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The Alpha and the Omega

12/26/2021

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"In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while[a] Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register. 4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them." Luke 2:1-7

Luke was a researcher, a chronicler, wrote it down in sequence. 

Unlike all other religions, Christianity (and Judaism) has historical

references, facts that can be proven. 


“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,
    though you are small among the clans[a] of Judah,
out of you will come for me
    one who will be ruler over Israel,
whose origins are from of old,
    from ancient times.”  Micah 5:2

Our world and what happens in it is important to God


"God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day." Genesis 1:31

All of creation God said it was good, but when he made humans he said it was very good.


"I will establish my covenant as an everlasting covenant between me and you and your descendants after you for the generations to come, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you." Genesis 17:7

 "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End." Revelation 22:13

Elohim -- the Creator -- has never stopped working. Past-- Present-- Future -- all belong to God. Jesus -- fulfillment of prophecy of Micah -- 700 years


"And I will put enmity
    between you and the woman,
    and between your offspring and hers;
he will crush your head,
    and you will strike his heel.” Genesis 3:15

God had and has it all planned out. God never changes -- Jesus never changes. When people take God out of the picture they will see less and less reality in the world. 


"I the 
Lord do not change. So you, the descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed." Malachi 3:6

 "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." Hebrews 13:8

We serve a risen Savior who is in the World today. 

"He Lives!" written by Alfred Ackley in 1933. 

God is active -- not reactive

"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”" Matthew 28:19-20

You are important to God


You are part of history -- God's plan -- You are important. We are all called. God wanted/wants you here.

​"29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care.[a] 30 And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows." Matthew 10:29-31

God has everything planned.

You were chosen before the foundation of the world.

"For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." Ephesians 2:10

"13 For you created my inmost being;

    you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
    your works are wonderful,
    I know that full well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you
    when I was made in the secret place,
    when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw my unformed body;
    all the days ordained for me were written in your book
    before one of them came to be.
17 How precious to me are your thoughts,[a] God!
    How vast is the sum of them!" Psalm 139:13-17

Your life and circumstances are part of God's plan

Every single generation is an advancement of God's plan. Advancing God's will. Don't let things slip. God's timing is always perfect.

9 Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments." Deuteronomy 7:9

"11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." Jeremiah 29:11-13

 "and provide for those who grieve in Zion--

to bestow on them a crown of beauty
    instead of ashes,
the oil of joy
    instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
    instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
    a planting of the Lord
    for the display of his splendor." Isaiah 61:3
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Be Intentional

12/12/2021

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"
Be Intentional in loving God and others in all we do.

37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’[a] 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[b]" Matthew 22:37-39

The cross is a symbol of God's intentional love for us. A celebration

God's love is intentional. It isn't based on feeling. It isn't based on our performance. 

What is intentional love? 


"16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him." John 3:16-17

It was premeditated. 

It's easy to love someone who loves us.

"You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.
 7 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:6-8

Salvation is an offer. Christ died for everyone. Even those who will always reject Him.

Love like God, not the World.

"See what great love
 the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him." 1 John 3:1

This kind of love is completely contrary to the "love" the world offers.

"16 So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer.
 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come:[a] The old has gone, the new is here! 18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation:" 2 Corinthians 5:16-18

Love people because God loves them. Do it for Jesus. If you love Jesus you will love everyone (even when it is hard). 

This is only done with intention. Look at people as Jesus does. Only throw a stone if you are sinless. Love anyway. I love you no matter what.

Jesus, the example of Intentional Love


"But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved." Ephesians 2:4-5

Jesus loves the people who crucified Him. 


“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love." John 15:9

Loving is easier when we abide/live in Jesus. You can't be an accidental Christian. You can't accidentally love. A hateful Christian is a worldly person. 

This is how we know what love is:


"This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters." 1 John 3:16

37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[a] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:37-39

God's love is consistent and persistent.

We do not see love in the world system. Separation of people is not love. Don't categorize people. Our love must be intentional.


36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’[a] 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[b]" Matthew 22:36-39

Be a conduit of God's love through your heart, soul and mind. God's love is never to be stopped or turned off in us.

Love is a command.


​34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another."
John 13:34

7 Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love." 1 John 4:7-8

A hateful christian is a worldly person.

Love Covers

8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins." 1 Peter 4:8

It's not about fixing people. It's about loving them and bringing them to Jesus.

"If I speak in the tongues[a] of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.
 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast,[b] but do not have love, I gain nothing." 1 corinthians 13:1-3

There is no substitute for loving people. Without love all is worthless. 

Live with Intentional Love


8 Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law." Romans 13:8

 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:35
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Are We There Yet?

12/5/2021

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7 Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. 8 You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. 9 Don’t grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!" James 5:7-9

We are in a waiting period. 

Just this week:
we have the Michigan school shooting.
12 people were shot in Chicago, four died.
13 police ofiicers were shot, 3 killed.
25,000 people, 10,000 children die daily from starvation.
Russia is messing with Ukraine and China is trying to take over Tawain.

We might ask -- why doesn't God do something?  His waiting is His mercy.

"How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever?

    How long will you hide your face from me?
2 How long must I wrestle with my thoughts
    and day after day have sorrow in my heart?
    How long will my enemy triumph over me?" Psalm 13:1-2

"How long, Lord, must I call for help,

    but you do not listen?
Or cry out to you, “Violence!”
    but you do not save?" Habakkuk 1:2

"They called out in a loud voice, “How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?”" Revelation 6:10

God is holding back. Why did it take Noah so long to build the ark? Why did the Israelites wander so long in the desert? God showing people mercy -- He wants all to come to repentance.

Waiting for the Messiah
Isaiah to Jesus -- 800 years
Malachi to Jesus -- 400 years
Jesus's second coming....? How long Lord? 

God's promises are always fulfilled.
"Not one of all the 
Lord’s good promises to Israel failed; every one was fulfilled." Joshua 21:45

"Know therefore that the 
Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments." Deuteronomy 7:9

God said He will handle it.

"God is not human, that he should lie,

    not a human being, that he should change his mind.
Does he speak and then not act?
    Does he promise and not fulfill?" Numbers 23:19

Why does God delay?


"The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise,
 as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." 2 Peter 3:9

"Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you;

    therefore he will rise up to show you compassion.
For the Lord is a God of justice.
    Blessed are all who wait for him!" Isaiah 30:18

He waited for us. 


"The Lord is compassionate and gracious,

    slow to anger, abounding in love." Psalm 103:8

We deserve His wrath.


"If you, Lord, kept a record of sins,
    Lord, who could stand?
4 But with you there is forgiveness,
    so that we can, with reverence, serve you.

5 I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits,
    and in his word I put my hope." Psalm 130:3-5


"Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. 8 You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. 9 Don’t grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!" James 5:7-9

10 Brothers and sisters, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.
 11 As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy." James 5:10-11

The wickedness will be handled. The sin, the wars will be dealt with.

We must be patient in Prayer

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7

We can be thankful while praying about trouble and suffering because we know God is in control.

"But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently." Romans 8:25


"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer." Romans 12:12

Run the race -- in the midst of it all


"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." Hebrews 12:1-3

God's got this. Be joyful always -- Be joyful anyway!

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    Shannon Hinrichs

    Dupree Baptist Church Pastor

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