WORDS, WORDS WORDS, WORDS AND THE WORDAND THE WORDLuke 2:1- 20

Luke 2:1- 20 (TNIV)The Birth of Jesus 1 At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. 2 (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census. 4 And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. 5 He took with him Mary, his fiancée, who was now obviously pregnant. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born.

Luke 2:1- 20 (TNIV)7 She gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them.The Shepherds and Angels 8 That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. 9 Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, 10 but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people.*news that will bring great joy to all people.**Point: God’s spoken word proclaimed*Point: God’s spoken word proclaimed

Luke 2:1- 20 (TNIV)11 The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today* The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today* in Bethlehem, the city of David! 12 And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.” 13 Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”15 When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”*Point: God’s Word made flesh*Point: God’s Word made flesh

Luke 2:1- 20 (TNIV)16 They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. 17 After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone* shepherds told everyone* what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. 18 All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished, 19 but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often. 20 The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. It was just as the angel had told them.

*Point: Living epistles –spreading the word *Point: Living epistles –spreading the word

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God speaks God speaks through his creation, written words, spoken words and the Living Word

Written words Written words have limitations when it comes to describing one’s character and personality.

Through the Living Word Living Word we get a firsthand experience with God

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The Nativity Story is Riddled with Humble Trappings … A Village Girl, a Child Born in a Barn and Star struck Farm Hands

No prophet hinted of this scenario…God’s word taking on a human form

Who would have pointed to the newborn and said, ‘Sure enough, that’s God alright.’

Most of the real religious stuff happened in the temple. At Bethlehem God made a cathedral of the Outdoors.

The Heavens Declare The Glory Of God --Psalm 19

A God of splendor, dazzling artistry and beauty

Creation is an expression of God’s greatness and love

David Dedicated One Whole Psalm―176 Verses―to The Glory Of God’s Holy Word(s) --Psalm 119

God’s word A to Z. First 8 verses begin with the Hebrew letter ‘A’. The second group of 8 verses with the letter ‘B’ etc. =176 verses

Every verse contains a reference to the scriptures…Laws, Precepts, Ways, Statutes, Commands, Decrees, Promises and Precepts

Job Speaks…

“He is not a man like me that I might answer him, that we might confront each other” --Job

“I desire to speak to the Almighty” --Job

Receiving a letter is great, but we all want more of a face to face connection.

A Step Up Is A Message Sent Via God’s Spokesmen

How about angels chatting with the likes of Abraham, Moses, and now these angels talking to the shepherds?

The ancient prophets could rightfully say: “Thus saith the Lord!”

“For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit..” 2 Peter 1:21

I believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God.

I trust Him as my Lord and Savior.C

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The Incarnation: The Living Word Coming To Us

The Hebrew writer: Jesus is God’s final word from God and the exact representation of his nature.

John’s Gospel: No man has seen God at any time, but the only begotten God…he has explained Him.

Jesus: He who has seen me has seen the Father. --John 14.9

What Did We Learn About God By Walking With Jesus?

He is bent on getting us back in friendship with God. --Luke 19:10

Paul: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. --I Timothy 1:15

Jesus came to pay the price for our sins so God’s dream can come true ―the rescuing of fallen people like you and me.--John 3:16

Now We Are Living Letters To A World That Longs To Hear From God --2 Corinthians 3:2

You are a letter from Christ

Written with the Spirit of the living God

The Outcome Of The Mary-Joseph-Jesus Story Is:

Jesus walking with us

Jesus speaking through us

Jesus touching the world, our neighbors ―through us

The God Who Came Down is still here, in our midst, making his abode in his children

He Still Uses Humble And Modest Folk To Live And Tell The Story

Who needs to read the letter God has written on your heart?

What would somebody name your story …the story of Jesus walking with you?

Would others say you are mostly: (1) Talka-Talka, or (2) Walka-Walka?

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God speaks God speaks through his creation, written words, spoken words and the Living Word

Written words Written words have limitations when it comes to describing one’s character and personality.

Through the Living Word Living Word we get a firsthand experience with God

Go, and Bless OthersGo, and Bless OthersWith Good Words!With Good Words!