Christmas Program – 2025

Christmas Program – 2025

Subject – Come Adore

By Rick Welborne

Luke 2:11-14 (NKJV)
¹¹  For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
¹²  And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger."
¹³  And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:
¹⁴  "Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!" 

--Joseph and Mary had made their way to Nazareth and there, she gave birth to her first born Son. She wrapped Him in swaddling cloths and laid Him in a manger. No room in the Inn.

--Nearby, in the same country were shepherds tending their sheep during the night. Suddenly, a worship leader and a heavenly praise team show up in the sky!

--Sometimes we think the modern church came up with the bright lights during a worship service but God was way ahead of all of them.

--The Angel of the Lord stood before them, he was the leader and suddenly the glory of the Lord shone all around them. The Angel told the shepherds, Don’t be afraid. Right!

--Evidently the Angel had no experience in watching over sheep because most nights were calm and quiet. Imagine a huge Angel standing before you and the sky so bright. Scary for sure.

Luke 2:10-12 (NKJV)
¹⁰  Then the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.
¹¹  For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
¹²  And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger."

1. Come Adore with Great Joy

--The angel was announcing that Jesus had arrived. He is the Savoir and He is Christ the Lord. Even though this is a new experience for you…Come Adore your Savior and King. 

--You are frightened and caught off guard because of the Angel and the lights but let Jesus be the focus of your worship. It is not a time of fear but a time of great joy. Come Adore.

--Just maybe you are new to church or maybe you are new to this kind of church, don’t be distracted by the lights, the style of worship but focus on the Savior, the King. Come adore Him.

--The Angel of the Lord, the shepherds, not even the heavenly host should he object of their attention. They were just pointing to a greater One.

--Today the singers, the band, the preacher, nor anyone else should be grabbing your attention. Look to Jesus as your Savior and if you know Him, adore Him!

2. Come Adore with the Heavenly Host.

--The Angel of the Lord and the heavenly host show up, not to draw attention to themselves, but to prepare the shepherds for the main event.

--Yes, the Angel of the Lord was exciting, and the glory of the Lord was blinding. The heavenly host were beautiful and oh how they could sing. Still not the main attraction. Jesus is. Come adore.

Hebrews 12:2 (NIV)
²  Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross…

Luke 2:13-14 (NIV)
¹³  Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
¹⁴  "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." 

--Our purpose here today is not to have you be awed by the singing, the gifting, and the talent before you but to fill you with a desire to see Jesus. Come adore Him.

Luke 2:15-16 (NKJV)
¹⁵  So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, "Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us."
¹⁶  And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger.

3. We Should Invite Others to Come Adore Him.

Luke 2:17-20 (NKJV)
¹⁷  Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child.
¹⁸  And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
¹⁹  But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.
²⁰  Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.

--When you truly see Jesus and you receive Him as Lord and Savior, you want others to come adore Him.

--Come adore Him, today. How? Receive His as Lord and Savior.

Welcome – 7

Welcome – 7

Subject – Why We Welcome Christmas

By Rick Welborne

Luke 1:26-38 (NLT2)
²⁶  In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a village in Galilee,
²⁷  to a virgin named Mary. She was engaged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of King David.
²⁸  Gabriel appeared to her and said, “Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you!”
²⁹  Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean.
³⁰  “Don’t be afraid, Mary,” the angel told her, “for you have found favor with God!
³¹  You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus.
³²  He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David.
³³  And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!”
³⁴  Mary asked the angel, “But how can this happen? I am a virgin.”
³⁵  The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God.
³⁶  What’s more, your relative Elizabeth has become pregnant in her old age! People used to say she was barren, but she’s now in her sixth month.
³⁷  For nothing is impossible with God.”
³⁸  Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” And then the angel left her. 

--Growing up, Christmas was not a real time of celebration. We were not Christians, so Christmas was a time of more stress around our house.

--We lived down a dirt road in an 800 square foot tenant shack where the slaves previously lived. It was behind the plantation house; to be honest we didn’t know how poor we were.

