CHRISTMAS “Rejoicing in Our Promise” 
LA NAVIDAD “Regocijandonos en Nuestra Promesa”

[NEW SERIES SCRIPTURE]
Zechariah gave this prophecy: “[God] has sent us a mighty Savior from the royal line of His servant David, just as He promised through His holy prophets long ago.” - Luke‬ ‭1‬:‭69-70‬ ‭
Zacarías dio la siguiente profecía, “[Dios] nos envió un poderoso Salvador del linaje real de Su siervo David, como Lo prometió mediante Sus santos profetas hace mucho tiempo.” - Lucas‬ ‭1‬:‭69-70‬
  • According to the writer Luke, there is much to think about Jesus. 
  • The Season of Christmas is about the promises that begin & continue through the life of Jesus. 
  • From His birth to Ascencion, we find and rejoice in the promises of Jesus of Nazareth. 

THE PROMISE IS FULFILLED 
LA PROMESA SE CUMPLE
  • The coming of Jesus was a Prophetic Promise. 
  • His miraculous virgin birth was long awaited. 
“Mary responded, “Oh, how my soul praises the Lord. How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!…He made this PROMISE to our ancestors, to Abraham and his children forever.”” - Luke‬ ‭1‬:‭46‬-‭47‬, ‭55‬ ‭
“María respondió: —Oh, cuánto alaba mi alma al Señor. ¡Cuánto mi espíritu se alegra en Dios mi Salvador!…Pues Lo PROMETIÓ a nuestros antepasados, a Abraham y a sus descendientes para siempre.” - Lucas‬ ‭1‬:‭46‬-‭47‬, ‭55‬ ‭
  • The coming of Jesus fulfills prophetic promise – and that is something to rejoice about.

THE PROMISE OF RESTORATION 
LA PROMESA DE LA RESTAURACIÓN 
  • The Theology on Jesus is a study on Promises. 
  • His defining purpose is to restore us back to God. 
“There is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and RETURNS  to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven’t strayed away!” - Luke‬ ‭15‬:‭7‬
“¡Hay más alegría en el cielo por un pecador perdido que se arrepiente y REGRESA a Dios que por noventa y nueve justos que no se extraviaron!” - Lucas‬ ‭15‬:‭7‬ ‭
  • When we believed in Jesus, He restored us to God - & made us the focus of heaven’s celebration. 

THE PROMISE OF GIFTS 
LA PROMESA DE REGALOS
  • Read the History of Jesus & learn about giving. 
  • From cradle to the cross, much is gifted to us. 
“If you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father GIVE the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him.” - Luke‬ ‭11‬:‭13‬ ‭
“Si ustedes, gente pecadora, saben dar buenos regalos a sus hijos, cuánto más su Padre celestial DARÁ el Espíritu Santo a quienes lo pidan».” - Lucas‬ ‭11‬:‭13‬ ‭
  • The history of Jesus is about rejoicing in what He’s gifted us & and the promise of more to come. 

