Christmas Eve 2007– A Strange Way to Save the World

Three Seasons Community Church– 12-24-07

How do you respond when reality does not meet your expectations?

Matthew 1:20-24 (NIV) But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. [21] She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins."

[22] All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: [23] "The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel"--which means, "God with us."

[24] When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife.

Luke 1:26-33 (NIV)

In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, [27] to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary. [28] The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you."

[29] Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. [30] But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. [31] You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. [32] He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, [33] and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end."

Joseph said:

"Why me?  I’m just a simple man of trade."

Joseph asked of Jesus:

"Why Him, with all the rulers in the world?"

Joseph asked of the surroundings:

"Why here, inside this stable filled with hay?"

Joseph asked of Mary:
"Why her?  She’s just an ordinary girl."

"Now I’m not one to second guess
What angels have to say.
But this is such a strange way, to save the World."

Matthew 1:24 (NIV) When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife.

Luke 1:38 (NLT) Mary responded, "I am the Lord's servant, and I am willing to accept whatever he wants. May everything you have said come true." And then the angel left.

Is there anything happening in your life right now that doesn’t "make sense?"

Are you willing to have the attitude of Mary and Joseph?

To be like Joseph and be obedient and do what God wants even if it doesn’t make sense?

To have the attitude and faith of Mary which says: "I am the Lord's servant, and I am willing to accept whatever he wants.

John 3:16-17 "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. [17] For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

1. Have you accepted God’s gift to you– Jesus Christ? Is Jesus your savior?

2. Are you living your life for you or for God? We all shine light to others. Who is that light drawing attention to– you or God?