Jesus said, "Anyone who listens to my teaching and obeys me is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock.  Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won't collapse, because it is built on rock.  But anyone who hears my teaching and ignores it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand.  When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will fall with a mighty crash." – Matthew 7:24-27(NLT)

As I look on in awe at what God is doing in and through Oaklawn Church of God, I realize it is because we have become so adamant about what, or Who, we build our lives, relationships, programs, and ministry on – the solid foundation of Jesus Messiah!  Another word we could use for “foundational” teachings is “core” teachings. 

According to www.dictionary.com, “core” is defined as “the central, innermost, or most essential part of anything.”  The core of Oaklawn Church of God is Jesus!  Our Mission and Vision come directly from this Core.  In turn, all of our ministry and programs come directly from the Mission and Vision.  As a reminder…

The MISSION of Oaklawn Church of God is to make more, and healthy, followers of Jesus Messiah. (Matt. 28:18-20)

The VISION of Oaklawn Church of God is to provide spiritual direction and help to the families of our community. (Luke 10:25-37)

Out of this purpose comes our desire to do whatever it takes to raise up our children and grandchildren on the foundation of Jesus Messiah, and to spread the Message to our community that there is Hope!  Out of this purpose also comes the drive to reclaim emerging generations to the Kingdom of God, and to make it extremely hard for anyone in our community to not experience the love of Christ!

Because the foundation of Jesus Messiah is at the core of all we do, we are experiencing the power of God to transform lives in exciting ways!  As evidence, I submit the following:  our baptism celebration on the first Sunday of 2010! …the launch of “God’s Hand Extended” (community pantry), through which numerous lives have already been touched! …our youth volunteering on a Tuesday night at the Charitable Christian Clinic! …the overwhelming response of the first group to go through our Cultiv8 discipleship course! …a Faith-Promise that has exceeded DOUBLE our expectations!  …and the overall sense of joy and hope that is exhibited during our weekly worship gatherings – there is a sense of great anticipation in the air! 

No matter what is happening with our economy or in politics – through whatever struggles and storms we go through – we are moving FORWARD with confidence in the God who “works all things together for our good!” (Romans 8:28)  So, we continue to LOOK UP!

A popular church song, written by Bill Gaither in 1974, says, “I just feel like something good is about to happen!  I just feel like something good is on its way!”

As I recently put it in a conversation with our drummer, I feel like I’m standing on the edge of cliff about to bungie jump!  I know Who holds me, but it still takes a huge leap of faith to keep going forward… and right now, my heart is absolutely pounding with anticipation of what God does Now!  Something Good is Now Here!

When I was growing up Christmas was all about getting what I considered bigger and better gifts than my brother.  Maybe brothers are just competitive by nature… or maybe I just wanted to feel like the “star of the show.”  You know what I mean, right?  Like, forget what everyone else is doing and let the spotlight be on me!  I used to love getting what I thought was the best gift, and then showing it off to my friends and family.  I don’t think I desired them to rejoice in my happiness as much as I wanted their attention.  When it came to Christmas, I felt like I was the star.

My thoughts for this Christmas season are “Follow the Star” ...and it is not about me!  Probably, you are familiar with the “Christmas Star,” the legendary star that stopped in the sky above the very the cave in Bethlehem where Jesus was born.  This story is found in the Bible in Matthew 2.  But the story actually predates Matthew 2.  Check out this prophecy found in the Torah:

I see him, but not in the present time. I perceive him, but far in the distant future. A star will rise from Jacob; a scepter will emerge from Israel. –Numbers 24:17(NLT)

Some scholars say this is a prophecy of the literal star we read about in Matthew 2.  It is also a metaphor for the rise of the One who would be (and is) the King of kings!  There is One who is the real Star of the show!  This is a way that Jesus revealed Himself as Messiah:

“I'm the Root and Branch of David, the Bright Morning Star." –Revelation 22:16(Msg)

Jesus is now the Star!  He is the Bright Morning Star!  He is the Star of Bethlehem!  He is the Star from Jacob!  He is the Star of David!  He is the Christmas Star!  He is the Star of the show! 

There is a cliché that’s surfaced in the past few year, and I’ll admit that I really like this one: “Wise men still seek Him.”  This year, let’s be people who definitely seek Him – I mean, let’s PURSUE Him!  But, even better, let’s follow Him!

So here’s a challenge to us all:  Follow the Star.  Show the love the Christ this Christmas.  Let a mom shopping with her kids cut in front of you in line at the grocery store.  Randomly, anonymously pay for someone's meal at a restaurant.  Put a dollar in every Salvation Army bucket you pass.  Start sponsoring a child at the Prince of Peace Home for Girls in Guatemala.  Go to the mall and select a child from the Salvation Army Angel Tree to buy gifts for. Fill up a bag of groceries and help STOMP OUT HUNGER!

Follow the Star.  Be the church.  Let’s make Jesus famous in our community!