Jesus . . . God’s Inexpressible Gift

2 Corinthians 9:15; Isaiah 7:14

1. Remember . . . “God’s Gift PROMISED”
1. Response:  “Thank you, Heavenly Father, for always being faithful to your promises.”
2. Rejoice . . . God’s Gift GIVEN
1. Response:  “Thank you, Heavenly Father, for the Gift of  Your Son.”
3. Reflect . . . “God’s Gift TOUCHING our lives
1. Response:  “Lord Jesus, thank You for paying the entire debt for my sin.”
4. Reveal . . . “God’s Gift TOUCHING our lives
1. Response:  “Praise You, Lord Jesus, for Your victory over sin and the grave.”
5. Rekindle . . . “Our RESPONSE to God’s Glorious Gift
1. Response:  “Lord Jesus, on this Christmas day, I once again yield my life to Your Lordship.”

Question:  “What gift, from your life, will you give to the Lord Jesus on this Christmas day?

Pastor Rog

A Supernatural Baby

Matthew 1:18-25

• Supernatural Feature #1:  God the Holy Spirit is the father (v.18, 20).
• Supernatural Feature #2:  God gave advance notice of the birth (v.22-23). Isaiah 7:14
• Supernatural Feature #3:  This Baby is God Himself – Immanuel (v.23). John 10:31-33; John 14:8-9
• Supernatural Feature #4: This Baby is God’s Savior for mankind – Jesus (v.21). Hebrews 9:27; John 3:16-17
• Supernatural Feature #5:  This Baby is God’s chosen ruler of mankind – Christ (v.18).

Merry Christmas 

Pastor Charlie

When You Follow a Star and Find a ?

Matthew 2:1-12

When you find yourself at a stable…

• Look for God (v. 10-11). Genesis 45; Job 1; Psalm 23
• Worship God (v. 11). Philippians 2:9-11; Revelation 5:12
• Offer what you have to God (v. 11). Romans 12:1

This Amazing Baby

Colossians 1:15-20

• This baby Jesus is God in human flesh (v. 15). Hebrews 1:3; Philippians 2:6-7; Colossians 2:9
• If God became a man:
• I would expect Him to be sinless (Hebrews 4:15).
• I would expect Him to speak the most profound and greatest words ever spoken.
• I would expect Him to exert a profound influence over human personality.
• I would expect Him to perform miracles.
• I would expect Him to know the future
• I would expect Him to show us what God was like.
• This baby Jesus is superior to all of creation. Hebrews 1:2
• This baby Jesus is the creator and sustainer of the universe (v. 16-17).
• This baby Jesus is the ruler over the spirit realm (v. 16).
• This baby Jesus has power over life and death (v. 18). John 10:18; John 11:25-26

Living on the Past: The Communion & Passover Connection

The Passover Event Exodus 12

• Death angel – God’s judgment
• Lamb – shedding of innocent blood, a substitute death
• Dressed to travel – indicates trust in God to fulfill His promise
• Passover Ceremony -- to remember what God had done 

Jewish Sacrificial system: Hebrews 10:11

• To cover sins
• Required many sacrifices:  3 per day, 1,273 per year

The Crucifixion Event

• Death angel – God’s judgment 1 Thessalonians 1:10 
• Lamb – shedding of innocent blood, a substitute death 1 Peter 1:18-19
• Dressed to travel -- deciding to act on God’s promise Romans 10: 9-10
• Communion Ceremony -- to remember what God has done 1 Corinthians 11:25-26

Jesus’ Sacrificial system: John 1:29; Hebrews 7:27

• To remove sins
• One sacrifice, one time, for all

Truths to Remember!

• God gave his Son for me! John 3:16; Acts 2:23
• Christ gave himself for me!  John 10:18; Philippians 2:8
• God and Christ care deeply for me!
• Jesus sympathizes with my struggles. Hebrews 4:15
• God gives me His mercy and grace. Hebrews 4:16

Our Christmas Gift

Isaiah 9:6

Pastor Jay

• "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given..."
• "...and the government will be on his shoulders."
• "And he will be called..."
• "Wonderful Counselor"
• "Mighty God."
• "Everlasting Father,"
• "Prince of Peace."

