Luke 2:10-11 (CSB) But the angel said to them...11 Today in the city of David a Savior was born for you, who is the
Messiah, the Lord...15 When the angels had left them and returned to heaven, the shepherds said to one
another, “Let’s go straight to Bethlehem and see what has happened, which the Lord has made known to
us.”
The message was given to the shepherds
They were is the right place to hear
They accepted and responded
Who is this Savior for?
1. A Savior For Your Children.\
Luke 2:39-41 (NLT) When Jesus’ parents had fulfilled all the requirements of the law of the Lord, they returned home to Nazareth in Galilee. There the child grew up healthy and strong. He was filled with wisdom, and God’s favor was on him. Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Passover festival.
Psalm 78:4;7 (CSB) e will not hide them from their children, but will tell a future generation the praiseworthy acts of the Lord, his might, and the wondrous works he has performed...They were to rise and tell their children so that they might put their confidence in God and not forget God’s works, but keep his commands.
Take every opportunity to include your child in a God moment
2.A Savior For Your Family.
Hallmark Quotes:
“The best Christmas gift is not wrapped in ribbons and found waiting under the tree. It’s the love that we give and the love we receive. The best gift is family.”
“As long as we have family, we have everything.”
As followers of Jesus, we can not lose sight of the main goal: A Savior was born for our family!
Acts 4:12 (CSB) There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to people by which we must be saved.
Mattthew 1:21 (CSB) She will give birth to a son, and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.
How Can I Pray For My Unsaved Loved Ones?, is the title of a blog posted by Amy Swanson on
Christianity.com
We need to approach prayer for our unsaved loved ones (family/friends) with the right mind set, in spite of
what we see or are told.
Therefore, let us come boldly to the throne of our King in petition for the souls of our loved ones knowing He hears our prayer (1 Peter 3:12)
He equips us for such a time as this (2 Timothy 3:17)
Key Prayer:
1. That unsaved loved ones would be given a new heart (Ezekiel 36:26).
2. That unsaved loved ones would be given a renewed mind (Romans 12:2).
3. That unsaved loved ones would be given the sight Jesus has recovered (Luke 4:18).
4. That unsaved loved ones would have ears to hear (Matthew 11:15).
5. To be a light that shines among others (Matthew 5:16).
6. To never cease in prayer (1 Thessalonians 5:17).
Luke 2:15...“Let’s go straight to Bethlehem and see what has happened, which the Lord has made known to
us.”
Many believe that Jesus was able to be JESUS and do JESUS things because He was JESUS. In reality, He emptied himself of all deistic privilege, power and protection, becoming vulnerable in every way to the challenges humanity faces.
Philippians 2:6–7 (NLT) Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being.
(MSG) he set aside the privileges of deity
(ESV) but emptied himself
(NIV) he made himself nothing
(NKJV) made Himself of no reputation
Jesus Was Vulnerable…
Survival - Jesus had at least a 35% chance of dying by the time he was 24 years old: Miscarriage rate reported by Mayo Clinic is close to 20%. Global death rates for children five and under in 1990 were close to 10%. Death rates for ages 5-24 was nearly 5%.
Birthplace/Birth-Setting Dangers
Family Challenges
Daily Challenges
Accidents/Trauma
Temptation
Crime
Satanic Attack
Why Was Jesus So Intentionally Vulnerable?
1.Payment For Sin Required It
2.To Compassionately Help You From His Experience.
“But you don’t understand what I am going through” is something you will never be able to say to Jesus.
Hebrews 2:18 (ESV) For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.
Hebrews 4:15–16 (ESV) For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
3.To Show You How To Be And Do.
Jesus was able to be JESUS and do JESUS things, not to prove that He was JESUS.... but because he wanted to show you how to BE and DO the exact same things.
1 Peter 2:21 (ESV) For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.
Partnership with the Father & Spirit - Luke 3:22 (ESV) and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form, like a dove; and a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”
4.To Demonstrate Antifragile Living
Fragility recognizes the reality of adversity and the potential impact
Adversity Is All Around Us - 3 Responses
fragile: broken & ineffective
survivor: significantly impacted but ongoing
antifragile: strengthened by adversity
Jesus faced adversity and yet it made him stronger:
Luke 2:40 (ESV) And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him.
Luke 2:52 (ESV) And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.
Prokopto - to cut or strike forward
We long for adversity in life to be removed, but adversity is the thing that makes us strong.
The Biosphere 2 project in Oracle Arizona was created as a research tool for scientists to study Earth’s living systems, and it allowed scientists to play with farming and innovation in a way that didn’t harm the planet. One of the most profound discoveries made by the scientists had nothing to do with a cure for some new disease or a new way of farming land. Rather, the discovery had to do with the wind’s role in a tree’s life. The trees inside Biosphere 2 grew rapidly, more rapidly than they did outside of the dome, but they also fell over before reaching maturation. After looking at the root systems and outer layers of bark, the scientists came to realize that a lack of wind in Biosphere 2 caused a deficiency of stress wood. Stress wood helps a tree position itself for optimal sun absorption and it also helps trees grow more solidly. Without stress wood, a tree can grow quickly, but it cannot support itself fully. It cannot withstand normal wear and tear, and survive. In other words, the trees needed stress in order to thrive in the long run.
