There are two lifestyles of faith that need to be examined in the modern church.  One is wilderness living where one just exists day to day never experiencing victory or  breakthrough.  

The other lifestyle is one of living in the land of “milk and honey” but forgetting where the blessings came from which causes constant defeat.  

This first Sunday of the New Year we will look at these two places – the challenge for the church and for the individual as we face 2009.

Wikipedia says a New Year's Resolution is a commitment that an individual makes to a project or the reforming of a habit, often a lifestyle change that is generally interpreted as advantageous. The name comes from the fact that these commitments normally go into effect on New Year's Day and remain until fulfilled or abandoned.

This Sunday, we will take a look at several resolutions from some of our members, and see how they compare.

Come join us.

In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you."
Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be.

But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High.

The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end."    
Luke 1:26-33

Which Jesus suits you? The tiny baby Jesus, so tender and mild, or the grown-up Son of the Most High?

Will Ferrell in Talladega Nights said, “I like the Christmas Jesus best.” He plays a stock car driver named Ricky Bobby. His wife in the movie reminds him that Jesus did grow up, but Ferrell gives grace at the table mentioning Jesus as an infant and finishing by saying, “Thank you for all your power and your grace, dear baby God. Amen.”

We laugh at such lines, but the truth is, many of us prefer the Christmas Jesus.

This Sunday we will talk about the birth of our Savior, but strongly emphasize His state of maturity by looking at the Four Titles And The Five Names Of Christmas.