A Way in a Manger

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Summary of series and call for salvation

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Intro: Away in a manger the song.

Intro: Away in a manger the song.

A. We decided use a word play on the a song written in the 19 century to help us get ready for Christmas this year

Luther’s Cradle Hymn,’ composed by Martin Luther for his children
Martin Luther lived 16th century, no one has uncovered an original German version by the reformer.
After WW2 the only version they sang was translated from English to German not the other way around.
So, it was an American lullaby that we attributed to Martin Luther to make it cool.

B. We separated the “A” form Away and we get an actual historical reference to Christianity in the early church.

The name was widely used for the believers in the apostolic time. “The Way”.
The word Christians came Later in Antioch little Christ and it was derogatory.
They referred to themselves as the followers of the way. Originating from Christ Himself, who called Himself “The Way”(),
This name was used widely in the Book of Acts. The below verses prove that they were known more widely as “the Way, especially as Paul introduces himself as a follower of “the Way” to the Governor, and not as a “Christian”(),

C. Jesus As ‘The Way’

Think about how radical it was when Jesus of Nazareth stated, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
You see, this is one primary way in which Jesus differentiates himself from other religious leaders/thinkers (Krishna, Buddha, Muhammad, Moses, etc.). Such religious icons claim to be “way-showers” or “signposts.”
· You see, this is one primary way in which Jesus differentiates himself from other religious leaders/thinkers (Krishna, Buddha, Muhammad, Moses, etc.). Such religious icons claim to be “way-showers” or “signposts.”
None claims to actually be “the way”, in and of himself.
As John Stott writes in his classic book “Basic Christianity,” “[Jesus] was not just another signpost, but the destination to which the signposts had led.”
Jesus as the way is what prompts John, in his Gospel to write, “In the beginning was the Word [logos], and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. . . .The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.” (, ).
Jesus is the divine logos, He is “the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being” (),
For God in all his fullness was pleased to live in Christ, 20 and through him God reconciled everything to himself. He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth by means of Christ’s blood on the cross.
>>> Jesus said I am the way, the truth and the life. The way to the father is through me. I am the restorer, the reconciliation of mankind. I am the way. The way to peace with God. The way in a manger.

I. A way to begin

A. Repentance

As Tertullian once said, “I was born for no other end but to repent.”
As Tertullian once said, “I was born for no other end but to repent.”

A change of attitude and action from sin toward obedience to God. The concept of repentance differs slightly in the Hebrew and Greek minds, but an emphasis upon right behavior is consistent throughout.

Old Testament

The basic Hebrew word which is used to express this change is šwb, the root of which means simply “to turn.” It is a particularly instructive word because it reflects the notion of journeying and pilgrimage, which exemplifies in a very fundamental sense the attitude and relationship between Yahweh and Israel (Deut 26:5–11).

The idea of walking in the way of the Lord is a common metaphor in the Hebrew Bible (Ps 1:1). And in a variety of contexts the way of Israel is contrasted with the way of Canaan, the way of the Lord with the way of evildoers, the way of the righteous with the way of sinners. Israel’s religious calendar, too, is built on the core of pilgrim feasts: Passover, Booths, and Pentecost all have pilgrim contexts. It is this notion of walking and journeying, then, that illumines the meaning of šwb (or the less common nḥm; Exod 13:17). The relationship with Yahweh is envisioned as an ongoing journey requiring constant attention and vigilance, and a sense of purpose. To deviate from the way is, at the same time, to lose sight of the objective.

Repentance : A change of attitude and action from sin toward obedience to God. The concept of repentance differs slightly in the Hebrew and Greek minds, but an emphasis upon right behavior is consistent throughout.
A change of attitude and action from sin toward obedience to God. The concept of repentance differs slightly in the Hebrew and Greek minds, but an emphasis upon right behavior is consistent throughout.
The basic Hebrew word is šwb the root of which means “to turn: The idea of walking in the way of the lord is a common metaphor in the bible. A relationship with Yahweh is envisioned as an ongoing journey requiring attention and a sense of purpose.

II. A way in

Brendan Kennedy, “Repentance,” ed. John D. Barry et al., The Lexham Bible Dictionary (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2016).
To turn is the idea of turning from my own way to His way.

The primary Gk term rendered “repentance” in English translations of the NT (metanoia) is found 24 times, and its verbal form “to repent” (metanoeō) is used another 34 times. In addition, another important word which is sometimes translated “repent” (metamelomai) occurs six times. The generally recognized core idea of these words is a “change of mind”

The Greek term repentance is Metanoia and its verb form “to repent” metanoeō the core Idea is to change your mind.
The church used the terms together to mean a change of mind, a change of attitude, and a change of action. Let’s make it simple. To turn away from sin with God’s help physically, mentally and emotionally.
I recognize my sin I change actions (physically) my attitude (mentally) and love God (emotionally love God more than my sin).

