1 / 33

The True Meaning of the Christmas Story

The Christmas story goes beyond its surface meaning and holds lessons for us. This broken world wraps God's good gifts in ugly circumstances, just like we wrap up our own problems with new wrappings. But true change only begins with God's Word. New beginnings require obedience to His Word. Who or what is crowding out His Word in our lives? Is it "tomorrow," "more," or "pain"? Let's make room for His Word and follow it, not our own feelings or plans.

jmazzariello
Download Presentation

The True Meaning of the Christmas Story

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. the Christmas story is more than what we think . . . and it is more about us than we realize!

  2. This broken world gift wraps God’s good gifts in ugly circumstances

  3. We tend to wrap up our old problems with new wrappings

  4. We tend to wrap up our old problems with new wrappings but it doesn’t change what’s inside

  5. https://vimeo.com/247380427

  6. If you try to change your problems with your own feelings, wisdom and plans (instead of by following The Word of God) you’re changing nothing!

  7. If you try to change your problems With your own feelings, wisdom and plans (instead of by following The Word of God) you’re changing nothing Until you change The Word of God in your life, your life will never truly change

  8. Real life-change only begins with God’s Word. 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 (John 1:1-3)

  9. Real life change only begins with God’s Word. 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 (John 1:1-3) God’s Word created life and only God’s Word changes life

  10. “There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the LORD. (Proverbs 21:30) “so shall My word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose” (Isaiah 55:11)

  11. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. (Mt. 24:35) God’s word lives in your hearts, and you have won your battle with the evil one. (Isaiah 55:11) For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword (Heb 4:12)

  12. New beginnings need a new obedience to His Word!

  13. New beginnings need a new obedience to His Word! SERMON, DEC 3 Jesus [the word made flesh] belongs In the guest room [place of honor] but usually ends up in the manger [leftover room]

  14. First Century Israelite Home “placed him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn [katamlya]”Luke 2:7 The word “katamlya” more often means ‘guest room’ than ‘inn’ Mangers were often IN a poor family’s home, not a backyard barn

  15. “if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. 37 I know you are Abraham’s descendants [you are Jews and claim to follow the faith of Abraham’s religion]. Yet you are ready to kill me, because you have no room for my word.” (John 8:37-38)

  16. Who is in the “guest room” (place of honor, in first place) that is crowding out His Word in our lives?

  17. Who or what is in the “guest room” (place of honor, first place) that is crowding out His Word in our lives? Person #1: “Tomorrow”

  18. “If you obey my commands [now], you will remain in my love” (John 15:10) “This is love for God: to obey his commands [now]. And his commands are not burdensome” (1 John 5:3)

  19. Who or what is in the “guest room” (place of honor, first place) that is crowding out His Word in our lives? Person #2: “More”

  20. God will never seem good to you when you live for “more”

  21. God will never seem good to you when you live for “more” God will never bring you peace when you trust in “more”

  22. God will never seem good to you when you live for “more” God will never bring you peace when you trust in “more” “More” means you will never have enough and you will always compare yourself

  23. Then Jesus said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed [MORE]; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance [MORE] of his possessions.” Luke 12:15

  24. Who or what is in the “guest room” (place of honor, first place) that is crowding out His Word in our lives? Person #3: “Pain”

  25. Then Jesus said to them all: “If anyone would come after me {word made flesh!}, he must deny himself {stop looking for more} and take up his cross daily {not tomorrow} and follow me {not your pain}.” ~ Luke 9:23

  26. Then Jesus said to them all: “If anyone would come after me {word made flesh!}, he must deny himself {stop looking for more} and take up his cross daily {not tomorrow} and follow me {not your pain}.” For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world {nice wrapping paper} and yet lose or forfeit his very self? {not truly live}

  27. My Luke 9:23-24 Prayer Dear Jesus, I am coming after you by making room for your word I am going to deny myself and put your word first. I am going to do this right now and each day. I am going to follow what your word says and not follow my feelings or plans” Nothing else matters but my life being right with you.

More Related