Pastor asked us to share ONE thing we think about when we think of the Christmas story. Answers included: Jesus, angels, shepherds, manger, wise men, gifts, the star, watching.
Pastor shared his message "God Speaks". He speaks directly and indirectly, through signs and seasons. He is always there to speak but are we always ready to listen? We get ready for Christmas with hustle and bustle because there is a lot of preparation. Then we are glad and relax when it is over.That isn't the way it should be. Pastor noted that God made a lot of preparation to prepare the world for His son, Jesus.
Pastor shared some of the preparation parts described in Luke and Matthew.
Luke 1:11-38
Zechariah questions when the angel tells him that he and Elizabeth will have a child. They were up in years so it may have been pretty natural to question. However, keep in mind Zechariah was a priest. Gabriel reveals who he is and says 'because you questioned, you will not speak again until the child is born'.
When Elizabeth was six months pregnant, the angel appeared to Mary. Mary is an innocent teenager and she naturally questions ‘how can this be?” Then she responds with acceptance: “May your word be fulfilled.”
Matthew 1:18-24
Joseph also hears from God. He was preparing to quietly set Mary aside until an angel appeared to him in a dream. Joseph did as the angel commanded and took Mary to be his wife. Joseph acted on his faith.
God went to great lengths to prepare the earth for Jesus to come. He spoke to ordinary people.
GOD SPEAKS TO ORDINARY PEOPLE ABOUT ORDINARY THINGS.
(I would add He speaks about extraordinary things too!)
God still speaks today. How do we listen?
1. GET QUIET. Turn off the noise around us – physical and eternal noise.
2. GO TO THE WORD. Weigh what we think He is saying against His written word.
(God gives grace by saying – ‘you didn’t fully listen or follow, but I can work with that.’)
3. ASK FOR COUNSEL. Seek input from mature Christ follower who will be honest with you.
4. GO BACK TO GOD.
We might follow obediently like Joseph or we might question innocently like Mary. We might even doubt like Zechariah. But we can return to God for clarity; to LISTEN for the details.
This song speaks of "God’s plan”
Who Would have Dreamed.
(Perhaps they/we should have been listening better.)
Verses for today:(Perhaps they/we should have been listening better.)
Luke 1:35-38 NIV
35 The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called[b] the Son of God. 36 Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. 37 For no word from God will ever fail.”
38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.
Matthew 1:24-25 NIV
24 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. 25 But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.
Lord, help me to get quiet and help me listen to You - every day, every moment.
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