Lily Getchell -
THE BIRTH OF JESUS
Luke 2:1-20
2 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the whole empire should be registered. 2 This first registration took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. 3 So everyone went to be registered, each to his own town.
4 Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family line of David, 5 to be registered along with Mary, who was engaged to him and was pregnant. 6 While they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 Then she gave birth to her firstborn son, and she wrapped him tightly in cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
 
THE SHEPHERDS AND THE ANGELS
8 In the same region, shepherds were staying out in the fields and keeping watch at night over their flock. 9 Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people: 11 Today in the city of David a Savior was born for you, who is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be the sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped tightly in cloth and lying in a manger.”
13 Suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying:
14 Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and peace on earth to people he favors!
15 When the angels had left them and returned to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go straight to Bethlehem and see what has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.”
16 They hurried off and found both Mary and Joseph, and the baby who was lying in the manger. 17 After seeing them, they reported the message they were told about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary was treasuring up all these things in her heart and meditating on them. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had seen and heard, which were just as they had been told.[1]
 
Video: Leavener Kids (2010)
Questions to Lily:

• How has your Christmas list changed in the last 10 years?
• Your Grandfather would be 75 tomorrow… Your 2nd Christmas without him… What do you think his last Christmas list looked like… or even now?
• Of the story you read this morning… what character(s) do you most relate to at this point in your life?

 
Main Characters of the Christmas Story

• Jesus
• Mary
• Joseph
• Shepherds
• Angel of the Lord
• Magi – Wise Men
• Herod

 
How did each character respond?
Mary – song in Luke 1 – worship – thanksgiving

• Luke 1:46-55

46 And Mary said: My soul magnifies the Lord, 47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 48 because he has looked with favor on the humble condition of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed, 49 because the Mighty One has done great things for me, and his name is holy. 50 His mercy is from generation to generation on those who fear him. 51 He has done a mighty deed with his arm; he has scattered the proud because of the thoughts of their hearts; 52 he has toppled the mighty from their thrones and exalted the lowly. 53 He has satisfied the hungry with good things and sent the rich away empty. 54 He has helped his servant Israel, remembering his mercy 55 to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as he spoke to our ancestors.[2]
 
Joseph – Matthew 1:18-25
18 The birth of Jesus Christ came about this way: After his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, it was discovered before they came together that she was pregnant from the Holy Spirit. 19 So her husband, Joseph, being a righteous man, and not wanting to disgrace her publicly, decided to divorce her secretly.
20 But after he had considered these things, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, don’t be afraid to take Mary as your wife, because what has been conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”
22 Now all this took place to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet: 23 See, the virgin will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and they will name him Immanuel, which is translated “God is with us.”
24 When Joseph woke up, he did as the Lord’s angel had commanded him. He married her 25 but did not have sexual relations with her until she gave birth to a son. And he named him Jesus.[3]

• honor & obedience (engagement was a legally binding commitment)

Shepherds - Luke 2:8-18
8 In the same region, shepherds were staying out in the fields and keeping watch at night over their flock. 9 Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people: 11 Today in the city of David a Savior was born for you, who is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be the sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped tightly in cloth and lying in a manger.”
13 Suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying: 14 Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to people he favors! 15 When the angels had left them and returned to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go straight to Bethlehem and see what has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.”
16 They hurried off and found both Mary and Joseph, and the baby who was lying in the manger. 17 After seeing them, they reported the message they were told about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.[4]

• One should not romanticize the occupation of shepherds.
• In general shepherds were dishonest and unclean according to the standards of the law.
• They represent the outcasts and sinners for whom Jesus came. Such outcasts were the first recipients of the good news.[5]
• scared but obedient – boldness – told everyone – first evangelist.

Magi – wise men – astrologers - new age mentality – Matthew 2: 1-12
1 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of King Herod, wise men from the east arrived in Jerusalem, 2 saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star at its rising and have come to worship him.” 3 When King Herod heard this, he was deeply disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 So he assembled all the chief priests and scribes of the people and asked them where the Messiah would be born.
5 “In Bethlehem of Judea,” they told him, “because this is what was written by the prophet: 6 And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah:
Because out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.”
7 Then Herod secretly summoned the wise men and asked them the exact time the star appeared. 8 He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. When you find him, report back to me so that I too can go and worship him.” 9 After hearing the king, they went on their way. And there it was—the star they had seen at its rising. It led them until it came and stopped above the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were overwhelmed with joy. 11 Entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and falling to their knees, they worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12 And being warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their own country by another route.[6]
– Seekers checking things out – We like questions at Leavener.
 
Herod – Matthew 2:16
16 Then Herod, when he realized that he had been outwitted by the wise men, flew into a rage. He gave orders to massacre all the boys in and around Bethlehem who were two years old and under, in keeping with the time he had learned from the wise men.[7]

• paranoid – prideful – jealousy – some of you were drug here – you would rather remain king and lord over your own life.
• Christianity is not about rules and religion… he entered into that system and wrecked it.

 
Angel of the Lord - Luke 2:9-14
9 Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people: 11 Today in the city of David a Savior was born for you, who is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be the sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped tightly in cloth and lying in a manger.”
13 Suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying:
14 Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and peace on earth to people he favors![8]

• How amazed the angels must have been when they saw the Creator born as a creature, the Word coming as a speechless baby.[9]

 
Grace >
Heartfelt response >
God’s kindness leads to repentance >
Change of mind >
The baby’s message >
Change your minds >
The Messiah is here.
 
Would the Jews embrace Jesus?
A few… but not the masses.
They would not give up religion or the Law for freedom.
 
