B. Her Amazing Acceptance brought risk of Public Disapproval and potential Loss of her Life. A teenager pregnant out of wedlock in her culture would be stoned unless her fiancé intervened (as Joseph did when he received God’s revelation). So as we talk about the Day and Person who Changed the World, I want you to 3rdly see…
III. THE DAY THAT CHANGED THE WORLD WAS THE FULFILLMENT OF AN AMAZING ASSIGNMENT
A. Christmas’ Amazing Assignment is all about God doing the impossible! In fact, God has always done the impossible through willing people who will accept His assignment:
• God chose fatherless Abraham to be the father of nations.
• God chose stuttering Moses to be His mouthpiece.
• God chose David to be King when his own family didn’t recognize his abilities! • God chose uncouth John the Baptist who ate locust, needed a shave and shower and walked around clothed in camel’s hair to be the PR man for Jesus Christ.
• Jesus chose unstable Peter to be Rock of the Church. All because…God sees potential for blessing in all of us since WITH GOD ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE!
B. Christmas’ Amazing Assignment was all about Jesus coming to put God’s treasure in us. Jesus came to give us the Genuine LOVE of God. Jesus came to Give us Life PURPOSE through God. Jesus came to give us Lasting PEACE with God.
Jesus came as God’s “change agent” to bring us forgiveness and restore us back to God. Paul said in II Cor 4:7 “We have this treasure (from God) in earthen vessels, so the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves.” God wants to bless you! God wants miracles to happen in you. For this reason…
1. We need to TRUST God and draw close to Him this Christmas! Prov. 3:5-6 says “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and he will make your paths straight.” Further…
2. We need to SELL all for a treasure in the heavens”. From the days of Adam, sin has caused much pain and suffering. Even in this day…drugs, murder, sexual abuse, broken homes, crime—has had a field day! Its why we like the Wise Men…need to leave things behind to pursue the One That Changes Our World! Let’s make this altar a place to experience Him! You see…
IV. THE DAY THAT CHANGED THE WORLD WAS AMAZING PROOF THAT GOD IS STILL IN THE CHANGE BUSINESS
A. Jesus is still in the change business because of the SURPRISING Glory of His Birth. Great prophets and kings have come and gone but none came like that Babe of Bethlehem! John 1:14 says Jesus the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, we beheld His Glory, the glory of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.” While in the womb, Jesus started changing lives. He changed Mary and Elizabeth’s lives (Lk 1:39-42), the lives of Shepherds (Luke 2:15-20)and Simeon (believing he would not die until He saw the Lord’s Christ! (Luke 2:24). These saw the fulfillment of Isaiah 9:6-7 that…
SPIRITUALITY AND FAITH