The following points were taken from today's sermon.
The Trinity
- The belief in one God existing in three persons: Father, Son (Jesus Christ), and Holy Spirit.
The Authority of Scripture
- The belief that the Bible is the inspired word of God and serves as the ultimate authority for faith and practice.
Eschatology
- The study of last things or end times, including beliefs about the second coming of Christ, the resurrection of the dead, final judgment, and the establishment of God’s eternal kingdom.
Soteriology
- The doctrine of salvation, which explores how humans are saved through the grace of God, the role of faith, and the significance of Jesus Christ's death and resurrection.
Christology
- The study of the person and work of Jesus Christ, focusing on His divine and human natures, His role as the Messiah, and His redemptive work.
Pneumatology
- The doctrine concerning the Holy Spirit, including His nature, roles, and work in the life of believers and the Church.
The Incarnation
- The doctrine that Jesus Christ is both fully divine and fully human, born of the Virgin Mary.
The Doctrine of the Incarnation:
- Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary, taking on human flesh. This means He experienced human life, including suffering,
- By becoming human, Jesus was able to relate to human experiences and ultimately sacrifice Himself for the sins of the world.
“In the Incarnation, the Son of God wanted to share our human condition in all its aspects, except sin.” Pope Francis
If you want to know what God is like, look at Jesus. He is the perfect revelation of the Father.” C. H. Spurgeon
As we celebrate Christmas, let us not lose sight of the true meaning behind the festivities. Christmas is about God’s incredible gift to humanity—His Son, Jesus Christ.
Just as Jesus moved into our neighborhoods, we are invited to engage with the world around us. We are to identify with those in need, serving and loving them with the gifts God has given us.
We are called to reflect Christ in our actions, recognizing that no task is too small when done in love. This is not just a seasonal call; it is a year-round mission.
We are to come down from our comfortable places and serve those who are hurting, lonely, and marginalized.
May we go forth from this place, empowered to be vessels of God’s love, moving into the neighborhoods of others, just as God through Jesus moved into ours.
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SCRIPTURES AND PRAYERS
CYCLE OF BLESSINGS
As a congregation, The Tabernacle of Glory bases our studies and principles on the Six Holy Currencies of the Cycle of Blessings through the lens of Acts 2:42-46:
The believers devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching, to the community, to their shared meals, and to their prayers. A sense of awe came over everyone. God performed many wonders and signs through the apostles. All the believers were united and shared everything. They would sell pieces of property and possessions and distribute the proceeds to everyone who needed them. Every day, they met together in the temple and ate in their homes. They shared food with gladness and simplicity. They praised God and demonstrated God's goodness to everyone. The whole city was favorable to them. The Lord added daily to the community those who were being saved.
The Cycle of Blessings, by author 
Eric Law, teaches how the six currencies of: time and place, gracious leadership, relationship, truth, wellness and money flow and recirculate to form a cycle of blessings to empower congregations as well as strengthen their internal relationships and to reach out and connect with the diverse populations in their neighborhood.
SIX HOLY CURRENCIES DEFINED
RELATIONSHIP:
The internal and external networks of mutually respectful connections that leaders and members of a church and ministry have. Internal connections include constructive relationships among members and leaders, area churches or ministries of the same affiliation, area denominational organizations, and national and international denominational structures.
External connections include constructive relationships with non-members, different racial, cultural and ethnic groups in the neighborhood, people with resources and people in need in the community, civic community leaders, ecumenical and interfaith partners, community and civic organizations, and local businesses.
GRACIOUS LEADERSHIP:
The ability to use skills, tools, models, and processes to create gracious environments (Grace Margin) within which mutually respectful "relationships" and the discernment of the "truth" across differences an be built internally, among existing members, and externally, with non-members. Differences can be racial, ethnic, age, gender, sexual orientation, class, political affiliation, or simply those existing between church members and other folks in the neighborhood.