Christmas Service - I am not a fan

Announcements

Merry Christmas. I’m am so glad for technology to be able to come and meet with you in your house.

Join us as We will be starting our corporate fast Jan 1st.

Begin to pray about things that you would like to see God do in your life in 2023.

Write those things down and pray into them every day

Find some scriptures to incorporate into your prayer time

If you are taking medication, please check with your doctor before fasting.

Fast 1 meal a day

Fast sun up to sun down

Do a full fast by drinking just liquids (lemonade drink)

Do just water.

Bring your whole family together during this time. Have them pray with you, talk to your kids about what they want to see God change in or around them in 2023.

Tithe and Offering

Intro

Today we celebrate the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ. Every Christmas I think of the movie Taladega nights. Where Will Ferrel is saying grace over supper and he prays to little baby Jesus. How do you see Jesus?

We know that he was born of a virgin, Mary. He lived a sinless life, was baptized with water and the Holy Spirit, walked in signs wonders and miracles. He was betrayed by one of his disciples, and condemned to die on a cross in between two thieves. 1 Peter 2:24

1 Peter 2:24 ESV

24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.

He was laid to rest in a tomb and then on the 3rd day rose from the dead.

But I want to take a look at what happened before Jesus was born.

There were about 450-500 years since the last prophet spoke. These are called the silent years. Think of living in those times. The jews knew the prophecy from Isaiah which said

Isaiah 7:14 ESV

14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

Isaiah 9:6 ESV

6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Isaiah prophesied this 700 years before jesus was born. Can you imagine the anticipation. It’s kind of like the anticipation of a sports game. Some of you that may have watched the world cup. And you were cheering on your favorite team.

I am not a fan

Do you have a sports team?

Whenever you talk about your team it’s always a “We”.

Unfortunately there are people that are the same way about Jesus and Christianity.

They might be as bold as to wear the jersey of their team but never step foot onto the field.

Let’s look at the beginning story of our savior and his mom and how she was concerned about stepping on the field.

Luke 1:26–38 NLT

26 In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a village in Galilee, 27 to a virgin named Mary. She was engaged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of King David. 28 Gabriel appeared to her and said, “Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you!” 29 Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean. 30 “Don’t be afraid, Mary,” the angel told her, “for you have found favor with God! 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. 32 He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. 33 And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!” 34 Mary asked the angel, “But how can this happen? I am a virgin.” 35 The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God. 36 What’s more, your relative Elizabeth has become pregnant in her old age! People used to say she was barren, but she has conceived a son and is now in her sixth month. 37 For the word of God will never fail.” 38 Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” And then the angel left her.

How amazing is Mary’s response. If I could sum it up, Mary said yes.

Everything you say yes to you also have to say no to something else. Jesus states it so clearly in the book of Matthew.

Matthew 16:24 ESV

24 Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.

I don’t know where you may be watching from or who you may be watching this with but I want to ask you if you are a fan of Jesus or are you a follower of Jesus.