You’re invited! Our brand new message series called “Emmanuel” starts this Sunday, December 10th.
Description:
At Christmas we celebrate that God came to us in human form as “Emmanuel” or ‘God with us.’ Matthew’s first two chapters proclaim God’s plan of bringing us the Christ child. He worked through a lineage of messed up people, some special women, a man named Joseph and some wise men. We are encouraged to trust that God isn’t far from broken people or a broken world. The Savior has come for us all, and the Savior is ‘Emmanuel’ – God with Us.
Dates Titles Scriptures Events
Dec. 10 – God’s Special Women (Matt 1)
Dec. 17 – God’s Plan for the Man (Matt. 1)
Dec. 24 – God Guides the Wise (Matt 2) Christmas Eve AM
Dec. 24- God is Worthy (Matt. 2) *Christmas Eve PM
Dec. 31 – God Provides (Matt. 2)
Big Ideas of Matthew Chapters 1-2:
GOOD NEWS – Matthew’s first sentence communicates the banner headline. He holds nothing back. Jesus is the Christ (God’s long-promised Messiah)! He’s the Savior of Israel (David’s son)! He’s the hope of all nations (Abraham’s son)! Call a press conference, roll the videotape, this is big news.
QUALIFICATIONS – Genealogies? Boring right? Actually it’s interesting that the first 17 verses where we meet 46 people whose lifetimes span 2,000 years, (all ancestors of Jesus), who varied considerably in personality, spirituality, and experience. Some were heroes of faith—like Abraham, Isaac, Ruth, and David. Some had shady reputations—like Rahab and Tamar. Many were very ordinary—like Hezron, Ram, Nahshon, and Akim. And others were evil—like Manasseh and Abijah. God’s work in history is not limited by human failures or sins, and he works through ordinary people. Just as God used all kinds of people to bring his Son into the world, he uses all kinds today to accomplish his will. You matter to God too.
SPECIAL WOMEN- This genealogy also illustrates God’s wonderful grace. It is most unusual to find the names of women in Jewish genealogies, since names and inheritances came through the fathers. But in this list we find references to four women from Old Testament history: Tamar (Matt. 1:3), Rahab and Ruth (Matt. 1:5), and Bathsheba “the wife of Uriah” (Matt. 1:6). We will learn more about each of these women.
DYSFUNCTIONAL FAMILIES – In Jesus’ family tree, we don’t find all sports heroes and presidents. Some very bad-news characters formed his past. But Matthew does not hide them, and Jesus’ parents, for all we know, never let the past determine the present. Overcoming a dysfunctional past is not easy, but never adopt the past as our excuse. With Jesus, life starts over with new energy, new purpose, and new love.
FULLY HUMAN, FULLY GOD – Why is the virgin birth important to the Christian faith? Jesus Christ, God’s Son, had to be free from the sinful nature passed on to all other human beings by Adam. Because Jesus was born of a woman, he was a human being; but as the Son of God, Jesus was born without any trace of human sin. Jesus is both fully human and fully divine. The infinite, unlimited God took on the limitations of humanity so he could live and die for the salvation of all who believe in him. Because Jesus lived as a man, we know that he fully understands our experiences and struggles (Hebrews 4:15-16). Because he is God, he has the power and authority to deliver us from sin (Colossians 2:13-15). We can tell Jesus all our thoughts, feelings, and needs. He has been where we are now, and he has the ability to help.
MAKING TOUGH DECISIONS When facing big decisions, some people freeze with fright. What if I decide wrong? What if I miss God’s will? What if . . . ? To make good decisions, first take all these worries and put them under God’s promise: God cares for you, watches over you, and guides your steps. Joseph came to the best decision he could, but God had other plans and made them clear. Most of our decisions will not be overruled by angels, but that’s no reason for lack of confidence. To make good decisions, pray, evaluate all the options, talk with trusted friends, then act in faith. God is with you, every step
A NEW LIFE – Jesus came to earth to save us because we can’t save ourselves from sin and its consequences. No matter how good we are, we can’t eliminate our alienation from God. Only Jesus can do that. Jesus didn’t come to help people save themselves; he, and he alone, came to be their Savior from the power and penalty of sin. Thank Jesus for his death on the cross for your sin, and then ask him to take control of your life. Your new life begins at that moment.
