Southside Baptist Church

03/06/2025

12/25/2024

Jesse Tree Day 25: Jesus

Read Philippians 2:1-8, Romans 5:1

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.- Romans‬ ‭5:1‬ ‭

The Bible is a story about God and his relationship with his creation. In the beginning, the relationship was broken. Christ’s coming is the beginning of restoration. Jesus stepped out of heaven, veiled his Glory, and came to do for mankind what mankind could not do for itself. Cappeau captured it well in him hymn when he wrote, “Long lay the world, in sin and error pinning/Till He appeared, and the souls felt its worth.” Our worth is found in Christ, when we are restored to God through Him.

Welcome to Christmas morning, may you feel the hope and joy this season brings.

12/24/2024

Jesse Tree Day 24: Wisemen

Read Mathew 2:1-12

Gentile wise men or kings came to worship Jesus. These men likely came to pay tribute when Jesus was a toddler. We remember them at Christmas because they remind us that Jesus came for people from every nation. Jesus is hope for the whole world and through him we are all blessed.

In the hustle that happens today, take a moment and take an inventory of your blessings. There may still be presents to wrap and things to bake, but the greatest gift has already been given. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, Christ has come.

12/23/2024

Jesse Tree Day 23: Shepherds

Read Luke 2:8-21
John 10:11-18

When Christ was born, the angels announced his birth to shepherds. The glory of the Lord illuminated the angels and these men saw heaven bursting with joy. They were sent to bear witness to the birth of the Christ. The shepherds met and honored the Good Shepherd that had come to rescue his flock.

12/22/2024

Jesse Tree Day 22: Joseph

Read Matthew 1:18-25

Joseph was a carpenter; a normal man asked to do something extraordinary. We know very little about him. What we do know is that he was honorable and faithful. He protected Mary, kept his family safe from Herod, and trusted the angelic messengers. Our Father in heaven chose this man to become an earthly father to Jesus. He walked boldly into this awesome responsibility with humility. Today, we give thanks for Joseph.

12/21/2024

Jesse Tree Day 21: Zechariah

Read Luke 1:67-80

Zechariah was the father of John the Baptist. He was a priest and a righteous man. When the angels told him he would have a son, he did not believe immediately. The Lord made him mute for the duration of his wife’s pregnancy. When he did speak again, he spoke about the coming savior who would bring peace to the whole world.

12/21/2024

Jesse Tree Day 20: Elizabeth

Read Luke 1:5-24, 39-45

Elizabeth was old and childless. Her husband was a priest and they had lived keeping all of God’s Commandments. She became miraculously pregnant with John the Baptist just before Mary. Elizabeth was a refuge for Mary during hue pregnancy and she recognized the Messiah while he was still in the womb. She is the first recorded person beside Mary to recognize Jesus for what he truly was.

12/19/2024

Jesse Tree Day 19: Mary

Read Luke 1:26-56
Isaiah 7:14
Philippians 2;

Mary was chosen to be the theotokos, or God-bearer. This title, conferred upon her by the early church, affirms Christ’s divinity and humanity. The incarnation of Christ is a glorious mystery. His work to veil His full glory and take on the cloak of humanity is the the initial fulfillment of the promise made in Genesis 3. Christ was the offspring coming to crush the serpent’s head. He would restore the relationship between God and man that Adam broke.

12/18/2024

Jesse Tree Day 18: John the Baptist

Read Isaiah 40:3-5, Luke 1:5-24; 3:1-21
John 1:19-34; 3:22-36

John the Baptist was miraculously born to Elizabeth and Zechariah in their old age. He was a prophet sent to declare that the Christ, the Messiah, was coming. Before John there had been four hundred years of silence from God. His ministry was shocking, new, and the religious leaders of the day recognized his authority. But he knew who he was and he knew who Christ was. He understood his work was ultimately for God’s glory.

12/17/2024

Jesse Tree Day 17

Read Jonah

Jonah was a reluctant prophet. He was sent outside of Israel to call a foreign nation to repentance, instead he fled. God’s plans never fail. Jonah’s flight led him right back to the path he was originally called to follow. Praise God that his plans do not depend on me. Praise God for perfect plans that reveal his grace and show his mercy.