December 18th
Christmas at the Movies
Home Alone
12 When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear. 13 But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard.
—Luke 1:12,13 (NIV)
29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God.”
—Luke 1:29,30 (NIV)
20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. “
—Matthew 1:20 (NIV)
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…”
—Luke 2:9,10a (NIV)
Elizabeth = Focus
But they were childless because Elizabeth was not able to conceive, and they were both very old.
—Luke 1:7 (NIV)
“The Lord has done this for me,” she said.
—Luke 1:25 (NIV)
Faith Factor: Just because you don’t doesn’t mean you won’t.
Zechariah = Trust
18 Zechariah asked the angel, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.”
20 And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their appointed time.”
—Luke 1:18, 20 (NIV)
Faith Factor: You don’t have to know what God is doing to trust Him.
Simeon = Patience
25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 27 Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, 28 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God…
—Luke 2:25-28 (NIV)
Faith Factor: It might not work but God is always working!
Anna = Worship
36 There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37 and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. 38 Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.
—Luke 2:36-38 (NIV)
Faith Factor: Just because God is quiet it doesn’t mean He isn’t present.
FILL OUT YOUR CONNECTION CARD HERE
Next Steps:
1. I choose to follow Jesus.
2. I will spend 15 minutes everyday focusing on God’s heart. (5 worship 5 prayer 5 listening)
3. I will post a note in my line of sight that says, “It’s not over yet.”
4. I will invite 3 people to Christmas Eve … (Dec. 21@ 6:30) (Dec. 24 @2:30/4)