“BUT WHAT WILL EVERYONE THINK?” – Joseph changed his plans quickly after learning about God’s plan for his life from the angel. He obeyed God and proceeded with the marriage plans. Although others may have disapproved of his decision, Joseph went ahead with what he knew was right. Sometimes we avoid doing what is right because of what others might think. Like Joseph, we must choose to obey God rather than seek the approval of others.
LOOKING FOR GOD? – How can we learn about God? Some people say, “I find God on a nature hike when the wind whistles through trees and the stars shine brightly.” Others say, “Read the Bible and you’ll discover God.” And yet others, “Only by believing in Jesus can a person ever know God.”
Here we learn that all three ways of knowing God are important. The wise men were drawn to worship by a bright heavenly radiance. They came close (Jerusalem) and got specific instruction from people who knew the Old Testament well. Then, unlike Herod and the priests, they actually finished the journey and saw Jesus, who was then a little child. All three ways of finding God helped the wise men finish their journey.
If you want to find God, see his glory in nature, learn of his promises in the Bible, and discover Jesus by getting to know him personally.
THE GREAT TROUBLEMAKER – When Jesus was born into our world, people immediately began to react. His presence did not soothe and comfort people; instead, it startled and disturbed them. In some, he awakened spiritual longings; in others, fear and insecurity. If it is true that God entered our world when Jesus was born, we dare not sit idly by ignoring and rationalizing our inaction. We must acknowledge Jesus as the rightful King of our lives. He did not stay in the manger
SO CLOSE; SO FAR – Herod asked the religious leaders and teachers to tell him what the Scriptures said about the location of the Messiah’s birth. These religious leaders and teachers had knowledge of the Scriptures, but they lacked the desire to understand and believe. With so many churches nearby, so many Christian books and Bibles available, so many radio and television programs, so many Christian videos and films—how can anyone not believe? But it happens. Several Bibles on your bedroom shelf and perfect Sunday school attendance do not a Christian make! Like the chief priests and teachers of the law, a person can miss the opportunity to believe in Jesus completely while studying the facts of the Bible meticulously. Becoming a Christian means giving your life to Jesus Christ in faith. In a simple prayer, give up trying so hard to be so good. Admit to God your need, and accept in faith his promise to save you.
FINDING CHRIST – The wise men were overjoyed at finding the child. If you think becoming a Christian means putting on a long face and behaving like a person in a straitjacket, think again. Finding Christ brings real joy—deeper than winning at sports, more enduring than the first test drive in that new car—this joy fills the soul and makes you glad. This joy comes from knowing all is well, you’re OK, God loves you, the future will be secure.
Have you been on a journey to find yourself, to find love, satisfaction, or some sense of what this life is all about? There’s joy at the end of that journey when you find Christ.
HE ALONE IS WORTHY – The wise men brought gifts and worshiped Jesus for who he was. This is the essence of true worship—honoring Christ for who he is and being willing to give him what is valuable to you. We see in their lives a pattern for worship:
l They entered. They had prepared for their journey, studied, and sought out Jesus.
l They bowed. They humbled themselves in the presence of their superior. They acknowledged his authority.
They gave. They gave expensive and sacrificial gifts out of respect and honor for the child king.
They worshiped. They recognized God’s guidance in bringing them and attested to Jesus’ royalty. They exalted Jesus as the rightful king.
They obeyed. Their worship was not empty. They followed the guidance they received from God.
Worship God because he is the perfect, just, and almighty Creator of the universe, worthy of the best you have to give.
WHO’S ON THE THRONE? – Herod was afraid that this newborn king would one day take his throne. He completely misunderstood the reason for Christ’s coming. Jesus didn’t want Herod’s throne; he wanted to be king of Herod’s life. Jesus wanted to give Herod eternal life, not take his present life. Today people are often afraid that Christ wants to take things away when, in reality, he wants to give them real freedom, peace, and joy. Don’t fear Christ—allow him to reign on the throne of our lives.
We hope you can join us and learn even more for our new series, Emmanuel.
Darrell
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