Lord’s Reign is Glorious (7–10).4.    The Lord’s Reign is Righteous and Just (11–13).Main Idea: The Good News (the Gospel) is that the Lord has come in the person of Jesus the Christ to conquer all evil powers and rule over the whole world in splendor and righteousness.

“The Lord Our Righteous Savior” (Jeremiah 23:5–6; 33:14–16)

“The Lord Our Righteous Savior” (Jeremiah 23:5–6; 33:14–16)Pastor Cameron JungelsEastside Baptist ChurchSunday AM, December 20, 20155 "The days are coming," declares the LORD, "when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, a King who will reign wisely and do what is just and right in the land.  6 In his days Judah will be saved and Israel will live in safety. This is the name by which he will be called: The LORD Our Righteous Savior. (Jer. 23:5-6, NIV)14 "'The days are coming,' declares the LORD, 'when I will fulfill the good promise I made to the people of Israel and Judah.  15 "'In those days and at that time I will make a righteous Branch sprout from David's line; he will do what is just and right in the land.  16 In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will live in safety. This is the name by which it will be called: The LORD Our Righteous Savior.' (Jer. 33:14-16, NIV)1.    He is a Branch from the line of David.2.    He will be called the LORD = the covenant name of God. 3.    He will be called the Righteous One. 4.    He will be called the Savior. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins." (Matt. 1:21, NIV)Main Idea: Jesus, the child born in Bethlehem, is the long awaited Son of David, our Righteous Savior, and God in the flesh…. Let us Worship and Adore Him!

"The King's Highway" (Isaiah 35)

"The King's Highway" (Isaiah 35)Pastor Cameron JungelsEastside Baptist ChurchSunday PM, December 13, 2015
Isaiah 35:1–10 (NIV)

35 The desert and the parched land will be glad;

the wilderness will rejoice and blossom.

Like the crocus, 2 it will burst into bloom;

it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy.

The glory of Lebanon will be given to it,

the splendor of Carmel and Sharon;

they will see the glory of the Lord,

the splendor of our God.

3 Strengthen the feeble hands,

steady the knees that give way;

4 say to those with fearful hearts,

“Be strong, do not fear;

your God will come,

he will come with vengeance;

with divine retribution

he will come to save you.”

5 Then will the eyes of the blind be opened

and the ears of the deaf unstopped.

6 Then will the lame leap like a deer,

and the mute tongue shout for joy.

Water will gush forth in the wilderness

and streams in the desert.

7 The burning sand will become a pool,

the thirsty ground bubbling springs.

In the haunts where jackals once lay,

grass and reeds and papyrus will grow.

8 And a highway will be there;

it will be called the Way of Holiness;

it will be for those who walk on that Way.

The unclean will not journey on it;

wicked fools will not go about on it.

9 No lion will be there,

nor any ravenous beast;

they will not be found there.

But only the redeemed will walk there,

10 and those the Lord has rescued will return.

They will enter Zion with singing;

everlasting joy will crown their heads.

Gladness and joy will overtake them,

and sorrow and sighing will flee away. From a desert to a garden (1-2, 6b-7).From fear to courage (3-4).From sickness to health (5-6a).From impurity to holiness (8-10a).From sorrow to joy (10b).Main Idea: The future hope of God’s people is an eternal place of sustenance, strength, wholeness, purity, and joy in the presence of God.

"Angels and Shepherds" (Luke 2:8-20)

"Angels and Shepherds" (Luke 2:8-20)Pastor Cameron JungelsEastside Baptist ChurchSunday AM, December 13, 2015
Luke 2:8–20 (NIV)

8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,

and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. God’s grace is revealed to ordinary, lowly people (8-9).God’s grace dispels fear and brings joy (10).God’s grace is accomplished through historical events in time and space (11, 15-16).God’s grace comes in the most unexpected ways (12).God’s grace is announced with the highest fanfare (13-14).God’s grace glorifies himself and brings peace to us (14).God’s grace should be proclaimed by those who have received it (17-18, 20).

"The Season of Joy"

"The Season of Joy"Pastor Cameron JungelsEastside Baptist ChurchSunday AM, December 6, 2015This is a Season of Joy...1. Because God has remembered and has had compassion on the desperate condition of his people.2. Because God has come to save his people.3. Because God has shown mercy to the humble and lowly.4. Because God has been faithful to all of his covenant promises.5. Because the day of our final salvation is drawing near.6. Because in Christ every season is a season of joy.