More than a Story - How Do You Respond to the Truth?

Predictions vs Prophecy

Nostradamus, Global Warming, Harold Camping 2011 and 2015, JW (1914?

Too fascinating to believe, but we WILL believe the vague, general ones

The narrative of the Messiah’s birth is just that, historical narrative

Setting the Record Straight - Part 1

Questions to ask: Why isn’t God’s Word enough/sufficient? Why do we want to feel good, inject our own wisdom over God’s?

1) Zecharaiah and Elizabeth -

THE Gabriel

He doesn’t believe - so he’s silenced

Gabriel explains - he responds

2) Mary -

THE Gabriel

“How can this be? I’m a virgin.

Gabriel explains - she responds

3) Joseph -

An angel in a vision

Joseph responds, sticks with Mary, this is God’s deal

He obeys, tough to do, ridiculed at raising this illegitimate child

John 8:41 NASB95

“You are doing the deeds of your father.” They said to Him, “We were not born of fornication; we have one Father: God.”

Joseph will obey, and take his betrothed to Bethlehem with him (next week)

SO WHAT? What’s With These People?

Zechariah - Humble priest

Mary - humble maiden

Joseph - humble carpenter

EACH ONE

Hears from God, through an appointed messenger

Zecharaiah and Mary - from Gabriel

Joseph - from an angel (angels are messengers)

Hebrews 1:14 NASB95

Are they not all ministering spirits, sent out to render service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation?

Has a Response

Zechariah - “I’m old, can’t happen”

Mary - “How can this be?”

Joseph- I’ll hide her away, do the best thing for her and me, as I see fit

Has an Action Related to Truth

Zechariah - explains in sign language? Names him John

Mary - Her song of praise, life will be depiction of obedience

Joseph - goes against the grain, obeys, regardless

Others HAVE to know all this, it’s not like it could be hidden.

Has an Audience

Zechariah - those he ministers to, they know he saw a vision

Mary - family, husband, others in Galilee and Bethlehem

Joseph - co-workers, customers, family

WHAT ABOUT US?

We hear from God’s appointed messengers

His Word

The church - or so we should!

We have a response (thought and/or verbal)

Some accept

Some reject

Some just prefer to “feel good” about what we’re told about the story, never exploring it further, never letting it sink in and affect lives

We know the TRUTH

In spite of what the world says or wants us to believe, we KNOW that Jesus came

God actually sent His son for us

Christmas - can be happy, can actually be a sad time

God came to rescue us from this misery, and at the same time, right now, give us peace that comes through faith in Him

But…we say “I’m good,” “don’t worry about me.”

God says HE is good, He says Here I AM, LEAN ON ME!

We should have an action plan

As we encounter the living Word of God, the living Christ, God Himself

The church is God’s appointed messenger today

No apostles, “anointed ones,” but BELIEVERS!

Isaiah 52:7 NASB95

How lovely on the mountains Are the feet of him who brings good news, Who announces peace And brings good news of happiness, Who announces salvation, And says to Zion, “Your God reigns!”

What If…Believers did things the first time we are asked?

People make excuses, even in the Christmas account

Lots of people didn’t think they could do it, that it wasn’t “for them”

Moses, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Peter....US

God works with us, because He is patient, we should be thankful for that

And we should be ready to obey, follow, complete surrender. It’s good, He says!

If God didn’t think we could do it, He wouldn’t have told us

Following Him is offered to ALL

We (YOU, US) have an audience

Are they hearing?

Are you telling?