We’ve mostly looked at one prophecy or prediction about Jesus this week, about his virgin birth and being God in the flesh (incarnate).  But Jesus fit many other predictions as well, some of them relating to his birth.

He was born in Bethlehem

Micah 5:2.      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. Micah 5:2 ESV)

He was a refugee in Egypt.

Hosea 11:1 11 When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son.

Together, they all form one picture.

The rightful king of Israel is God himself, he’s come to earth to fulfill the promise that Abraham’s descendents would bless the entire world.  Jesus is a descendent of Abraham and King David.  Jesus did this in dying for the entire world’s sins, and reigns now over his kingdom, which is coming in its fullness.

God has come to us, when we couldn’t get to him.

God has given us the gift of grace, when we have nothing to offer but thanks.

This is most challenging to religious people, because we can become accustomed to knowing about God at a distance, and the systems and codes we put in place for this all get thrown out when God shows up in person, and Knowing About God shifts to simply Knowing God.

Challenge: How can you and/or family focus on this central meaning of Christmas?  Advent is the traditional time for the time before Christmas when Christians prepare themselves to truly enter into the story.

We’ll provide some Advent resources here you might use for you or your family:

Reminder: We have a great Christmas event coming December 14th, 2013: The Original Christmas Party.  Hope you’re coming!

Read the Bible in Sync Today

Ryan Sim - July 10, 2013

Wednesday - Change It - Foundations

Sermon on the Mount

Yesterday we saw one truth from Jesus' story about foundations in life: that we all build on one foundation or another. Truth 2: Difficult times will come to all. We are all subject to the same rains, winds. Both houses face the same problems, but their foundations are differently equipped to withstand such pressures. IF built on sand, then great was its fall. If my identity is based on a stock portfolio, then when the market drops, my life falls apart. If my identity is built on my physical health or beauty, the moment I get older, or get a bad diagnosis, I’m shaken. I can’t be who I thought I was forever. If my identity is on my kids becoming what I expect, I can ride high when things are good. I can be proud of their accomplishments, and so on. But that good life is easily shaken. If they make bad choices, don’t choose a prestigious career, I'm done and can do little to fix the situation. But if my identity is not on kids, but on God, following Jesus to him, then it’s built on rock. Then if my kids make bad choices, my identity is not shaken. I will be heartbroken, but by knowing who I am and that my foundation is on a solid rock, I will be able to reach out a hand to help them while they sink in sand. If my stock portfolio drops, I will be able to live on, knowing that I’ve invested in eternal treasure, and didn’t wrap myself up in that financial identity to the point of unnecessary risk. As my body begins to age or sustains injuries or illness, I can see it all in perspective. My life is built on my relationship with God, and my body is meant to serve that purpose. I’m not here to serve my body. We'll see tomorrow how that looks in practice. Question: How can foundations in life crumble? What kinds of winds or rains expose their sandiness? We meet for coffee every Wednesday night at Starbucks in the Chapters Store in Ajax, in Durham Region just East of Toronto. Maybe we'll see you there?

Related Topics: Foundations | More Messages from Ryan Sim | Download Audio

From Series: "Sermon on the Mount"

Discuss

More Messages From Ryan Sim...

Powered by Series Engine