THE PROMISE OF THINGS TO COME 
LA PROMESA DE LAS COSAS QUE VENDRÁN 
  • We’re living in the promised end times signs. 
  • Resurrection to return, promises r being fulfilled. 
“Everyone will see the Son of Man coming on a cloud with power and great glory. So when all these things BEGIN TO HAPPEN, stand and look up, for your salvation is near!” - ‭‭Luke‬ ‭21‬:‭27‬-‭28‬
“Todos verán al Hijo del Hombre venir en una nube con poder y gran gloria. Por lo tanto, cuando todas estas cosas COMIENCEN A SUCEDER, pónganse de pie y levanten la mirada, ¡porque la salvación está cerca!” - Lucas‬ ‭21‬:‭27‬-‭28‬
  • God is faithful to His promises - promises you can stand on and rejoice. 
[APPLICATION]
  • God is faithful to fulfill what he has promised you. 
  • I believe that in 2024 God is going to bring restoration to your family. 
  • Despite what’s going on in our world, God is faithful to gift you all that you need. 
  • Be in expectancy for more things to come. 
  • Rejoice in your promises.
CONCLUSION
iREJOICE IN GOD AND IN HIS PROMISES 
meREGOCIJO EN DIOS Y EN SUS PROMESAS
​REACTING TO GOD’S PROMISES 
REACCIONANDO A LAS PROMESAS DE DIOS
  • There’s always a reaction when something extraordinary occurs. 
  • We live in the natural and are used to it. 
  • So when the supernatural occurs, it causes us to immediately respond – and rightfully so. 
  • We even react to lesser things — Chic-Fil-A. 
  • God’s promises are amazing—and He is faithful. 
  • That’s really something to react to. 
[FOCUS SCRIPTURES & POWERPOINTS]
  • Peter had been fishing all night & caught nothing. 
  • Jesus told him, go out deeper, let down the nets, & catch some fish.
  • This time their nets were so full of fish they began to tear! — They were so amazed. 
  • Jesus tells Simon Peter, From now on you’ll be fishing for people!” 
And as soon as they landed, they left everything and followed Jesus. - Luke‬ ‭5‬:‭1-‭11‬
Y cuando llegaron a tierra firme, dejaron todo y siguieron a Jesús. - Lucas 5:1-11
FOLLOW THE PROMISE GIVER
SIGUE AL DADOR DE LAS PROMESAS
  • A man with leprosy met with Jesus. 
  • He begged for Jesus to heal him / cleanse him. 
  • Jesus touched him—instant leprosy disappeared. 
Jesus instructed him, “Go to the priest and let him examine you. Take along the offering.” - Luke‬ ‭5‬:‭12-16
Jesús le dio instrucciones, «Preséntate ante el sacerdote y deja que te examine. Lleva contigo la ofrenda» - Lucas‬ ‭5‬:‭12-16
GO AND TELL SOMEBODY
VE Y DILE A ALGUIEN
  • Some men lowered a paralytic right in front of Jesus — they had made a hole in the roof. 
  • Jesus ministered salvation & healing to him. 
  • Then told him—stand up, pick up mat, & go home!
And immediately the man jumped up, picked up his mat, and went home praising God. - Luke‬ ‭5‬:‭17-‭26
Al instante, el hombre se levantó de un salto, tomó su camilla y se fue a su casa alabando a Dios. - Lucas‬ ‭5‬:‭17-26
PRAISE GOD FOR YOUR PROMISE FULFILLED
ALABA A DIOS POR TU PROMESA CUMPLIDA
  • Jesus saw a tax collector named Levi. 
  • Levi is working — collecting taxes. 
  • Jesus tells Levi to follow Him and be His disciple. 
  • Levi got up, left everything, and followed him. 
Later, Levi held a banquet in his home with Jesus as his guest of honor.  - Luke‬ ‭5‬:‭27‬-‭32
Más tarde, Leví dio un banquete en su casa, con Jesús como invitado de honor. - Lucas‬ ‭5‬:‭27-32
  • But the religious complained to disciples, “Why do you eat and drink with such scum (escoria)
CELEBRATE THE UNSPOKEN PROMISES
CELEBRA LAS PROMESAS NO HABLADAS
[IMPULSE]
  • Since the world began…
“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.” - 1 Corinthians‬ ‭2‬:‭9‬
«Ningún ojo ha visto, ningún oído ha escuchado, ninguna mente ha imaginado lo que Dios tiene preparado para quienes lo aman» - 1 Corintios‬ ‭2‬:‭9‬ ‭
  • Plans for good. 
  • Supply according to his riches. 
  • He Does above what we ask or think. 
  • Promises we’re not even aware of. 
[APPLICATION]
  • This is how you must react to God’s promises. 
  • Always follow Him.
  • Tell others of what He does. 
  • Praise Him for what He does. 
  • Celebrate Him for the unknown things He has prepared for you. 
  • This is how to react to God’s promise. 
CONCLUSION
WOW!  GOD’S PROMISES ARE REALLY SOMETHING 
¡WOW!  LAS PROMESAS DE DIOS SON REALMENTE ALGO
​THE PROMISE IS FULFILLED 
LA PROMESA SE CUMPLE
  • God sent Gabriel to a virgin named Mary.
  • MSG:  You’ll give birth to a son; Name Him Jesus.
  • After “emotional rollercoaster”, Mary said,
“I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” - Luke‬ ‭1‬:‭38‬ ‭
“Soy la sierva del Señor. Que se cumpla todo lo que has dicho acerca de mí.” - ‭‭Lucas‬ ‭1‬:‭38‬ ‭
  • Few days later Mary visited Elizabeth. 
  • Liz tells her, “you & baby are blessed by God”
  • Mary responded with a song of praise,
“Oh, how my soul praises the Lord. How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!” - Luke‬ ‭1‬:‭46‬-‭47‬
“Oh, cuánto alaba mi alma al Señor. ¡Cuánto mi espíritu se alegra en Dios mi Salvador!” - Lucas‬ ‭1‬:‭46‬-‭47‬
She continues…
  • God is holy. He has done great things for me
  • His mighty arm has done tremendous things
  • Mary concludes with a remembrance,
“HE MADE THIS PROMISE to our ancestors, to Abraham and his children forever.” - Luke‬ ‭1‬:‭55‬ ‭
“LO PROMETIÓ a nuestros antepasados, a Abraham y a sus descendientes para siempre.” - Lucas‬ ‭1‬:‭55‬ ‭
  • A virgin conceiving was a Prophetic Promise. 
  • Mary is praising God because the promise is being fulfilled inside of her. 
  • What’s expected after a promise is given?
  • A promise has 2 possible outcomes—kept or not. 
  • The declaration of something promised comes with an expectation. 
  • Be a promise keepers — it’s expected of you.
PROMISES!  PROMISES!
¡PROMESAS!  ¡PROMESAS!
  • An Expression we say to someone we believe won’t come through. 
“Promises and pie-crust are made to be broken” poet Jonathan Swift
Las promesas y la corteza del pay se hicieron para romperlas
  • Promises have a negative feel — so often broken. 