--Don’t misunderstand me, we always had plenty of food to eat because the plantation owner let us use his barn and his acreage (3) for growing vegetables. We sold to Piggly Wiggly.

--We raised our own hogs and had them butchered every so often so we had plenty of meat. My sister would get attached to the hogs so she was traumatized when they were killed.

--I took get sport is making pig sounds at the table that only she could hear. She would leave the table crying so I would get her pet for dinner. I’m glad she didn’t squeal on me.

--I was the youngest so my gifts were not up to the standard that my older siblings had. When I was seven my dad went to the junk yard and got me an old bike. Fender fell, so did I.

--We finally became extremely wealthy and moved into a $6800 house with a paved road out front. The Welbornes had finally arrived. 

--Anyone remember when it was cool to wear bracelets with your name on them. So cool! One Christmas my brothers got the cool ones. I got the girly sissy one. Humiliating.

--Christmas became a time of sadness for me and got to the point that I dreaded it each year. As believers we should not dread Christmas but learn to welcome it.

--I understand the stress of getting and giving gifts and the stress of having family in for the holidays. Just maybe there is tension in the house. Just a little.

--Let’s look at why we welcome Christmas and what it can teach us about our relationship with Jesus.

1. Welcoming Christmas Teaches Us Obedience.

Luke 1:27 (NLT2)
²⁷ …a virgin named Mary. She was engaged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of King David.

--Mary was a blessed and very happy girl. Life was treating her well. She was engaged but not just to anyone. She was engaged to Joseph, a descendant of King David. A Jewish girl’s dream.

--When an angel shows up and tells you that you are walking in God’s favor and that the Lord is with you, it must have been encouraging but also confusing. What could this mean?

--I wish I could have a visitation from an angel. Maybe you can. If you live a virtuous life, if you are walking in the favor of God, if you are making Godly choices (Joseph), if you walk in His presence.

--The angel tells her, if you walk in obedience to your assignment that you are receiving, something (actually someone) will be born in your life named Jesus.

--Many of us want the promise but not the pain, we want the comfort but not the cross, we want the blessings but not the burial. Obedience comes at a cost.

Matthew 16:24-25 (NLT2)
²⁴  Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me.
²⁵  If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it.

--Mary could have been selfish and said no. Her life was laid out and being pregnant out of wedlock with someone other than Joseph meant shame and humiliation. 

--Her obedience to God meant that she would be misunderstood, her plans would be disrupted, and even Joseph would not believe the incredible story she was telling. Obedience hurts.

Matthew 1:19 (NKJV)
¹⁹  Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly.

--He, too, had to have a visitation from an angel in a dream to let him know what was happening to Mary was of Holy Spirit and he had to make the choice of obedience.

--Joseph, by the way, you cannot have sexual relations with Mary until after Jesus is born. Wait a minute! Obedience to God means sacrifice and waiting on God’s timing.

--Mary asks the question; how can this happen? Maybe you are asking the same question in your life as you believe for a miracle from God. The answer is still the same.

Luke 1:34-37 (NLT2) ³⁴ Mary asked the angel, “But how can this happen? I am a virgin.”
³⁵  The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God.
³⁶  What’s more, your relative Elizabeth has become pregnant in her old age! People used to say she was barren, but she’s now in her sixth month.
³⁷  For nothing is impossible with God.” 

--I keep telling you how important it is to be baptized in Holy Spirit power and I believe Mary’s experience is such an example of what happens to us when we are.

--The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God. 

--When Holy Spirit comes upon you the miracle will happen and what comes out of your life will be Jesus. Why? For nothing is impossible with God!

--We welcome Christmas because it teaches us beautiful obedience and submission to God.

Luke 1:38 (NLT2) ³⁸ Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” And then the angel left her.

2. Welcoming Christmas Teaches Us Worship and Giving.

Matthew 2:1-3 & 9-11 (NLT2)
¹  Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod. About that time some wise men from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking,
²  “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him.”
³  King Herod was deeply disturbed when he heard this, as was everyone in Jerusalem.
⁹  After this interview the wise men went their way. And the star they had seen in the east guided them to Bethlehem. It went ahead of them and stopped over the place where the child was.
¹⁰  When they saw the star, they were filled with joy!
¹¹  They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 

--The wise men came for the purpose of worshiping Jesus. Christmas should teach us about worshiping Jesus with all of our hearts.

