Real Assurance
Authentic Christmas Experiences • Sermon • Submitted
0 ratings
· 13 viewsNotes
Transcript
Sermon Tone Analysis
A
D
F
J
S
Emotion
A
C
T
Language
O
C
E
A
E
Social
Many times we find ourselves in circumstances where things are not happening in accordance with our plans and expectations.
For one young couple, that is exactly where they found themselves.
In the midst of God’s plan to redeem mankind, He sent Angels to Assure people that He was in control of the events that surrounded the birth of the Savior.
There are many reasons God chose to send Angels to interact with man throughout scripture. Some were instruments of judgement, some were deliverers of rescue, some warned of impending doom but all served the purpose of fulfilling God’s work on earth.
Are they not all ministering spirits, sent out to render service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation?
So without allowing myself to turn this into a discussion of Angels, we will look at the ministry of angels in the momentous event of Jesus’ birth.
There we will see that God was actively involved in their interaction to assure Mary and Joseph to trust His will in their lives.
To Inform Mary of God’s Plan
To Inform Mary of God’s Plan
God’s Assurance is critical because His plans are not our plans!
God’s Assurance is critical because His plans are not our plans!
1. Mary’s internal struggle
2. Mary’s external struggle
a. With Parents
b. With Joseph
c. With contemporaries
God’s Assurances help us to see that He is at work even when we don’t see Him.
God’s Assurances help us to see that He is at work even when we don’t see Him.
Ultimately Mary had to rely upon God’s Word and promises to determine her actions in this extraordinary event.
We remain able to trust the assurances of His Word today in spite of whatever comes our way.
For one young couple,
To Assure Joseph of God’s Purposes
To Assure Joseph of God’s Purposes
God was sending His Son to bring Salvation! ()
God was sending His Son to bring Salvation! ()
Things had gotten complicated really quickly and Joseph needed a solid understanding of God’s purpose in allowing a very traumatic event in his life in order to trust God through the process.
For thousands of years and in countless ways, God had demonstrated to man that their ultimate purpose was relationship with Him.
His desire to see man understand the depth of His love and the greatness of His glory led God to tremendous demonstrations of both throughout human history.
Now at a climactic point in history, God was sending His only begotten Son to be the Savior of the World, and He was using Joseph to care for the infant!
God’s purposes are always to demonstrate His goodness and glory!
God’s purposes are always to demonstrate His goodness and glory!
The focus of the announcement was that God’s most critical promise to mankind was about to come to fulfillment.
To Announce to the Shepherds God’s Presence
To Announce to the Shepherds God’s Presence
God’s promise to Joseph in had been fulfilled.
God’s promise to Joseph in had been fulfilled.
Since the garden, man had been visited by God’s presence and shortly thereafter His presence was removed.
Now, for over 30 years, God Himself was to walk among man in the midst of their sinful reality.
God had not forgotten nor failed in His promise to Israel and to Joseph.
God’s presence among men had been unapproachable, but now was present to dwell among men.
God’s presence among men had been unapproachable, but now was present to dwell among men.
And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.
His heart is to see His people enjoy His presence. He came to us so that one day we can go to Him.
When we are living our lives according to His Plans, pursuing His Purposes and rejoicing in His Presence, we can face anything.