“Promises made are promises broken. Promises made always cause pain” Tiffany 
Las Promesas hechas son promesas incumplidas. Las promesas hechas siempre causan dolor
  • Marriage Vows—a promise “til death do us part”. 
  • Does it hurt when that promise is not kept?
  • Keeping promise - foundation for trust & respect. 
  • When our behavior is consistent, we shouldn’t be told, promises, promises.  
GOD KEEPS HIS PROMISES 
DIOS CUMPLE CON SUS PROMESAS
  • When God says He will do — that’s a promise.
  • When we say that we’ll do — “Do you promise?”
  • Promise Ring - Symbol  & hope for the future.
“God is not a man, so he does not lie. He is not human, so he does not change his mind. Has he ever spoken and failed to act? Has he ever promised and not carried it through?” - Numbers‬ ‭23‬:‭19‬ ‭
“Dios no es un hombre; por lo tanto, no miente. Él no es humano; por lo tanto, no cambia de parecer. ¿Acaso alguna vez habló sin actuar? ¿Alguna vez prometió sin cumplir?” - Números‬ ‭23‬:‭19‬ ‭
  • God knows human condition! — signs, proof. 
“All right then, the Lord himself will give you the sign. Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel (which means ‘God is with us’).” - Isaiah‬ ‭7‬:‭14‬
“Muy bien, el Señor mismo les dará la señal. ¡Miren! ¡La virgen concebirá un niño! Dará a luz un hijo y lo llamarán Emanuel (que significa “Dios está con nosotros”).” - Isaías‬ ‭7‬:‭14‬ ‭
  • The birth of Jesus is God‘s promise ring to us. 
  • Even through the death of Jesus, God proves that He is faithful to His Word. 
“Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise.” - Hebrews‬ ‭10‬:‭23‬ ‭
“Mantengámonos firmes sin titubear en la esperanza que afirmamos, porque se puede confiar en que Dios cumplirá su promesa.” - Hebreos‬ ‭10‬:‭23‬
  • God is a promise keeper.
BE A PROMISE KEEPER — IT’S EXPECTED OF YOU
CUMPLE TUS PROMESAS — SE ESPERA DE TI
  • Mary is engaged — promised to Joseph. 
  • Now engaged in conversation with Gabriel. 
  • She’s going to get married. 
  • But now she’s also going to conceive. 
  • She got “confused, disturbed, and scared.”
  • Mary had justified reasons!  ENGAGED VIRGIN. 
  • Soon after, Mary acts in faith. 
  • Perhaps remembered God’s promise in His Word
“The virgin will conceive a child!” - Isaiah‬ ‭7‬:‭14
“¡La virgen concebirá un niño!” - Isaías 7:14
  • So the she’s able to promise herself to God. 
“Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” - Luke‬ ‭1‬:‭38‬
“Aquí está la sierva del Señor; hágase conmigo conforme a tu palabra.” - Lucas‬ ‭1‬:‭38‬ ‭
  • AND, she’s also able to keep her promise 2 fiance. 
“Joseph took Mary as his wife. But he did not have sexual relations with her until her son was born.” - Matthew‬ ‭1‬:‭24‬-‭25‬
“José recibió a María por esposa, pero no tuvo relaciones sexuales con ella hasta que nació su hijo.” - Mateo‬ ‭1‬:‭24‬-‭25‬ ‭
  • She did what was expected of a promise keeper. 
“In Bethlehem in Judea…Mary gave birth to her firstborn son.” - ‭‭Luke‬ ‭2‬:‭4‬, ‭7‬ ‭
“En Belén de Judea…María dio a luz a su primer hijo varón.” - Lucas‬ ‭2‬:‭4‬, ‭7‬
  • Through her, God kept His Word — His Promise. 
“But you, O Bethlehem, are only a small village among all the people of Judah. Yet a ruler of Israel, whose origins are in the distant past, will come from you on my behalf.” - Micah‬ ‭5‬:‭2‬ ‭
“Pero tú, oh Belén, eres solo una pequeña aldea entre todo el pueblo de Judá. No obstante, en mi nombre, saldrá de ti un gobernante para Israel, cuyos orígenes vienen desde la eternidad.” - Miqueas‬ ‭5‬:‭2‬
  • The Promise was fulfilled. 
[APPLICATION]
  • Are you a promise keeper?  God is. 
  • His spoken/written Word to you are His promises. 
  • He expects you to keep your promises. 
“You must not break your vows; you must carry out the vows you make to the Lord.” - Matthew 5:33
“No rompas tus juramentos; debes cumplir con los juramentos que le haces al Señor”.” - Mateo‬ ‭5‬:‭33‬
“Just say a simple, ‘Yes, I will,’ or ‘No, I won’t.’ Anything beyond this is from the evil one.” - Matthew‬ ‭5‬:‭37‬ ‭
“Simplemente di: “Sí, lo haré” o “No, no lo haré”. Cualquier otra cosa proviene del maligno.” - Mateo‬ ‭5‬:‭37‬
  • God expects you to keep your promises – to be a person of your word. 
  • Because then He is able to fulfill His promises in you and through you. 
CONCLUSION
GOD FULFILLS HIS PROMISES THROUGH ME
DIOS CUMPLE SUS PROMESAS A TRAVEZ DE MI
​THE PROMISE IS FULFILLED Part 2
LA PROMESA SE CUMPLE
  • The promise was fulfilled when Jesus was born. God kept his promise.
  • “God can be trusted to keep his promise” - Hebrews‬ 10:23
[POWERPOINTS]
OUR WORD IS IMPORTANT 
NUESTRA PALABRA ES IMPORTANTE 
  • Keep (cumple) promises as God keeps His.
  • “Just say a simple, ‘Yes, I will,’ or ‘No, I won’t.” - Matthew‬ 5:37
BE A PROMISE KEEPER
CUMPLE TUS PROMESAS
  • If we want our children to be promise keepers, we need to be one too. 
PROMISE OF DEDICATION
PROMESA DE DEDICACIÓN
  • Bring them to church so they can learn about God’s promises.
TEACH YOUR CHILDREN (Grandchildren) GOD’S PROMISES
ENSEÑALES A TUS HIJOS (Nietos) LAS PROMESAS DE DIOS
“So commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these words of mine… Teach them to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up.” - Deuteronomy 11:18-19
“Por lo tanto, comprométete de todo corazón a cumplir estas palabras que te doy… Enséñalas a tus hijos. Habla de ellas en tus conversaciones cuando estés en tu casa y cuando vayas por el camino, cuando te acuestes y cuando te levantes.” - Deuteronomio 11:18-19
PROMISES IN MARRIAGE
PROMESAS EN EL MATRIMONIO
  • We made a vow. 
PROMISES WHEN YOU GAVE YOUR LIFE TO CHRIST
PROMESAS CUANDO ENTREGASTE TU VIDA A CRISTO 
  • I’m gonna serve you.
  • PSALMS / SALMOS 1
[APPLICATION]
  • When we walk with him, His promises become real in our lives.
  • Because we know that His promises are real, we can say... 
“Oh, how my soul praises the Lord. How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!” - Luke‬ 1:46-47
“Oh, cuánto alaba mi alma al Señor. ¡Cuánto mi espíritu se alegra en Dios mi Salvador!” - Lucas‬ 1:46-47

