Saturday, December 27, 2008

Being focused on the Main Thing

Let's start with these two verses.

Luke 1:38 “I am the Lord's servant,” Mary answered. “May it be to me as you have said.” Then the angel left her.
Luke 1: 57 When it was time for Elizabeth to have her baby, she gave birth to a son.
Last week, we were encouraged to return to the prayers we made...God has not forgotten us. He remembers! The God who remembers is here today. With these two verses, we can see the response of two women-different times in their life, (Old/Young). Both teach us--4 things about the way to respond. Can we be a little like Zechariah AND a little like Mary and Elizabeth? At the end of today’s talk, you talk to the person next to you. Tell them what you are going to do with these four words/actions.
Believe: The angels announced in spectacular fashion that the Messiah had been born. As soon as the angels left, the shepherds looked at each other and said: “What are we waiting for?…”
New Chinese believer: was so thankful to the missionary. The new believer was so moved that such a story was both true and so powerful. He then asked: How long ago this happen? The missionary quickly said, "About 2000 years ago in Israel! Why?" The Chinese believer looked deep into the eyes of the missionary and sad very so sadly: "Why did it take so long to get this to us? Why did people keep such Good News from us for so long? So many here had died NOT knowing of this Jesus. Why has it taken so long...?"
Obey: The shepherds did exactly as they were told. We sometimes think of Christmas as a tame holiday. Chestnuts roasting on an open fire… We think of sweet little baby Jesus asleep on a bed of hay...but soon, the leader in the nearest city sent his army to kill not only the Baby King, but also ALL children about His age---just in case. In this case, the parents of the Child also did what they were told and took the Baby into Egypt.
How do you respond to the Message of Christmas… “For unto YOU is born this day…” The Savior is born FOR YOU!
He came for you: The Gospel...
Tell: When the shepherds arrived in Bethlehem and saw the child lying in the feed trough, “they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child.”… This message needs to get out. People need to hear. Need to know this Truth. WHY? It is the Good News! His Passion for you is so complete, He wants you to know His Love and forgiveness.
Experience: The shepherds were overwhelmed at the angel’s announcement. They experienced holy wonder… What would it take to be just a little excited about the Baby Jesus. Just a little excited about this life altering message of God’s Perfect gift to us! You can express some emotion! You can get excited about Him! You can sing a song!
BE like a Mary! Be like a Zechariah! Sing a song.
Mary's Song 46~55
And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for He has been mindful of the humble state of His servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me— Holy is His Name. His mercy extends to those who fear Him, from generation to generation. He has performed mighty deeds with His arm; He has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. He has helped His servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and His descendants forever, even as He said to our fathers.”
Zechariah's Song
Zechariah Said: “Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because He has come and has redeemed His people. He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of His servant David (as He said through His holy prophets of long ago), salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us— to show mercy to our fathers and to remember His Holy Covenant, the oath He swore to our father Abraham: to rescue us from the hand of our enemies, and to enable us to serve Him without fear in holiness and righteousness before Him all our days. And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for Him, to give His people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.”
Believe, Obey, Tell and Experience or Do. How can we as a community here in Kotesashi, do these four things this day, this week, this month, the rest of our lives? The shepherds keep telling people well past the season. The Angels’ message cannot be lost over time. What shall you DO with this information? Ask the other person to pray for you and to check with you later in the month as to how you are doing...

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