B. It is a gift

It is a gift for the believer and the unbeliever alike
Acts 3:19 NLT
19 Now repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away.
Acts 3:19–20 NLT
19 Now repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away. 20 Then times of refreshment will come from the presence of the Lord, and he will again send you Jesus, your appointed Messiah.
Act
NIV Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord,
This is how you begin your journey on the way. You recognize you are a sinner. Not just a mistaker but a sinner. You turn from you sin.
It is also the way you travel along the way. We get off course some times. We need to look up and change course toward Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.
Then God can refresh us.
It is a spiritual discipline we all have to learn if we choose the way of Christ.

II. A way in

A. Jesus death and ressurection

Mankind lost his relationship with God way back in the beginning
Romans 5:18–19 NLT
18 Yes, Adam’s one sin brings condemnation for everyone, but Christ’s one act of righteousness brings a right relationship with God and new life for everyone. 19 Because one person disobeyed God, many became sinners. But because one other person obeyed God, many will be made righteous.
romans 5:
Jesus was that man. It all started in a manger over 2000 years ago. Through His life, death and resurrection jesus has made a way in for you.
A way into a right relationship with God.
2 Corinthians 5:17 NLT
17 This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!
2 corinthians

B. Realizing who we are

Realizing who we are
Realizing who we are
When this happens to us we are placed in Christ. The things we have done are now History. You are forgiven and free.
We get a new birth certificate. It goes all the way to the beginning,
Romans 8:1 NLT
1 So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.
When God looks at you he sees the righteousness of Christ.
Colossians 2:13–14 NLT
13 You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins. 14 He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross.
We as followers of the way need to recognize who we are “in Christ”. Heirs of salvation, we have been purchased by God through the death of Jesus and his glorious resurrection. There is no more condemnation for those who are in Him.
Colossians 2:13-14
Colossians 2:13:14
Colossians 2:13=14
2:13=14
We as followers of the way need to recognize who we are “in Christ”. Heirs of salvation, we have been purchased by God through the death of Jesus and his glorious resurrection. There is no more condemnation for those who are in Him.

III. A way up

A. New life in Christ

Many of us struggle with stepping into new life.
Sometimes we feel like we need to pay for our lives before. We really shouldn’t enjoy this new life because of who I was. Remember your new birth certificate changes your name at birth no some where in the middle.
Sometimes we are still tempted by the things of the world.
You get caught in that doorway that Ryan talked about

B. The power to obey

Obedience is the key to making a lasting change in you.
How many believe that if I ate right, started a good exercise program and stuck with everyday that I would be thin raise your hand. How many think I will be thin next week.
Is it true or is it not true. It’s true its just take time, right?
You know its our pride that discourages us. We think we should be better. We will be.
Philippians 2:13 NLT
13 For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.
Phillipians
Every morning get up, repent, read his word which is a lamp and light to your path. Everyday. You would if you ate right and exercised.

IV. A way for you

Luke 2:1–10 NLT
1 At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. 2 (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census. 4 And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. 5 He took with him Mary, to whom he was engaged, who was now expecting a child. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. 7 She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them. 8 That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. 9 Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, 10 but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people.
Luke 2:1–10 NLT
1 At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. 2 (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census. 4 And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. 5 He took with him Mary, to whom he was engaged, who was now expecting a child. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. 7 She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them. 8 That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. 9 Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, 10 but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people.
:
Luke 2:11-10
Luke 2:11–20 NLT
11 The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! 12 And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.” 13 Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.” 15 When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” 16 They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. 17 After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. 18 All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished, 19 but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often. 20 The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. It was just as the angel had told them.

A. A way for you started on Christmas.

Jesus, the messiah, the son of God came for you. This is why we celebrate Christmas
This is why we celebrate Christmas
It is why we give gifts. It is why we call it the Holy night. It is why we sing Away in a manger
John 3:16–17 NLT
16 “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. 17 God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.
Jesus came to pay our penalty for our sin so that you and I can be right with God. Not to judge us. Not to condemn us. but to save us because we were already condemned.
B. The New Life in Him
That is why we believe your New life in Him is the best Life. Why we want you to jump through that doorway.
Matthew 11:28–30 NLT
28 Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”
Aren’t you tired of your heavy burdens? Tired of the weight of sin?

SUMMARY: He is your way in a manger. Jesus came to give you life. That means life after death but it also means life right now. He has made a way for you to have a right relationship with God. All we need to do is confess that we have sinned and turn away from those sins physically, mentally and emotionally and give our lives to Him. He will give you a new name. A new life in Him.

John 1:12 NLT
12 But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God.
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