CONCLUSION
Even As God Fulfills His Promises…I WILL FULFILL MY PROMISES
Ask Como Dios Cumple Sus Promesas…YO CUMPLIRÉ MIS PROMESAS
THE PROMISE OF RESTORATION 
LA PROMESA DE LA RESTAURACIÓN 
  • The Theology on Jesus is a Study on Restoration.
  • Luke 15 speaks about Lost:  Sheep, Coin, & Son. 
  • How Restoration causes heavenly celebration. 
[FOCUS SCRIPTURE]
“There is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and RETURNS [restored] to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven’t strayed away!” - Luke‬ ‭15‬:‭7‬
“¡Hay más alegría en el cielo por un pecador perdido que se arrepiente y REGRESA [restaurado] a Dios que por noventa y nueve justos que no se extraviaron!” ] - Lucas‬ ‭15‬:‭7‬ ‭

[INTRODUCTION]
  • When we believe, the restoration begins. 
  • Trusting Him allows for the process to continue. 
  • It all began w the promise of Jesus being born. 
  • His birth gives Hope for Restoration.
  • Now, God is still working in us. 
  • Perhaps it’s taking a little longer than we thought. 
  • And I’m sure we’re not trying to help God out.
  • Our part is 2 believe nothing is impossible to God.
“I am certain that God, Who began the good work within you, will continue His work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.“ - Philippians‬ ‭1‬:‭6‬ ‭
“Estoy seguro de que Dios, Quien comenzó la buena obra en ustedes, la continuará hasta que quede completamente terminada el día que Cristo Jesús vuelva.“ - Filipenses‬ ‭1‬:‭6‬
  • Restoration is a process until Jesus returns.
  • God is restoring us — we gotta keep on believing. 
TRUST THE PROCESS 
CONFIA EN EL PROCESO
  • Trusting the process is like a car restoration. 
  • One day the car was brand new or very nice used. 
  • Somehow it became junk [basura]:
  • Wear & Tear—Poor Maintenance—Neglect,  etc. 
  • Now we want to get it fixed it up — We want it restored from Junk to Pristine Conditions. 
  • From discarded & worthless to its original purity. 
  • Requires a process:  Money; Time; Wash; Clean; Fix; Replace; Upholster; Bondo(masilla) & Paint. 
  • Above all we have to Trust:  Restorer; That he knows what he’s doing; The Process. 
  • AND THEN…
  • That’s the result of trusting the process. 
THE PROCESS APPLIES TO ME
EL PROCESO APLICA A MI
  • The process of restoration applies to our lives. 
  • Things we need to trust God to fix:  Character; Mind Set; & more. 
  • Things we need to let go of — that don’t work any work - Like How We:  Think; Do; & more. 
  • Trust Him to wash what we must accept needs it.
  • Deep cleaning of areas of our lives we don’t think about:  Offenses; Abuses; & more. 
  • And of course the work of the enemy. 
  • God Himself will restore us in His time 4 His glory. 
”In HIS kindness God called you to share in HIS eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, HE will restore, support, and strengthen you, and HE will place you on a firm foundation.“ - ‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭5‬:‭10‬ ‭
”En SU bondad, Dios los llamó a ustedes a que participen de SU gloria eterna por medio de Cristo Jesús. Entonces, después de que hayan sufrido un poco de tiempo, ÉL los restaurará, los sostendrá, los fortalecerá y LOS afirmará sobre un fundamento sólido.“ - 1 Pedro‬ ‭5‬:‭10‬ ‭
  • We have to accept that the process applies to all. 
HOMETOWN 
CIUDAD NATAL
  • Leaving my hometown was very difficult. 
  • All my family, friends, experiences, plans, dreams — they were all there. 
  • We’d already been coming to California for years — but we would always return home. 
  • Now, coming here to stay — that began a process. 
  • Nothing bad about the CV, it just wasn’t the RGV. 
  • Process: Talking bout it; Praying; and ESPECIALLY Trusting God to work, specifically, in me. 
  • It was a painful process — slow & hard — maybe cuz of my age—already set in many ways. 
  • Leaving home to reestablish in a new place - like Joseph, Mary, & Jesus needing to move to Egypt.
  • When apostle Steven returned to RGV — hard. 
  • When my parents left!  The pull was real!
  • Many of you have experienced leaving home. 
  • How many of you were born & raised in the CV?
  • If you can endure that — if you can trust God with that — then you can trust Him with His promise of restoring you:  Family; Ministry; Work; Everything.
  • Indio, CA is my children’s hometown. 
  • But, it’s also the place where God restored me, & blessed my family. 
CONCLUSION
THERE IS NOTHING LIKE THE PROMISE, AND THE PROCESS, AND THE JOY OF A GOOD RESTORATION
NO HAY NADA COMO LA PROMESA, Y EL PROCESO, Y EL GOZO DE UNA BUENA RESTAURACIÓN ​
THE ULTIMATE GIFT
EL REGALO MAXIMO
