Christmas 2025: Promises Kept

In the birth of Christ, God brings the long-promised salvation that reconciles sinners to Himself. In part 4 of Christmas 2025: Promises Kept, Pastor Dan Cox reads from Luke 2:8-20. Learn more about Wonder Lake Bible ChurchContact Wonder Lake Bible ChurchStudy NotesWhat is Salvation? Salvation is God’s gracious work by which He rescues sinners from sin, judgment, and death, reconciles them to Himself through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and restores them to eternal life in His kingdom—received by grace through faith, resulting in forgiveness, new life, and final renewal of all things Understanding the Text Ordinary Shepherds (2:8-9) Good News for All (2:10-12) Glory and Peace (2:13-14) Faith, Witness, Wonder (2:15-20) Genesis: Salvation Promised and Foreshadowed Exodus: Salvation as Redemption The Kingdom: Salvation through a King The Prophets: Salvation Clarified and Deepened The Gospels: Salvation Accomplished in Christ Acts and Epistles: Salvation Proclaimed and Explained Revelation: Salvation Consummated The Bible tells one story: God saving a sinful people by grace through a promised Savior, for His glory and their eternal joy. A Creed of God’s Saving Promise We believe in one God, the holy and faithful Creator, who made all things good and created humanity for life with Him. We confess that through sin the world fell under judgment and death, yet God, in mercy, promised a Redeemer who would crush the serpent and restore what was lost. We believe that God called Abraham to bless all nations, redeemed His people from slavery by blood and power, and promised a righteous King from the house of David whose kingdom would never end. We believe that through the prophets God promised a new covenant— forgiving sin, giving new hearts, and saving His people through a suffering Servant. We believe in Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, born of the virgin Mary, the promised Savior, Messiah, and Lord, who lived without sin, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried for our salvation. We believe He rose bodily from the dead, ascended into heaven, and reigns at the right hand of the Father, pouring out the Holy Spirit to apply redemption to all who believe. We believe that salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, to the glory of God alone. We believe in the resurrection of the dead, the forgiveness of sins, and the life of the world to come, when the Lamb who was slain will make all things new and God will dwell with His redeemed forever. Amen. Applying the Text Believe! Rejoice! Proclaim!

True joy is rooted in God’s steady, everlasting faithfulness - not shifting, temporal circumstances. In part 3 of Christmas 2025: Promises Kept, Pastor Dan Cox reads from Luke 1:39-56. Learn more about Wonder Lake Bible ChurchContact Wonder Lake Bible ChurchStudy NotesJoy… often appears in unlikely places (Luke 1:39-45) flows from recognizing God’s grace (Luke 1:46-49) springs from God’s faithfulness (Luke 1:50-56) overflows in worship and witness Biblical Joy Applying the Text Choose God’s gift of joy Worship God’s Son with joy Share God’s joy with others

At Christmas we celebrate that God keeps His promise to be with His people - dwelling among us in Jesus and living within us by His Spirit - so that we are never alone. In part 2 of Christmas 2025: Promises Kept, Pastor Dan Cox reads from Exodus 40:34-38, Isaiah 7:10-14, Matthew 1:18-25, and John 14:15-17. Learn more about Wonder Lake Bible ChurchContact Wonder Lake Bible ChurchStudy NotesUnderstanding the Text God with His People: The Glory in the Tabernacle (Exodus 40:34-38) God’s Promise to Be with Us: The Sign of Immanuel God with Us: The Birth of Jesus God Within Us: The Gift of the Holy Spirit The Biblical Story of the Presence of God Creation: Walking with God Israel: Tabernacle and Temple Glory Christ: Immanuel – God with Us The Holy Spirit: Permanent Indwelling of the Believer The New Earth: Immediate, Permanent, Joyful Presence The Presents of God’s Presence Peace Guidance Comfort Strength Forgiveness Hope Applying the Text Practice awareness of God’s presence Live with courage, not fear Draw on God’s strength Face suffering with hope Practice the “ministry of presence” for others Trust God and wait patiently

Even at humanity’s lowest point, God promised a Savior who would bring light, hope, and restoration. Pastor Dan Cox reads from Genesis 3:14-15, Isaiah 9:1-7, John 1:1-14, and Matthew 4:12-17. Learn more about Wonder Lake Bible ChurchContact Wonder Lake Bible ChurchStudy NotesCHRISTMAS 2025: PROMISES KEPT Christmas is more than a season of celebration – it is the culmination of a story God began writing before the foundation of the world. From the first whisper of hope in Eden to the words of prophets who spoke of a coming King, Scripture carries a single thread of expectation: God would send a Savior. In this series, “Promises Kept”, we will trace that story and see how every longing, every shadow, and every promise finds its “Yes” and “Amen” in the birth of Jesus Christ. As we gather around the manger, we discover not merely the arrival of a child, but the faithfulness of a God who keeps His word. God’s Grand Story Creation – Fall – Redemption – Restoration Biblical Hope Understanding the Text Hope is First Revealed (Genesis 3:14-15) Hope Becomes Clearer (Isaiah 9:1-7) Hope Takes on Human Flesh (John 1:1-14) Hope is Proclaimed in Jesus (Matthew 4:12-17) The Biblical Hope… For YOU Applying the Text Do you have HOPE? Do you promise to keep Christ in CHRISTmas?