1. CHRISTMAS QUESTIONS THEN AND NOW LUKE 1

2. I. QUESTION # 1: WHERE IS GOD? “Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold magi (men of wisdom) from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, “WHERE IS HE who has been born King of the Jews?” (Mtt. 2:1,2)

3. 1.Where was He then (at the time of the story)? 2.Where is He now? 3.Where is He in my life today?

4. In the WHERE IS HE question there is also the “IS HE?” question IS GOD IN MY LIFE?

5. QUESTION # 2: HOW CAN I BE SURE? “In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a certain priest named Zacharias, of the division of Abijah, and he had a wife from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. And they were both righteous in the sight of God…and they had no child because Elizabeth was barren and they were both advanced in age.

6. “And it came about, when he was performing his priestly service…that an angel of the Lord appeared to him, and fear gripped him. But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, for your petition has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will give him the name John… And Zacharias said to the angel, “HOW CAN I KNOW THIS FOR SURE?” (Luke 1:5-18)

7. HOW CAN I BE SURE? 1.How can I be sure of the truth? 2.How can I be sure of my salvation? 3.How can I be sure of God? 4.How can I be sure of tomorrow? HOW CAN I BE SURE?

8. 1. YOU CAN BE SURE BECAUSE OF THE EVIDENCE GOD GIVES ALL AROUND US “The heavens are telling of the glory of God and their expanse is declaring the work of His hands. Day to day pours forth speech, and night to night reveals knowledge…Their evidence has gone out through all the earth.” Ps. 19:1-4

9. “…that which is known about God is evident within each person; for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world, His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made…” Romans 1:19-20

10. 2. YOU CAN BE SURE BECAUSE OF THE FULFILLMENT OF BIBLE PROPHECIES PROPHECY MADE FULFILLMENT 1.Born of a woman Gen. 3:15 Gal. 4:4 2.Seed of Abraham Gen. 22:18 Matt. 1:1 3.Tribe of Judah Gen. 49:10 Lk. 3:23 4.House of David Jer. 23:5 Lk. 3:23 5.Born in Bethlehem Micah 5:2 Mtt. 2:1 6.Presented with gifts Ps. 72:10 Mtt. 2:11 7.Called Lord Ps. 110:1 Lk. 2:11 8.Called Immanuel Isa. 7:14 Mtt. 2:16 9.Called Son of God Ps. 2:7 Mtt. 317 10.Tragedy involved Jer. 31:15 Mtt. 2:16

11. PROPHECY MADE FULFILLMENT 1.Jacob’s family Num. 24:17 Lk. 3:23 2.Jesse’s family Isa. 11;1 Lk. 3:23 3.Announced by a messenger Isa. 40:3 Mtt. 3:1,2 4.Serve in Galilee Isa. 9:1 Mtt. 4:12 5.Perform miracles Isa. 35:5,6 Mtt. 9:35 6.Enter city on a donkey Zec. 9:9 Lk. 19:35 7.Will clean the temple Ps. 69:9 Jn. 2:15 8.Will be resurrected Ps. 16:10 Acts 2:31 9.Will ascend on high Ps. 68:18 Acts 1:9 10.Will sit on God’s right hand Ps. 110:1 Heb. 1:3

12. 3. YOU CAN BE SURE BECAUSE OF THE TESTIMONY OF EYE WITNESSES “For we did not follow cleverly devised tales when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eye-witnesses of His majesty…and so we have a prophetic word made more sure…” 2 Peter 1:16,19

13. 4. YOU CAN BE SURE BECAUSE OF THE WITNESS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT WITHIN “And the Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ…” Romans 8:16

14. 5. YOU CAN BE SURE BECAUSE OF THE MIRACLE OF CHANGED LIVES “…how you turned from idols to serve a living an true God… I Thess. 1:9 “…and such were some of you, but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.” I Cor. 6:11

15. QUESTION #3: WHY ME? “Now at this time Mary arose and went with haste to the hill country to a city of Judah, and entered the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth. And she (Elizabeth) cried with a loud voice, “blessed among women are you and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And how has it happened to me (WHY ME) that the mother of my Lord should come to me?” Lk. 1:39-43

16. The ‘why me” question asked in a positive way Why me? Why am I so blessed? Why am I so privileged? BE SURE TO THANK GOD!!

17. The ‘why me’ question asked in a negative way WHY ME? Why is life so hard? Why does it happen to me? BE SURE TO TRUST GOD!!

18. QUESTION #4: HOW CAN THIS BE? “And Mary said to the angel, “HOW CAN THIS BE?” since I am a virgin? And the angel answered and said to her, “…with God, all things are possible.” Lk. 1:34-37

19. How can this be? (past tense) How could this have happened? (present tense) How can this be happening? (future tense) How will this happen?

20. TRUTH TO LIVE BY 1. It is natural to have questions about life and about spiritual things – and for every question God has answers for us!

21. TRUTH TO LIVE BY If you have questions today, you are not alone and there is no such thing as a ‘dumb’ question. The key to every question is to ask it and seek the answer! Keep searching until your question has been answered!