2,000 years ago, Jesus came riding into Jerusalem on a donkey. He didn’t come riding in on a White Horse with a sword ready to take on the Roman Empire. He didn’t come riding in on solid gold. Jesus came riding in on a donkey as the people threw down palm branches for the donkey to trot on. But why? Does it even matter? Join Reverend Kenny Yates as he explains the Triumphal entry in his eye-opening Palm Sunday message, ‘A Donkey and A King.’
John 12:12–19 Zechariah 9:9 Leviticus 23:40 Matthew 2:3 John 12:19 John 11:49–52 Psalms 118:22–29
A Donkey and a King Verses
The Triumphal Entry
The Prophecy
9 Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is He, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.
Zechariah 9:9
The Fulfillment
12 The next day the large crowd that had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. 13 So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet Him, crying out, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!” 14 And Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, just as it is written, 15 “Fear not, daughter of Zion; behold, your king is coming, sitting on a donkey’s colt!” 16 His disciples did not understand these things at first, but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things had been written about Him and had been done to Him.
John 12:12-16
Our king didn’t abandon us, he has come riding on a donkey. He didn’t come riding in on an elegant pure white horse. He came humbly on a donkey. Because He lowered Himself, He was raised higher than all. He is seated at the right hand of the Father of Lights with the name above all names. Our savior has come, and He lives.
Divorce has become more and more prevalent in our culture. But why? Why has divorce skyrocketed so much? Have we forgotten how to love? How can you protect your relationship? There are five love languages, according to Gary Chapman:
Words of Affirmation
Quality Time
Receiving Gifts
Acts of Service
Physical Touch
According to Gary Chapman, each person expresses and feels love according to one of these five love languages. Do you know what your significant other’s love language is? Do you know how to make it through difficult situations together? Join Reverend Kenny Yates as he shows us how to have a lasting relationship in his love-filled Valentine’s Day Message ‘Protect Your Relationships.’
Song of Solomon 2:15
How To Protect Your Relationships Verses
Marriage
22 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. 24 Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands. 25 Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her, 26 that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27 so that He might present the church to Himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. 28 In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, 30 because we are members of His body. 31 “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” 32 This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. 33 However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.
Ephesians 5:22-33
Divorce
3 And Pharisees came up to Him and tested Him by asking, “Is it lawful to divorce one’s wife for any cause?” 4 He answered, “Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning made them male and female, 5 and said, ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? 6 So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.” 7 They said to him, “Why then did Moses command one to give a certificate of divorce and to send her away?” 8 He said to them, “Because of your hardness of heart Moses allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so. 9 And I say to you: whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery.”
Matthew 19:3-9
Love
4 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant 5 or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; 6 it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. 7 Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 8a Love never ends.
1 Corinthians 13:4-8a
Summary
In order to protect your relationship, you have to fight for your relationship. You have to decide that no matter what happens, divorce is NOT an option. You have to fight for your relationship if you want to keep it. Love is an action. Live your life as if you can’t live without your significant other.
2020 has been filled with fear, anxiety, division, anger, and much confusion. I think it’s safe to say that none of us are sad to see 2020 come to an end so that we can usher in 2021. Join Reverend Kenny Yates as he brings his sobering message, Christmas Tidings: New Beginnings, summing up 2020 and looking towards the future.
All over the world, Christmas will be celebrated this December 25th. We open our presents under our decorated Christmas Trees. We spend time with family and friends as we celebrate this festive holiday. But as we celebrate and partake in this joyous season, do we truly know what we are celebrating? Do we truly know and understand the real meaning of Christmas? Join Reverend Kenny Yates as he brings his eye-opening Christmas message, Christmas Tidings: The Real Christmas Story.
Luke 2:1–20 Romans 3:23 Hebrews 4:15b Galatians 2:20 John 14:26 Ephesians 4:31 John 3:16 John 7:37b–38 Revelation 22:17
The Real Christmas Story
The Birth of Jesus Christ
1 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths and laid Him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
Luke 2:1-7
The Shepherds and the Angels
8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and 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 among those with whom He is pleased!” 15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. 17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
Luke 2:8-20
What’s the real meaning of Christmas?
The real meaning of Christmas isn’t about Santa, presents, or even spending time with your family. The real meaning of Christmas, the true Christmas story, is the story of God setting aside His Godliness to become man so that He could save anyone who would humble themselves before Him.
