December (2011) Newsletter
WARM GREETINGS
We all like receiving gifts at Christmas-time; 2000 years ago, God sent a gift to us – Jesus Christ.
When we accept God’s gift, Jesus enters our life bringing grace, love and peace and the power to make a difference. He makes the ordinary extraordinary. The good news is – Jesus isn’t just for Christmas; He’s for the whole year round! We’ll be exploring this theme in our services during December. We hope you enjoy being with us. If you want to explore more about Jesus just come and ask us, we’ll be delighted to help you find some answers.
‘Evidence that demands a verdict’
This is the title of Josh McDowell’s book. In the foreword he asks “Is Christianity credible? Is there an intellectual basis for faith in Jesus Christ as the Son of God?” And he goes on to explain “Scholars throughout the centuries, as well as millions of students and older adults, would answer such questions with a resounding ‘Yes!’,” and says that this is what his book is all about.
The book is a fascinating read which will strengthen the understanding and faith of Christian readers and be a challenge for those who have not yet become followers of Jesus. McDowell says, “The apostles throughout the New Testament appealed to two areas of Christ’s life to establish His Messiahship. One was the resurrection and the other fulfilled messianic prophecy. The Old Testament written over a 1,500 year period contains several hundred references to the coming Messiah. All of these were fulfilled in Christ and they establish a solid confirmation of His credentials as the Messiah.
There are many prophecies over which Christ had no control – his birthplace for instance. In Micah (5:2) we read “But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you One will go forth for Me and be ruler in Israel. His goings forth are from long ago, from the days of eternity.” And in Matthew’s gospel we read (2:1) “ …Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea …”In Matthew 2:6 the scribes tell Herod with great assurance that the Christ would be born in Bethlehem. It was well known among the Jews that the Christ would come from Bethlehem (see John 7:42). It is only fitting that Bethlehem, also called the house of bread, should be the birthplace of one who is the Bread of Life. God now eliminates all the cities in the world, save one, for the entrance of His incarnate Son.
May you be blessed this Christmas as you hear this wonderful story and the mingling of ancient prophecies coming to fulfilment with the birth in Bethlehem.
2012 CHALLENGE
As members of Keyworth Baptist Church we’ll be entering the 2012 Olympic Year with our own challenge. Fortunately, it will mean nothing more athletic than taking a humble step or two. But it will be the sort of step that might have life changing consequences for the people around us. Are you up for the challenge? We’ll need to encourage each other, helping each other to make that step, and sharing the joy and excitement of all the steps taken during the year. It’s a challenge we’re all called to make and we’ll be doing it through the power of God’s spirit at work in our lives. Find out more by coming along to our services in January.
