December 20 2015 Revealing The Purpose Of Christmas

REVEALING THE PURPOSE OF CHRISTMAS

Luke 2:8-20

Luke 2:10 – I bring you good news of great joy.

Five Wonderful Purposes of Christmas:

1. God reaches out to every person.

Verses 8-9- And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.  An angel of the Lord appeared to them.

Job 36:7 – He does not take His eye off the righteous.

Isaiah 64:8 – We are all the work of God’s hand.

2. God releases your fears.

Verses 10-11 – Do not be afraid, A Saviour has been born to you, He is Christ the Lord.

Examples:

• Storm tossed sea Matthew 14:27
• At His resurrection Matthew 28:10
• At the last supper John 14:27

1 John 1:9 – If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sin.

John 16:33 – But take heart, I have overcome the world.

Matthew 6:33 – Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all those things will be given to you as well.

3. God recovers your lost condition.
Verse 11 – A Saviour has been born to you.

Luke 19:10 – Jesus said, for the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.

Matthew 20:28 – I did not come into the world to be served, but to serve and give My live a ransom for many.

John 12:47 – I did not come to judge the world, but to save it.

4. God reproduces His life in you.
Verse 14 – Peace to men on whom His favor rest.

John 10:10 – Jesus said, I have come that you might have life and have it to the fullest.

2 Corinthians 9:15 – Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift.

5. God needs your response.

Verses 16-17 – So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph and the baby, who was lying in a manger.  When they had seen Him they spread the word.

John 6:47 – I tell you the truth, he who believes has everlasting life.

December 9 2012 Experiencing Christ At Christmas

EXPERIENCING CHRIST AT CHRISTMAS
Luke 2:8-20

Luke 2:10 - I bring you good news of great joy.

Five Wonderful Facts.

1. God reaches out to every person.
Verses 8-9 - And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them.

Job 36:7 - He does not take His eye off the righteous.

Isaiah 64:8 - We are all the work of God’s hand.

2. God releases your fears.
Verses 10-11 - Do not be afraid, a Savior has been born to you, He is Christ the Lord.

Examples:

• The stormy sea. Matthew 14:27

• At His resurrection. Matthew 28:10

• The Last Supper. John 14:27

1 John 1:9 - If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins.

John 16:33 - But take heart, I have overcome the world.

Matthew 6:33 - Seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness, and all those things will be given to you as well.

3. God wants to recover our lost position.
Luke 2:11 - A Savior has been born to you.

Luke 19:10 - Jesus said, for the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.

Matthew 20:28 - I did not come into the world to be served, but to serve and give My life a ransom for many.

John 12:47 - I did not come to judge the world, but to save it.

4. God can reproduce His life in you.
Luke 2:14 - Peace to men on whom His favor rest.

John 10:10 - Jesus said, I have come that you might have life and have it to the fullest.

2 Corinthians 9:15 - Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift.

5. God needs your response.
Luke 2:16-17 - So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph and the Baby, who was lying in a manger. When they had seen Him, they spread the word.

John 6:47 - I tell you the truth, he who believes has everlasting life.

December 2 2012 Trusting Christ At Christmas

TRUSTING CHRIST AT CHRISTMAS
Luke 2:4-7

Verse 6 - There was no room for them in the inn.

Verse 7 - She gave birth to her first born, a Son. She wrapped Him in straps of cloth and laid Him in a manger.

3 WAYS TO TRUST CHRIST IN OUR DISAPPOINTMENTS

1. Look for God in the disappointment.
Luke 2:16 - So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph and the baby who was lying in a manger.
Matthew 2:4 - They bowed down and Worshiped Him.

Examples:

Joseph:
Genesis 50:20 - You meant it for evil, but God meant it for good.

Job:
The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh. Blessed by the name of the Lord.

David:
Psalm 23

Paul:
Romans 5:3-5 - Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance character, and character Hope.

2. Give God your very best.
Luke 2:7 - She wrapped Him in strips of cloth and place Him in a manger.

Luke 2:23-24 - As it is written in the law of the Lord, every first born male is to be consecrated to the Lord and to offer sacrifices.

The differences between the average person and the above average person: They do their best and then some.

Psalm 30:5 - Weeping may remain for the night, but joy comes in the morning.

3. Willing to change the direction of their life.
Matthew 2:13 - When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph. Get up he said, take the Child and His mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the Child to kill Him.

Matthew 19:26 - (Jesus said) With God all things are possible.