12/23/12 Christmas lesson
10 Christmas Story takeaways you need to know
With thanks to Andy Blanks
1. The Incarnation is Awesome
Luke 2:6-7 says, "And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn." Our generation places a high value on authenticity. There's nothing more authentic than the God of the Universe taking on human form in order to perfectly save His creation from themselves. We can know, worship, relate to God in large part because He became one of us.
2. You're Never Too Young to Be Used by God
Luke 1:26-27 says, "In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin's name was Mary." Mary was pretty young. Scholars' opinions range anywhere from 13 or 14 years old to 18 or 19. The point is this: Mary was young. And God used her in a miraculous way. That's God's M.O. He used Mary when she was still a teenager. He uses teenagers today as vital parts of His plan to redeem humankind.
3. The Harder the Situation, the Greater the Faith
Matthew 1:24-25 ESV says, "When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus." Joseph may be my favorite (human) character of the Christmas Narrative. What incredible faith! Everything in him said to divorce Mary (and do it quietly to protect her life . . . what love!). But Joseph showed immense faith in the Lord's plan. We can benefit immensely from Joseph's example here.
4. The Bible is a Record of God Working to Achieve His Purposes
Luke 2:4-5 says, "And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child." God promised David that someone from his lineage would always be on the throne. This happened, oh, roughly half a millennia before Christ was born! Fulfilled prophecy (Jesus fulfilled 333 prophecies) gives us confidence in God's powerful providence. God is at work, in history and in your life. And that's pretty cool.
5. Responding To God In Obedience Allows Us to Be Used to Our Fullest Intended Purpose
Luke 1:38 says, "And Mary said, "Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to Your word." And the angel departed from her." When we feel God leading us to do something, or to take some sort of action, the right response is obedience. When we obey God, He can actually use us. If we don't obey God's leading, we deprive ourselves of playing a greater role in God's work. God is on mission . . . whether or not we choose to join Him is on us.
6. We Should Approach Jesus with Reverence and Honor
Luke 1:31-33 says, "And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to Him the throne of His father David, and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end." Many Christ-followers are guilty of downplaying Jesus' majesty. While Jesus is a personal Savior, He is also King of Kings, the Son of the Most High, the Holy Ruler who sits enthroned as Lord over all nations. As we pray, as we sing, as we teach, let's remember Who it is we are serving. Jesus doesn't exist to serve us. It's, in fact, quite the opposite.
7. The Gospel is Not a Secret
Luke 2:17-18 says, "And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this Child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them." The shepherds saw the Baby and immediately began to spread the word. The Gospel is by nature contagious. We are called to be people who openly speak to the saving grace of Christ in our life.
8. When God Does Awesome Stuff for Us, the Proper Response is Praise
Luke 1:46-48 says, "And Mary said, "My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for He has looked on the humble estate of His servant." Mary knew God had touched her life. Her response? Unabashed, heartfelt praise. Plain and simple. When God does good for us the most perfect response is thankfulness and praise, acknowledging His favor over us.
9. God Places Tremendous Value on the Lowly and the Lost
Luke 2:8-9, "And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear." Who were the first to hear publicly about the Christ child's birth? The Roman rulers? The religious establishment? Nope. Who was it? The dudes keeping the sheep. God loves the outcasts and the low. If you struggle with feelings of low self worth, if you look at the world around you and find yourself at the bottom of the pile, do not despair . . . you are in the right place to have God reach down and use you for powerful purposes. That's His way.
10. Jesus is Radically Divisive
Matthew 2:3 says, "When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him." Herod heard the news of the birth of a "king" and shook in his boots. So did the religious establishment. We tend to want to put Jesus in a box, to control Him, to make Him nice, and safe, and passive. This is the guy who dumped tables over in the Temple, who said in Matthew 10:34, "Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword." Jesus knew the Gospel would divide this world. It is as true today as it has always been. If you know a Christ that is passive, and safe, and that exists primarily to meet your needs and make you comfortable, you need to be re-introduced to the real Jesus.