December 30-31, 2006

A Gift That Makes A Difference
Joe Coquillard

Christmas is over...

When I was little, Christmas seemed to last forever... Now that I'm grown up, Christmas doesn't seem to last near as long...

The problem with growing up is the notion that we are on our own.

Christmas Story Part I

Luke 2:15-20
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."
So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen which were just as they had been told.

BUT MARY treasured and pondered all these things in her heart...
Suntereo:
Sumballo:

Christmas Story Part II...Immanuel...God With Us.

Main idea: When we are confident "God is with us" we are able to rise above our circumstances and experience lasting joy.

Old Testament Examples
· Genesis 12...The Call of Abram
· Genesis 26:2,3,6...God speaks to Isaac
· Genesis 31:3...God speaks to Jacob
· Exodus 3:12...God Speaks to Moses
· Isaiah 43:2, 5...More words to the Jews

New Testament Examples
· John 3:16
· 1 John 3:1
· Ephesians 4:1
· Hebrews 13:5,6

The kingdom of Heaven is not about "us with God" in his place, but about "God with us” in our place.

Testimony

3 Practical Exercises

1. Read/Reflect
Make time to fill your spiritual reservoir.

2. Personalize
Personalize the truths about the finished work of Christ.

3. Take a Step
Every journey begins with the first step.

Immanuel...God with us...is the greatest gift that God could have given us. And living with that confidence produces a joy that lasts.