WHAT’S ON WHAT’S UP TODAY:

Is Jesus the reason for the Season?

Why did Jesus Come to earth?

Sinners in need of rescue is the reason for the season?

Are you faithful enough to go to the manger?

Did we love God first?

Final Segment: Biblical-Literacy Lesson with guest David Fleming -
  Part One: Biblical approach to relational conflict.

Final Segment: Pastor Jarrett Stephen, Champion Forest -
  God Is With Us

Today’s closing prayer:
Heavenly Father,
Thank you for giving mankind the greatest gift ever – the way to be reconciled to you. More below …

Discussed by Terry Lowry
with Host of the What's UP Radio Program

Host Terry Lowry interviews influential and knowledgeable guests on relevant topics for today.

WHAT IF JESUS ISN’T THE REASON FOR THE SEASON?

Discussed by Dr. McKay Caston
with Dr. McKay Caston (www.mckaycaston.com/)

Part 1 of 3

We all have seen the banner that reads: “Jesus is the Reason for the Season.” But, is Jesus the reason for season?

Dr. McKay Caston teaches theology and homiletics, leads the Doctor Ministering Program in Gospel Renewal and Pastoral Leadership, and serves as Director of the church planting residency for Metro Atlanta Seminary. Today, he discusses the “real reason for the season”.

Questions/Issues Discussed:

Applying Biblical theology, is Jesus the reason for the season?

If not for sinners in need of rescue, would Jesus have been born? (Mattew 1:21; 1 Timothy 1:15; 1 John 4:10)

“O Come, All Ye Faithful” is one of the most celebrated hymns during this season. But is anyone truly faithful? Is anyone truly worthy? (Romans 3:10)

How should we approach the manger of the Christ child?

PART 2 OF 3 - WHAT IF JESUS ISN’T THE REASON FOR THE SEASON?

Discussed by Dr. McKay Caston
with Dr. McKay Caston (www.mckaycaston.com/)

Questions/Issues Discussed:

Is Jesus only for the faithful?

Is anyone truly faithful?

Did we love God first? (1 John 4:10)

Did Jesus come for the healthy, the righteous, and the religious? (Matthew 9:12-13)

PART 3 OF 3 - WHAT IF JESUS ISN’T THE REASON FOR THE SEASON?

Discussed by Dr. McKay Caston
with Dr. McKay Caston (www.mckaycaston.com/)

Questions/Issues Discussed:

Is our need for grace the reason for the season?

Is Jesus the unrivaled focus for the season?

Are our eyes to be fixed on Jesus this Advent season? Dr. Caston says: “When we have that Jesus-centric perspective on Christmas, it really enables us to have a holiday that is not nearly as commercialized, but is very much a devotional leverage for the human heart to know, to worship, and to treasure the Jesus who actually treasures us.”

If you have questions about Jesus, salvation, or would just like to talk to someone for encouragement and hope, click here.

MESSIAH

Discussed by Francesca Battistelli
with Special Guest

Click here to view the video for “Messiah”.

Click here for the website for Francesca Battistelli.

Click here to follow Francesca Battistelli on YouTube.

PART 1 - A BIBLICAL APPROACH TO RELATIONAL CONFLICT

Discussed by David Fleming
with Lanier Theological Library (www.LanierTheologicalLibrary.org)

Day 5

HAVE YOU EVER EXPERIENCED CONFLICT IN A RELATIONSHIP? I THINK WE ALL HAVE – SOME MORE THAN OTHERS!

This week, former CFBC Pastor David Fleming subs in for Mark, teaching on the Biblical approach to relational conflict.

To view David Fleming’s video for this lesson, click here.

If you have a prayer request, need Scripture encouragement, or would like a copy of Mark’s lessons each week, email wantmore@biblical-literacy.org

QUESTIONS / ISSUES DISCUSSED:

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT SOLVING RELATIONAL CONFLICT?

Spiritual Perspective (Ephesians 6:10-12) REMEMBER: Put on the full armor God! It really does help!

A Mirror to Reflect (Matthew 7; Romans 12:18) REMEMBER: YOU may be the problem!

The Choice to Love (John 13:34; Romans 5:8; Matthew 5:43-44) REMEMBER: Love wins!

The Power of Prayer (Matthew 5:45) REMEMBER: This includes praying for your enemies!

The Wisdom to Discern (Prayer) REMEMBER: Choose your battles!


For more information about Mark Lanier’s Biblical Literacy class, click here.

GOD IS WITH US

Discussed by Pastor Jarrett Stephens
with Champion Forest Baptist Church (www.ChampionForest.org)

Day 5

IS THE INCARNATION SOMETHING YOU ARE PUTTING YOUR FAITH AND TRUST IN?

This week, Pastor Jarrett Stephens begins a three-week sermon series entitled “HERE: God With Us”. Over the next few weeks, we will be reminded that the hope of Christmas is not an idea or a feeling, but a Savior who stepped into our world and meets us right where we are. In this busy season, let’s take time to worship together, lift our eyes to Jesus, and rest in the promise that God is truly with us.

Find Pastor Jarrett Stephen’s sermon here.

Find Pastor Jarrett Stephen’s sermon notes here.

If you have questions about a sermon, please contact Champion Forest at questions@cfbc.org

Questions/Issues Discussed:

When is God with us? Is He with us in our pain, loneliness, despair, depression, and anxiety? Pastor Jarrett shares a very sad story about one of their residency members and the faith of her family.

INCARNATION HELPS: Empower Obedience

Pastor Jarrett offers hope and encouragement through Scripture: Luke 1:38; Matthew 1:24-25; Luke 2:15-16. What did Pastor Jarrett first think when he was asked to come visit Champion Forest Baptist Church? Was he fearful? What did he say to God about the decision?

FINAL THOUGHTS:

What does God say to US when we are fearful? What promises can we remember and put our trust in? REMEMBER: GOD IS WITH US!


If you have never accepted Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior, text the word JESUS to 77069 and a pastor or counselor from CFBC will call you back.

For more details about Champion Forest Baptist Church click here.

PRAYER

Discussed by Terry Lowry
with Host of the What's UP Radio Program

Heavenly Father,

Thank you for giving mankind the greatest gift ever – the way to be reconciled to you.

Through your son, Jesus Christ, salvation is available.

Father, you have provided the way over death and hell.

You, Father, are the only true God, and your son, Jesus Christ, is the mediator between you and mankind.

Father, you sent your son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him.

May your saints go into all the world and proclaim the Good News.

Father, while on earth, your son described your home as having many rooms and that he would go there and prepare a place for each saint.

We await the call home. Until then, let’s be working for the Kingdom.

May the grace of the Lord Jesus be with us all.

Amen



If you have not done so yet, confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead.