MARY—TRUST GOD FOR THE IMPOSSIBLE
Luke 1:26-38
I. AN AMAZING ________________ (vs. 31-37)
A. We Must Keep The Christmas Story __________
B. To Appreciate The Christmas Story We Must Approach It With ________-________ Faith
II. AN AMAZING _________________
A. That God Would __________ Mary
B. _____________ Underlines The Christmas Story
C. Amazing Assignments In The Bible
- God is always going to the “_______ _______”.
III. AN AMAZING _________________ (vs. 26-29, 38)
A. What Did Mary ________ To Obey God?
1. __________ rejection and disapproval
2. _________ disapproval
3. The loss of her ___________
4. Possible loss of her ________
B. Mary Is An Example Of _______________ to God
Christmas Eve Service
Joseph- Believe the Best in People
Matthew 1:18-25; 13: 53-58
"Everybody needs somebody to believe in them - especially when undertaking an unusual or difficult situation"
Three Steps in Jewish Marriages
Engagement - Betrothal - Marriage proper
1. His relationship with God, (Matt 1:19)
A. He was a very righteous man.
B. his Righteousness caused him to treat Mary very well,
He did not live with her. (i.e. break God's law)
2. His attitude toward Mary, (Matt. 1:20)
A. Joesph wanted to do the very best for Mary,
"Your reaction shows your Christianity."
B. Normal Reaction vs. Joseph's reaction
"How will this affect me?"
"How will this affect Mary?"
3. His sensitivity to God. (Matt. 1:21, 24)
Times when it is hard to be sensitive to God----
When you've already made your plans.
When you're emotionally involved.
When risk is involved.
When God's plans doesn't make sense.
When other people won't understand.
4. His obedience to God.
It meant-----
Risk
Inconvenience
Separation from loved ones
5. His desire to glorify God. (Matt. 1:25)
Five Characteristics of Joseph
1) The importance of a right relationship with the Father
2) A healthy attitude toward women
3) Sensitivity to listen to God
4) An obedient heart
5) A desire to glorify God
Rev. Jerry Ferguson
Isaiah 9-6 and others
Matthew 2:1-12
Steps to Achieve Our Goals -Decide what you want.
Decide how to get it. Discipline to arrive at that goal.
I. The Wise Men Knew What They Wanted. (vs. 1-2)
A. The Message of Christmas.
God Communicates in our language.
B. God’s Great Communication is Through the Incarnation.
(John 1:1-2, 14 1John 1:1)
Stanford Research
89%, we learn visually.
10 %, we learn audibly.
1 %, we learn from other senses.
II. The Wise Men Were Willing to Pay a Price (vs. 3-8)
There is a price to be paid.
We all have a journey to make.
We will be misunderstood.
III. The Wise Men Would Not Give Up (vs. 9)
A. They did not allow circumstances to discourage them.
B. As they moved the star moved.
When Does the Light Stop?
>>WHEN WE STOP! <<
IV. They Experienced the Joy of Reaching Their Goal (vs. 10)
V. Upon Reaching Their Goal They Made the Most of it. (vs. 11)
They Did Two Things:
They first gave themselves.
Then they gave their treasure.
Conclusion:
Be Wise – Look for Jesus today!
Be Wise – Come and worship Him!
Be Wise – Obey His will today!
Luke 2:8-20
Reasons Why The Shepherds Were The First To Know
1. Because of Their Occupation.
2. Because of Their Expectation (vs. 15).
I. FIND OUT WHAT GOD IS DOING IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD (vs. 8).
A. What is God doing right now?
B. “Shepherds Living Out in the Fields Nearby” (vs. 8)
II. OPPORTUNITIES COME TO THOSE WHO ARE FULFILLING THEIR RESPONSIBILITY.
A. Shepherds Were on the Hillside Watching Their Sheep.
B. Let God Find You Doing What Your Responsibilities Require.
III. OPPORTUNITIES ARE MANY TIMES FEARFUL IN THE BEGINNING (vs.9).
IV. GOD WILL MAKE CLEAR HIS GUIDANCE
A. God Personalized This This Gift (vs. 11-12).
B. Principles For God’s Guidance.
1. The greater the change - the greater the sign.
2. The greater the calling - the greater the affirmation
3. If God leads, He precedes.
4. Those who obey find the right way.
V. ONCE Y0U KNOW YOU HAD BETTER GO (vs. 15).
VI. ONCE YOU GO, YOU WILL KNOW (vs. 16).
VII. ONCE YOU KNOW, YOU WILL WANT TO TELL OTHERS (vs. 17).
VIII. ONCE YOU HEAR THE STORY, WE NEVER, EVER GET AWAY FROM IT (VS. 18-19).
IX. ONCE YOU MEET HIM, YOUR LIFE WILL BE CHANGED (vs. 20).
Philippians 4:4-7
I. Be Joyful Always (vs. 4)
A. The Christian’s Joy.
B. Rejoice in the Lord.
C. Rejoice always.
II. Be Gentle to All Men (vs. 5)
A. How does gentleness follow joy?
B. Gentleness.
C. Moderation.
D. Big-heartedness.
III. Be Anxious for Nothing (vs. 6a)
A. The Christian who chooses joy. . . .
B. Care and concern.
C. Anxiety is destructive.
IV. Be Thankful for Everything (vs. 6b)
A. The Cure for Worry is not inaction.
B. Thanksgiving keeps Life in perspective.
C. Reasons why we should be Thankful.
1. Because it honors God.
2. Because it’s commanded in Scripture.
3. Because of the Consequences of thanklessness.
Psalms 100:4, 1 Thessalonians 5: 18, Romans 1: 21, Philippians 4: 7.
Suggestions for living with thanksgiving:
1. Each day keep a thanksgiving list.
2. Thank God for 3 things every day.
3. Give thanks at meals.
4. Find things to be thankful for in the midst of trials.
5. Express thanks to others.
6. Read thanksgiving books.
7. Memorize thanksgiving verses of scripture.
THE HEART OF GOD
John 4:34-38
1. The Missionary Heart of God
A. God is a missionary God (John 3:16)
“It is not too much to say that every major activity of God among men since the Fall has been a saving, missionary act.”
Robertson McQuilken
B. The Bible is a missionary Book
The theme of the Bible is redemption.
2. The mission at the heart of the Church
A. The Church is the expression of God’s continued missionary zeal.
“The single greatest challenge is reviving that passion for the lost. Historically, the church has grown most when it ignited in people a desire to reach the lost.” Dr. Nina Gunter
B. At the Heart of the Church must be that for which Christ is most passionate. (John 20:21)
3. The Church in the heart of the Mission Field
A. Recognize the Mission Field
“The number of people in the U. S. who are not born-again Christians is about 180 to 190 million people. If that group were a nation unto itself, it would be the 4th most populated nation on the planet, behind only China, India and Indonesia!” George Barna