The power of God has been the single greatest benefit to the believer in the process of sanctification and growing in the transformative likeness of Jesus Christ.  Even though God’s law is perfect, we are incapable of living it because through the weakness of the flesh (or sinful nature) the command produces only death.  It is through the birth of Jesus that the power of God is revealed and that we now have the joy of encountering the power in our lives.

Isaiah 11:2 (NIV)

Isaiah has laid out for us the trajectory of our advent preparation and today we see that the Messiah will have the Spirit of counsel and power to rest on Him.

Romans 1:16-17 (NIV)

16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. 17 For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faithfrom first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”

– “power of God”
– Luke 5:17-26
– “for the salvation”
– Luke 18:18-30
– “for in the gospel” AND “not ashamed of the gospel”
– John 3:16 “that He gave…”
– “a righteousness from God is revealed” = Jesus Christ
– John 3:16 “His only begotten son…”
– “that is by faith”
– John 3:16 “that whosoever believes in Him…”
– “The righteous will LIVE by faith”
– John 3:16 “will not perish but have eternal life”

Luke 2:8-20 (NIV)

8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
    and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
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.”
16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

1. Action is a response to God’s power – Luke 2:15 “lets go and see”
2. Meeting Jesus means telling others – seeing the power of God – 2:17
3. The power of God prompts you to worship – 2:20
4. Faith is where it all begins – Luke 2:15 – “what the Lord has told us about”
   Romans 1:16-17 – “a righteousness revealed by faith” “the righteous will live by faith”