A Way to Begin

Intro: Away in a Manger

A. We decided use a word play on the a song written in the 19 century to help us get ready for Christmas this year

This song is actually interesting “‘Luther’s Cradle Hymn,’ composed by Martin Luther for his children and still sung by German mothers to their little ones.”.

Martin Luther lived in the 16th century, However, no one has uncovered an original German version by the reformer.

Martin Luther lived in the 16th century, However, no one has uncovered an original German version by the reformer.

After WW2 we realized that the Germans had no history of this song. And the only version they sang was translated from English to German not the other way around.

After WW2 we realized that the Germans had no history of this song. And the only version they sang was translated from English to German not the other way around.

So, it was an American lullaby that we attributed to Martin Luther to make it cool. I’m glad that never happens in Christian literature. Like the shepherd of Hermas, the Gospel of Thomas, The acts of Paul…

So, it was an American lullaby that we attributed to Martin Luther to make it cool. I’m glad that never happens in Christian literature. Like the shepherd of Hermas, the Gospel of Thomas, The acts of Paul…

B. We separated the “A” form Away and we get an actual historical reference to Christianity in the early church.

The name was widely used for the believers, and is most unknown to Christians today would be the title “The Way”.

They didn’t call us Christians at first that came Later in Antioch . It was a term that meant little Christ and it was derogatory. (Turn the other Cheek)

They referred to themselves as the followers of the way. Probably originating from Christ Himself, who called Himself “The Way”(),

This name was used widely in the Book of Acts. The below verses prove that they were known more widely as “the Way, especially as Paul introduces himself as a follower of “the Way” to the Governor, and not as a “Christian”(),

Acts 9:2 NLT

2 He requested letters addressed to the synagogues in Damascus, asking for their cooperation in the arrest of any followers of the Way he found there. He wanted to bring them—both men and women—back to Jerusalem in chains.

and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.

But when some became stubborn and continued in unbelief, speaking evil of the Way before the congregation, he withdrew from them and took the disciples with him, reasoning daily in the hall of Tyrannus.

About that time there arose no little disturbance concerning the Way.

But this I confess to you, that according to the Way, which they call a sect, I worship the God of our fathers, believing everything laid down by the Law and written in the Prophets,

But Felix, having a rather accurate knowledge of the Way, put them off, saying, “When Lysias the tribune comes down, I will decide your case.”

C. Jesus As ‘The Way’

Think about how radical to the Jewish mind it was when Jesus of Nazareth stated, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him” ().

History

He asserted that only as one accessed God the Father through the person of Jesus could one expect to have a relationship with the Father.

You see, this is one primary way in which Jesus differentiates himself from other religious leaders/thinkers (Krishna, Buddha, Muhammad, Moses, etc.). Such religious icons claim to be “way-showers” or “signposts.”

But none claims to actually be “the way”, in and of himself. As John Stott writes in his classic book “Basic Christianity,” “[Jesus] was not just another signpost, but the destination to which the signposts had led.”

These first Jewish “Christians” then, understood Jesus to be equal with, even superior to, in function, Torah—God’s self-revelation to humanity. This is what prompts John, in his Gospel to write, “In the beginning was the Word [logos], and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. . . .The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.” (, ).

Jesus is the divine logos, He is “the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being” (),

“God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him [Jesus], and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross” (, ).

>>> Jesus said I am the way. The truth and the life. The way to the father is through me. I am the restorer, the reconciliation of mankind. I am the way. This year want you to get ready for Christmas. We want you ready to celebrate the coming of the Way. The way to peace with God. The way in a manger.

I. The greatest story ever told.

A. Refer to the gospel as the greatest story ever told

ILLUS: Jesus movie in Kenya, you support that when you give to a well.

We don’t realize that the story, the narrative continues… It continues in us.

The story is continued in you, Your salvation story, the story of your life in the way

B. Getting ready for Christmas is to realize the story is about you.

Your life is the story of salvation

>>> Are you ready for Christmas? We want this Christmas to be your greatest ever. Not the greatest presents, although I really like presents. Not the greatest time with your love one, although relationships are important to God. We want a realization in you. In your thinking. In your heart. That this greatest story ever told is about you. Get ready the stories are all true.

