December 17-18, 2005, Isaiah 9:6, Selected

JOURNEY TOWARDS NARNIA!
"Of Course He Isn't Safe...but He’s Good...He’s the King!"

*** Rev. 1:13-16 "There was someone like the Son of Man among the lamp stands. He was wearing a robe that reached his feet. He wore a gold belt around his waist. His head and his hair were white like wool - like snow. His eyes were like flames of fire. His feet were like glowing bronze refined in a furnace. His voice was like the sound of raging waters. In his right hand he held seven stars, and out of his mouth came a sharp, two-edged sword. His face was like the sun when it shines in all its brightness." [God’s Word to the Nations]
*** Luke 2:7 "She gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the village inn." [New Living Translation]

1. THE BABY JESUS IS GOOD!
A. HE CALMS OUR FEAR!
*** Matthew 1:20-21 "But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins." [NIV]
*** Luke 1:30 "But the angel said to her, 'Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God.'" [NIV]
*** Luke 2:8-10 "That night, some shepherds were in the fields nearby watching their sheep. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them. The glory of the Lord was shining around them, and they became very frightened. The angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid. I am bringing you good news that will be a great joy to all the people.'" [New Century Version]

B. HE COMFORTS IN LIFE!
*** Matthew 1:23 "A virgin will have a baby boy, and he will be called Immanuel," which means "God is with us." [Contemporary English Version]
*** Hebrews 4:14-15 "That is why we have a great High Priest who has gone to heaven, Jesus the Son of God. Let us cling to him and never stop trusting him. This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same temptations we do, yet he did not sin." [NLT]
*** Matthew 28:20b "And be sure of this: I am with you always..." [NLT]

C. HE CANCELS OUR SIN DEBT!
*** 1 Peter 3:18 "Christ himself suffered for sins once. He was not guilty, but he suffered for those who are guilty to bring you to God. His body was killed, but he was made alive in the spirit." [NCV]

D. HE CONSTRUCTS OUR HEAVENLY HOME!
*** John 14:2-3 "There are many rooms in my Father's house. I wouldn't tell you this, unless it was true. I am going there to prepare a place for each of you. After I have done this, I will come back and take you with me. Then we will be together." [Contemporary English Version]

2. THE BABY JESUS ISN'T SAFE!
*** John 1:1-4, 14 "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth." [NIV]

*** Rev. 19:11-16 "Then I saw Heaven open wide - and oh! a white horse and its Rider. The Rider, named Faithful and True, judges and makes war in pure righteousness. His eyes are a blaze of fire, on his head many crowns. He has a Name inscribed that's known only to himself. He is dressed in a robe soaked with blood, and he is addressed as "Word of God." The armies of Heaven, mounted on white horses and dressed in dazzling white linen, follow him. A sharp sword comes out of his mouth so he can subdue the nations, then rule them with a rod of iron. He treads the winepress of the raging wrath of God, the Sovereign-Strong. On his robe and thigh is written, King of kings, Lord of lords." [Message]

*** Mark 4:39-41 "When he woke up, he rebuked the wind and said to the water, "Quiet down!" Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm. And he asked them, "Why are you so afraid? Do you still not have faith in me?" And they were filled with awe and said among themselves, "Who is this man, that even the wind and waves obey him?" [NLT]

*** John 15:20 "Remember the words I spoke to you: 'No servant is greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also." [NIV]

*** Luke 9:23-24 "Then he said to the crowd, "If any of you wants to be my follower, you must put aside your selfish ambition, shoulder your cross daily, and follow me. If you try to keep your life for yourself, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for me, you will find true life." [NLT]

*** John 16:33 "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. Take heart! I have overcome the world." [NIV]

3. THE BABY JESUS IS THE KING!
*** Isaiah 9:6-7 "For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. And the government will rest on his shoulders. These will be his royal titles: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His ever expanding, peaceful government will never end. He will rule forever with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David. The passionate commitment of the Lord Almighty will guarantee this!" [NLT]
*** Luke 2:30-33 "I have seen the Savior you have given to all people. He is a light to reveal God to the nations, and he is the glory of your people Israel! Joseph and Mary were amazed at what was being said about Jesus." [NLT]

HE ISN'T SAFE, BUT HE IS GOOD AND HE WILL ALWAYS BE MY KING!