5. ● The Christmas story includes a big step down from glory, honor and praise…a good model for me to follow. ● A life lived genuinely and compassionately is convincing and powerful. ● I need to do more than tip my hat to the baby Jesus…it is time to emulate the grown up One.
10. THE STORY OF A GOD WHO CAME DOWN …DIVINE DESCENT
11. 300 PROPHECIES TOLD OF THE MESSIAH'S BIRTHPLACE, QUALITY LIFE AND HORRIFIC DEATH
12. WHO’D HAVE THOUGHT OF THE FINAL DRAFT …GOD COMING TO LIVE AMONG US!? ● The Old Testament record is one of special messengers …Judges, Priests and Prophets ● Yet the big surprise was ‘God so loved the world that he gave his Son’!
13. ● Yikes! This is unique…nothing like the behavior of Greek gods. ● In flesh and blood Jesus demonstrated the essence of God’s love, character and purpose
19. THE LESSON IS CLEAR…TO REACH AND TOUCH THE LIVES OF THE LOST AND LONELY WE NEED: ● TO MOVE INTO THEIR SPACE ● RESPECT THEIR CULTURE ● WALK ON THEIR TURF ● SPEAK THEIR LANGUAGE ● MAKE A CONNECTION BETWEEN THEIR STORIES AND GOD’S STORY ● IT’S HOW PEOPLE BEST COMPREHEND LOVE AND COMPASSION ● JESUS PERFECTLY MODELED GODLY PERSUASION
20. THE WORLD REJECTS RELIGION AND HYPOCRISY, BUT IT HAS GENERALLY RESPECTED JESUS
23. ● The Christmas story includes a big step down from glory, honor and praise. A model of humility and compassion that I will follow. ● I will live a life that is genuine, compassionate, convincing and powerful. ● I will more than tip my hat to the baby Jesus …I will emulate the grown up One.
