301 N Loop 250 W, Midland, TX 79703

Part 1: He Showed Up At Night

BEHIND THE SCENES: THE CHRISTMAS STORY - PART 1

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Luke 2:1-40

“So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.”

Luke 2:4-5 (NIV)

“And she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped Him in cloths and placed Him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.”

Luke 2:7 (NIV)

“Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is the Messiah, the Lord.”

Luke 2:11 (NIV)

“But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.”

Luke 2:19 (NIV)

 

LESSONS TO REMEMBER FROM THE CHRISTMAS STORY

 

1.   GOD WORKS IN THE SHADOWS. 

 

“‘For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,’ declares the Lord. ‘As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.’”

Isaiah 55:8-9 (NIV)

 

2.   GOD SHOWS UP IN THE CRISIS.

“They preached the gospel in that city and won a large number of disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. ‘We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,’ they said.”

Acts 14:21-22 (NIV)

“Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.”

Psalm 23:4 (NIV)

 

3.  GOD ALWAYS FOLLOWS HIS OWN SCHEDULE.

 

“But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.”

2 Peter 3:8 (NIV)

 

4.  IF WE BAIL OUT ON GOD’S PLAN, WE WILL MISS OUT.

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.”

Hebrews 11:6 (NIV)

 

  • What is your faith crisis? How will you respond?

MY NEXT STEP TODAY IS TO: 

  • Ask God to show me how He is working behind the scenes in my life right now.    

  • Step forward in faith and do what God is telling me to do.   

  • Sign up for the next baptism day on December 13th.

  • Do this week’s YouVersion® Bible App Reading Plan: “The Nativity Scene”  (4-day plan).

 
Behind the ScenesDr. John GerlachFaith, Christmas