Christmas has become many things over the years.  It started as a pagan holiday. Early Europeans celebrated light and birth in the darkest days of winter. Many peoples rejoiced during the winter solstice when the worst of the winter was behind them and they could look forward to longer days and extended hours of sunlight. I, too, look for those longer days and a warmer sun.

In Scandinavia, the Norse celebrated Yule from December 21st, the winter solstice, through January. In recognition of the return of the sun, fathers and sons would bring home large logs which they would set on fire. The people would feast until the log burned out, which could take as many as twelve days.That’s a big log! The Norse believed that each spark from the fire represented a new pig or calf that would be born during the coming year.

In the fourth century, church officials decided to institute the birth of Jesus as a holiday. Unfortunately, the Bible does not mention a date for his birth (a fact Puritans later pointed out in order to deny the legitimacy of the celebration). Although some evidence suggests that his birth may have occurred in the spring (why would shepherds be herding in the middle of winter?), Pope Julius chose December 25th.  It was first called the Feast of the Nativity.  The custom spread to Egypt by 432 and to England by the end of the sixth century. It is commonly believed that the church chose this date in an effort to adopt and absorb the traditions of the pagan Saturnalia festival which celebrated the god of agriculture. 

The pilgrims, English separatists that came to America in 1620, were even more orthodox in their Puritan belief. As a result, Christmas was not a holiday in early America. From 1659 to 1681, the celebration of Christmas was actually outlawed in Boston. Anyone exhibiting the Christmas spirit was fined five shillings.(This kind of threw me as I would welcome a Christ-like spirit anytime) But by contrast, in the Jamestown settlement, Captain John Smith reported that Christmas was to be enjoyed by all and it passed without incident.

After the American Revolution, English customs fell out of favor, including Christmas. In fact, Christmas wasn’t declared a federal holiday until June 26, 1870. Now most of this information I am spouting was the result of research from the History Channel, The History of Christmas, but the stories whether from Europe or America, has changed much over the years, yet…

There can be no true Christmas without Christ. Luke 1: 26-33 tells us what God said,

26 Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!29 But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. 30 Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. 32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. 33 And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.” 

In the beginning was God and creation and a relationship with Adam and Eve, then later in the time of Mosses, God hears His people cry and He steps in. The people come to know this God who was helping them and filling their temple and lives.  He answered,     “I Am”.  God is bringing forth to mankind an even more special gift. One whom He was well pleased with! Christ (savior) Mas (Holy festival)

This means that almighty God is showing us an absolute reality. Dr. John Piper say’s it best. “The “I AM” doesn’t come into existence. He always was. He doesn’t become what he’s not. He doesn’t get better today than he was yesterday. There is nothing developing in the divine being. He simply is — before you were, or I was, before galaxies were, before anything!” He again intervenes through the person of Jesus. He gets up close and personnel, God with us, He is Emmanuel , Christmas!

Why is it, the world worships the winter, sunlight, lengths of the days, agriculture and animals, and whole sack of other things? These are things that are created for our good pleasure. Today’s culture, I believe, has moved in the right direction just a bit with celebrating life, family, good will, and joy but most are still missing the mark. It still is a holiday without God for most. Happy Holidays instead of Merry Christmas. No worship, just celebration of the things that will soon  pass away. Lots of self made cheer and merry but no Jesus!

God is smack in the middle of creation and now this festival called Christmas. He is the celebration.  It’s about a kingdom, God’s kingdom, still desiring to step in and have a relationship with His people. It is the greatest gift we could ever imagine. He not only gives us the heavens and the earth to frolic and play in, He gives us life through His son. A kingdom that does not end! A kingdom that can’t be shaken-ed, A place where we won’t be separated from Him.

The Christmas spirit is filled with “God” things, hope, joy, peace, and most of all love.

Is not God love?  He sent Christmas, His only begotten son for me and you. Is there anything better? Wherever you look, it’s pretty hard not to see Gods hand in it all! So give credit to whom credit is due! My grandma taught me that.

Merry Christmas.

Love, Pastor Jeff

We have suffered a devastating fire and if you are able to give to this body of believers, it will surely go a long way to help in rebuilding. The secure link through the Presbyterian Foundation is below. Thank you for your love and support .

Dear Beloved Church,

Please join me now as we look at John 13 and The Last Supper.

John 13 stating at verse 12

When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. 13 “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what ( I am.) 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16 Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.

The washing of one’s feet was always left to the servant, a Gentile(non-Jewish) servant at that. This was a task that the Jewish people looked down on. Now we see the Lord disrobing and kneeling before his students, the disciples, and begins to wash the smelly, dirty feet of fishermen, and sinners.