  • In this time that we live in, Jesus is the Ultimate Gift. 
  • He is the Good Sheperd.
  • Luke 15 one story talks about the shepard and the 100 sheep. 
  • One ends up getting lost and strays away, left abandoned, lost and alone.
  • The Shepard decides to leave the 99 to find the ONE—this seems irrational and senseless until you figure out that, that one is YOU—left lost, abandoned and alone.
“And when he has found it, he will joyfully carry it home on his shoulders.” - Luke 15:5
”Y, cuando la encuentre, la cargará con alegría en sus hombros y la llevará a su casa.“ - Lucas‬ ‭15‬:‭5‬ ‭
“When he arrives, he will call together his friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.’ - Luke 15:6
”Cuando llegue, llamará a sus amigos y vecinos y les dirá: “Alégrense conmigo porque encontré mi oveja perdida”.“ - Lucas‬ ‭15‬:‭6‬ ‭
“In the same way, there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven’t strayed away!” - Luke 15:7
”De la misma manera, ¡hay más alegría en el cielo por un pecador perdido que se arrepiente y regresa a Dios que por noventa y nueve justos que no se extraviaron!“ - Lucas‬ ‭15‬:‭7‬ ‭
  • We can stray from God all we want, but he is always offering us redemption and forgiveness and reconciliation.
  • Jesus is the Ultimate gift to the World. 
  • His birth and sacrifice made it possible for us to be forgiven and redeemed by God.
  • Never forget where God has brought you out of, or where you came from.
  • Some of us before coming to Christ were the worst of the worst, I’m still under construction, and some of us were just cruising by.
  • Jesus’s sacrifice was for all of us. 
  • All sinners, lost sheep abandoned and alone.
  • Ask yourself if not for Christ where would you be.
  • Gods restoration in our lives is an amazing thing. 
  • For some it’s over night and for others it takes a lifetime, we have to trust the process.
“And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.” - Philippians 1:6
”Y estoy seguro de que Dios, quien comenzó la buena obra en ustedes, la continuará hasta que quede completamente terminada el día que Cristo Jesús vuelva.“ - Filipenses ‭1‬:‭6‬ ‭
  • By all Christian standards Apostles Peter and Paul should have never been given a chance to change and be used by God. 
  • One of them was an angry, uneducated, impatient fisherman—hardened by the sea. 
  • Who ends up denying Christ publicly when Jesus is accused. 
  • The other hunted and killed Christians.
  • But with Gods faithfulness, renewing and restoration, Peter and Paul become the two most significant men of the New Testament and examples of Christian faith.
  • God is the one that establishes restoration in our lives.
”Philip went to look for Nathanael and told him, “We have found the very person Moses and the prophets wrote about! His name is Jesus, the son of Joseph from Nazareth.” - John 1:45
”Felipe fue a buscar a Natanael y le dijo: —¡Hemos encontrado a aquel de quien Moisés y los profetas escribieron! Se llama Jesús, el hijo de José, de Nazaret.“ - Juan‬ ‭1‬:‭45‬ ‭
“Nazareth!” exclaimed Nathanael. “Can anything good come from Nazareth?” “Come and see for yourself,” Philip replied.“ - John‬ ‭1‬:‭46‬ ‭
”—¡Nazaret! —exclamó Natanael—. ¿Acaso puede salir algo bueno de Nazaret? —Ven y compruébalo tú mismo —le respondió Felipe.“ - Juan‬ ‭1‬:‭46‬ ‭
  • Through Christ birth and sacrifice the promise of restoration, redemption and forgiveness made it possible for us to have access to eternity with him.
“He will keep you strong to the end so that you will be free from all blame on the day when our Lord Jesus Christ returns.” - 1 Corinthians 1:8
”Él los mantendrá firmes hasta el final, para que estén libres de toda culpa el día que nuestro Señor Jesucristo vuelva.“ - 1 Corintios‬ ‭1‬:‭8‬ ‭
 “God will do this, for he is faithful to do what he says, and he has invited you into partnership with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.” - 1 Corinthians 1:9
"Dios lo hará porque él es fiel para hacer lo que dice y los ha invitado a que tengan comunión con su Hijo, Jesucristo nuestro Señor.“ - 1 Corintios‬ ‭1‬:‭9‬ ‭
[APPLICATION] 
  • Christmas is the time to remind us about Jesus birth and sacrifice. 
  • The forgiveness of our sins is to show us that we have an opportunity for redemption, restoration and reconciliation through his grace and mercy. 
  • If we choose to follow and receive Christ. 
  • If he can do it for me, he can do it for anybody.
CONCLUSION
MY RESTORATION IS THROUGH JESUS, THE ULTIMATE GIFT 
MI RESTAURACIÓN ES POR MEDIO DE JESÚS, EL REGALO MÁXIMO
THE PROMISE OF GIFTS “The Gift that Keeps on Giving”
LA PROMESA DE REGALOS “El Regalo que Sigue Dando”

