Christmas List Wk2

Jeremy Elliott

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Priorities and Time

Week 2 Text: Topic: Priorities, Joseph, Providence

Intro:

What are your priorities during the Christmas season?

Some of you probably have a list of things that you must get done or focus on.

Buying gifts, family pictures, asking for time off for vacation, getting the food ready—

the list can go on and on as Our priorities can go on and on during this season as well.

Some questions we must ask ourselves:

Are we prioritizing the wrong things? Is time something we try to prioritize and control? Is time something we allow God to control for us.

The 2000 film version of How the Grinch Stole Christmas

One of the main questions asked throughout the movie is,

“What is the meaning of Christmas?” The character Cyndy Lu Who asks everyone in Whoville why she should celebrate this day.

As she observes her family and friends, she sees that their priorities on Christmas are all about gifts, status, perfection, and again, gifts.

It’s this observation of skewed priorities that causes the conflict in cindy lu”s spirit.

Not unlike our own children when they observe our priorities aren’t quite the biblical standard we show in front of others....it causes a conflict in their spirit.

When all the stuff is taken away from Whoville, the Whos and the Grinch realize that the priority of Christmas is love, family, and friends.

Big Idea #1: God’s priorities guided the story of the nativity and changed the lives of each character.

Application Point #1: We will let our priorities be changed to reflect the will of God.

Mans plans vs Gods plans.

1. Mans plans vs Gods plans.

The story of the nativity shows us that even people in the Bible had priorities they thought were important, but God had other plans.

When we meet Joseph, we see that he is going to divorce Mary

(NLT)

18This is how Jesus the Messiah was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But before the marriage took place, while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit. 19Joseph, to whom she was engaged, was a righteous man and did not want to disgrace her publicly, so he decided to break the engagement quietly.

19Joseph, to whom she was engaged, was a righteous man and did not want to disgrace her publicly, so he decided to break the engagement quietly.

This wasn’t because Joseph was a bad person.

This wasn’t because Joseph was a bad person. “Because he was a righteous man, Joseph therefore could not in conscience marry Mary who was thought to be unfaithful” Joseph’s practical priority was taking care of his reputation, and even Mary’s reputation. But God’s priority was that Joseph should care for Mary and the baby (vv. 20–25). Practically, this was a tough decision. In a social sense, Joseph would be facing a shameful situation; people would either assume he was marrying someone has been unfaithful to him, or that Joseph and Mary had a baby out of wedlock. Both scenarios could cause serious damage to reputations at the time. But the priority that God placed on Joseph was more important than any of Joseph’s priorities. As it is with us as well Where was Jesus born? A manger. We see that Caesar wanted a census taken, so Joseph had to travel with a pregnant Mary to Bethlehem (). When they arrived, there were no more hotel rooms. Some of you might have struggled with this before. Traveling during a busy season or going to a city with a large event. The 1987 John Hughes film Planes, Trains, and Automobiles describes a story of two unfortunate travelers who struggle to get home during a holiday season. In one scene they have to (awkwardly) share a one-bed hotel room because the hotel is full. TThis was a similar situation to what happened in the first century (perhaps not with the craziness of Planes, Trains, and Automobiles). The town’s priority was the census, but I’m sure like any parents, they wanted a good place to have the baby. But in God’s sovereignty, his priority was that Jesus would be born in a barn. The priority was that King of all kings be born in the lowliest of places.

“Because he was a righteous man, Joseph therefore could not in conscience marry Mary who was thought to be unfaithful”

Joseph’s practical priority was taking care of his reputation, and even Mary’s reputation.

But God’s priority was that Joseph should care for Mary and the baby (vv. 20–25).

20 As he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. “Joseph, son of David,” the angel said, “do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit. 21 And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”

22 All of this occurred to fulfill the Lord’s message through his prophet:

23 “Look! The virgin will conceive a child!

