First Baptist Church of Westwood, CA

On Sunday evening we had our annual Christmas Eve Service.   In my short sermon I talked about how God has authority over everything.   The point I was trying to make was that even in the mist of your frustrations and confusion, God is in control.   WHY?   Because "Nothing is impossible with God." Sermon by Rev. Dan Squezello At First Baptist Church of Westwood On December 24, 2017 at our Christmas Eve Service Title: "Nothing is Impossible with God" Text: Luke 1:37 & 2:1-20 www.fbcwonline.info LIKE US ON FACEBOOK! https://archive.org/download/NothingIsImpossibleWithGod/ChristmasEveService-NothingIsImpossibleWithGod.mp3

On Sunday morning we lit the final candle on our advent wreath (we lit the Christ Candle at our Christmas Eve Service.)   Joy is a powerful thing.   It is so easy to get discouraged but isn't it amazing how much joy does for someone?   Whenever I get frustrated or discouraged I like to put on a Christian comedy channel on Pandora.   People like Jeff Allen, Bob Smiley, Tim Hawkins, Ken Davis, Mark Lowey, etc. always seem to make me laugh; and lift me right up.   The greatest joy we can ever receive is the joy that comes from Jesus the Messiah.   If you do not know Christ you will never truly have joy.   In my Christmas Eve morning sermon I preached about the response the shepherds made upon receiving the joy which comes only through Christ.           Sermon by Rev. Dan Squezello At First Baptist Church of Westwood On December 24, 2017 Title: "Joy from the Messiah" Text: Luke 2:15-20 www.fbcwonline.info LIKE US ON FACEBOOK! https://archive.org/

On Sunday we lit the third Advent Candle (The Angel's Candle or the Peace Candle).   We looked at the amazing announcement of Jesus' birth to the shepherds and specifically Luke 2:14 which says, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased."   Those of us who follow Jesus and have accepted Him as our Lord and Savior have true peace in our lives.   While we might face discord in this world we know that we will have peace in the future when we are in heaven.   Despite the hardships of this life we also have peace through Christ.      Sermon by Rev. Dan Squezello At First Baptist Church of Westwood On December 17, 2017 Title: "The Peace of the Messiah" Text: Luke 2:8-14 www.fbcwonline.info LIKE US ON FACEBOOK!   https://archive.org/download/ThePeaceOfTheMessiah/ThePeaceOfTheMessiah.mp3

On Sunday we lit the second Advent Candle (Mary's Candle or the Love Candle).   We studied through the beginning of Luke and the foretelling and birth of Christ.   In my sermon I point out that Mary showed devotion and love for God and her people (the Israelites.)   I told my group that Christians are called to love God and love others.   Check it out!   Sermon by Rev. Dan Squezello At First Baptist Church of Westwood On December 10, 2017 Title: "A Savior's Love" Text: Luke 1:26-2:7 www.fbcwonline.info LIKE US ON FACEBOOK! https://archive.org/download/ASaviorsLove/ASaviorsLove.mp3

Yesterday we took a break from 1 Corinthians to start a four week study on the birth of Christ.   Ever since I was a young boy one of my fondest memories of Christmas was the lighting of the Advent Candles.   I remember being told what they stood for but not giving this much thought to it at the time.   Well, starting yesterday and going right through Christmas Eve we will be studying the meaning behind each Advent Candle; starting with "The Prophet's Candle."   The overall theme of this candle was the hope we receive from the Messiah.   I preached through Isaiah 9:1-7 told my group that "We have hope in Jesus, the Messiah." Sermon by Rev. Dan Squezello At First Baptist Church of Westwood On December 3, 2017 Title: "FROM GLOOM TO HOPE: The Messiah Has Come!" Text: Isaiah 9:1-7 www.fbcwonline.info LIKE US ON FACEBOOK! https://archive.org/download/FromGloomToHopeTheMessiahHasCome/FromGloomToHope.mp3