An Unlikely Choice // A Life Changing Sermon to an Unlikely Congregation

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An Unlikely Choice // A Life Changing Sermon to an Unlikely Congregation

December 17, 2023 • Jason King • John 3:16, Matthew 1:23, Luke 2:12, Hebrews 10:19–22, Luke 2:8–18

A Life Changing Sermon to an Unlikely Congregation

Luke 2:8-18 (NIV)

“And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.’”

Verse 13

“Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,”

Verse 14

“Glory to God in the highest heaven,

and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

Verse 15

“When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.’”

Verse 16

“So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.”

Verse 17

When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child,

Verse 18

and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.

God’s message through the shepherds to you:

1. You don’t have to be afraid anymore.

Luke 2:10 (NIV)

“the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid.”

2. God’s love for you is not earned, it is freely given.

Luke 2:11 (NIV)

“Today…a Savior has been born for you”

John 3:16 (NIV)

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

3. You are never alone.

Matthew 1:23 (NIV)

"The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel" (which means "God with us).

4. You have a lifelong invitation to come closer to God.

Luke 2:12 (NIV)

“This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Hebrews 10:19-22 (ESV)

“Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.”

An Unlikely King // The King of Peace

December 24, 2023 • Jason King • Matthew 11:28–29, John 14:27, Romans 5:10, Isaiah 9:2, Luke 2:14

An Unlikely King The King of Peace Isaiah 9:2, 6 (NIV) “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.” ...“For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government shall be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Luke 2:14 (KJV) “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace and good will toward men.” Matthew 11:28-29 (NIV) “Come to me, all of you who are tired and worn out from carrying heavy loads, and I will give you rest! I am gentle and humble, and you will find peace and rest for your souls.” John 14:27 (NIV) “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” Romans 5:10 (CEV) “Even when we were God’s enemies, he made peace with us, because his Son died for us. Yet something even greater than friendship is ours. Now that we are at peace with God, we will be saved by the life of his Son.”

An Unlikely Choice // The Magi

December 10, 2023 • Jason King • Matthew 2:2, Daniel 2:48, Isaiah 60:1–6, Matthew 2:3–4, Numbers 24:16–17

An Unlikely Choice – The Magi Mathew 2:1 (NIV) “After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem" Daniel 2:48 (ESV) “the king gave Daniel high honors and many great gifts, and made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon and chief prefect over all the wise men of Babylon.” Matthew 2:2 (ESV) “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” Numbers 24:16-17 (NIV) “the prophecy of one who hears the words of God, who has knowledge from the Most High, who sees a vision from the Almighty, who falls prostrate, and whose eyes are opened: “I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near. A star will come out of Jacob; a scepter will rise out of Israel.” Isaiah 60:1-6 (NIV) “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you. See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the Lord rises upon you and his glory appears over you. Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn. “Lift up your eyes and look about you: All assemble and come to you; your sons come from afar, and your daughters are carried on the hip. Then you will look and be radiant, your heart will throb and swell with joy; the wealth on the seas will be brought to you, to you the riches of the nations will come. Herds of camels will cover your land, young camels of Midian and Ephah. And all from Sheba will come, bearing gold and incense and proclaiming the praise of the Lord.” Matthew 2:3-4 (ESV) “When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.” Matthew 2:11a (ESV) “going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him.” Matthew 2:11b (ESV) “Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.”

An Unlikely Choice // Mary

December 3, 2023 • Jason King • Jeremiah 29:11, Luke 1:38, Luke 1:26–38, Isaiah 55:8–9, Proverbs 16:9

Unlikely Choice – Mary Luke 1:26-38 (NIV) In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, ‘Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.’ Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.’ ‘How will this be,’ Mary asked the angel, ‘since I am a virgin?’ The angel answered, ‘The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. For no word from God will ever fail.’ ‘I am the Lord’s servant,’ Mary answered. ‘May your word to me be fulfilled.’ Then the angel left her. 1. The Choices of God can be troubling to our human understanding. “God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee…The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you. Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be.” 2. Surrendering our plans to God always leads to something ultimately eternally greater than our original plan and expectation. Luke 1:30 (NIV) But the angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God.’ 3. God’s choices and way leads to miracles. Luke 1:31-33 (NIV) “You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.” Isaiah 55:8-9 (NIV) "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways," declares the LORD. "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways And My thoughts than your thoughts.” Proverbs 16:9 (NIV) “The mind of man plans His way, But the Lord directs his steps” And as he directs your steps you hold on to the promise that Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV) “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. verse 34. “Mary asked the “But How can this happen? I am a virgin” NLT Verse 37. "Nothing is impossible with God!” Luke 1:38 (NLT) Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.”