A reminder to consider others Please:  Turn off your cell phone or set to vibrate only  Use the nursery or cry room if your child is fussy  Get up during the preaching only if absolutely necessary (please sit in back if you must leave early)

Grace Bible Church Glorifying God by Making Disciples of Jesus Christ

Angels, From The Realms Of Glory - #259 Angels, from the realms of glory, Wing your flight o’er all the earth; Angels, from the realms of glory, Wing your flight o’er all the earth; Montgomery, James / Smart, Henry - Public Domain CCLI License No

Ye who sang creation’s story, Now proclaim Messiah’s birth: Ye who sang creation’s story, Now proclaim Messiah’s birth:

Come and worship, Worship Christ, The newborn King. Come and worship, Worship Christ, The newborn King.

Shepherds, in the fields abiding, Watching o’er your flocks by night, God with man is now residing, Yonder shines the infant Light: Shepherds, in the fields abiding, Watching o’er your flocks by night, God with man is now residing, Yonder shines the infant Light:

Come and worship, Worship Christ, The newborn King. Come and worship, Worship Christ, The newborn King.

Sages, leave your contemplations, Brighter visions beam afar; Seek the great Desire of nations, Ye have seen His natal star: Sages, leave your contemplations, Brighter visions beam afar; Seek the great Desire of nations, Ye have seen His natal star:

Come and worship, Worship Christ, The newborn King. Come and worship, Worship Christ, The newborn King.

Saints before the altar bending, Watching long in hope and fear, Suddenly the Lord, descending, In His temple shall appear: Saints before the altar bending, Watching long in hope and fear, Suddenly the Lord, descending, In His temple shall appear:

Come and worship, Worship Christ, The newborn King. Come and worship, Worship Christ, The newborn King.

Though an infant now we view Him, He will share His Father’s throne; Gather all the nations to Him; Every knee shall then bow down: Though an infant now we view Him, He will share His Father’s throne; Gather all the nations to Him; Every knee shall then bow down:

Come and worship, Worship Christ, The newborn King. Come and worship, Worship Christ, The newborn King.

Grace Bible Church Glorifying God by Making Disciples of Jesus Christ

A reminder to consider others Please:  Turn off your cell phone or set to vibrate only  Use the nursery or cry room if your child is fussy  Get up during the preaching only if absolutely necessary (please sit in back if you must leave early)

The Birth of The Messiah Matthew 1:18-25, Luke 2:1-39 Jesus is the Eternal Word that became human flesh (John 1) The fulfillment of the prophecies in Luke 1:5-80 demonstrate that Jesus is “the Son of God”

Joseph’s Dilemma Matthew 1:18-25 Mary is about 3 months pregnant when Joseph finds out she is with child A betrothal meant there was also a legal relationship between Joseph and Mary During the betrothal period the man would build a house and the woman would prepare it to be a home

Joseph’s Dilemma Matthew 1:18-25 What would you have done if you were in Joseph’s shoes? Joseph is honorable and seeks to quietly divorce Mary, yet also try to keep her from being disgraced

Joseph’s Dilemma Matthew 1:18-25 Matthew 1:20-25 God intervenes to reveal the truth to Joseph who then takes Mary as his wife Joseph was committed to doing God’s will even at personal sacrifice

Jesus’ Birth Luke 2:1-7 God uses a pagan ruler to fulfill Micah 5:2 - Jesus is born in Bethlehem (4 B.C.) Joseph travels the 70 miles from Nazareth to Bethlehem on foot while Mary is pregnant When they arrive, they cannot room in any “inn” - guest room (κατάλυμα / kataluma)

Jesus’ Birth Luke 2:1-7 They find room to stay in a stable - cave or attached room in which animals were kept Jesus is born in a humble place and is placed in a feeding trough for a cradle God directs Jesus to be born in a humble place in keeping with His purpose in coming - Phil 2:5-8

The Testimony of the Angels Luke 2:8-14 People are frightened by angels Place of birth: city of David - Bethlehem of Judea Identity: Savior, who is Christ the Lord (Christ = Messiah = the anointed one) who saves from sin (Matt. 1:21)

The Testimony of the Angels Luke 2:8-14 Message: “good news of great joy which will be all the people” - including Gentiles A large group of angels of various ranks join in giving praise to God

The Testimony of the Shepherds Luke 2:15-20 They find Jesus according to the sign the angel had given them Everyone is amazed at their story - and Mary treasures it and considers its implications

