Seek and Find the Father
Jeremiah 29:11

“In the ninth month of the fifth year of Jehoiakim son of Josiah king of Judah, a time of fasting before the LORD was proclaimed for all the people in Jerusalem and those who had come from the towns of Judah.” Jeremiah 36:9

“Blow the trumpet in Zion, declare a holy fast, call a sacred assembly.” Joel 2:15

1. When you seek and find the Father you will find favor.

“They will come with weeping; they will pray as I bring them back. I will lead them beside streams of water on a level path where they will not stumble, because I am Israel's father, and Ephraim is my firstborn son.” Jeremiah 31:9b

The Key: A heart fully devoted to the Lord.

2. When you seek and find the Father you will find your future.

“In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.” Proverbs 16:9

The Key: A heart committed to the Lord’s renown.

“Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” Psalm 139:23-24

1. You search for what your heart longs for.

"The days are coming," declares the LORD, "when I will punish all who are circumcised, only in the flesh.” Jeremiah 9:25

When Christ does not rule in His proper place, at the center of your heart, something else will find its way there.

2. Your heart needs to be tuned to the master who created you.
a) Acknowledge
b) Repent
c) Obey

God does not love us because we obey Him; God loves us because He is God; we obey God because we love Him.

John 14:15 "If you love me, keep my commands.

“The Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let him who hears say, "Come!" Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life.” Revelation 22:17

Praise - Matthew 6:9
Use Scripture
Material Possessions
Physical Blessings
Spiritual Blessings
People

Respond - Matthew 6:10
What do I need to obey?
What do I need to confess?


Ask-Matthew 6:11-12
SBAGS
BHAGS
Colossians 1:9-11
Yourself - Matthew 6:13

Psalms 25:1-7

1. Jesus is the Messiah is overlooked when He should be worshipped.

“Whose origins are from of old, from ancient times…..He will stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God. And they will live securely, for then his greatness will reach to the ends of the earth.” Miach 5:2b,4

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God" John 1:1

2. Jesus the Messiah is for all people, of all time.

“Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn.” Isaiah 60:3

3. Jesus the Messiah will either bring trouble or peace to your life.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son that whoever believes in him would not perish, but have eternal life.” John 3:16

1. The simple shepherds.

2. The announcement of angelic host.

3. The coronation of the Christ.

“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times." Micah 5:2

"The Son of Man is come to seek and to save that which was lost." Luke 19:10

What is your Next Step? __________________

Rediscovering the awe of Christmas in the virgin birth will defy our rationalism, but we make no excuses for the mystery of Christmas is supernatural.

1. Supernaturally Sovereign, v. 26-30

2. Supernaturally the Savior, v. 31-33

“When your days are over and you rest with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, who will come from your own body, and I will establish his kingdom. He is the one who will build a house for my Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.” 2 Samuel 7:12-13

3. Supernaturally Secured, v. 34-37

“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.” Isaiah 7:14

A. Why the Virgin Birth?

Almah = the betrothed young virgin

B. What’s the problem?

B. Is belief in the virgin birth essential for faith in Christ?

“But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.” Matthew 1:25

1) We need courageous faith because the promises of God can turn your world upside down.

a. The very thing that makes you want to give up on God could be proof that He hasn’t given up on you.

2) We need courageous faith because the promises of God stretch our capacity to believe.

a. God always provides what we need in order to take the next step. Then it is a simple matter of whether we trust Him enough to take it.

b. We can always trust God to do what He says because of who He is.

3) We need courageous faith because the promises of God require sacrificial living.

a. You can have faith or you can have control. You cannot have both.

b. It is not about what God is asking from us; it is about what God is doing for us.

Why won’t God give you what you want, when you want it?

1. So you will believe.

God can bring Life to your Lifeless circumstances.

2. For your good.

God isn’t out to get you; He’s out to keep you.

3. He cares for you.

4. For His Glory.

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. John 10:10

Authentic Community > Independent Living
Your Next Step > Staying Where You Are
Spiritual Contributor > Spiritual Consumer
His Word > Our Experiences
His Calling > My Comfort
Sacrificial Living > Playing It Safe
His Grace > Our Past

1. You are not of this world.

2. You will be attacked.

3. You must be sanctified.

4. Jesus is sending you.

“Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.” John 17:3