“If you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father GIVE [gift] the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him.” - Luke‬ ‭11‬:‭13‬ ‭
“Si ustedes, gente pecadora, saben dar buenos regalos a sus hijos, cuánto más su Padre celestial DARÁ [regalara] el Espíritu Santo a quienes lo pidan».” - Lucas‬ ‭11‬:‭13‬ ‭
  • ​The Story of Jesus is about the promise of gifts. 
  • Jesus said about Himself…
”…this is how God loved the world: He gave [gift] his one and only Son…” - John‬ ‭3‬:‭16‬ ‭
”Dios amó tanto al mundo que dio a su único Hijo…“ - Juan‬ ‭3‬:‭16‬ ‭
  • Jesus is the gift that keeps on giving. 
  • Let’s look at the promises of Jesus for us. 
SALVATION  ”Those the Father has given me will come to me, & I will never reject them” John‬ ‭6‬:‭37‬ ‭
SALVACIÓN  ”…los que el Padre me ha dado vendrán a mí, y jamás los rechazaré” Juan‬ ‭6‬:‭37‬
‭
PURPOSE  “Come, follow me and I will make you fishers of men” Matthew 4:19 
PROPÓSITO  “Vengan, síganme, ¡y yo les enseñaré cómo pescar personas!” Mateo‬ ‭4‬:‭19‬ 

