North Etowah Baptist Church

1. When you don't see detours as dead ends, you realize that God has an appointment in your disappointment (vv. 1-8)

--Realize that God has already been preparing you and others (vv. 1-8)

--Limit your expectations and submit them to the Lord's leadership
 (vv. 1-3)

--Continue to wait for God's best (vv. 9-10; Psalm 37:6-7)

2. When you don't see detours as dead ends, you focus on God's glory instead of a star
 (vv. 2, 11)

--It is radiant

--It is revealed

--It is royal

--It is recognized

3. When you don't see detours as dead ends, you give the gifts that keep on giving (Isaiah 60:1-3, 6)

--The Magi gave gold, symbolizing Jesus as Powerful King

--The Magi gave frankincense, symbolizing Jesus as Great Priest

--The Magi gave myrrh, symbolizing Jesus as Suffering Savior

4. When you don't see detours as dead ends, you become a finder as well as a seeker (vv. 1-11)

--When you seek God, He will reveal Himself, but start with what you have

--Go to the right source for answers, but remember that you will meet God in unexpected ways

--Remember that though the journey may be long, the destination is worth the diligence

--Be warned that staying hitched to the past is to possibly ditch future blessings of "the trip of a lifetime"

1. Tragically, it is a woeful life for many (v. 8)

--For those in deep depression

--For those who are outcasts (Micah 5:2, 4, 5)

--For those who have not heard from God (Micah 3:5, 9-11)

--For those who have no direction in life (Micah 7:7-8)

2. Blessedly, it is a wonder-filled life for those who find the Christ of Christmas (vv. 9-14a)

3. Amazingly, it is a wonder-filled life when we follow the Christ of Christmas (vv. 14b-20)

--We sense God's pleasure (v. 14b)

--We seek the Lord (v. 15)

--We celebrate in community (v. 15)

--We speak the good news (vv. 17-18)

--We share the
wonder (vv. 18-20; Isaiah 9:6, 7:14)

1. The first Christmas was a time of many complications and frustrations. (vv. 1-5)

--There was spiritual confusion. (v. 1)

--There was government oppression. (v. 2-3)

--There were travel complications. (vv. 3-4)

--There were difficult accommodations. 
(v. 7)

2. The first Christmas was marked by ignorance at best and rejection at worst. (v. 7)

--The innkeeper was not expecting the Messiah.

--The innkeeper did not recognize Jesus.

--Perhaps the innkeeper did not want Jesus

3. We must make room for Jesus. (v. 7)

4. We must "leave the light on" so that others can open the door to Jesus.

1. Joseph would be surprised and disappointed at how many today still don't believe in the supernatural truth of Christmas. (v. 18)

2. Joseph was surprised that his planned marriage was to be transformed by a grand miracle. (v. 18)

--
The miraculous was experienced by a chosen human. (v. 18)

--The miraculous was enhanced by the virgin conception. (v. 18)

3. We shouldn't be surprised that God chose to use Joseph. Though a "regular Joe," he had righteous character. (v. 19)

--His character demonstrated purity.
(vv. 24-25)

--His character demonstrated compassion. (v. 19)

--His character demonstrated patience. (vv. 20-23)

4. Joseph was surprised that the birth of a baby would be the first step toward the new birth of anybody. (vv. 21-23)

1. Jesus does not marvel at your personal achievements nor does He put them down (vv. 1-6)

--Jesus is not impressed if you are an elite warrior (v. 2)

--Jesus is not impressed if you are a wealthy person (v. 5)

--Jesus is not impressed if you are a generous benefactor (v. 5)

--Jesus is not impressed if you are a respected leader (v. 4)

--Jesus is not impressed if you are a religious person (v. 5)

2. Jesus marvels at super faith

--Super faith is demonstrated in willingness to wait (v. 3)

--Super faith is demonstrated in compassion for people (vv. 2-3)

--Super faith is demonstrated in willingness to risk loss
--
Super faith is demonstrated in total reliance on Christ's power (v. 7)

--Super faith is demonstrated in submission to Christ's authority (vv. 6-8)

--We are humbly submitted (vv. 6-7)

--We are fully trusting (vv. 7-8)

--We are carefully listening and obeying (v. 8)

--We are daily thanking

1. See God's fix for the fix we are in (v. 1)

2. See God's strategy beyond your sorrow (vv. 2-11)

It is practical (vv. 2-3)

It is understandable (vv. 3-4)

It is unusual (vv. 5-11)

3. See character beyond appearance (vv. 6-12)

God's standards are not based on physical attributes (vv. 6-7)

God's standards are based on spiritual qualifications (v. 7)

He sees the right character (vv. 7, 1 Sam. 13:14)

You must make the right choices (vv. 7, 11)

4. See strength beyond weakness (vv. 13-18)

Spiritual anointing (v. 13)

Natural attributes (vv. 14-18)

1. Hear the voice of God's command
(v. 1-3)

Don't be rebellious to God's authoritative command (v. 1)

Don't be confused about God's clear command (v. 2-3)

Don't be doubtful
of God's severe command (v. 3)

2. Hear the voice of God's grief (v. 8-11)

3. Hear the voice
of man's choice
of disobedience
(v. 13-21)

We speak from self-delusion (v. 13-14)

We make excuses
(v. 15-21)

4. Hear the voice
of God's indictment of our disobedience (v. 22-24)

5. Hear the voice
of God's verdict
about our choices
(v 25-35)

There is no escaping the consequences (v. 26)

There is no escaping God's judgment
(v. 32-33)

1. When you overcome deficit living you deal with a lack of courage in your struggles. (13:5-7)

2. When you overcome deficit living you deal with a lack of patience and faith concerning God's ways. (13:8-13)

FAITH - 
For All He Is I Take Him

FAITH
 - For All My Needs I Trust Him

FAITH - 
For All His Blessings I Thank Him

3. When you overcome deficit living you deal with a lack of conviction of sin. (13:11-14)

4. When you overcome deficit living you deal with a lack of human resources. (13:19-22; 14)

1. When there is kingdom renewal, we hear a word of testimony as an example of transparency, integrity, and humility. (12:2-5)


2. When there is kingdom renewal, there are court sessions and class lessons (12:6-13)

We are in court and plead a case. (vs. 6-7)

We are in class and learn lessons. (vs. 6-11)

We learn from God’s acts. (vs. 7, 8, 11)

We learn from God’s leaders. (vs. 6, 11)

We learn from others’ sins. (vs. 9, 10, 12)

3. When there is kingdom renewal, there is a challenge and a warning. (12:14-15)

God calls us to meet His conditions.

Fear and serve the Lord. (v. 14)

Listen to His voice.
(vs. 14-15)

Do not rebel and turn aside from following the Lord. (vs. 14, 15, 20, 21)


Do not pursue futile things. (v. 21)

To not meet God’s conditions is to experience the consequences.
(vs. 15, 19, 25)


4. When there is kingdom renewal, there are powerful miracles and vital ministries.
(vs. 16-25)

God may manifest His power in unique ways. (vs. 16-18)


God’s servant faithfully ministers to the people. (vs. 19, 23)


Samuel was committed to intercession for the people. (v. 23)


Samuel was committed to instruction of the people. (v. 23)


Samuel was committed to the glorification of God. (v. 24)