Jesus came to save mankind 2000 years ago, but there was no room for Him in the inn. Because of this, He was born in a stable and laid in a manger. We often look at the Nativity scene as something beautiful and wonderful, but was it? Was the manger scene a beautiful sight to behold? Have we completely lost sight of the significance of the manger scene? Join Reverend Kenny Yates as he brings the powerful message, Christmas Tidings: Let Every Heart Prepare Him Room.
Luke 2:7 John 1:2–3 Matthew 20:28 1 Timothy 2:5–6 Revelation 3:20 John 15
Let Every Heart Prepare Him Room
2,000 years ago, there was no room for Christ in the inn. 2,000 years later, there’s not even room for Christ in our schools, government, and country. Is there at least room for Jesus in your heart?
Jesus’ account of Every Heart to Prepare Him Room
20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.
Revelation 3:20
Paul’s account of Every Heart to Prepare Him Room
14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, 16 that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
Ephesians 3:14-19
When you make room in your heart for Christ, He not only comes in, He gives you the strength you need to overcome all obstacles in your path. Christ changes us so that we might become more and more like Him. Let every heart prepare Him room that we might all be saved.
When did it become breaking a rule To say your name out loud in school When your name’s the only one that sets us free? When did it become incorrect To speak the truth about life and death When your life gave us all eternity?
Even if it gets me convicted I’ll be on my knees with my hands lifted
If serving you’s against the law of man If living out my faith in you is banned Then I’ll stand right before the jury
If saying “I believe” is out of line If I’m judged ’cause I’m gonna give my life To show the world the love that fills me Then I wanna be guilty
I’ll rise up and honor you I’ll testify to the good you do ‘Cause your grace and your mercy have overtaken me
So even if it gets me convicted I’ll be on my knees with my hands lifted
If serving you’s against the law of man If living out my faith in you is banned Then I’ll stand right before the jury
If saying “I believe” is out of line If I’m judged ’cause I’m gonna give my life To show the world the love that fills me
Then I wanna be guilty by association Guilty of being a voice proclaiming Your ways, your truth, your life I’ll pay the price to be your light
If serving you’s against the law of man If living out my faith in you is banned Then I’ll stand right before the jury
If saying “I believe” is out of line If I’m judged ’cause I’m gonna give my life To show the world the love that fills me
Then I wanna be guilty by association Guilty of being a voice proclaiming Your ways, your truth, your life I’ll pay the price to be your light
Oh little town of Bethlehem Looks like another silent night Above your deep and dreamless sleep A giant star lights up the sky And while you’re lying in the dark There shines an everlasting light For the King has left His throne And is sleeping in a manger tonight, tonight
Oh Bethlehem, what you have missed while you were sleeping For God became a man And stepped into your world today Oh Bethlehem, you will go down in history As a city with no room for its King While you were sleeping While you were sleeping
Mary shivers in the cold Trying to keep the Savior warm Born among the animals wrapped in dirty rags Because there was no room for Him in the world He came to save
Oh Bethlehem, what you have missed while you were sleeping For God became a man And stepped into your world today Oh Bethlehem, you will go down in history As a city with no room for its King While you were sleeping While you were sleeping
United States of America Looks like another silent night As we’re sung to sleep by philosophies That save the trees and kill the children And while we’re lying in the dark There’s a shout heard ‘cross the eastern sky For the Bridegroom has returned And has carried His bride away in the night In the night
America, what will we miss while we are sleeping Will Jesus come again And leave us slumbering where we lay America, will we go down in history As a nation with no room for its King Will we be sleeping Will we be sleeping
United States of America Looks like another silent night
The birth of Christ is so significant that we built our dates around it with B.C. and A.D. Prophets prophesied the coming of the Messiah. The coming Son of God given to mankind. Isaiah described the birth of Christ Jesus like this, ‘Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given,’ in Isaiah 9:6. But what was Isaiah trying to tell us? What was he prophesying about Jesus? Join Reverend Kenny Yates as he brings the second part, Unto Us A Child Is Born, Unto Us A Son Is Given, to our five-part series ‘Christmas Tidings.’
Isaiah 9:6-7 Genesis 3:15 John 3:16 Isaiah 7:14–15 Luke 1:46-56 Matthew 1:18 Luke 2:7a Philippians 2:5–11 John 1:1–5 Isaiah 9:6b-7 Matthew 11:12 John 14:27 Philippians 1:21 Isaiah 9:2 Isaiah 5:20
Christmas Tidings: Unto Us A Child Is Born, Unto Us A Son Is Given
The Birth of Christ
Unto Us A Child Is Born, Unto Us A Son Is Given
6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be uponHis shoulder, and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6
A son has been given to us by our Everlasting Father. He is God incarnate. He is the prophesied child born 2,000 years ago.
