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Simple Christmas: Week Three – A Simple Message

Simple Christmas: Week Three – A Simple Message

Anyone ever feel any tension with the Christmas season?

  • Gifts? Busy schedules? Family dynamics? Prioritizing God?

 

REVIEW

  • A Simple Christmas – seeking to cut through the chaos so we can maintain a heart of worship amidst all the busy and pressure and crazy
  • Last week – the reminder to choose Humility and reject Entitlement

 

Simple Christmas: A Simple Message….Simple but not Easy

 

The simple message: God sent Jesus to save us! (John 3:16)       Simple but not easy.

 

  1. His Message of His Son – human but Divine

John 1:17-18 17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known. NIV

  • The Word was God (John 1:1) …Became flesh…full of grace and truth (v 14)…through Jesus Christ…who is himself God (v. 17-18)

 

His Divinity verified by:

  • The supernatural in the present – Virgin Birth and Angels speaking
  • The supernatural in the past – Fulfilled prophecy (1-Virgin Birth (Isaiah 7:14), 2-Bethlehem of Judah (Micah 5:2), 3- Ancestry (Abraham & David’s descendant (Genesis 12:3; Isaiah 9:7))

 

 

  1. His Message of Peace on earth – but not completely

Luke 2:13-14  Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.” NLT

  • Peace on earth – John 14:27 – not the world’s kind of peace but His kind – Philippians 4:7 – Inner peace that guards our hearts and minds
  • The enemy is still working – used Herod to massacre all boys 2 and under in Bethlehem (Matt 2:16-18)
  • Our world is still broken and we still have our sinful nature (1 John 2:15-17)

 

 

  1. His Message of Forgiveness – but confession required

Matthew 1:20-21 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.” NLT

  • In order to be saved we must first confess that we are sinners (1 John 1:9) and in need of saving – meaning, we cannot save ourselves (Romans 6:23)
  • Even after we confess and turn to Him, we still struggle with sin (Romans 7:14-25) but we need to remember that there is no condemnation for those that are in Christ (Romans 8:1)

 

 

  1. His Message to the Nations – but someone must tell them

Luke 2:28- 28 Simeon was there. He took the child in his arms and praised God, saying, 29 “Sovereign Lord, now let your servant die in peace, as you have promised. 30 I have seen your salvation, 31 which you have prepared for all people. 32 He is a light to reveal God to the nations, and he is the glory of your people Israel!” NLT

  • God’s salvation through His Son Jesus is for all people – a Light to the nations
  • But someone must tell the nations (Romans 10:14) so they can confess Him as Lord and Savior (Romans 10:9-10)

 

 

  1. His Message of Immanuel – with us but not controlling

Matthew 1:22-23 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.’”

  • Immanuel – God with us (Isaiah 7:14) – His reassurance for us to carry out His mission (Matt 28:18-20)
  • His presence partnered with our availability and obedience results in His work (Col 1:28-29)

 

 

The simple message: God sent Jesus to save us! ……………Simple but not easy.

 

Application

1- His Message of His Son – Do you believe? Have you trusted Christ as your Lord and Savior?

2- His Message of Peace – What areas of your life are creating anxiety? Turn those over to Him (Phil 4:6-7)

3- His Message of Forgiveness – Have you confessed? Then you’re forgiven! Now forgive others (Eph 4:32)

4- His Message to the Nations – How are you going to share His Message through your actions and words?

5- His Message of His Presence – What area of your life are you still relying on yourself, rather than His ability?

 

 

For Small Group Discussion

 

Opening Question: Have you ever been astonished by something?

 

Main Point: God used simple, ordinary people in the Christmas story. God wants to use us in His continuing story today.

Main Scripture: Luke 2:15-20

 

Head Questions

  • How did the shepherds respond to what they heard?
  • How did their response demonstrate faithfulness?

Heart Questions

  • How did you respond when you heard first about Jesus? Did it sound like good news to you at the time?
  • Who have you shared the good news with in the past? How did they respond?

Hands Questions

  • Who do you know that needs to hear about Jesus this Christmas season?
  • How are you centering your Christmas celebrations around the simple message of Jesus’ arrival?

Tips and Resources: Advent Calendar. Pray about people to invite to services, or Christmas dinner.

 

 

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