Clickable Time Stamps

07:50 Children’s Christmas Performance
24:46 Song Service
35:38 Special Music – “Look Up Children” – The McLean Family
38:08 Welcome and Call to Worship – Elder Vaughn Cornish
48:20 Scripture Reading – Elder Ken Schmidt
51:03 Special Music – “I Heard The Bells” – The McLean Family
53:12 Sermon – “A Savior, Who Is Christ The Lord” – Elder Ken Schmidt
86:50 Meditation Music – “Mary Did You Know” – Eva Cartwright

Summary

Elder Ken Schmidt reflects on the importance of familiar scriptures, urging listeners to approach them with fresh perspectives to grasp deeper meaning. Ken recounts the story of Jesus’ birth and introduces a testimony from Peter Shocky, who describes his journey from a troubled youth to a transformative encounter with God. Ken emphasizes the significance of spiritual thirst, God’s saving grace, and the impact of genuine relationships with God and others.

Highlights

1. Familiar Scriptures: We often lose meaning in well-known verses.
2. The Birth of Christ: Joseph and Mary travel to Bethlehem; Jesus is born in a manger.
3. Peter Shocky’s Testimony: Peter shares his struggles and an unexpected spiritual awakening.
4. Thirst for God: Spiritual thirst is a profound human need that only God can satisfy.
5. Divine Encounter: Peter experiences a powerful presence during a prayer with friends.
6. Transformation: Encounters with God can redefine life’s priorities and desires.
7. Salvation Through Jesus: Jesus offers salvation and a relationship with God, addressing our spiritual void.

Key Insights

1. Revisiting Familiarity: Familiar scriptures can become mundane; approaching them with fresh eyes reveals deeper truths and insights, reminding us of their transformative power.
2. Spiritual Thirst: Just as physical thirst is essential for survival, spiritual thirst signifies a deep, innate longing for connection with God, which can only be fulfilled through Him.
3. Personal Testimonies: Personal stories of faith, like Peter Shocky’s, show how individual struggles can lead to profound spiritual transformations and highlight the universality of seeking God.
4. God’s Invitation: The concept of God knocking at the door of our hearts illustrates His desire for a relationship with us, emphasizing that we must be open to His presence.
5. Impact of Community: The importance of supportive relationships in spiritual journeys is paramount, as they often provide the encouragement and environment needed for encounters with God.
6. Transformation of Nature: Genuine encounters with God change our inner nature, redirecting our desires from self-centeredness to a desire to please Him, which marks true spiritual rebirth.
7. Salvation and Acceptance: Salvation through Jesus is not only about being saved from sin but also about being brought into a loving relationship with God, fulfilling our deepest needs for belonging and purpose.