Your Story of Glory: Part III: A Living Nativity
December 23, 2007
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Text: Luke 2:1-20
War on Christmas – observations - want God’s love to be recognized. You - feel strongly? Why?
God shows us how to win the war! It’s when God gets glory! How? Grit, Gratitude, and Good News!
Our Nativity story gives God glory!
We are each a living nativity story! Def: Birth, especially the place, conditions, or circumstances of being born.
How can you be a living nativity?
1) Make the Savior your center!
V10-11 - Who is Jesus?! Savior, Messiah, Lord - My savior is my center!
The battle? Our fears become our centers! Our centers? Safety, security, satisfaction, acceptance – death - fear defeats and the war is lost!
Joy for all people - born for you! Realize the extent of God’s love - and receive the gift!
Joy wins and God gets glory!
When Sandy saw the three wise men displayed - where was the rest of the scene? Why are people missing?
2) Make the scene with Jesus
V15 - What compelled the shepherds to leave their fields? V15 - This great site? The message of hope? They were determined to find the site of the Savior! What compelled Joseph and Mary? Hope! God’s message!
Why do we lose the determination, motivation to make the scene with Jesus? Has hope lost its luster? Is there no need of help? The battle for hope has been won by affluence and security the world offers?
Desire to be with Jesus! Follow the directions! Share the message!
This thing - Take the word of God and follow it!
Hurried - have a sense of urgency - life is fragile! Fathers, husbands - lead!!
The war on Christmas - Second grade - Silent Night - who’s winning?
3) Celebrate God!
V17-20 - Share it! Value it! Celebrate it! What’s it? God’s love! The story of glory! Causes amazement! Contemplation, and celebration
Who celebrates? Why? They’ve been changed! They’ve seen Jesus!
Conclusion
A living Nativity is not negativity - it is the reality of eternity! Life! Hope! Help! We can win! Victory is ours! Become the living Nativity and give God glory!