Sermon notes:

“. . . on earth as it is in heaven.”  (Luke 2:1-20)

I.     Heaven’s __________________ (vv.9-14).

A.  The glory of the Lord ________________ the darkness (v.9). 

B.  The heavenly host (_____________) praise and glorify God for the birth of Christ (vv.10-14).

C.  Heaven’s praise always includes ______________ (Hebrews 1:6; Revelation 5:11-14).

II.    Earth’s ________________ (vv.15-20).

A.  The shepherds glorify and praise God for the birth of Christ (v.20). 

B.  Contrast Earth’s “________________” (Genesis 4:10; 18:21; Isaiah 5:7).

C.  Christ’s birth and death _______________ heaven and earth in peace and praise (v.14; cf. Luke 19:38,42). 

Sermon notes:

“The power of names”   (Matthew 1:18-25)

I.     Names _____________________________.

II.    Jesus:  what His name means (v.21).

A.  He Himself will save His people from their sins.

B.  He Himself will save His people from their sins.

C.  He Himself will save His people from their sins.

D.  He Himself will save His people from their sins.

III.   Jesus:  why His name matters (v.23).

A.  It creates our ________________________, “God with us.”

B. The presence of Jesus is God’s saving presence with ________________________________ (Matthew 18:20; 28:20).

C. His names __________________________ us.

Sermon notes:     The Fathers of Jesus 

Joseph:  “Price Paid”  (Matthew 1:18-25)

I.     Joseph values God’s will above his own ___________________ (vv.24-25).

A.  Joseph never ________________.  He believes the angels’ words and _____________________ God’s will (vv.20-25; 2:13-15, 19-21).

B.  _____________________ will cost Joseph his reputation.  

II.    Joseph formally _________________ Jesus (vv.24-25).

A.  The most important thing a father can do for his children is ________________________ (v.19).

B.  Joseph shows _________________ to Mary.

1.  “Mercy” = “_____________________” (Luke 10:25-37).

2.  Like father, like ______________ (Proverbs 22:6; Ephesians 1:7).

C.  Like His legal father, Jesus will ___________________ fulfill God’s will (Isaiah 53:7; Matthew 26:62-63; 27:12-14).

Sermon notes:

“Dealing with doubt”  (Matthew 11:2-15)

I.     Doubt/conflict arises when there is a gap between our ___________________ and our ____________________.                 

A.  Doubt vs. unbelief.

1.  Doubt = ________________________ (vv.3; James 1:8).  

2.  Unbelief = __________________________ (John 20:25).

B.  Doubt arises from a _______________ view of God, from a faith malformed or malnourished.   

1.  So far, Jesus has fulfilled none of John’s predictions (Matthew 3:7-12). 

2.  God routinely acts in ways we do not _________________ (v.12; Matthew 5:3-12; 2 Corinthians 12:9; Isaiah 55:8-9). 

II.    Don’t be ashamed of your doubts/questions.

A.  Share them with someone more experienced. 

B.  John took his doubts to ___________ (v.2-3). 

1.  Seeing what Jesus ___________ and hearing what He ___________ is the only way to create faith (vv.4-5; Romans 10:17).     

2.  Jesus does not malign John; He ______________ the disciples (v.11b). 

3.  Jesus exalts _______________ despite his doubts (vv.7-15; Isaiah 42:3).