Our Response to the Christ-Child Pt 1
Open
Christmas dynamic- unusual Christmas tradition?
Introduction
When talk- people about God- get different responses.
Lk 2.7
No room in the inn- prophetic picture of men’s hearts.
For many today- there is no room in the inn for God.
Turned away for very practical reasons- we have many good sounding reasons to keep God at arm’s length.
Look inside- Christmas story- how people responded-
picture of how people respond to God today.
Mary
Lk 1.26-38
One principle that characterized Mary’s response-
Mary’s response was characterized by submission.
Look at Mary’s response in v38.
Mary did not understand all that was happening-
but she did not immediately dismiss it because it was outside her normal experience.
Think of the trouble this would bring into Mary’s life.
Mat 16:25 (NASB95) “For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.
Mary chose to align her heart with God’s will.
Mary’s heart was one of simple yieldedness to God.
Joseph
Mat 1.18-21, 24-25, Mat 2.13-14, 19-21
One principle that characterized Joseph’s response-
Joseph’s response was characterized by obedience.
Joseph’s obedience was always immediate- no delay.
Many Christian’s make the mistake of equating obedience with legalism.
Psa 19.7-11
What is that great reward for obedience?
Obedience brings forth life and devotion.
Chief Priests
Mat 2.1-6
One principle that characterized priest’s response-
The Chief Priest’s response was characterized by indifference.
There is no indication the Chief Priests did anything.
They went back to their responsibilities/religious service.
Indifference- lack of interest, unimportant, w/o concern.
Many Christian’s made a profession of faith, but live their lives w/indifference concerning- things of God.
Indifferent man- cannot expect to receive from God.
James 1:7–8 (NASB95)
7For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord,
8being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
Double-minded- wavering between two opinions.
Mat 6:24 “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.
God does not want us to be indifferent- he would rather have us hot or cold than luke warm.
What master to you serve?
Herod
Mat 2.7-8, 16
One principle that characterized Herod’s response-
Herod’s response was characterized by anger.
Herod- very suspicious- had anyone killed who threatened his role as king-
his wife and her mother, three of his sons.
He resisted anything that would upset his control.
Herod had enthroned himself as king of his own heart-
Psa 99:1 (NASB95) The Lord reigns, let the peoples tremble; He is enthroned above the cherubim, let the earth shake!
God has installed Jesus as King over all Creation.
