“THE PERFECT GIFT FOR AN OBEDIENT DAD”
Selected Passages
I. INTRODUCTION:
A. “Merry”:
1. Defining the word, “merry”:
2. The built-in thirst for “merry”:
B. “Christmas”:
1. What “Christmas” actually means:
2. The only basis for “peace on earth”:
C. “Dad”: 1:19-23
1. His walk with God:
a. His name – “may God add” or “grant extra
measure”:
b. His character as a teen: v. 19
c. His marriage standard: (Lk. 1:26-38; 46-55)
d. His spiritual sensitivity: (Mt. 2:13-14, 19-23)
2. His occupation: ( Mt. 13:55)
3. His social standing: (Jn. 1:46)
II. THE GIFT OF THE PRE-EMINENT ONE FROM THE DAD’S
PERSPECTIVE: (Mt.)
A. Scene #1: (Mt. 1:18-25)
1. From great expectations to shattered dreams:
2. Divine intervention – may not be early but never late:
3. Humble and prompt obedience: (See I Pet. 5:6)
(See back)
OBEDIENCE
a. “To comply with or follow the commands,
restrictions, wishes, or instructions of another”.
Webster
b. “Obedience is constant dependence drawn from a
moment by moment fellowship with the Lord Jesus
Christ, listening and seeing what He is doing, and
then promptly responding to all that He says and
does. A. Murray
c. God’s perspective: “Completely and promptly
following God’s instructions and those in authority
He has placed over me, with a joyful attitude.”
(I Sam. 15; Ps. 40:8)
d. The facts of obedience:
(1) It always is learned behavior drawn from
adverse conditions. (Eph. 2:2; Heb. 5:8-9)
(2) It always unveils what I believe in. (Heb. 11:8)
(3) It always defines my character. (I Jn. 2:4; 3:18-
19, 22)
(4) It always is the secret to a clear conscience:
(I Jn. 5:3)
(5) It always brings eventual happiness:
(Gen. 26:3-5; Deut. 11:26-28; Jn. 14:15-23; Rev. 22:14)
- Jesus, his indescribable and pre-eminent gift:
B. Scene #2: (Mt. 2:13-15)
1. Unique gifts from visiting travelers: 2:9-12
2. Divine guidance for protecting the Pre-eminent Gift:
v. 13
3. Humble and prompt obedience: v. 14
- Fulfilling prophecy concerning the Pre-eminent One:
v. 15
C. Scene #3: (Mt. 2:19-21)
1. Divine guidance for the Pre-eminent One: vv. 19-20
2. Taking full responsibility with humble and prompt
obedience: v. 21
D. Scene #4: (Mt. 2:22-23)
1. Recognizing potential danger for the Pre-eminent
One:
2. Divine guidance:
3. Humble and prompt obedience in keeping with
prophecy:
III. PRINCIPLES TO PERSONALLY APPLY:
(Together becoming “people of the Word” in principle AND in practice)
A. God’s Pre-eminent Gift is often more visible in the midst
of shattered dreams.
B. God’s “extra measured blessings” are available for
“blameless dads” (teenagers too), in spite of life’s
“detours” along the way.
C. God’s idea of a Merry Christmas is when I make His
Pre-eminent Gift my “indescribable gift”, in choosing to
believe, repent, and follow (obey) Jesus Christ.
(Rom. 10:9-10; Lk. 13:3, 5; Jn. 10:27) (How does your
life story read?)
Sinners Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, I was made by you and I was made for you, but
I have been living for myself. I am sorry for that self-rule you call sin.
I believe that Jesus Christ being my creator God, died, was buried,
and rose again to pay the insurmountable debt that my sin has
created. So right now, I am turning from a life of going my own way,
to by faith, place my trust in Jesus Christ, to pay the debt of all my
sin, and to get me to heaven, when I breath my last breath. Lord
Jesus, from today on, I am yours. Thanks for saving me, this very
moment, in Jesus name, Amen.
If you just made this life changing decision, we would love to draw
along side and help you grow now in Christ. Call Grace Bible Church
at (509) 684-5936. If get an answering service, we will promptly get
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