The Meaning of Christmas

Matthew 1:23

Dr. Bob McCartney, Senior Pastor • December 7, 2025

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The Incarnation is the doctrine that God the Son, without ceasing to be God, took on human flesh and became fully human.

1. The Incarnation means God came to us.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men.

John 1:1–4 (NASB95)

And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.

John 1:14 (NASB95)

2. The Incarnation means God identifies with us.

Therefore, He had to be made like His brethren in all things, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted.

Hebrews 2:17–18 (NASB95)

For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.

Hebrews 4:15 (NASB95)

3. The Incarnation means God cares for us.

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.

John 3:16 (NASB95)

The Gift of With

John 1:9-14

Steven Patterson, Student Pastor • November 30, 2025

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1. Advent is a season that calls us to receive the gift of God’s presence
2. Advent is a season that calls us to give the gift of our presence.

1. The quality of our lives is directly affected by the quality of our relationships

1. Giving the gift of our presence will take intentionality, but it’s not too late.

The Valley of Broken Relationships

Genesis 45:1-15

Dr. Bob McCartney, Senior Pastor • November 23, 2025

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Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation,

2 Corinthians 5:18 (NASB95)

1. Don’t publicly air your “dirty laundry.”

If your brother sins, go and show him his fault in private; if he listens to you, you have won your brother.

Matthew 18:15 (NASB95)

2. Don’t play the blame game.

3. Do welcome them back into your life.

4. Do give them unexpected blessings.

5. Do take the initiative.

Therefore if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering.

Matthew 5:23–24 (NASB 95)

When the Bank Account Is Empty

Matthew 6:19–34

Dr. Bob McCartney, Senior Pastor • November 16, 2025

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1. Dedicate It All to God.

2. Give the First Part to God.

Honor the LORD from your wealth And from the first of all your produce; So your barns will be filled with plenty And your vats will overflow with new wine.

Proverbs 3:9–10 (NASB95)

‘Thus all the tithe of the land, of the seed of the land or of the fruit of the tree, is the LORD’S; it is holy to the LORD. …For every tenth part of herd or flock, whatever passes under the rod, the tenth one shall be holy to the LORD.

Leviticus 27:30–32 (NASB 95)

3. Save for the Future.

In the house of the wise are stores of choice food and oil, but a foolish man devours all he has.

Proverbs 21:20 (NIV84)

Dishonest money dwindles away, but he who gathers money little by little makes it grow.

Proverbs 13:11 (NIV84)

4. Repay What You Owe.

The plans of the diligent certainly lead to advantage, But everyone who is in a hurry certainly comes to poverty.

Proverbs 21:5 (NASB 2020)

The rich rules over the poor, And the borrower becomes the lender’s slave.

Proverbs 22:7 (NASB 2020)

5. Enjoy What You Have.

Furthermore, as for every person to whom God has given riches and wealth, He has also given him the opportunity to enjoy them and to receive his reward and rejoice in his labor; this is the gift of God.

Ecclesiastes 5:19 (NASB 2020)

Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to set their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy. Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.

1 Timothy 6:17–19 (NASB 2020)

Choose Life Even When It Hurts

John 10:10

Dr. Bob McCartney, Senior Pastor • November 9, 2025

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Separating Truth from Lies about Suicide

1. Suicide is NOT the unpardonable sin.

You shall not murder.

Exodus 20:13 (NASB95)

Therefore I say to you, any sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven people, but blasphemy against the Spirit shall not be forgiven.

Matthew 12:31 (NASB)

Samson said, "Let me die with the Philistines!" Then he pushed with all his might, and down came the temple on the rulers and all the people in it. Thus he killed many more when he died than while he lived.

Judges 16:30 (NIV)

And what more shall I say? For time will fail me if I tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets, who by faith conquered kingdoms, performed acts of righteousness, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions,

Hebrews 11:32-33 (NASB)

2. Suicide is not a solution; it only creates more problems.

The battle went heavily against Saul, and the archers hit him; and he was badly wounded by the archers. Then Saul said to his armor bearer, "Draw your sword and pierce me through with it, otherwise these uncircumcised will come and pierce me through and make sport of me." But his armor bearer would not, for he was greatly afraid. So Saul took his sword and fell on it. When his armor bearer saw that Saul was dead, he also fell on his sword and died with him.

1 Samuel 31:3-5 (NASB)

3. Real Christians can be suicidal.

For we do not want you to be unaware, brethren, of our affliction which came to us in Asia, that we were burdened excessively, beyond our strength, so that we despaired even of life;

2 Corinthians 1:8 (NASB95)

4. Suicidal people are responsible for their decisions.

And he threw the pieces of silver into the temple sanctuary and departed; and he went away and hanged himself.

Matthew 27:5 (NASB)

When the jailer awoke and saw the prison doors opened, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. But Paul cried out with a loud voice, saying, "Do not harm yourself, for we are all here!" And he called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas, and after he brought them out, he said, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?"

They said, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household." And they spoke the word of the Lord to him together with all who were in his house. And he took them that very hour of the night and washed their wounds, and immediately he was baptized, he and all his household.

Acts 16:27-33 (NASB)

5. Trusting God is the only way to cope with the suicide of a loved one.

But now, thus says the LORD, your Creator, O Jacob, And He who formed you, O Israel, "Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine! "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, Nor will the flame burn you.

Isaiah 43:1-2 (NASB)

"I WILL NEVER DESERT YOU, NOR WILL I EVER FORSAKE YOU,"

Hebrews 13:5 (NASB)

When Your Miracle Doesn’t Come

2 Corinthians 12 : 7-10

Dr. Bob McCartney, Senior Pastor • October 26, 2025

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1. Learn There Is a Reason for the Thorns

For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now.

Romans 8:22 (NASB 95)

Furthermore, we had earthly fathers to discipline us, and we respected them; shall we not much rather be subject to the Father of spirits, and live? For they disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but He disciplines us for our good, so that we may share His holiness.

Hebrews 12:9–10 (NASB 95)

Though he slay me, I will hope in him;”

Job 13:15 (ESV)

2. Listen for the Lord in the Thorns

saying, “Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done.”

Luke 22:42 (NASB 95)

3. Look for the Blessing in the Thorns

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort. He comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any kind of affliction, through the comfort we ourselves receive from God.

2 Corinthians 1:3–4 (CSB)

Facing Death with Faith

John 11:17-44

Dr. Bob McCartney, Senior Pastor • October 19, 2025

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Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

Psalm 23:4 (NASB 95)

1. Hold on to faith amid loss.

2. Allow Jesus to meet you in your grief.

We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, concerning those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve like the rest, who have no hope.

1 Thessalonians 4:13 (CSB)

3. Resurrection hope overpowers the grave.

But God raised Him up again, putting an end to the agony of death, since it was impossible for Him to be held in its power.

Acts 2:24 (NASB 95)

Institute For Creation Research

Dr. Randy Guliuzza, President, Institute for Creation Research • October 12, 2025

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