And Joshua said to the people, “Sanctify yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you” Joshua 3:5
Today we are going to worship together and celebrate Christmas with thankful hearts because of the Lord’s goodness throughout the year of 2018. With the Christmas theme “Wonders” we are going to rejoice and have a spiritual feast. The birth of Jesus into this world is one of the Father’s wonders for mankind. Through his birth and death, we were given salvation, abundant blessing, healing, breakthrough and victory.
The Christmas theme for this year was taken from the book of Joshua chapter 3, verse 5. It is a story of Joshua and the Israelites when they crossed the Jordan River and ceased the land of Canaan (the Promised Land from God).
Before crossing the Jordan River, the Lord spoke to Joshua and he delivered the message to the Israelites. The Lord had told them to sanctify themselves before crossing the Jordan River. If they obey God’s command, His promise will follow them – the promise is that He will do wonders for them.
And Joshua did exactly what the Lord had commanded. He asked the whole nation of Israel to sanctify themselves, build an altar, pray together and unite their faith and hearts. Then when they crossed the Jordan River, the Lord did wonders for them by splitting the Jordan River so that they could cross it.
Tonight in this Christmas service, we also want to do what Joshua did. We will sanctify ourselves and build an altar – our prayer, praise and worship – so God is pleased. We will declare together, “the Lord will do wonders in the midst of us.” Let us unite our faith and hearts to receive and witness the wonders of God.
Why does the Lord desire to do wonders for us? It is because after we are restored, the Lord will send us to go out and restore those who are not saved. We will be doers of the miracles and wonders of God. We will do this for many souls so that they may glorify God and receive Jesus as their Lord and Savior.
Expect the Lord’s great visitation tonight. Believe that there is nothing impossible for our God. And for those who need the Lord, He will touch us today.
As you take part in this Christmas service, may you experience the wonders of God. As senior pastors of IBC Church, we want to wish you “Merry Christmas 2018” and “Happy New Year 2019” to all of our IBC Family and Friends. God bless.
Pastors Raymond & Juliet Pranoto