The Great Exchange

Pr Anand Kumar
23-12-2018

Luke 2:4-21 New International Version (NIV)
4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
    and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 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.

21 On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise the child, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he was conceived.

1) God with us.

Today we no longer need to go to Jerusalem to meet God.

Jesus is a demonstration of God's love that now God is with us.

When we invite God, He is with us.

God's presence is now with us.

For many years, man was separated from God. Sin separated us from God.

But God's standard is perfect.

When Jesus was God, it was good news. He came to reconcile man with God.

2) God: One of us. 

The birth of Christ was the physical form of God becoming a man.

Jesus was revealing Himself that He is the way, the truth and the life. He showed the way to heaven.

Man's destiny is death. Jesus shows us the way to the Father. He showed us the way to eternal life.

Jesus, in the form of man, He understands and relates. He knows temptations and trials. He knows hunger, pain, hardship, loneliness, abandonment and rejection.

He came fully man and fully God. He knows and understands.

Today, you can invite Him into your situation.

3) God is for us.

If God is for us, who can be against us?

Jesus went to the cross. He who was sinless took all out sins and died for us. And He said, "It is finished." He rose again on the third day and is now in heaven.

Joy is about how God comes into our heart and gives us hope and purpose.

If you put your faith in God, He has a purpose for you.

Jesus gives us meaning.

Because God is for us, you can hope that God can come through for you.

Conclusion:
Jesus the Saviour for all people.

Christmas is a celebration of purpose and hope.

You too can have this gift of eternal life. Place your faith in God today.

The greatest gift that Christmas has for us is the gift of eternal life.

Take hold of God today. He wants to offer you this free gift.

On our own, we can't save ourselves. On our own, we cannot go through eternity.

We can count on God and take hold of Him.