July 8, 2016
CHRISTMAS IN JULY: THE BEST GIFT EVER
Luke 2:1–20
Chris Moseley
Central Truth
God always gives us exactly what we need.
Key Verse | Luke 2:10–11
And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:10-11)
Luke 2:1–20
The Birth of Jesus Christ
1 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration when 1 2:2 Or This was the registration before Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, 2 2:5 That is, one legally pledged to be married who was with child. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. 3 2:7 Or guest room
The Shepherds and the Angels
8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
14
“Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”
4
2:14
Some manuscripts peace, good will among men
15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. 17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
Dive Deeper | Luke 2:1–20
When I was growing up, I knew this passage as “The Christmas Story.” It was probably the first Bible reading I ever heard. Each year, my grandfather would read Luke 2 to our family at Christmas. He would read it before any presents could be opened. As a young child, it seemed to take forever for him to read these 20 verses. I would be fidgety and anxious, awaiting the time that I could finally open my gifts.
But God delivered on that night in Bethlehem an even better gift than anything I ever received. Even better than a new Lego set or an Evel Knievel stunt cycle. God sent to us a Savior. God always sends us exactly what we need. If our greatest need had been knowledge, God would have sent a teacher. If our greatest need had been strength and defense, God would have sent a great warrior. If our greatest need had been food, God would have sent a master chef. But because our greatest need is grace and forgiveness, God sent a Savior.
We need a Savior because we have all sinned, and the “wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23) and separation from God for eternity. “[B]ut God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8) God sent His Son to die for us, to be our Savior.
God has always given me exactly what I need. Although I put my trust in Christ for salvation when I was young, I never had a relationship with God that influenced how I lived my life. For many years, I found my significance in others and let people, rather than God, define who I was.
A few years ago, God gave me the gift of desperation. When I felt I had nowhere else to turn, I turned to God and started going to re:generation, Watermark’s biblical 12-step recovery program. There I began a daily walk with and dependence on God. God showed me that He is the only one who should define who I am.
Discussion Questions
1. Do you ever find yourself putting more value in earthly gifts that moth and rust destroy (Matthew 6:20) than in God’s best gift ever (John 3:16)?
2. Are you finding your significance in what people think of you?
3. The Bible says you are “fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:14). Have you ever studied the Bible to see who God says you are?