Luke 2:10; 2 Timothy 2:8; Galatians 4:4-5
2 Timothy 2:8 (NLT), Always remember that Jesus Christ, a descendant of King David, was raised from the dead. This is the Good News I preach.
Galatians 4:4-5 (NASB), 4 But when the fullness of the time came, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, 5 so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons and daughters.
Luke 2:10, . . . “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.”
- Christmas is not an exclusive celebration; it is an inclusive invitation to all mankind.
- Scripture is clear that God wants us to know who Jesus came for.
John 3:16, For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
1 John 4:9, This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.
Mary – Jesus came for the HUMBLE.
Luke 2:22-24, 22 When the time came for the purification rites required by the Law of Moses, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord”), 24 and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: “a pair of doves or two young pigeons.”
Luke 1:46-48, 46 “My soul glorifies the Lord 47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 48 for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant . . .
Joseph – Jesus came for the FAITHFUL.
Matthew 1:24, When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife.
Matthew 2:13-14 (NKJV), 13 Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, “Arise, take the young Child and His mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I bring you word; for Herod will seek the young Child to destroy Him.” 14 When he arose, he took the young Child and His mother by night and departed for Egypt.
The Wise Men (Magi) – Jesus came for the SEEKERS.
Matthew 2:1-2, 1 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem 2 and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”
Matthew 2:10-11, 10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.
Matthew 6:33 (NKJV), But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
Shepherds – Jesus came for the OUTCASTS.
Luke 2:8-12, 8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
Questions:
- What did you hear from the Holy Spirit?
- What will you do because of it?
- How can we pray for you?