The question was asked, “Do you understand what I have done for you”? What is the Lord teaching through His Words and Actions on this last night with those He chose? Simply this, He is setting an example for you and me. Not that we would just wash each other’s feet, but that we would serve one another even when the job is menial or dirty, out of love for Him. Jesus loved us to the point that nothing was beneath Him. Is Jesus truly your Lord? Is He above or beneath you? “Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them”. 

How far did Jesus go to serve us and make the disciples and us clean? How much have we come to know that He has loved us so? Well, we are clean, and we are loved only because Jesus got down and dirty on Good Friday. He was tortured, blasphemed, and put to death on the Cross! He became a curse for you and me. For it is written: ‘Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree'” (Galatians 3:13) His blood has cleansed us from all unrighteousness.

The teachings of Christ are radical, and what He teaches is what He expects. Being a part of Jesus’ life is no cakewalk! After all, He tells us to pick up our cross and follow Him. The things He asks can be fearful but are not impossible. The scriptures tell us we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. So…

Where is the blessing? The blessing is not a free pass or an easy healthy and wealthy life. It is Jesus Christ the Son of God. He is the blessing, It’s Christ’ teaching and examples in life that we have come to know as true and right. What makes us trust or believe that serving our fellow man is one of the highest acts of love? Without Christ, we can not do what He asks or expects. The disciples could only carry on because they knew the “way and the truth and the life”. They did more than carry on, Through the power of the Holy Spirit they changed the world. The fruit of what we believe and do is Christ in us, that same blessing stands today, and the world is still being changed today. Can you think of anything more precious in a person’s life than to have God himself with you? (Emmanuel) I think not… since all authority lies with Him, and He has victory over death and holds the keys to the door of heaven itself. You see, all things started with Jesus and all things end with Jesus. Won’t you trust in his teaching and receive the ultimate blessing? Receive Jesus today.

Love, Pastor Jeff

In 1Kings, chapter 18, Elijah the prophet came near and said, “Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known this day that You are God in Israel and I am Your servant and that I have done all these things at Your word. 37 Hear me, O Lord, hear me, that these people may know that You are the Lord God and that You have turned their hearts back to You!”

Matthew tells us what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, and slander. These are what defile a person. So what does it take to turn a heart from such things? 

 It takes God to change a heart.  Scripture tells us to draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. A call to repent. Idolatry, the problem with Israel then and with society today, is that we can be double-minded, especially in America. We choose God one day and something else another day. God should be what always satisfies us. Satisfaction and provisions from anything or anyone else is Idolatry. 

The Bible says king Ahab was eviler than all the kings put together. Their provision was not the true God, but what and who they thought.  Ahab and his wife Jezebel, along with the people truly thought things were just fine and that their way was better than God’s. Big mistake. 

Back then, the Lord God provided a prophet to speak His word to the leaders and the people. Today, we still need to hear from God, but God does it through His Word, Holy Scripture. Everything Elijah did was through God’s Word, not his own and made it known to all involved so their hearts may be where they should be. What is wrong with that?

That is the Love of God to you and me so that none may perish but have eternal life. That is grace, God’s provision to us. 

This month is the beginning of Lent. A time to examine one’s self, and turn one’s heart to the one who gave it. 

Love, Pastor Jeff

Dear Beloved New Salem Church,

This week’s lesson is Romans chapter 2. Let us take a look at Holy Scripture.

5 But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God’s wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed. 6 God “will repay each person according to what they have done.”[a] 7 To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor, and immortality, he will give eternal life. 8 But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. 9 There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; 10 but glory, honor, and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. 11 For God does not show favoritism.

Paul continues his warnings to the people about God’s righteous judgment for all of humanity, Jew, and Gentile. He is saying God will make things right with us one way or another. If we are persistent in honoring God, there is a blessing. For those who are self-seeking and following evil, look out! Let’s take a look at the underlying problem that we could have overlooked. It is certainly pretty clear that if we do good we will reap good, and if we reject the good, we will reap anger, trouble, and distress so let us take a peek at what Paul is pointing at today.

He mentions stubbornness at the beginning of his narrative. Stubbornness is one of those “sins” that never seem as bad as sins such as murder, stealing, and lying. Yet, when we stir stubbornness with self-seeking behavior, everything changes. When we stir stubbornness in with rejecting what God has directed us to, then we have big problems.

