WHAT CHILD IS THIS: Child Of Destiny
Matthew 1:20–22 (ESV) But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”
DESTINY IS ENCODED BY GOD AT CONCEPTION
CULTURE: destiny is encountering pre-planned circumstances.
BIBLE: destiny is impacting circumstances with the “Encoded Us.”
Psalm 139:13–17 (ESV) For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.
Ecclesiastes 6:10 (NLT) Everything has already been decided. It was known long ago what each person would be. So there’s no use arguing with God about your destiny.
Destiny doesn’t happen to people. Destiny happens through people.
Destiny is not pushed in from the outside. Destiny is within and is pushed out.
We don’t change our stars. We step into the full measure of who we are.
Destiny does not happen to us. Destiny happens because of us.
Every child is a child of destiny. Just like Jesus.
This Child Jesus:
Isaiah 7:14 (ESV) Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
Matthew 1:22 (ESV) … you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”
Revelation 13:8 (NIV) the Lamb who was slain from the creation of the world.
Destiny is encoded within you. Destiny is encoded in the lives around you. It’s what makes life sacred from the moment of conception.
DESTINY’S ENCODING IS HERE/NOW SPECIFIC
We are fixated about the circumstances a life is brought into.
Why would I bring a child into this dark world?
Why would I bring a child into potential suffering?
Why would I bring a child into my difficult circumstances?
Why would I bring a child into this overpopulated world?
WHy would I bring a child into the morally depravity I see?
Why would I bring an accidental pregnancy into this world?
Because that life is designed to impact circumstances!
Acts 17:26–27 (ESV) And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place…
Esther 4:14 (ESV) ...And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”
Lives are encoded by God to impact circumstances for the better.
Destiny comes into play as we stop trying to find better circumstances, but discover God’s purpose for us in our circumstances.
Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV) For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Circumstances don’t limit your destiny. They are the canvas for destiny to play out. Circumstances are a big part of why you are here.
Jesus’ circumstances were less than ideal:
Born to a unmarried teenager
Born in a stable
Born in an occupied nation
Travel by animal
No sound systems
No social media
And Yet:
Galatians 4:4 (ESV) But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman…
Romans 5:6 (NIV) You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.
Do not allow your circumstances to limit your destiny. Unleash destiny on your circumstances.
DESTINY RELIES ON RELATIONSHIPS TO ACTIVATE ENCODING
Parents
Proverbs 22:6 (ESV) Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.
Luke 2:40 (ESV) And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him.
John 2:3–5 (ESV) When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”
Kingdom Relationships
Luke 2:46–49 (ESV) After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. And when his parents saw him, they were astonished. And his mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been searching for you in great distress.” And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?”
Luke 19:47 (ESV) And he was teaching daily in the temple. The chief priests and the scribes and the principal men of the people were seeking to destroy him,
Matthew 26:55 (ESV) At that hour Jesus said to the crowds, “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs to capture me? Day after day I sat in the temple teaching, and you did not seize me.
Acts 2:46 (KJV 1900) And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,
A Relationship With The Holy Spirit
Matthew 3:16–17 (ESV) And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”
Matthew 4:1 (ESV) Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.