REST  ”Come to me, all who are weary and heavy burdened, and I will give you rest” Matthew‬ ‭11‬:‭28‬ ‭
DESCANSO  ”Vengan a mí los que están cansados y cargados, y yo les daré descanso.“ Mateo‬ ‭11‬:‭28‬ 

HOLY SPIRIT  “Your heavenly Father [will] give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him” Luke‬ ‭11‬:‭13‬ ‭
ESPÍRITU SANTO  ”Su Padre celestial dará el Espíritu Santo a quienes lo pidan” Lucas‬ ‭11‬:‭13‬

ETERNITY  “I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am” John‬ ‭14‬:‭3‬
ETERNIDAD  ”Volveré para llevarlos, para que siempre estén conmigo donde yo estoy” Juan‬ ‭14‬:‭3‬
[APPLICATION]
  • God has so much more to give to you. 
  • So much more for you and yours. 
  • So now, this Christmas, and beyond, you be the gift that keeps on giving. 
  • Don’t just promise, give. 
CONCLUSION
I AM THE GIFT THAT KEEPS ON GIVING 
YO SOY EL REGALO QUE SIGUE DANDO ​
HAVE YOU ASKED FOR THE HOLY SPIRIT?
¿HAS PEDIDO EL ESPÍRITU SANTO?

  • Have you experienced the Holy Spirit since the day of your salvation?
  • Being filled with the Holy Spirit. 
  • Being convicted by the Holy Spirit. 
  • Experiencing peace that surpasses your understanding?

POWERPOINT
THERE IS MORE! 
¡HAY MAS!
  • Tell my story. 
Ho! Everyone who thirsts, Come to the waters; And you who have no money, Come, buy and eat. Yes, come, buy wine and milk Without money and without price. - Isaiah 55:1
¡Venid, todos los sedientos, venid a las aguas! Aunque no tengáis dinero, ¡venid, comprad y comed! ¡Venid, comprad sin dinero y sin pagar, vino y leche! - Isaías‬ ‭55‬:‭1‬ ‭

Why do you spend money for what is not bread, and your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, And let your soul delight itself in abundance. - Isaiah 55:2
¿Por qué gastáis el dinero en lo que no es pan y vuestro trabajo en lo que no sacia? ¡Oídme atentamente: comed de lo mejor y se deleitará vuestra alma con manjares! - Isaías‬ ‭55‬:‭2‬

Incline your ear, and come to Me. Hear, and your soul shall live; And I will make an everlasting covenant with you— The sure mercies of David. - Isaiah 55:3
Inclinad vuestro oído y venid a mí; escuchad y vivirá vuestra alma. Haré con vosotros un pacto eterno, las misericordias firmes a David. - Isaías‬ ‭55‬:‭3‬

Indeed I have given him as a witness to the people, A leader and commander for the people. - Isaiah 55:4
He aquí que yo lo di por testigo a los pueblos, por jefe y por maestro a las naciones. - Isaías‬ ‭55‬:‭4‬

Surely you shall call a nation you do not know, And nations who do not know you shall run to you, Because of the Lord your God, And the Holy One of Israel; For He has glorified you. - Isaiah 55:5
He aquí, llamarás a gente que no conociste y gentes que no te conocieron correrán a ti por causa de Jehová, tu Dios, y del Santo de Israel, que te ha honrado. - Isaías‬ ‭55‬:‭5‬ ‭