A Celebration of God’s Relationship of Peace with Us

Luke 2:10-14

• Source of conflict: our inherited nature (Adam & Eve, Genesis 3) Isaiah 53:6
• We are by nature self-centered.
• We do by nature wander off from God and go our own way.
• Source of Peace: Jesus Christ 2 Corinthians 5:19
• Christmas is a celebration of the truth that you can have peace with God. Romans 5:1; Romans 8:15; Ephesians 1:5-6
• The word adoption means to be “placed as a son.”
• You enjoy all of the rights of God’s family—such as unconditional love, absolute forgiveness, and permanent security.
• You are heir to His kingdom—heaven.
• Your old life is completely wiped out. All of your past is as if it never happened.
• You are now protected by God’s family name.
• Christmas is a celebration of possessing the peace of God in your soul.
• The peace of God protects you when you suffer. John 16:33; Philippians 4:6-7
• The peace of God protects you when you sin. Romans 8:1-3
• Christmas is a celebration of your ability to have peace with others. 2 Corinthians 5:1; 2 Corinthians 5:20-21

Christmas – A Celebration of God’s Gift to Us

Luke 2:8-11

• Christmas is a celebration that God can save you from your sin. Matthew 1:21 (“Sin” means to miss the mark of God’s righteous standard; to possess a warped human nature that insists on living independent of God.)
• To be saved from your sins, you must be honest with yourself. 1 John 1:8; Exodus 20:3; Matthew 22:37-38; Romans 3:10-12
• To be saved from your sin, you must be honest with God. 1 John 1:5-6, 8-9

• Christmas is a celebration that God saves you for a purpose. 2 Timothy 1:8b-9; John 10:10; 2 Timothy 1:11-12
• Christmas is a celebration that God saves you by His grace. Ephesians 2:8

• God’s grace gives you freedom from judgment. Romans 8:1; Ephesians 1:7-8
  
• Jesus took all of your sin upon Himself. 2 Corinthians 5:21
• Jesus took all your punishment upon Himself. Isaiah 53:5
• Jesus died in your place. 1 Peter 3:18
  
• God’s grace gives you freedom from rejection. Hebrews 4:15-16; 1 John 4:18; 2 Corinthians 9:8

Christmas – A Celebration of God

Luke 2:8-11

Why do people celebrate Christmas? In his book ‘The Purpose of Christmas’, Pastor Rick Warren list some reasons people on the street gave for celebrating Christmas:

• “I’m celebrating being home with my family”,
• “I got a Christmas bonus”,
• “My son is home from Iraq”,
• “I have finished all my shopping”.

When God introduced Christmas to a group of shepherds he said, “I bring you good news of great joy”. Christmas is meant to be a celebration. But celebrate what? If you were asked why you celebrate Christmas, what would you say? For the next three Sundays I want us to look at three key reasons we celebrate Christmas. I encourage you to read Luke 2:8-20 in preparation for Sunday.

Pastor Charlie

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Notes

• Christmas is a celebration of the truth that God loves you. John 3:16
• Words for love
• “Phileo” used to describe friendship and family love. (Philadelphia – the city of “brotherly love – is from this word. )
• ‘Eros’ – used to describe marital love including sexual desires
• ‘Agape’ – used in NT to describe God’s committed sacrificial love.
• John 21:15-17 – use of “phileo” and “agape”
  

• God’s very nature is love. 1 John 4:8-10

• God’s love is impossible to lose. Romans 8:38-39

• God’s love is abundantly given. Romans 5:5

• Christmas is a celebration of the truth that God is with you. Matthew 1:23

• God is everywhere present. Psalm 139:7-12

• God is with you when you pursue his mission. Matthew 28:18-20

• God is with you when you are in danger. Acts 18:9-10

• God is with you when you are mistreated. Genesis 16:13

• Christmas is the celebration of the truth that God is for you. Ephesians 2:4-5; Romans 5:8; Romans 8:31-32