II. A way to begin this Christmas season

A. 1st things first. Repentance

Repent! I know… The first thing associated with repentance is Guilt and shame.

In 1887, American hymn writer James R. Murray entitled the tune to “Away in a Manger” as “Luther’s Cradle Hymn.” Murray further stated in his popular songbook, Dainty Songs for Little Lads and Lasses, that Martin Luther had not only written “Away in a Manger,” but had sung it to his children each night before bed.

That’s the last thing I need this Christmas season. I’m getting enough of that from my Husband, My X, My mom and Dad

Repentance is always the first step when following the way.

Godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation… —

2 Corinthians 7:10 NLT

10 For the kind of sorrow God wants us to experience leads us away from sin and results in salvation. There’s no regret for that kind of sorrow. But worldly sorrow, which lacks repentance, results in spiritual death.

As Tertullian once said, “I was born for no other end but to repent.”

B. Conviction of sin is best described in the words: My sins, my sins, my Savior, How sad on Thee they fall.

Conviction of sin is one of the most uncommon things that ever happens to a person.

It is the beginning of an understanding of God. Jesus Christ said that when the Holy Spirit came He would convict people of sin .

And when the Holy Spirit stirs a person’s conscience and brings him into the presence of God, it is not that person’s relationship with others that bothers him but his relationship with God

“Against You, You only, have I sinned, and done this evil in your sight…” .

As followers of the way we need to live in the realization , not in the guilt and shame, that our sin is covered by a God who gave up His life for us.

Isaiah 53:5 NIV

5 But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.

(NIV) But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.

(NIV) But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.

C. Repentance is a key part of the Christian life. It never feels good — and if it does, you’re doing it wrong — but it is necessary. It’s what reminds us of our need for grace.

When we repent we realize the story is about me. His love is for me. The gift of repentance is how I get back to him.

I don’t like that phrase get back, or come back. It is not accurate. It is accurate enough I guess

I like to look at it this way.

(NLT) The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. 23 Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning.

Lamentations 3:22–23 NLT

22 The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. 23 Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning.

That doesn’t speak to me like a place, an emotion, that I need to get back to.

It is more like I see a mountain in the distance and that is my Goal. My road is to that mountain. I see some berries over here and then I get a drink over here. When I stand up I look for that visual reference again. That better describes repentance.

The Humble Birth

I don’t have to go back to where I was to find the trail. I look toward Jesus the author and finisher of my faith and from there I continue on the way.

>>> Do you feel that. We need New mercies everyday because I need restoration moment by moment.

Sins build up on us every day and we need not carry something that has already been taken care of.

Matthew 11:28–30 NLT

28 Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”

(NLT) Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”

(NLT) Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”

The question is Do you want to carry your guilt and shame Or will you let Jesus teach you?

Do you want rest for your souls? Do you want His yoke His burden which is light?

>>> Repentance is a gift for the follower of the way. For the believer.

Acts 3:19 NIV

19 Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord,

NIV Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord,

NIV Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord,

This verse goes on to talk about Jesus coming again and restoring all things but we are right here in this verse right now. A time where our repentance brings a refreshing from the lord. Who wants it! Do you think the Lord can refresh you? Then lets Repent!

II. What’s the way to begin (repentance) look like? 6 Elements

1. Acknowledge Sin

1 John 1:8–10 NLT

8 If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. 9 But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. 10 If we claim we have not sinned, we are calling God a liar and showing that his word has no place in our hearts.

8 If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. 9 But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. 10 If we claim we have not sinned, we are calling God a liar and showing that his word has no place in our hearts.

8 If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. 9 But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. 10 If we claim we have not sinned, we are calling God a liar and showing that his word has no place in our hearts.

Genuine repentance starts with the understanding that we are desperate sinners whose sin touches nearly everything we do

Romans 3:10 NLT

10 As the Scriptures say, “No one is righteous— not even one.

NLT As the Scriptures say, “No one is righteous, not even one.

How often have you heard the phrase, “I know I’m not perfect but . . . ” which in nearly every circumstance means, “when it comes to this, I’m perfect!”

