Christmas Trees

Christmas Trees

December 21, 2008 Morning Service

Immanuel Baptist Church, Wagoner, OK

Rick Boyne

Message Point: The cross is more important than the tree.

Focus Passage: Luke 23:33-43

Supplemental Passage:

Introduction: We put our presents under the tree, but God put His present on the cross.

I. The First Thief

a. If you’re really God, then you’ve got enough power to get me out of this mess that I’ve gotten myself into. You can take away all of my pain. I don’t really care for you to have any control in my life; I just want the presents that you can give me.

II. The Second Thief

a. I put all my trust in you, Jesus. I’ve gotten myself in a horrible mess that I can’t get myself out of. I give up control of my future and put it all in your hands.

III. Jesus Colossians 1:15-20

a. I accept that you don’t understand everything and can do nothing at all to save you. Because you have placed your faith in me, you will reap the rewards of forgiveness and adoption of the Most High God.

b. 15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.

16 For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him.

17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

18 And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.

19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him,

AND DON’T MISS THIS PART…

20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.

c.

Invitation: