CHRISTMAS THE MEANING OF THE NAVTITY

HOW TO INSERT VIDEO 1. Select “Insert” > “Movies and Sounds” > “Movie from File” > Navigate to saved clip, select “OK” 2. Drag corners to fill this slide 3. Delete these instruction boxes. INSERT “THE MEANING OF THE NATIVITY” VIDEO ON THIS SLIDE. DOWNLOAD “GOD LOVES US” VIDEO and SAVE TO YOUR COMPUTER 1. Create a file for “Christmas Child” video clips on your computer. 2. Right click link and select "Save Target As" (aka "Save Link As") 3. Navigate "Save in" to your folder and click "Save" 4. Clips are high quality Mpg1 format Link for downloadable clip:

My friends need to unwrap God’s Christmas present. I know the story. I need to tell someone. Take Home

INTRODUCTION This is the time of the year when people are more receptive to this message: God loves the world. It is the season of the ‘Open Heart’. God is the greatest gift-giver ever.

A SIMPLE MESSAGE John 3:16 (King James Version) For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16 (King James Version) For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16 (New American Standard) "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. John 3:16 (New American Standard) "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.

A SIMPLE MESSAGE John 3:16 (New Living Translation) "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 (New Living Translation) "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 (Message Bible) "This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. John 3:16 (Message Bible) "This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life.

God so loved… Extremity of his love. We had seen God’s love in action. Extremity of his love. We had seen God’s love in action. He tended to Israel as a father tends to his children. As a shepherd cares for his lambs, God had been Israel’s loving guide. But the love expressed at the first Christmas and the first Easter was beyond our comprehension. God SO loved… But the love expressed at the first Christmas and the first Easter was beyond our comprehension. God SO loved…

The World… A lost planet. A fallen race. A world in the grips of forces of darkness. Every culture cried out for God. We didn’t know his name. Ignorance and confusion A lost planet. A fallen race. A world in the grips of forces of darkness. Every culture cried out for God. We didn’t know his name. Ignorance and confusion God loves the dark world.

He Gave his Son… The greatest gift ever! The ultimate expression of God’s love. God didn’t send and angel, a prophet. God came to us, visited us. Jesus entered fully into the human condition. Jesus subjected himself to the ridicule and was obedient all the way to death on the cross.

Whoever Believes in Him… Greatest invitation. Greatest opportunity ever presented. The whole world is invited to trust in the risen Christ. Greatest invitation. Greatest opportunity ever presented. The whole world is invited to trust in the risen Christ. “Whoever” means anyone in the world. The rich and the poor. Men and women and children. People of every color. The invitation is Inclusive. “Whoever” means anyone in the world. The rich and the poor. Men and women and children. People of every color. The invitation is Inclusive. “Believes” An active word. Whoever puts their trust and confidence in Jesus. Whoever becomes his disciple.

Might Not perish… The idea of being saved is only as great as our understanding of what it means to perish. The Bible makes it clear that to be separated from God is a matter of great anguish. (Matthew 25:46)

Have eternal life… Share in God’s life and presence forever! Greatest future one could imagine. “No eye has seen no ear no mind had conceived what God has prepared for those who love him.” I Cor 2.9 No more sorrow, no separation, no tears…

Implications: profound and far reaching. God loves every person I know. Belief in Jesus is the key to relationship with God. I know this story. I must tell it to others. God loves every person I know. Belief in Jesus is the key to relationship with God. I know this story. I must tell it to others. I need to rehearse the Gospel message in order to be prepared to declare it to those who are ready to hear. “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have”. I Peter 3:15

THINK ABOUT IT At no other time of the year will our friends be more open to this concise message than in December. John 3:16 is a sermon waiting to be proclaimed.

Everyone I know needs to meet Jesus. I have a story to tell. I’ll tell it. Take Home