It means that we should not be surprised when we find it necessary to repent, nor should that exercise undo us.

We mess up and we need to Acknowledge our sin.

2. Sorrow over Sin

We must learn to become like children in order to commune with God.

This element of lament for our sin as we see it’s effect on ourselves, on others, and on God.

Psalm 51:17 NLT

17 The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit. You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God.

The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit. You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God.

This is the element which is most easily observed and therefore most often faked.

Some are sorrowful “not because sin is sinful, but because it is painful.”

We depend on God for Godly sorrow. God help me see this as you do.

3. Confession of Sin

To confess is to agree that God is right about this and you are wrong.

Confession should focus on oneself and one’s own sin. It should not look to mitigate, excuse, rationalize, or blame.

Genuine repentance takes ownership of the pain that our sin has caused both in its particulars and generalities.

9 But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness

1 John 1:9 NLT

9 But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.

4. Shame of Sin

Ashamed of sin, Not live in shame.

All sin makes us guilty, and that guilt was only removed at the cost of the blood of God himself.

He voluntarily clothed himself in that very sin and took on the wrath of God — hell itself! — at Calvary.

Ezra 9:6 NLT

6 I prayed, “O my God, I am utterly ashamed; I blush to lift up my face to you. For our sins are piled higher than our heads, and our guilt has reached to the heavens.

I prayed, “O my God, I am utterly ashamed; I blush to lift up my face to you. For our sins are piled higher than our heads, and our guilt has reached to the heavens.

May there be in our communities of faith more blushing and less boasting when it comes to sin.

May there be in our communities of faith more blushing and less boasting when it comes to sin.

5. Hatred of Sin

“Christ is never loved till sin is loathed.” Ever here that phrase?

Repent

We will always lose against the temptation of sin if we refuse to hate it. That is the major reason we as followers of the way get addicted to bad habits.

When we get angry at our own sin, we are reflecting something of God’s holiness and purity.

This hatred of sin in oneself, when genuine, is never too far from the surface. When someone’s anger is focused primarily on others’ sins and not his own, it’s typically a sign that repentance is a mere performance.

6. Turning from Sin

Repentance means little if it does not result in Transformation.

This is the element of repentance that takes the longest and can be the most excruciating for all involved.

Will you raise your voice again in anger? Will you look at something inappropriate when no one else is around? Will you talk again about someone else’s flaws just so you can feel accepted?

If we turn from sin in our own strength, we will fail. We will lose both the motivation and the energy for the fight that the conflict against sin requires of us. Instead, if we turn not to our own efforts but to God, we will find ourselves more and more refreshed by his grace and have the power to see sin beaten.

Hebrews 12:1–2 NLT

1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. 2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.

NLT Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. 2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.

NLT Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. 2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.

Turn back to the mountain and begin again the race to the foothills. Turn toward Jesus.

Summary

Are you ready for Christmas? The way to begin your celebration this year is repentance.

Acts 3:19 NLT

19 Now repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away.

NIV Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord,

Acts 3:19–20 NIV

19 Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, 20 and that he may send the Messiah, who has been appointed for you—even Jesus.

Acts 3:19 NIV

19 Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord,

NIV Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord,

NIV Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord,

We need a refreshing this year. Let’s have that time as a community of believers. Let’s live in repentance this season. I know this might be confusing to those who are not followers of the way. If you are not a Christian this is confusing. This is a Christian thing. It is not about being a Christian though you need to repent to start the Journey. When Jesus died for your sins he died for them all. When you accept that by faith you are accepted into the family. From then on you want to have a good relationship with your adopted Father. So repentance becomes part of your life. Not to stay in the family but to have a right relationship with the Father. If you want to enter the family, it’s a step of faith…

As we celebrate the coming of Christ, His human birth this season. Let us not lose the fact that he is coming again. He is coming soon. To restore everything. Are you ready because the stories are true?

Joy to the world, is about the day to come. He is the way to the restoration.

Joy to the world, the Lord is come Let earth receive her King Let every heart prepare Him room And Heaven and nature sing

Joy to the World, the Savior reigns! Let men their songs employ While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains Repeat the sounding joy