Part 2: Love
Sermon Notes
Now the Lord God had planted a garden in the east, in Eden; and there he put the man he had formed. The Lord God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground—trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food.
Genesis 2:8-9
“Sing, barren woman,
you who never bore a child;
burst into song, shout for joy,
you who were never in labor;
Though the mountains be shaken
and the hills be removed,
yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken
Isaiah 54:1-2,10
Come, buy wine and milk
without money and without cost.
Why spend money on what is not bread,
and your labor on what does not satisfy?
Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good,
and you will delight in the richest of fare.
Isaiah 55:1-2
At Christmas, the rumor became reality.
All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).
Matthew 1:22-23
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
John 3:16
Don’t elevate the natural to supernatural status.
A simple act of love points someone to a supernatural God.
Table Group Resources
Many of our Table Groups are on holiday break through Christmas and the New Year. So as we head into Christmas week, we want to encourage you to be sure to check out the full 12 Days of Christmas Daily Devotional on our website at thechurchrb.org/daily-devotional.
Daily Devotional Questions
In Pastor Harry’s Tuesday 12/15 entry, The Sign, he gives us a contrast between the fanfare of Christmas celebrations and the reality of what is for some. This Christmas especially, we are challenged to see that there is "Glory to God in the Lowest, too." What can you see? Maybe this year of slowing-down and the trimming of distractions might open eyes wider to The Sign of the Savior. That is our prayer for you!
1. How might your Christmas this year look like the very First Christmas? What are some of the similarities between now and then?
2. What will you place in your Christmas memory book for 2020? What are the glory moments that will take the place of the usual fun, frenzy and festivities in your Christmas? Maybe it is priorities, maybe it is relationships, maybe it is healing, maybe it is closeness to the God who loves you. Write them down, and in all things, give thanks!
