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Perhaps the most crucial foundation in our understanding of God is found in His character to keep-His-promises. The difficulty for a church that is struggling with persecution is identifying the correct response to trusting God’s promises. Sometimes its easy, but most of the time it is hard.
Luke’s story begins today with a recounting of the fulfillment of the promises of God to send a forerunner in the spirit of Elijah to prepare the way for the Messiah. Lets see how God unfolds His purposes in His perfect timing to fulfill His promises.
Because Christmas is about Christ:
#1 – God keeps his promises
2 Peter 3:9
“The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.”
#2 – We can serve without fear
Romans 8:15
“The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship.”
#3 – We can live in holiness and righteousness
Colossians 3:12
“Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with a heart of mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.”
#4 – All our sins can be forgiven
Colossians 1:13-14
“He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.”
#5 – There is hope for those in darkness and death
Romans 8:22-25
“We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 23 Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? 25 But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.”
#6 – We will be guided to peace
Romans 5:1-2
“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we[b] boast in the hope of the glory of God.”
NOT What does Christmas mean to you? i.e. family, giving thanks, togetherness, presents, etc
BUT What should Christmas mean to you?