The dictionary says this about stubbornness: Tenaciously unwilling or marked by tenacious unwillingness to yield. That, my friends, is the underlying problem with mankind. We are unwilling to yield to God which puts us above God, the Maker, and Creator as we saw in chapter one. So let’s ask this question, who is always right? Certainly not you or I. The next chapter says, “There is no one righteous, no not even one.” (But God)

The fix for the above disaster in life is simply this: “change”. The church word for this is repent. Turn from that wrong, ask God to forgive your foolishness and stubbornness and put things in the proper perspective. Be selfless and honor God. Seek out His ways and He will guide you and (Psalm 23) lead you in paths of righteousness. If you don’t seek His ways, then you’re stubborn! You should expect trouble and heartache and even wrath. Remember, the Lord will always do what is right. He shows no favoritism. What is God desiring for you and me? If we examine ourselves with God’s truth now and make changes (repent) we can expect glory, honor, and peace when we face His righteous judgment.

Love always in Christ Jesus, Pastor Jeff

Dear Beloved Church,

This week’s lesson is taken from the book of Romans, chapter 1, verses 18-25. I have underlined some key points that the Apostle Paul is sharing.

 18 The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness, 19 since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. 20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles.24 Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. 25 They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.

Sunday the Psalmist spoke about Blessing, this week we focus on His wrath. Before we see the wrath, let us understand how we arrive at that point before a loving and patient God. He says we suppress the truth. Not that we lie forthright, though we do; suppress means to put out of our conscience. This mindless sin of mankind puts our Lord to the back seat of our thinking. Scripture tells us to put the things of God on our foreheads and to write them on our doorposts. To not thank Him, or ignore, forget, toss to the side His qualities and purposes is an outrage for He has revealed Himself through all He has made. Creation has exposed our Lord’s character. Beauty, power, majesty, strength, and divine eternal power surround us daily. As the scriptures allude to, what are we thinking! To ignore such a precious Lord is the most unwise and foolish thing anyone could do.

Yet some of the kindest and nicest individuals I have come to know in my lifetime will face this wrath, or judgment of God, because of such actions! Repent and turn from this wickedness is the message of Paul.

So what is the “WRATH” to come on such individuals? Simply this, He will leave you to yourself and your sin! He will disconnect Himself from you. The very things that you worship and care about, the desires of your heart will condemn you in this life, and the afterlife. There will be no loving and protective care and promises of the Savior, those gifts are for His people. To believe anything else is simply believing the lie.

So this is the million-dollar question. What are the desires of your heart? Who are you worshiping? What are you thinking about? If it is not Jesus Christ, you should expect damnation and wrath. I plead for you to turn and ask for forgiveness and start living a different life today.

If Jesus is at the forefront of your life and you are putting yourself in the most opportune place so Christ can work His grace in and through you, you can expect an eternal love and care that can overcome this world.

In closing, Paul writes so that we will see and know the Creator and caregiver of our souls. To Him be the praise forever. Love is giving you what you need. Jesus has a love for all who believe, after all, He suffered and died for our sins and delivering us personally to His God and Our God!

Love Pastor Jeff

This week’s lesson is found in Revelation 14:1-5.

Then I looked, and there before me was the Lamb, standing on Mount Zion, and with him 144,000 who had his name and his Father’s name written on their foreheads. 2 And I heard a sound from heaven like the roar of rushing waters and like a loud peal of thunder. The sound I heard was like that of harpists playing their harps. 3 And they sang a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders. No one could learn the song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth. 4 These are those who did not defile themselves with women, for they remained virgins. They follow the Lamb wherever he goes. They were purchased from among mankind and offered as first fruits to God and the Lamb. 5 No lie was found in their mouths; they are blameless.

John looked and heard these things from heaven. These scriptures tell us of God revealing a picture of heaven and its activity. Remember we learned that Jesus came so the blind could see and the deaf could hear. Who was there? Jesus the Lamb of God. And He was standing on His Holy Mountain in Zion, His Holy temple. All authority has been given to Him. The Lamb that was slain and all the living creatures (angels) and the Elders (people) were worshiping the Lamb with harps! We also are called to worship with loud singing and music. (a roar)

Most scholars differ on what the number 144,000 means. I believe its pointing to a “select” group, whoever they may be. They are believers who have the things of God written on their foreheads, seared in their minds, and in their hearts. The Lord told Moses in Deuteronomy 6:6-9, these commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 8 Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. 9 Write them on the door frames of your houses and on your gates. 

These people had a new song in them which was the gospel of Jesus. The song is revealed in Revelation 5: 9 9And they sang a new song, saying: “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals because you were slain, and with your blood, you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation. 10 You have made them be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.”

