Unwrapping Christmas #3
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· 7 viewsThis time of year there is always much attention brought to the giving and receiving of gifts. We refer to this time of year as the “Season for Giving.” But what we often overlook is that this season also offers us gifts. In this series, we will unwrap God's gift of acceptance, security and significance, gifts far more valuable than anything you can buy. Join us for this Christmas Series as we look at "Unwrapping Christmas."
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Intro:
Intro:
Merry Christmas - thanks for joining us.
It is Dec 24th 2017… from what? From the birth of Christ. Over 2000 yrs ago God became flesh. The son of God came. He came to to change the world. He came to change our lives.
Every time you use your cell phone and the date comes up… it is a reminder. Every time you write a date. We should celebrate that God entered the world to change our lives.
He arrived in a dull and bleak world.
We have sterilized the Christmas story. We have made it nice and clean. It is full of miracles and mystery.
Ill: Nine-year-old Joey was asked by his mother what he had learned in Sunday School about the Christmas story. “Well, Mom, out teacher told us how God came to remedy the problems on earth. He shrunk down to human size using this giant shrinking machine and came to earth in a space capsule that broke the sound barriers and make a huge explosion. The CIA then put God in Mary’s belly and secretly followed the plans in the Bible you know they had to use a donkey and stuff… “Now, Joey is that REALLY what you teacher taught you?” his mother asked. “Well, no, Mom, but if I told it the way the teacher did, you’d never believe it!”
It was dirty. Disease was pandemic. The world was full of misery and with a lack of hope.
He arrived in a world that was uncertain and struggling with leadership.
Clans and kingdom were fighting. Uncertain. Struggling. Hopeless. Roman. No leadership.
He arrived in a world that was overwhelming and demanding.
Slavery was rampant. Work was hard. Demanding.
He arrived in a world that lived and died with no sense of destiny.
2000 yrs ago people didn’t travel. They were stuck. No sense of purpose or hope.
He arrived in a world full of conflict and trouble lacking peace.
This world didn’t value life. God so loved the world that he entered. Strife hate. He entered that world to bring CHANGE!
Everywhere Jesus went people encountered life change.
History was changed when He entered the world. He gave everyone the opportunity to encounter life change.
We look back of 2017 and there was so much tragedy. There where 307 mass shootings, Las Vegas and Texas. How can this happen? It’s because people haven’t encountered Jesus.
Where do I need to encounter life change?
Personally - no hope, overwhelmed, decisions, grief (forget about 2018 what about tomorrow?) no rest. Merry Christmas - God entered the world to bring life change. No one here has a excuse to stay the same because of Christmas.
Professionally - going no where, stuck. Merry Christmas - Jesus can change everything!
God: Over 700 before the first Christmas. Isaiah gave great hope of the life change that was coming.
For a child is born to us,
a son is given to us.
The government will rest on his shoulders.
And he will be called:
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isiaah 9:6
Ex: What is Isaiah saying here? This child, God in flesh embodies all of these qualities… He wants to change your LIFE!!
Let’s unwrap this gift -
His name is Wonderful. That takes care of the dullness of life.
Life change takes care of the dullness of life. Extra ordinary. Awesome.
The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.
Life change takes care of the dullness of life. Extra ordinary. Awesome.
We live in a mechanical world - does it work? Commercial - doesn it pay off? Busy - time? Jesus answers all of these question.
We live in a mechanical world - does it work? Commercial - doesn it pay off? Busy - time? Jesus answers all of these question.
Isaiah declares that Jesus wants to change your life. Are you bored? There is nothing boring about following Jesus.
2. His name is Counselor. That takes care of the decisions of life.
Any one here have any big decisions to make in 2018? Anybody need some counseling? We all do. We are all making choices that will impact our lives today, tomorrow and in the future. They are affecting us and others we love.
Isaiah says He will be our counselor. I’m not caplbe of making those hard decisions. My heart is deceitful. It is a great day when you say God I want your way and knowledge. My mind is limited - God sees the future. He wants to change the way we make decisions.
Dating, carreer change? God knows!
