Where Did He Get That?

WHERE DID HE GET THAT?

LUKE 1-6, 22

#FathersDay2016

Today is Father’s Day and we will celebrate those men in our lives that have been a great influence. Every father is different and so the lessons and leadership our fathers give us is often as different as they are. The lessons and leadership our fathers give us is dependent on their skills and talents and personality. The Bible has some commands for fathers that centers on what they teach about the Lord:

* Deuteronomy 4:9 = “Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them.”

* Deuteronomy 11:18-19 = “Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. 19 Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.”

* Psalm 34:11 = “Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD.”

* Ephesians 6:4 = “Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.”

* Hebrews 12:10 = “Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness.”

INTRODUCTION… Things I Learned from My Dad (p)

I am fortunate at this stage in my life that my father is still alive. As I think back on my life, I can identify several areas where he has been a major influence:

* Education: My dad always said “Education is the key.” He himself was active duty military, taught classes on the side, and put himself through a Master’s degree program while overseas. He has a daughter who is a medical doctor and he has a son who is a PhD. Education was prized in our home and important.

* Giving to Soldiers & Police Officers: My father was active duty Army for over 20 years and retired. His field in the Army was law enforcement. Still is to a degree. He has led by example and by words in stating that buying a soldier’s lunch or an officer’s lunch is a tangible way to say thank you for serving our country and protecting us as a peacemaker. When I am able, I purchase a soldier’s or police officer’s lunch to say thank you and to honor my father.

* Obey God with Money: My dad started out as a private in the Army and achieved the rank of CW4. He now has a good paying job in a private business. My parents did not always have extra money. Over the past few decades since his retirement, my dad has expressed to me that he and my mom are blessed financially and when you are blessed financially, you must financially show your thankfulness to God or in his belief God will take it away and give it to someone who is thankful.

Those are three quick things that I can think of that my father has taught me over the years. I know there is much more. Worthy lessons I think. As you think about your father or grandfather or uncle who has been a supreme, influence on you, what lessons have they taught you? How have they been a positive influence in your life?

Today as we look in the Scriptures, we will be in the Gospel of Luke, and we will be looking at the life of Jesus Christ in relation to the man who occupied the role as is earthly father, Joseph. As we are looking at the life of Jesus Christ, we are going to be asking a central question:

THREAD: WHERE DID HE GET THAT?

BIRTH OF JESUS

Jesus’ life began with His birth. You might say that sounds silly. However, knowing about the birth of Jesus Christ proves to us the Truth that Jesus of Nazareth was at the same time God and Human. People down through the ages have doubted His divinity. People down through the ages have doubted His humanity. Normal Christian belief is that Jesus was God in the flesh. Jesus was born like all human beings.

READ Luke 2:4-7

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.