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Message Notes
God delights in the art of the setup.
“I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.” —Genesis 3:15
In the middle of your heartbreak there is hope.
“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone…For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.” —Isaiah 9:2, 6-7
“The zeal of the Lord will do this.” —Isaiah 9:7
The art of the setup in scripture is not man in pursuit of God, but God in pursuit of man.
“But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days. And he shall stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. And they shall dwell secure, for now he shall be great to the ends of the earth. And he shall be their peace.” —Micah 5:2, 4-5
The invitation of Christmas is to look at the manger, and trust God with the art of the setup.
Every season prepares you for a moment, and you carry every moment into the next season.
“In his hand is the life of every living thing and the breath of all mankind.” —Job 12:10
Sowing is how we become active participants in the art of the setup.
“Words kill, words give life; they’re either poison or fruit—you choose.” —Proverbs 18:21
You can participate with God in the art of the set up through Prayer.
You can participate with God in setting up His Kingdom through your Generosity.
“But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and
you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.’” —Matthew 1:20-21
“All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:” —Matthew 1:22
“For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly.” —Psalm 84:11
Surrender to Jesus should create anticipation, not anguish.
“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us). —Matthew 1:23
“The LORD delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love.” —Psalm 147:11