DECEMBER THEME — FROM CHRISTMAS TO CALVARY – The Story Love Wrote

SUNDAY’S SERMON SUMMARY

From the gates of Eden to the streets of Bethlehem, God anchored history with a promise: “The Seed of the woman shall crush the serpent’s head.” The first coming of Christ was not random; it was the long-awaited fulfillment of specific, thundering prophecies—spoken through Abraham, Moses, David, Isaiah, Micah, and others. For four thousand years, God’s people walked through darkness, war, exile, silence, and seeming delay, clinging to a promise that a Child would come, a Son would be given, a King would reign. Then, in a forgotten town, to an unnoticed couple, promise became Person and prophecy became flesh. The manger was not the end of the story—it was the opening chapter of redemption that would lead to Calvary, the empty tomb, and the outpoured Spirit. Christmas is heaven’s visible proof that God keeps His Word, no matter how long the wait or how deep the night.

Now we live between two advents—looking back to the fulfilled prophecies of His first coming and looking forward to the yet-unfulfilled promises of His second coming. Just as Israel waited for Messiah, we now wait for the King to return in glory. That wait is not meant to make us passive, but purifying. If God kept every detail of His Word at the first coming, we can be sure He will keep every word about His return. So how should we live in the wait? With holiness instead of compromise, faith instead of fear, worship instead of worry, and urgency instead of spiritual laziness. The manger tells us He came; the cross and empty tomb tell us why He came; the promises of His return tell us who we must be until He comes again—steadfast, watchful, surrendered, and shining like lights in a dark world, carrying the same cry on our lips: “Even so, come, Lord Jesus.”

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Beats From Your Pastor’s Heart

Waiting With Confidence in His Promise

“For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.” — Hebrews 10:37

Israel waited thousands of years between the promise in Eden and the cry in Bethlehem, but the delay did not cancel the promise. God’s timing felt slow, but His plan was never late. In the same way, we now wait between the cross and the clouds—between His finished work of redemption and His promised return in glory. The world mocks the idea of Christ’s coming, just as many dismissed the prophets before Bethlehem. But delay is not denial, and silence is not abandonment. The first coming of Christ is our proof that God keeps His Word down to the smallest detail. When you are tempted to doubt, remember: if He came once just as He said, He will come again just as He said. Waiting well begins by settling this in your heart: God has spoken, and God will do it. Faith in His promise steadies your emotions, calms your fears, and keeps you from living like this world is all there is.

His Past Faithfulness Guards Your Present Fears

The enemy tries to convince believers that the delay means the Lord has changed His mind or forgotten His promise. But every fulfilled prophecy surrounding Christ’s first coming is God’s argument against your doubts. The virgin birth, the Bethlehem birthplace, the flight into Egypt, the lineage of David—none of these happened by coincidence. They were centuries-old promises unfolding exactly as God intended. When fear whispers, “What if He doesn’t come?” remind your heart, “He already proved He will.” His past faithfulness is the greatest shield against present fear. The God who orchestrated history to bring Jesus to the manger will orchestrate history to bring Jesus to the clouds. Waiting in confidence means letting memory preach louder than anxiety.

His Delay Is Mercy, Not Neglect

Israel wondered why Messiah delayed, but Scripture teaches that God’s timing has purpose. The same is true now. The Lord’s “slow” return is not a sign of neglect; it is a sign of mercy. Every day He waits is another day of salvation for a prodigal, another chance for a hardened heart to soften, another moment for the Gospel to reach one more soul. We do not live in God’s absence—we live in His patience. His delay is not a crack in His promise; it is an extension of His love. Waiting becomes easier when we see the world through His heart. Instead of saying, “Why hasn’t He come?” we begin saying, “Thank God for the ones He’s still trying to save.” Hope grows stronger when you realize His delay is part of His plan.

His Soon Return Should Shape Every Decision Today

Waiting with confidence is not passive—it is purposeful. The early church lived with such expectancy of Christ’s return that it shaped everything they did: how they prayed, how they gave, how they forgave, how they lived. Expectation produces purity, urgency, and clarity. When you truly believe Jesus could return at any moment, grudges lose their power, temptations lose their shine, and earthly pressures lose their weight. You begin investing in eternity instead of pouring everything into temporary comfort. Waiting well means asking daily, “If Christ returned today, would I be living like this, spending like this, speaking like this, reacting like this?” Confidence in His promise doesn’t make you careless—it makes you careful. It teaches you to live now in light of then.

Prayer: Lord, thank You that Your promises are sure, even when Your timing feels slow. Strengthen my faith to rest in what You have said, not in what I see. When my heart is tempted to doubt or fear, remind me of Bethlehem, Calvary, and the empty tomb. Let the certainty of Your return anchor my decisions today. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Challenge: Every time you feel discouraged or impatient today, quietly whisper this verse:
“He that shall come will come, and will not tarry.” Let that promise reset your attitude and your outlook.

MONDAY’S PRAYER REQUESTS

June Cronan

Betty Hammock

Brando Echarte

Cheryl Knight’s Brother

Debbie Foskey 

Don Franklin’s Daughter, Darlene, Son, David

Ed Adkins – Friend of Brian Edwards

Gloria Young

Jake Jenkins

Louise Jackson – Richard’s Sister – Open Heart Surgery

Jean Partee’s Sister

Kim McClain’s Daughter, Amanda

Deon Lotter

Doris Loyd

Nancy Brown

Amy Garner’s Dad

Annette Ford

Andrea Nix– Friend of the Shelnutt’s

Angela Bryan’s Sisters

Ann Stanley  

Carol Lawhead – Riverside in Conyers

Danny Jarrard   

Darlene Wiggins

Doris Loyd

Dr. and Mrs. Davis

Eric Magnusson’s Mother

Eric Ward

Friend of Linda Hodge

Gayle Sparks

Linda Alexander 

James Burnette

Jessica Headrick  

John McClain’s Mother

June Cronan’s Sister

June Davis

Kailey Bateman

Kim McClain’s Mother 

Kim’s Sisters – Ann & Brenda 

Lee Cronan

Lillianna Magnusson’s Mom

Lonzo Christian 

Lori Blount’s Mother

Mary Williams

Mary Williamson – Dana Jackson’s Mom

Mrs. Franklin 

Nora Allison

Ron And Johnnie Barry – Friends Of Ashton & Glenda Bateman

Rose Fuller – Pruitt-Monroe Nursing Home, Forsyth GA

Scott Lanier 

Scotty Nix

Stephanie Seivers – Friend of the Shellnutts

Steve Michaels

Tom Witcher