Men and women who followed were totally transformed.

[1] Christian Standard Bible. (2020). (Lk 2:1–20). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[2] Christian Standard Bible. (2020). (Lk 1:46–55). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[3] Christian Standard Bible. (2020). (Mt 1:18–25). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[4] Christian Standard Bible. (2020). (Lk 2:8–18). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[5] Stein, R. H. (1992). Luke (Vol. 24, p. 108). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
[6] Christian Standard Bible. (2020). (Mt 2:1–12). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[7] Christian Standard Bible. (2020). (Mt 2:16). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[8] Christian Standard Bible. (2020). (Lk 2:9–14). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[9] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 176). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.

• Paul has spent the last couple of chapters explaining what authentic ministry is.

OUR FUTURE AFTER DEATH
2 CORINTHIANS 5
1 For we know that if our earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal dwelling in the heavens, not made with hands. 2 Indeed, we groan in this tent, desiring to put on our heavenly dwelling, 3 since, when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. 4 Indeed, we groan while we are in this tent, burdened as we are, because we do not want to be unclothed but clothed, so that mortality may be swallowed up by life.

• Can we talk about this life here on earth?
• I am physically limited by my flesh suit.
• Gravity… as the Holidays go on… so do the pounds.
• Think about life 3-4 years ago vs today.
• Pandemic came – quarantine came.
• Seclusion came – isolation came.
• Things changed
• We were at home in our comfy pants, Traegers, Netflix and devices.
• We got out for a season…
• But now we are crawling back into our holes again because it is easy.
• GMA Report
• Our bodies are groaning for something greater than all this!

5 Now the one who prepared us for this very purpose is God, who gave us the Spirit as a down payment.
6 So we are always confident and know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. 7 For we walk by faith, not by sight. 8 In fact, we are confident, and we would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 9 Therefore, whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to be pleasing to him. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each may be repaid for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.

• Difference between Judgment Seat and Great White Throne Judgment.
• Judgment Seat is for believers… based upon works. Those things we have done in the flesh vs the things we have done in the Spirit.

11 Therefore, since we know the fear of the Lord, we try to persuade people. What we are is plain to God, and I hope it is also plain to your consciences.

• I’m telling you… you can’t be lulled into the ways of this world… devices… isolation… expectations.
• It is killing your kids… it is killing you.
• You aren’t even aware of what is happening but the alarms are going off all around you.

12 We are not commending ourselves to you again, but giving you an opportunity to be proud of us (boast), so that you may have a reply for those who take pride (boast) in outward appearance rather than in the heart.

• The world is more focused on appearance and doing than they are spiritual side of themselves.
• You have to stop what the majority is doing and focus on the Spirit that lives inside of you.

13 For if we are out of our mind, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you.

• Yes! The world is going to think you are stupid.
• Yes! You will be criticized.
• I’m going to choose to do things differently… even from those who are doing church!
• Spoke to a church staff about sabbath rest.
• Paul is appealing with believers to not listen to the false teachers.
• He wants them to live a life of authentic ministry.
• You fix dinner for your family and you are pleading with them to come to the table.
• “I only have 10 more minutes of this movie.”
• I’m begging you… quit playing games… quit chasing things that are irrelevant to what is happening around you.
• There are people who are spiritually and physically dying.

14 For the love of Christ compels us, since we have reached this conclusion, that one died for all (John 3:16), and therefore all died. 15 And he died for all so that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for the one who died for them and was raised.

• It is not about us.
• We focus on us… which is what the world points us to… then it brings anxiety, depression and disappointment.
• If we focus on Jesus… He is going to point you to others because that is authentic ministry.
• Doing things for others allows joy to rise to the top.

 
THE MINISTRY OF RECONCILIATION
16 From now on, then, we do not know anyone from a worldly perspective. Even if we have known Christ from a worldly perspective, yet now we no longer know him in this way.

• Worldly perspective… acts done in the flesh.

17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, and see, the new has come!

• What passed away? Something died! It is gone!
• Your sinful nature… what was once natural to you.
• Now you have been made new.
• A transformation has occurred and most believers never realize it.
• Yes, they know they have salvation… but do they know this tent has a living God inside of them?

18 Everything is from God, who has reconciled us to himself through Christ and has given us the ministry of reconciliation. 19 That is, in Christ, God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and he has committed the message of reconciliation to us.

• Crisis intervention… the ministry of sitting down across from someone and saying, “Jesus has already dealt with that.
• It has been reconciled.
• Let’s move forward.

20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us. We plead on Christ’s behalf, “Be reconciled to God.”

• We sit down with people and remind them of their identity.
• Police Chief walks in dressed in total uniform and everyone sees him for the police chief.
• The Police Chief is not his badge.
• I see you in a whole different perspective.
• Received and welcomed.

21 He made the one who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.[1]

• This is past tense.
• It is already a done deal.
• You have been made righteous.
• You are reconciled.
• This is what we have to constantly remind ourselves and our families.

[1] Christian Standard Bible. (2020). (2 Co 5:1–21). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.

Does it Matter?
Salvation - John 3:16 - Non-negotiable
In Christ - If we are "in Christ" we were there at the cross... even the foundation of the world.
1 Corinthians 1:2
 - 60 verses that say you are a "saint"
 - Your forgiveness is safe and secure
Hebrews 10:14
Romans 8:1
 - There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ
2 Corinthians 5:17
 - Understand your security and what you have
 - We have to encourage one another... we are in this foxhole together
 - "If your glass is empty, you can't pour into others"
Galatians 5:17