She will give birth to a son,

and they will call him Immanuel,

which means ‘God is with us.’ ”

24 When Joseph woke up, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded and took Mary as his wife. 25 But he did not have sexual relations with her until her son was born. And Joseph named him Jesus.

This was a tough decision.

In a social sense, Joseph would be facing a shameful situation;

people would either assume he was marrying someone who has been unfaithful to him,

or that Joseph and Mary had a baby out of wedlock.

Both scenarios could cause serious damage to reputations at the time.

But the priority that God placed on Joseph was more important than any of Joseph’s priorities............. As it is with us as well

Look at it this way,

Where was Jesus born? A manger.....WHY?

We see that Caesar wanted a census taken, so Joseph had to travel with a pregnant Mary to Bethlehem

At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire.

When they arrived, there were no more hotel rooms.....

Hotel Rooms, Now think for a moment why Joseph was travelling again.

For the census, and for this census each head of household, Man of the House had to be in his hometown (place of birth) for the census.

The Jews held tight knit families and Joseph traveling home couldn’t find a place to stay.

Not a hotel or a home.....Theres no way he didn’t have family or friends in the area and

he wasn’t a broke man which tells us that Joseph was already dealing with

the social stigma of being betrothed to a pregnant woman..

So he searched for a hotel with no luck.

Some of you might have struggled with this before.

Traveling during a busy season or going to a city with a large event.

Mardi Gras in Louisiana

The town’s priority was the census, but I’m sure like any parents,

they wanted a good place to have the baby.

But in God’s sovereignty, his priority was that Jesus would be born in a barn.

The priority was that King of all kings be born in the lowliest of places.

Really makes you think what plan is God changing for His Glory?

What are some of your priorities during this season?

We must allow God to hack our priorities and replace them with his.

We might know what is practical or what is pressing,

but God knows the bigger picture in life that we don’t always see. And it’s always in His Perfect Timing....

Which brings us to

Gods Perfect Timing. Text: ; Big Idea #2: God brought Jesus into this world at the perfect time and showed his perfect timing to the characters of the nativity. Application Point #2: We do not control time but will allow God to show his timing in our lives each day.

2. Gods Perfect Timing.

Text: ; Big Idea #2: God brought Jesus into this world at the perfect time and showed his perfect timing to the characters of the nativity. Application Point #2: We do not control time but will allow God to show his timing in our lives each day.

What is perfect timing The perfect timing.

Maybe it’s the catch that wins the game, or when all our plans fall into place.

Sometimes people are successful because they were at the right place and at the right time.

The world had a “perfect timing” moment when Jesus came onto the scene.

“But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.”

born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.”

The wise men were looking for that right timing, searching the stars for the new king.

What if the random events that happen throughout life aren’t random at all?

What if they lead up to a singular moment?

We can look at human history as a chronology of people and places, but God sees a larger picture of redemption—

and that moment was brought to a head in the life of Jesus.

..........Jalen Music .................

Some Christmas songs talk about time.The 1984 hit“ Do They Know It’s Christmas?” (written by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure) brought to light the struggle of famine in Ethiopia. Christmastime reflects a time of generosity and goodwill. The timing of the song helped bring aid to Africa during the 1980s. The famous Band Aid song raised millions of dollars and featured famous ’80s pop stars, like Bono (U2), Sting, and Paul McCartney (Jordan Runtagh, “Flashback: Band Aid Raises Millions With ‘Do They Know It’s Christmas?,’” Rolling Stone, December 12, 2018, https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/do-they-know-its- 📷 christmas-band-aid-1984-geldof-761428/). One story from the nativity is about a promise to Simeon. Simeon was a righteous man who was there when Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to the temple 5). “And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ” 6). This might seem like a small deed, but God kept his promise to Simeon. “Luke notes the providential timing, as the Spirit brings Simeon to the temple courts to be ready for the family’s arrival. In this touching scene, Luke again shows the presence of Jesus, now in Simeon’s arms” (Walter L. Liefeld, “Luke,” in Matthew, Mark, Luke, Expositor’s Bible Commentary 8, ed. Frank E. Gaebelein [Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1984], 849). For Simeon, Jesus showed that God was in control of time and had now fulfilled the promises given to him and to the rest of the world. With time, we have a responsibility.There are only so many hours given to us in life. To quote the wizard Gandalf as he was encouraging Frodo, “All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us”How should we view time during Christmas? Is it something you’re constantly trying to control? Manage? Maybe God wants us to open our time to fulfill his purpose. God controls time and wants us to see his timing in the small things during this busy seasonbut beyond it all Timing, Lists and all