Hebrews 11:32–34 (ESV) And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets— who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight.
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.
Proverbs 18:20–21 (ESV) From the fruit of a man’s mouth his stomach is satisfied; he is satisfied by the yield of his lips. Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.
1. SEED - the event that happened, is happening or will happen.
2. MODIFICATION - the story we compose regarding the event.
The events are the events but we filter the events based on the posture of our heart and this impacts the narrative that comes out of our mouth.
Opportunity Or Injustice
Faith In God’s Promises/Word
Our Internal Code of Honor
3. PLANTING - The modified story we repeat to ourselves and others.
Our Words Are Prophetic
Our Words Marinate Create Atmospheres Impacting Our/Others Lives
David was discouraged that His son was killed in battle and it impacted his soldiers.
David encouraged himself in the Lord and it impacted His discouraged army
4. HARVEST - The residual events we experience resulting from the story we told.
What story are you telling and how is it impacting you?
Heart Filters:Opportunity/Injustice - it inappropriately magnifies my problem.
Psalm 37:23–24 (ESV) The steps of a man are established by the LORD, when he delights in his way; though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the LORD upholds his hand.
Numbers 13:25–29 (ESV) At the end of forty days they returned from spying out the land…They brought back word to them and to all the congregation, and showed them the fruit of the land… It flows with milk and honey, and this is its fruit. HOWEVER, the people who dwell in the land are strong, and the cities are fortified and very large…
Heart Filters: Faith/Unbelief
Numbers 13:30–33 (ESV) But Caleb quieted the people before Moses and said, “Let us go up at once and occupy it, for we are well able to overcome it.” Then the men who had gone up with him said, “We are not able to go up against the people, for they are stronger than we are.” So they brought to the people of Israel a bad report of the land that they had spied out, saying, “The land, through which we have gone to spy it out, is a land that devours its inhabitants, and all the people that we saw in it are of great height. And there we saw the Nephilim (the sons of Anak, who come from the Nephilim), and we seemed to ourselves like grasshoppers, and so we seemed to them.”
Heart Filters: Honor/Dishonor
Numbers 14:1–3 (ESV): Then all the congregation raised a loud cry, and the people wept that night. And all the people of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron. The whole congregation said to them, “Would that we had died in the land of Egypt! Or would that we had died in this wilderness! Why is the Lord bringing us into this land, to fall by the sword? Our wives and our little ones will become a prey. Would it not be better for us to go back to Egypt?”
Psalm 51:10 (ESV) Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
James 4:8 (ESV) Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
SCRIPTURE: Hebrews 12:26–29 (ESV) “Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.” This phrase, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of things that are shaken—that is, things that have been made—in order that the things that cannot be shaken may remain. Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.
SHAKING IS GUARANTEED
Matthew 7:24–27 (ESV) “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.”
David - 1 Samuel 30:3–6 (ESV) And when David and his men came to the city, they found it burned with fire, and their wives and sons and daughters taken captive. Then David and the people who were with him raised their voices and wept until they had no more strength to weep…. And David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because all the people were bitter in soul, each for his sons and daughters.
Sources Of Our Shaking:
God (never to hurt us - purify, grow and promote.)
The Devil/Others
Circumstances (ENTROPY)
Finances
Relationships
Expectations
Death (THE DEVIL)
YOU ARE GOING TO BE SHAKEN - DON’T WASTE THE SHAKE!
TREAT SHAKING AS A TEST
It’s important to acknowledge the storm
It’s important to navigate the storm with the right voices.
“You never know what’s on the inside until something happens to force it to come out.”
1 Corinthians 3:11–15 (ESV) For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw— each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire.
Hebrews 12:28 (ESV) Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe,
ALLOW SHAKING TO EXPOSE YOUR TRUSTS
This test is not for God, but for you to make an informed evaluation.
We take some tests to prove what we know, but this type of testing reveals who we are and how well we are.
The shaking will bring about responses that reveal who/what your trust.
Lean into God or replacements/addictions/pain relievers
Leans into God or idols
Lean into God or blame
Lean into praise or bitterness/unforgiveness
1 Samuel 18:7–11 (ESV) And the women sang to one another as they celebrated, “Saul has struck down his thousands, and David his ten thousands.” And Saul was very angry, and this saying displeased him. He said, “They have ascribed to David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed thousands, and what more can he have but the kingdom?” And Saul eyed David from that day on. The next day a harmful spirit from God rushed upon Saul, and he raved within his house while David was playing the lyre, as he did day by day. Saul had his spear in his hand. And Saul hurled the spear, for he thought, “I will pin David to the wall.” But David evaded him twice.
1 Samuel 30:6 (ESV) And David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because all the people were bitter in soul, each for his sons and daughters. But David strengthened himself in the LORD his God.
ALLOW THE SHAKE TO PERFECT YOU
Better priorities - back to basics
Smoother travel - less baggage
Redemption - evil shaking that is rewarded.
James 1:2–4 (ESV) Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
Romans 8:28–29 (ESV) And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.