Fulfilling the Law Luke 2:21-24 Jesus is circumcised on the eighth day as required by Genesis 17:12 (Luke 2:21) Forty one days after birth, Joseph takes Mary and Jesus to the Temple to fulfill the required sacrifices

Fulfilling the Law Luke 2:21-24 Purification required a burnt offering and sin sacrifice of two turtledoves or two pigeons (Lev. 12:1-4) As the first born, Exodus 13:11-15 & Numbers 18:15-16 required a redemption price of 5 shekels

The Testimony of Simeon Luke 2:25-35 Simeon is devout, with a godly character, and is looking for “the consolation of Israel” - Isaiah 40:1-5 Simeon sought God (Jeremiah 29:13) and was given revelation by the Holy Spirit that he would see Christ

The Testimony of Simeon Luke 2:25-35 Luke 2:  Simeon was led by the Holy Spirit to meet Joseph, Mary and Jesus in the Temple  They let Simeon hold Jesus

The Testimony of Simeon Luke 2:25-35 Luke 2:  Simeon blessed God amazing Joseph and Mary Luke 2:  Jesus will eventually bring peace, but there will be division and hatred until then

The Testimony of Anna Luke 2:36-38 Anna was an elderly prophetess of godly character who gave thanks for Jesus and spoke of Him to all

Jesus’ birth fulfilled both ancient and contemporary prophecy Conceived by the Holy Spirit - so He is the Son of God Accepted into Joseph’s family - so He had a legal right to David’s royal throne Mary was a descendant of David - so His blood line was also Davidic Born in Bethlehem Ephrathah

Jesus’ birth fulfilled both ancient and contemporary prophecy Proclaimed by the angel to be “Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” Found by the shepherds according to the sign given by the angel Recognized by Simeon as the Lord’s Christ - the Lord’s promised Salvation

Following Jesus is not easy, but it is the only way worth living in the present & have a peaceful life in eternity

Grace Bible Church Glorifying God by Making Disciples of Jesus Christ

Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne #292 Thou didst leave Thy throne And Thy kingly crown When Thou camest to earth for me; Thou didst leave Thy throne And Thy kingly crown When Thou camest to earth for me; Elliott, Emily Elizabeth Steele/ Matthews, Timothy Richard - Public Domain - CCLI License No

But in Bethlehem’s home Was there found no room For Thy holy nativity. But in Bethlehem’s home Was there found no room For Thy holy nativity.

O come to my heart, Lord Jesus There is room In my heart for Thee! O come to my heart, Lord Jesus There is room In my heart for Thee!

Heavens arches rang When the angels sang, Proclaiming Thy royal decree; Heavens arches rang When the angels sang, Proclaiming Thy royal decree;

But of lowly birth Didst Thou come to earth, And in great humility. But of lowly birth Didst Thou come to earth, And in great humility.

O come to my heart, Lord Jesus There is room In my heart for Thee! O come to my heart, Lord Jesus There is room In my heart for Thee!

The foxes found rest, And the birds their nest In the shade of the forest tree; The foxes found rest, And the birds their nest In the shade of the forest tree;

But Thy couch was the sod, O Thou Son of God, In the deserts of Galilee. But Thy couch was the sod, O Thou Son of God, In the deserts of Galilee.

O come to my heart, Lord Jesus There is room In my heart for Thee! O come to my heart, Lord Jesus There is room In my heart for Thee!

Thou camest, O Lord, With the living word That should set Thy people free; Thou camest, O Lord, With the living word That should set Thy people free;

But with mocking scorn And with crown of thorn They bore Thee to Calvary. But with mocking scorn And with crown of thorn They bore Thee to Calvary.

O come to my heart, Lord Jesus There is room In my heart for Thee! O come to my heart, Lord Jesus There is room In my heart for Thee!

When the heavens shall ring And the angels sing At Thy coming to victory, When the heavens shall ring And the angels sing At Thy coming to victory,

Let Thy voice call me home, Saying, “Yet there is room- There is room at My side for thee.” Let Thy voice call me home, Saying, “Yet there is room- There is room at My side for thee.”

My heart shall rejoice, Lord Jesus, When Thou comest And callest for me! My heart shall rejoice, Lord Jesus, When Thou comest And callest for me!

Grace Bible Church Glorifying God by Making Disciples of Jesus Christ