Simeon:

One story from the nativity where Gods timing stands out to me is the story of Simeon

and it is about a promise from God to Simeon.

Simeon was a righteous man who was there when Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to the temple

Luke 2:22–25 NLT

22 Then it was time for their purification offering, as required by the law of Moses after the birth of a child; so his parents took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord. 23 The law of the Lord says, “If a woman’s first child is a boy, he must be dedicated to the Lord.” 24 So they offered the sacrifice required in the law of the Lord—“either a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.” 25 At that time there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon. He was righteous and devout and was eagerly waiting for the Messiah to come and rescue Israel. The Holy Spirit was upon him

“And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ”

Luke 2:22 LEB

22 And when the days of their purification were completed according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord

Luke 2:26 LEB

26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he would see the Lord’s Christ.

luke 2

This might seem like a small deed, but God kept his promise to Simeon.

“Luke notes the providential timing, as the Spirit brings Simeon to the temple courts to be ready for the family’s arrival.

In this touching scene, Luke again shows the presence of Jesus, now in Simeon’s arms”

For Simeon, Jesus showed that God was in control of time and had now fulfilled the promises given to him and to the rest of the world.

With time, we have a responsibility.

There are only so many hours given to us in life.

To quote the wizard Gandalf as he was encouraging Frodo,

“All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us”

How should we view time during Christmas? Is it something you’re constantly trying to control? Manage?

Maybe God wants us to open our time to fulfill his purpose. God controls time and wants us to see his timing in the small things during this busy season

but beyond it all....the Timing, the Lists, and all....there is something in the story that that is of the utmost importance to us...

a matter of wavering Christianity or solidity in Christ Jesus

and its this

There is a name that is only recorded in the Bible 3 times.

Isaiah and Matthew

(God with us)

No leper ever came up to Jesus and called him by this name, no disciple

no one but the Father at this point..

Because Isaiah just said the name in a prophetic message from the Lord and Matthew just quoted the book of Isaiah……

So many Name were given to Him, Rabbi, Master, teacher, brother, Son, Son of God, Son of Man, Prince of Peace, Wonderful councilor, Messiah………

But NO ONE but the Father truly understood Jesus to be this name until after His ascension.

Even when Jesus asked The disciples who do you say I Am Peter responded by saying “You are the Messiah……..But He still didn’t understand Emmanuel

See it’s because we must know him as Jesus first. Jesus (savior) the name Jesus goes back to the OT Joshua.

And Joshua was a warrior, champion, leader who led and fought for his people with sword and heart. Joshua/Jesus =savior We all must know His as Jesus/Savior before we can ever know Him as God with us.

Illustration

Think of the Angels that knew HIM. While seeing the plans of the father unfold.

The Angels who knew Him as Emmanuel seeing what God had planed may have petitioned the Father "No father, not a stone, spear, sinful rag will touch our savior. Our God With Us

He too holy father. So God could have compromised with the angels. You can intervene but you can go sing and let them know who he is... And they sang Glory to God in the Highest Glory to God in the highest, and peace on earth to people who enjoy his favor!”

We all struggle and hurt, saved or not, so that’s why it’s so important we know Emmanuel (God With Us)

I’m saved and i Know Jesus my savior and life seems to be kicking me when I’m down, christ has saved my soul, I am redeemed but I’m still receiving the kicks on earth