Luke 2:8-12

Joy came into the world

God has kept His promises. We can have confidence in Him.

God has supplied our greatest need, so it is trivial for Him to supply our other needs.

Man can now have fellowship with God.

It all began so well, and it ends just as well.

Psalm 23

In this psalm, David reflects on how God has been his shepherd.

Sheep

Sheep are completely defenseless and rely on the shepherd for protection.

Sheep will not do well if they are hungry.

Sheep will not do well if they are distressed.

Sheep will not do well if they are fighting.

Sheep will not do well if they are afraid.

Psalm 23:2 – Shepherds provide still, pure water for their sheep.

Psalm 23:3 – Shepherds will discipline lambs that continually go astray by breaking a leg, setting it, and then carrying the lamb for six weeks until it is healed. Then the lamb will never leave again.

Psalm 23:4 – The shepherd’s staff represents protection and comfort to the sheep.

Psalm 23:5 – God provides for us even in the presence of our enemies.

Fear is one of these enemies. One of the most oft-repeated commands in the Bible is, “fear not.”

Loneliness is another one of these enemies. The shepherd’s job is to make sure every sheep has a secure place to be.

Application

The shepherd has a 24/7 job. Not everyone can do this job!

We need fathers who will be shepherds and provide for their flocks.

The Bible is filled with ordinary people called to do extraordinary work.

Ordinary people can be pleasing to God.

Luke 1:33-38 – Whey Mary was called by God, she was an ordinary person living an insignificant life.

You don’t know what impact will come from your work.

Ordinary people can be faithful to God.

Hebrews 11:35-40 – There are no names listed here, but even if there were, it would not make any difference.

Acts 4:13-20 – When we are with Jesus, we can be bold!

I Corinthians 12:23

Ordinary people can be useful to God.

Ruth 4:22 – Ruth ended up playing a small but pivotal role in the coming of Christ.

Haggai 2:20-23

When we are with God, the best is yet to come!

Our love, continued:

Romans 12:9-10

I Corinthians 13:1-3 – Love should be the motivation behind our actions. If love is missing, something else will fill the void.

I Corinthians 13:4-7 – Love does what is best for others.

I Corinthians 13:8 – Love is always needed to do anything in a way that pleases God.

I Corinthians 13:13 – Love continues even after time is over and faith and hope are no longer necessary.

Mark 12:20-31 – To love God with all your heart, you must prevent all other things from stealing any small part of your heart. To love your neighbor as yourself, you have to look out for their best interests, not just your own.

I John 4:7-21

Grace is one of the most abused topics by religious people today.

Romans 11:5-6

Ephesians 2:8-9

Acts 10:34-35

James 2:24

Saved:

Excluded:

Sinlessness (I John 1:8-10)

Devising one’s own plan

Any man’s plan

God’s offer

Boastful work

Man’s faith

Man’s obedience

Joshua 6

❌

❌

✔

II Kings 5

❌

❌

✔

John 9

❌

❌

✔

Mark 16:16

❌

❌

✔

I John 1:7

❌

❌

✔

The answer to any kind of erroneous teaching is always learning God’s truth.

Ephesians 4:14, 11-13

Colossians 2:4, 8; 1:9-10

II Timothy 4:3-4, 1-2, 5

Deuteronomy 4:9 – They were to teach their children.

Ephesians 6:4 – The same instruction applies to us today.

Acts 18:24-28 – Aquila and Priscilla surely had some Bible discussions at home to be able to teach others like this.

God’s grace

Jesus’ sacrifice

Holy Spirit’s work

Some facts about the Bible

God’s design of the local church

The truth about marriage

Judgment and eternity

Speech, continued:

Righteousness

Righteousness brings blessings, wickedness brings trouble.

Proverbs 10:7, 16; 11:6-10; 12:21; 13:6, 21; 14:34; 15:6; 16:18; 20:7; 28:1; 29:6

Some of these proverbs were especially true in Old Covenant Israel, to whom God made some unique promises of provision and blessings. Otherwise, these are general truths, and there will be exceptions Psalms 73:1-28. These proverbs remind us that God’s way is the best way. Living righteously leads to a life on solid ground.

Righteousness in leadership

Proverbs 28:12, 28; 29:2; 31:8-9 – People rejoice when there is righteous leadership.

Romans 13:3-4 – Leaders are supposed to punish evil.

God’s love, continued:

John 15:9-17 – Jesus was the ultimate example of love.

Psalms 86:15; 136:1-26 – God showed His steadfast love for man repeatedly throughout history, and that love endures forever.

Romans 5:1-11 – If we have the love of God, we receive joy and peace.

Ephesians 2:1-10

Romans 8:31-39

Our love

The world often uses love purely as an emotion. Love also does not mean you overlook someone’s sin.

Romans 12:9-10 – Love without brother affection doesn’t exist!

Speech

The virtue of being quiet

James 1:26

Proverbs 10:8, 19; 11:13; 13:3; 17:27-28; 21:23; 23:9; 25:11-12

John 8:1-9 – Jesus was a master at saying the right thing at the right time.

Slow down

Proverbs 15:28; 18:13, 17; 29:20

Ephesians 4:29-32 – Bad attitudes adversely affect our speech. We should speak only what edifies.

James 3:8-12

Acts 19:32; 21:29 – People can get enraged without even knowing what happened or what they should be upset about!

Proverbs 6:4-5

Using speech for evil

Proverbs 10:18; 11:9; 16:27-28; 18:6-8; 20:19

Evil speech can spread so much discord.

Not all personal or negative communication about others is wrong. Motivation plays a key role. II Timothy 4:14-15; I Corinthians 1:11; Galatians 2:11-14; III John 1:9-10

Using speech for good