Seek the Lord while He may be found, Call upon Him while He is near. - Isaiah 55:6
¡Buscad a Jehová mientras puede ser hallado, llamadle en tanto que está cercano! - Isaías‬ ‭55‬:‭6‬

Let the wicked forsake his way, And the unrighteous man his thoughts; Let him return to the Lord, And He will have mercy on him; And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon. - Isaiah 55:7
Deje el impío su camino y el hombre inicuo sus pensamientos, y vuélvase a Jehová, el cual tendrá de él misericordia, al Dios nuestro, el cual será amplio en perdonar. - Isaías‬ ‭55‬:‭7‬

For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways, says the Lord. - Isaiah 55:8
Porque mis pensamientos no son vuestros pensamientos ni vuestros caminos mis caminos», dice Jehová. - Isaías‬ ‭55‬:‭8‬ ‭

For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts. - Isaiah 55:9
Como son más altos los cielos que la tierra, así son mis caminos más altos que vuestros caminos y mis pensamientos, más que vuestros pensamientos. - Isaías‬ ‭55‬:‭9‬ ‭

For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, And do not return there, But water the earth, And make it bring forth and bud, That it may give seed to the sower And bread to the eater, - Isaiah 55:10
Porque como desciende de los cielos la lluvia y la nieve, y no vuelve allá, sino que riega la tierra y la hace germinar y producir, y da semilla al que siembra y pan al que come, - Isaías‬ ‭55‬:‭10‬

So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it. - Isaiah 55:11
así será mi palabra que sale de mi boca: no volverá a mí vacía, sino que hará lo que yo quiero y será prosperada en aquello para lo cual la envié. - Isaías‬ ‭55‬:‭11‬ ‭

For you shall go out with joy, And be led out with peace; The mountains and the hills Shall break forth into singing before you, And all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. - Isaiah 55:12
Porque con alegría saldréis y con paz regresaréis. Los montes y los collados levantarán canción delante de vosotros, y todos los árboles del campo darán palmadas de aplauso. - Isaías‬ ‭55‬:‭12‬

Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress tree, And instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree; And it shall be to the Lord for a name, For an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off. - Isaiah‬ ‭55‬:‭13‬
En lugar de la zarza crecerá ciprés, y en lugar de la ortiga crecerá arrayán; y será a Jehová por nombre, por señal eterna que nunca será borrada. - Isaías‬ ‭55‬:‭13‬ ‭

CONCLUSION
GOD GIVES US GIFTS SO THAT WE CAN GIVE THE KINGDOM TO OTHERS
DIOS NOS DA REGALOS PARA QUE PODAMOS DAR EL REINO A OTROS
CHRISTMAS “Rejoicing in Our Promise” 
LA NAVIDAD “Regocijandonos en Nuestra Promesa”

[SERIES SCRIPTURE]
Zechariah gave this prophecy: “[God] has sent us a mighty Savior from the royal line of His servant David, just as He promised through His holy prophets long ago.” - Luke‬ ‭1‬:‭69-70‬ ‭
Zacarías dio la siguiente profecía, “[Dios] nos envió un poderoso Salvador del linaje real de Su siervo David, como Lo prometió mediante Sus santos profetas hace mucho tiempo.” - Lucas‬ ‭1‬:‭69-70‬

[DECEMBER FOCUSES]
THE PROMISE IS FULFILLED 
LA PROMESA SE CUMPLE
  • The coming of Jesus was a Prophetic Promise. 
  • Cuz God keeps promises—so are we able to. 
  • This is something to rejoice about.

THE PROMISE OF RESTORATION 
LA PROMESA DE LA RESTAURACIÓN 
  • The study on Jesus is a study on Promises. 
  • Part of His purpose is to restore us back to God. 
  • When we’re restored, heaven & earth rejoice. 

THE PROMISE OF GIFTS 
LA PROMESA DE REGALOS
  • Learning about Jesus is a lesson in giving. 
  • FatherJesusHoly Spiritto us. 
  • Rejoice, God is the gift that keeps on giving. 

THE PROMISE OF THINGS TO COME 
LA PROMESA DE LAS COSAS QUE VENDRÁN 
  • We’re living the signs of the end times. 
  • Meantime, the promise our families would come. 
  • Rejoice, your Prayers will bring them in. 
[APPLICATION]
  • Rejoice in God. 
  • He is faithful to fulfill everything He promises. 
  • Your family is coming to Jesus. 
  • Just Get on your altar and pray them in. 
  • You will rejoice in every promise fulfilled by God. 
[CONCLUSION]
iREJOICE IN GOD AND IN HIS PROMISES 
meREGOCIJO EN DIOS Y EN SUS PROMESAS