--The shepherds in the fields, Anna and Simeon in the temple waiting on the Messiah, and the wise men teach us that as we look forward to Christmas or just come to church, we should worship.

Revelation 4:11 (NKJV) ¹¹ "You are worthy, O Lord, To receive glory and honor and power; For You created all things, And by Your will they exist and were created."

--Christmas has become all about parties (eating), programs, musicals, practices, presents, trees, lights, decorations, and gatherings at home and at church. That’s ok.

--Our main purpose should be to worship Jesus with all of our hearts, our souls, and our minds. Christmas should be welcomed as an opportunity to worship and to give.

Matthew 2:11 (NKJV) ¹¹ And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

--We welcome Christmas as a time to open our treasures and present to Jesus and His House the resources He has blessed us with.

--I believe it is good to bless family and friends at Christmas and it is a beautiful expression of love to each other. But don’t forget Jesus.

Matthew 6:19-21 (NIV) ¹⁹ "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.
²⁰  But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.
²¹  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 

Spiritual Warfare – The Full Armor of God - 3

Spiritual Warfare – The Full Armor of God - 3

Subject: A Life of Intentionality 

By Rick Welborne

Ephesians 6:10-13 (NIV)
¹⁰  Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.
¹¹  Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.
¹²  For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
¹³  Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.

--It is so interesting to me that verse 10 starts with the word “Finally”. Obviously, something important was said before this. 

--Paul is exhorting believers to put on the full armor of God but he says something very significant before he tells them that…he tells them that they must submit to their authorities.

Ephesians 6:1-9 (NIV) ¹  Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.
²  "Honor your father and mother"--which is the first commandment with a promise--
³  "that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth."
⁴  Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.
⁵  Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ.
⁶  Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but like slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart.
⁷  Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men,
⁸  because you know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free.
⁹  And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with him. 

--Children obey and honor your parents…Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger but bring them up with discipline and instruction from the Lord.

--Slaves or employees, obey your masters or bosses with deep respect and fear (honor). Serve as though you are serving Christ. Masters or employers treat your people respectfully and with honor.

It is so interesting to me that God tells us that before we get ready for battle or before we put on the whole armor of God that we are to submit to our God given authorities and treat each other respectfully.

--It does make sense in the context of being in preparation for battle that you submit to those over you and submit to one another…in the military (soldiers) that is how the victory is won. Rambo is not real!

Ephesians 5:21 (NIV) ²¹  Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.

--Something to meditate on…if we do not submit to one another in the fear of the Lord do we forfeit our right to the armor of God and hence, become vulnerable to the enemy?

--An interesting note: Paul starts with parents and children (home…then servants and masters (work)…and then our text (spiritual warfare – our walk with God – church).

Ephesians 6:10 (NIV) ¹⁰  Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 

--We are exhorted (actually commanded) to put on God’s armor (it is our responsibility). Good news is this, we put on the armor but our strength and power comes from the Lord.

--It is something that has to be done intentionally…God will absolutely do His part but we must cooperate with Him and do ours…put on the whole armor of God…You put it on! It is a command!

--In my reading I came across something very interesting when it comes to our choices and how we live. Leading on Empty by Wayne Cordeiro…a God send for me.

Cordeiro – There are four basic courses by which we can live. These may not be planned but they will be followed regardless.  Every life follows a set of rules, a default of ideals that have been caught more than taught.

--We will have to intentionally choose one of these courses for our lives because this choice will alter our future. Attempting to opt out will only default you to one of the first three. 

1. In Spiritual Warfare We Can Choose a Life of Reaction.

--With this paradigm we plod forward until something forces us to change…the loss of a job forces us to find another…the perceived acceptance or rejection of another will dictate our circle of friendships.

