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The Way of Bethlehem Dave Shaner December 15, 2002

Introduction: The birth of Christ is a story of people taking trips. Nobody took a longer trip at this time than God did. Coming to earth was God's way to come near to us. For centuries, our access to heaven was denied. Through Jesus, access to heaven has bee granted.

This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, - I John 4:2

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth... No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father's side, has made him known. - John 1:14;18

Then Jesus cried out, "When a man believes in me, he does not believe in me only, but in the one who sent me. When he looks at me, he sees the one who sent me. I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness. "As for the person who hears my words but does not keep them, I do not judge him. For I did not come to judge the world, but to save it.  - John 12:44-47

What are some ways of God seen at Bethlehem?

I. God's Ways Are ______________.

A. Matthew focuses on the faithfulness of God.

All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: "The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel"--which means, "God with us."... When he had called together all the people's chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born. "In Bethlehem in Judea," they replied, "for this is what the prophet has written: "'But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of my people Israel.'"... Then what was said through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled. - Matthew 1:22-23; 2:4-6; 2:17

B. God has never abandoned us against the enemy.

II. God's Ways Are ______________.

A. All over the story of Christ's birth, you see the hand of God.

B. God is in control.

III. God's Ways Are ______________.

A. In Bethlehem, a power was at work that made the devils tremble.

B. Nothing is impossible with God.

Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. 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, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end." "How will this be," Mary asked the angel, "since I am a virgin?" The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. For nothing is impossible with God." - Luke 1:29-37

IV. God's Ways Are ______________.

A. I Peter 1:10-12

Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care, trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow. It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things.

B. Hebrews 10:5-7

Therefore, when Christ came into the world, he said: "Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body you prepared for me; with burnt offerings and sin offerings you were not pleased. Then I said, 'Here I am--it is written about me in the scroll--I have come to do your will, O God.'"

V. God's Ways Are ______________.

A. God sent Jesus into our world for one reason: He loved us.

B. John 3:16

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.

C. I John 4:9

This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.

Conclusion: What are you going to do with this kind of gift? Coming as Christ was God's way of coming near to us. Coming through Christ is our way to draw near to God.

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