 Is this song in your mouth? Do you know the work of God? What has God done? What’s in the Scrolls? God’s eternal word causes us to dig deeper and deeper into His understanding so His plans and desires will be known. It said they followed Him wherever the Lamb went. God takes us on journeys in life which could be long or short and most of the time they test our faith, but they always bless us. They can take us too far off lands and they can take us across the street to our neighbor. The point is, are we looking and hearing and following the Lamb wherever He takes us?

Defiled by women is a metaphor for being pure and devoted to Christ and not prostituting themselves to the culture or idols. Staying faithful to the Groom. Faithfulness is an important character quality on earth and heaven. Jesus is faithful even when we are not.

The last point I have underlined above is “they were purchased” or as it mentions, “redeemed”.  Do you understand that you were purchased with the blood of the Lamb? You were bought for a price with the Son of God’s broken body and the blood that was shed for the forgiveness of sin. Because of this knowledge, we have the truth in our mouth, and I may add, in our hearts as well. For Jesus has made us blameless in His sight.

Love in Christ, Pastor Jeff

Dear Beloved Church,

My prayer is that all is well as we move into the midst of this storm. Please hold on to the faith that the Lord has given you so that you will not stumble. I want to offer up a thank you to everyone who is walking in a worthy manner by serving and watching over one’s neighbor.

This week’s message is coming to you from Mark Chapter 6 starting at verse 48.

Then He saw them straining at rowing, for the wind was against them. Now about the fourth watch of the night, He came to them, walking on the sea, and would have passed them by. 49 And when they saw Him walking on the sea, they supposed it was a ghost, and cried out; 50 for they all saw Him and were troubled. But immediately He talked with them and said to them, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.”

Jesus just feeds the multitudes because they were like sheep without a shepherd. He sends his disciples across the lake and goes into the hillside to pray. Jesus, just prior to all this, had received news of the death of John the Baptist.

 I underlined several things in the above passage that are relevant to us all – virus or no virus. First, the “wind” can be against us and no matter how hard we row or try, it can seem like we are getting no closer to our destination. In this case, it was dark and progress was slow. The fourth watch means they were at it all night, much like this current pandemic. The Lord saw their need. (He saw them).

The second point, the Lord came to them in their troubled state. At that moment they were afraid and it says He talked to them with words of comfort. Have you been talking to Jesus? Prayer is talking and listening to what He has to say in this time of turbulence. The Bible is His Word. What does Jesus tell them? Be of Good Cheer. Do not be afraid!. Then He gets in the boat with them and the wind ceases. You are not alone!(Mark 5:36)”Don’t be afraid just Believe”

Thus, the real reason this event happens is revealed in verses 51 and 52. It’s because they had been with Jesus all this time, saw his love, heal, and teach, do miracles, and yet their hearts were still hard. This stormy frightful event in the disciples’ lives was for them to truly see who the Savior or Messiah really is. Could it be we have walked with Jesus and have not recognized His Lordship? I suppose the answer is found in how we respond in the darkness and the wind. Jesus says’s “Trust God trust also in Me”.

Love in Christ, Pastor Jeff

Dear Beloved Church Family

I would like to share the following scripture with you to think about as you spend time with your family and close friends.

 Philippians 4:6–7

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Paul gives us great insight through the Holy Spirit about what to do when we are anxious and become worried about the things of life. The first thing he shares is that we should pray to the One that can do all things. Is there anything too big for our Lord?

When we take control, instead of relinquishing our troubles to our Lord and Savior, we make ourselves our own god. Trusting our Father in Heaven is the issue.  When we are anxious or worried, it says that we don’t trust that our Lord is wise, strong or caring enough to take care of things.

Supplication is simply asking for help. That puts God where He should be and us where we need to be. He also mentions with “thanksgiving”. Are we thankful for what God has done through Jesus dying on the cross? (His power over death) You see, thankfulness becomes the fruit of trust. If we do place Jesus in the proper place, and trust, and rely on His hopes and promises, we receive a gift. It’s called peace. What do anxiety and worry attack? It attacks our hearts and minds. Jesus says “give it to me”.  Jesus always trusted in His Father, so should we, always remembering that it’s not always easy, but as the sign in the front of the church says, “God’s got This!”

Love in Christ, Pastor Jeff

724-495-6880

newsalemch@yahoo.com

_______________________________________

Sunday Worship Hours

Sunday School 9:30-10:15

Church 10:30

_______________________________________