Luke 2:1-20 The “Christmas Story” Reasonable to Trust God Reasonable to Worship God Reasonable to Obey God

1. Luke 2:1-20 The “Christmas Story” Luke 2:1-20 The “Christmas Story”

2. Luke 2:1-20 At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. 2 (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census. 4 And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David's ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. 5 He took with him Mary, his fiancée, who was now obviously pregnant. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her Baby to be born. 7 She gave birth to her first Child, a Son. She wrapped Him snugly in strips of cloth and laid Him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them.

3. 8 That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. 9 Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord's glory surrounded them. They were terrified, 10 but the angel reassured them. "Don't be afraid!" he said. "I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. 11 The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! 12 And you will recognize Him by this sign: You will find a Baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger." 13 Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying,

4. 14 "Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased." 15 When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, "Let's go to Bethlehem! Let's see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about." 16 They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the Baby, lying in the manger. 17 After seeing Him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this Child. 18 All who heard the shepherds' story were astonished, 19 but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often. 20 The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. It was just as the angel had told them.

5. Reasonable to Trust God Reasonable to Worship God Reasonable to Obey God

6. God predicted with absolute accuracy, details before the events happened, surrounding the birth, life and death of Jesus which is called the Christ… Hundreds of years before they happened…

7. Some prophecies concerning Christ $$ returned for potters field False witness’s Silent when accused Struck and spit upon Hated without cause Crucified Crucified with sinners Hands and feet pierced Mocked and insulted Given gall and vinegar Prays for enemies Side to be pierced No bones broken Buried with rich Resurrection Ascension Offspring of woman Promised offspring of Abraham Descended from tribe of Judah Heir to throne of David Born in Bethlehem “Time” of birth Born of a Virgin Slaughter of infants Escape into Egypt Ministry into Galilee Prophet Priest like Melchizedek Rejection by Jews Triumphal entry Betrayed by Friend Sold for 30 pieces of silver

8. This is not a completed list … To predict Toorchestrate and To follow through No big “thing” for God!

9. Reasonable to Trust God Since we can trust HIM with details like this… He even takes care of the sparrows Then it goes without even ‘saying’ that He is gonna take care of you and me…

10. Trust in the Lord with all thy heart… 2 Sam 22:3 The God of my rock; in Him will I trust: He is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my saviour; Thou savest me from violence. Job 13:15 Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him: but I will maintain mine own ways before Him. Ps 56:4 In God I will praise His word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.

11. Reasonable to Worship God What is WORSHIP? Honor, reverence, homage, in thought, feeling, or act, reverential attitude of mind or body or both, "fear" but this primitive meaning is completely merged into reverence…

12. Jesus was worshiped while a babe by : Angels… Mary… Shepherd's… And later by Anna… Simeon… and the Wise Men We to are required to Worship Him God is a Spirit (a spiritual Being) and those who worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth (reality). Not meant to be a negative… for our good

14. Internal and/or external

15. Requires acknowledgement of Him

16. Puts “us” into proper perspective

17. Not an option

18. Acknowledges His character

19. It is a joy and privilege

21. Reasonable to Obey God If we can Trust and Worship Him we also need to obey Him… None of us would disagree… Yet all of us have trouble submitting to this

22. We like certain verses and principles but not all of His Word… 1 John 5:12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. 1 Cor 6:19-20 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

23. Lam 3:30 Let them turn the other cheek to those who strike them and accept the insults of their enemies. Matt 5:44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

24. At this time of the year especially we need to remember . . . Our purpose does not naturally align up with His TRUST This life is not about us WORSHIP We were boughten/left here for a reason OBEY