A Spirit-Filled Christmas Treasuring the True Spirit of the Season Rising From the Here and Now Luke 1 & 2
Rising From the Here and Now Luke 1 & 2
1. Get Real: The Spirit-filled life rises out of a dark story. Luke 1:5 5. In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron.
1. Get Real: The Spirit-filled life rises out of a dark story. Luke 2:1-3 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria). And everyone went to his own town to register.
2. Worship God : The Spirit-filled life rises out of a Seeking Heart Luke 1:8-10 8. Once when Zechariah s division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God, 9. he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense.
2. Worship God : The Spirit-filled life rises out of a Seeking Heart 10. And when the time for the burning of incense came, all the assembled worshippers were praying outside.
2. Worship God : The Spirit-filled life rises out of a Seeking Heart Luke 1:11-13 11. Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. 12. When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear.
2. Worship God : The Spirit-filled life rises out of a Seeking Heart 13. But the angel said to him: Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John.
2. Worship God : The Spirit-filled life rises out of a Seeking Heart 2:36 36. There was a prophetess Anna she never left the temple but worshipped night and day, fasting and praying.
2. Worship God : The Spirit-filled life rises out of a Seeking Heart Acts 1:14 14. They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.
3. Treasure Him: The Spirit-filled life is a life of God s Presence. Luke 1:18-19 18. Zechariah asked the angel, How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years. 19. The angel answered, I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news.
3. Treasure Him: The Spirit-filled life is a life of God s Presence. John 14:15-18 15. If you love me, you will obey what I command. 16. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever 17. the Spirit of truth.
3. Treasure Him: The Spirit-filled life is a life of God s Presence. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. 18. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.
4. Believe: The Spirit-filled life is a life of Good News. Luke 1:19 The angel answered, I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news.
4. Believe: The Spirit-filled life is a life of Good News. 10. But the angel said to them, Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.
5. Receive Grace: The Spirit-filled life is a life of God s Favor. Luke 1:24-25 24. After this his wife Elizabeth became pregnant 25. The Lord has done this for me, she said. In these days he has shown his favor and taken away my disgrace among the people.
5. Receive Grace: The Spirit-filled life is a life of God s Favor. 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.
5. Receive Grace: The Spirit-filled life is a life of God s Favor. Ephesians 1:5-6 In love 5. he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will 6. to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.