God’s Invitation to You
Introduction
There is a small voice that penetrates the stillness of the night. It comes from the bedroom across the hall. “Daddy, I’m scared!” Out of your groggy, fuzzy state, you respond with, “Honey, don’t be afraid, Daddy right across the hall.”
After a brief pause, the little voice is heard again, “I’m still scared.”
Always quick with an insight, you respond, “You don’t need to be afraid. God is with you. God loves you.”
This time the pause is longer, but the voice returns, “I don’t care about God, Daddy; I want someone with skin on!”
It seems like the logic used by the little child is precisely the reason for the Incarnation. After thousands of years of being unsuccessful in being able to convince His people that He really loved them, our Creator realized that the best way to demonstrate His love for us was to send “Someone with skin on.”
Thesis: God invites humble people into a relationship with Him through Jesus Christ.
“I Bring You Good News,” v. 10
A. Great Joy
- Billy Sunday said, “If you have no joy in your religion, there’s a leak in your Christianity somewhere.”
- Maltbie Babcock said, “The Christian life that is joyless is a discredit to God and a disgrace to itself.”
- Great Joy is “God Reaching, Extending Abundant Treasure–Jesus Occupying You.” Spells the words: GREAT JOY
B. “For all the people,” a universal Savior.
“A Savior Has Been Born to You,” v. 11
A. Jesus is the Savior.
- Jesus came to save His people from their sins, Matthew 1:21 and Luke 19:10.
- The announcement comes to the humble who recognize their need for a Savior.
- Those who are saved are brought into a spiritual union as members of His body (Romans 12:5); hence, He is called the Savior of the body, the church (Ephesians 5:23).
B. Jesus is the Christ.
- The Anointed One, empowered by the Holy Spirit
- The Appointed One, to perform God’s work
C. Jesus is the Lord.
- Owner, Boss of All Creation
- Jesus is God Incarnate
“This will be a sign unto You,” v.12
A. “In the town of David, Bethlehem, v. 11–>The House of Bread
B. “A babe wrapped in cloths”
C. “Lying in a manger”
D. He is Emmanuel–>God with us.
God’s Invitation Is for You to “Come and dine.”
A. John 21:12–Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine. And none of the disciples durst ask Him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord.
B. God invites you. But you must humble yourself before the manger and cross of Jesus, asking Him to forgive your sins, and invite Jesus to be the Boss/Lord of your life.
C. The Result: Luke 2:20–The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.