3. His name is Mighty God. That takes care of the demands of life.
Do you have demands? Anxiety, worry and depression are connected to the demands we have. We don’t know that people in authority are going to tell us.
Mighty God = Warrior, Victorius Captain
Jesus exercised godly power - over nature, over sickness, over spiritual warfare. Life change! Power over Satan and death.
Demands you have as a mom, dad, husband, wife, boss...
Isaiah says his name is MIGHTY GOD!
4. His name is Everlasting Father. That takes care of the destiny of life.
In the OT Father is mentioned only 7 times. When Jesus entered the world. He entered as EF. Jesus mentions the word father 150 times. The word father causes emotions to flow . My father was imperfect. Isaiah is talking about a perfect father. He is everlasting father. This father protects me! Filter. No one can ruin my life. Why? Father. He provides for me and my destiny.
5. His name is Prince of Peace. That take care of the disturbances of life.
Jesus spoke to his disciples and told them that they would have trouvbles. BUT take heart I have overcome the world.
Good counselors never protect from problems they help you walk through problems. PRINCE OF PEACE will walk through every situation of life.
My peace is not effective by circumstances it is determined by the PRINCE OF PEACE. He wants to give us a peace that the world can’t give and the world can’t take away.
Conc:
Ill - Oscar & Baby Jesus
2000 years ago Jesus entered the world to bring life change. Matthew, tax collector - cheat, liar, one of Jesus followers encountered life change. He wrote...
And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”
Mathew 1:21
Jesus echos these words about Life Change
“For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.
To give LIfe Change. God wants to give you a Merry Christmas BUT you need to unwrap the gift of Jesus.
Life Change Prayer: Dear God, thank You for Your goodness to me. Thank You for loving me unconditionally and caring about every detail of my life. Thank You for sharing my pain. Most of all, thank You for sending Jesus at Christmas to save me. I believe He died on the cross for me and I want to receive Him as my Savior. Please forgive my sins and accept me into Your family. I want to learn to love You and trust You and follow You for the rest of my life on earth. Then I want to join You in heaven forever! Amen
Life Change Prayer: Dear God, thank You for Your goodness to me. Thank You for loving me unconditionally and caring about every detail of my life. Thank You for sharing my pain. Most of all, thank You for sending Jesus at Christmas to save me. I believe He died on the cross for me and I want to receive Him as my Savior. Please forgive my sins and accept me into Your family. I want to learn to love You and trust You and follow You for the rest of my life on earth. Then I want to join You in heaven forever! Amen
Dear God, thank You for Your goodness to me. Thank You for loving me unconditionally and caring about every detail of my life. Thank You for sharing my pain. Most of all, thank You for sending Jesus at Christmas to save me. I believe He died on the cross for me and I want to receive Him as my Savior. Please forgive my sins and accept me into Your family. I want to learn to love You and trust You and follow You for the rest of my life on earth. Then I want to join You in heaven forever! Amen
Our WONDERFUL Jesus will take the dullness out of your life. The COUNSELOR will help you with the decisions of life. Our MIGHTY GOD takes care of the demands of life. The EVERLASTING FATHER loves and leads you in your destiny. Our PRINCE OF PEACE takes care of all of your disturbances.
I’m praying for you to encounter Jesus and just not experience Jesus this Christmas. That you will encounter LIFE CHANGE.
Prayer | Care Card - please pass to the end of your row.
Candle Light - Just as light changes darkness we pray that Jesus changes us. May the light of Jesus shine in around and through us. Will you allow that light to shine through you? Will you pass it on?
Candle Light - Just as light changes darkness we pray that Jesus changes us. May the light of Jesus shine in around and through us. Will you allow that light to shine through you? Will you pass it on?
As you look into that flame will you reflect on how the light of Jesus changed your life in 2017? How did He change you? Your family? Your friends? If you encountered Jesus in 2017 and He changed you life. Will you raise your candle? Hold it high as a witness to the goodness, greatest and generosity of Jesus. Please lower your candle and sing with us. SILENT NIGHT.