10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and 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 among those with whom He is pleased!”
Luke 2:10-14
Jesus’ birth was foretold hundreds of years prior to His birth. These tidings of great Christmas joy was brought first to the lowly shepherds by the angels 2,000 years ago. Unto us a child is born, but a son is given. Jesus is the child of Mary, but the Son of Almighty God.
The Purpose of Jesus: A Son Is Given
16 For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through Him.
John 3:16-17
Jesus’ one purpose for coming to the earth was to be the Son given to all of mankind. Jesus had to be born as a human child so that He could save the world as a man. That’s the meaning of Christmas. That’s Christmas tidings.
Christmas is a time of hope and joy, but it seems almost hopeless in a world filled with pain, sorrow, grief, starvation, and death. Sometimes it feels as if the very joy is being sucked out of our bodies. What is the joy and hope of Christmas? And how do we receive that joy? Join Reverend Kenny Yates as he preaches part one, Joy to the World, of his five-part series Christmas Tidings.
10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”
Luke 2:10-11
In other words, “Joy to the world, the LORD is come.” Are you overjoyed to hear the good news? It doesn’t just bring happiness because happiness depends on circumstances, and when circumstances change, our happiness changes. Are circumstances changing your level of happiness? Do you get sad, or upset, or even angry when a situation or circumstance arises that you have no control over? Have you given someone else other than God the power to dictate your level of happiness? Then you need to ramp up the joy of the LORD.
How many of us can say that we are grateful for what we have? Now, how many of us can say that we are thankful for what we have? And is there a difference? Does it even matter? Join Reverend Kenny Yates as he enlightens us on the importance of thankfulness in his message, The Act of Being Thankful.
When we are thankful, we can enter the presence of God.
3 Know that the Lord, He is God! It is He who made us, and we are His; we are His people, and the sheep of His pasture. 4 Enter His gates with thanksgiving, and His courts with praise! Give thanks to Him; bless His name! 5 For the Lord is good; His steadfast love endures forever, and His faithfulness to all generations.
Psalm 100:3-5
When we are thankful, we receive Salvation.
11 Now on His way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. 12 As He was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met Him. They stood at a distance 13 and called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!”
14 When He saw them, He said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed.
15 One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. 16 He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked Him—and he was a Samaritan.17 Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? 18 Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” 19 Then He said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.”
Luke 17:11-19
The leper was already healed. It was because of his thankfulness that he received spiritual healing, redemption, Salvation.
How to Be More Thankful
Reverend Kenny Yates said, in his message, that there are four ways to maintain an atmosphere or attitude of thankfulness.
Say thank you at all times and for everything
18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
1 Thessalonians 5:18
Do not complain or grumble
14 Do all things without grumbling or disputing, 15 that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16 holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.
Philippians 2:14–16
Identify at least 1 different thing every day that you are thankful for
20 giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 5:20
Fake it until you make it.
Even if you don’t feel thankful, pretend to be thankful, say thank you continually.
Begin with:
34 Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His steadfast love endures forever!
The Feast of Tabernacles is the very last feast of the Jewish year. It’s celebrated for seven days, starting five days after the Day of Atonement. Like all feasts, The Feast of Tabernacles is a shadow of things to come, but what? Join Reverend Kenny Yates as he opens our eyes to this important feast.
Once a year, the High Priest would enter into the Holy of Holies and present an offering on the Mercy Seat before the LORD. When Jesus died for our sins on the cross 2,000 years ago, He fulfilled the final and perfect sacrifice. But what exactly does the Day of Atonement have to do with us today? Join Reverend Kenny Yates as he connects the past to the present in our latest message, The Day of Atonement.
26 And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 27 “Now on the tenth day of this seventh month is the Day of Atonement. It shall be for you a time of holy convocation, and you shall afflict yourselves and present a food offering to the Lord. 28 And you shall not do any work on that very day, for it is a Day of Atonement, to make atonement for you before the Lord your God. 29 For whoever is not afflicted on that very day shall be cut off from his people. 30 And whoever does any work on that very day, that person I will destroy from among his people. 31 You shall not do any work. It is a statute forever throughout your generations in all your dwelling places. 32 It shall be to you a Sabbath of solemn rest, and you shall afflict yourselves. On the ninth day of the month beginning at evening, from evening to evening shall you keep your Sabbath.”
