CHRISTMAS ISA MAP Christmas Is At Grace 3

CHRISTMAS IS…A MAP “Christmas Is” At Grace #3 December 9, 2012

I DON’T NEED A MAP… To get home for Christmas. I can even tell my friends how to get to my home. § Once you get out west of the Baptist church, take a right where the vet lives. § Go straight till you have to turn left – then right. § Now you go 3 corners past the old Stephenson place (that’s where we got our collie pup in about ‘ 61. (the Alms used to live up from there on the left). § Then turn left where the Landrau school building used to be – that’s west. § Now when you can’t see anything at all, look for a driveway on the left § Turn in and drive for a half mile. § That’s the house I used to live in till I was married. My brother lives there now – nice place – but I call that HOME. SHOULD’A HAD’A MAP – OH WELL, MAYBE NEXT YEAR

FOUR WHO NEEDED A CHRISTMAS MAP Mary and Joseph Needed a Map. § They did not know. . . § But an Angel – Luke 1: 26 and Matt. 1: 20 § Gabriel did not contradict Scripture, add to it, or take from it. He explained its fulfillment. (to Mary and to Joseph) § And a Decree – Luke 2 (not taxation, but registration) § The Decree put Mary and Joseph in the right city at the right time – “In the fullness (completeness) of time. ” Gal. 4: 4 § And an Innkeeper § A disappointment was engineered by God to accomplish His plan for His Son’s birth. Phil 2: 7, 8 § Response: God revealed His Plan and they responded in obedience.

AND… The Shepherds Needed a Map. § They did not know. . . § But the Angels Luke 2 § Once again, the Angel did not contradict Scripture but explained its fulfillment. § Their map was a Scriptural announcement which the shepherds understood. § Response: God “made known” His work to the Shepherds and they responded. Luke 2: 15, 16 § “Let us go…” § “They came in haste” § “They made known …”

AND… The Wise Men Needed a Map § They didn’t know … § But the Star § They saw the star in their home country. They saw it again in Bethlehem. § The star was predicted in Scripture (Nu. 24: 17; Isa. 9) § And the Scriptures § They came to the capital of Judah and inquired. § The answer was clear - the Sanhedrin quoted Micah 5: 2 § The solution was in the Scriptures. § Response: The Wise Men followed and searched, discovered, and worshipped.

AND… The Sinner Needs a Map. § He does not know that … § He is lost in his sinful condition and cannot find his own way. § Luke 19: 10 § He is blind and cannot see the light of Jesus shining for him. § II Cor 4: 4 § He is dead and must be made alive by the Spirit of God. § Eph. 2: 1, 5 § But the Scriptures § Matt. 1: 21 – Call His name Jesus because… § Luke 2: 10, 11, 17 § Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. § For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. § They made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. § Romans 3: 23; 6: 23 a; 5: 8; 6: 23 b; 10: 9, 10, 13 § And the Spirit § Romans 8: 2, 9, 10, 11; John 3: 5 -8 § Response: Reject or Receive § John 3: 36; 1: 11, 12

NEED A MAP THIS CHRISTMAS?