--Many times we only change when we are faced with the consequences of our bad decisions or course of action. I spent 6 months thinking I was going to jail…every time I saw a police car my heart sank.

--How we are treated by someone determines our course of action when it comes to our circle of friends…treat me right, I am in…treat me wrong and I am out! Is that a friend? 

--A life of reaction is a life that is lived all over the place, roller coaster. Easy targets for the enemy.

--Cordeiro says a life of reaction is disorienting, sometimes a dangerous way to live, but the majority of people have chosen this lifestyle, most of them, because they have chosen no other course. Apostle Peter.

2. In Spiritual Warfare We Can Choose a Life of Conformity.

--In this course of life we live according to the view of the crowd. We float on the current of popular opinion.

This explains how the crowd in Jerusalem could go from Hosanna to Crucify with Jesus.

--We tend to gravitate toward trends for our sense of wellbeing. We allow how we look to trump what we believe, and we permit what others think drive what we do. Being liked.

--These people wrestle with appearances and grapple with perceptions…they are fighting the wrong battles so they are easy picking for the enemy.

--It is another dangerous way to live…it puts you at the mercy of opinion. Watch and study politicians who serve people this way. This year they are pro-life and next year they are pro-abortion.

Leo Buscalia – The easiest thing in the world to be is you. The most difficult thing in the world to be is what other people want you to be, Don’t let them put you in that position.

3. In Spiritual Warfare We Can Choose a Life of Independence.

--Men and women who choose this course for life cherish the illusion of autonomy. Self-reliance, self-direction, 

and self-sufficiency. They are usually the smartest person in the room…just ask them.

Pro. 18:1 (NKJV) ¹ A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire; He rages against all wise judgment.

--When they do find people to hang with, they find those who think like they do. They become clones of one another…whether it is going organic, sporting tattoos, or avoiding the organized church. 

--It could be what I have watched played out in the church for years…what education preference you have. Private verses public verses home schooling. This is what I think about that:

Philippians 2:12 (NKJV) ¹² …work out your own salvation with fear and trembling;

--Whatever sets them apart is trendy so long as it distinguishes them from the herd of the former generation. Satan loves when one of God’s children separates himself from the herd.

1 Peter 5:5&8 (NKJV)                                                                                                                                                  ⁵ Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for "God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.”
⁸  Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 

4. In Spiritual Warfare We Must Choose a Life of Intentionality. 

--A life of intentionality is the re-structured life that we must choose…as good soldiers of Jesus Christ we must discipline ourselves to fall in line and obey!

2 Timothy 2:3 (NIV) ³ Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.

--When we were young, life happened as a matter of course. When we were hungry food appeared fully prepared by a parent or sibling…clothes were washed and appeared in our drawers…magic!

--School was just out there waiting for us to get plugged in and making friends was basically a slam dunk, all we needed was lunch or PE and we connected with people. 

--Our weight remained stable. We could pretty much eat whatever we wanted and stay fit and slim…no more! I look at a snickers bar and gain five pounds. 

--Stay with me, somewhere along the line things shifted from automatic to manual, from natural to deliberate, from involuntary to intentional. 

--You are not told when the switch takes place, but if you do not make the transition, you will always be in the wrong place in your life…off course and vulnerable to the enemy.

--It happens at different times for different people, but it does happen…life changes! The evolution comes without warning and it happens without your permission. 

--Your marriage which early on seemed to take care of itself will no longer survive the way it used to. Healthy marriages require intentionality and planned investment. 

--So will your waistline, your ministry, your faith, your spiritual warfare, and your emotional health.

1 Cor. 9:24-27 (NCV) ²⁴ You know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize. So run to win!
²⁵  All those who compete in the games use self-control so they can win a crown. That crown is an earthly thing that lasts only a short time, but our crown will never be destroyed.
²⁶  So I do not run without a goal. I fight like a boxer who is hitting something—not just the air.
²⁷  I treat my body hard and make it my slave so that I myself will not be disqualified after I have preached to others.

--You run, you fight this spiritual warfare with intentionality…it takes discipline, training, tenacity…you make that choice every day!