Foundation Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:17 NIV

Focus: Just Pray

Prayer Points:
1. Ask in prayer
2. Seek God’s face first
3. Knock to open the door
4. Pray for Sunday Services

Writing 700 years before the birth of Christ, Isaiah prophesied that a Child would be born, that a Son would be given. By stating the prophecy in this way, Isaiah revealed the unique duality of the boy that was to be born. He said, "For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given." In the Hebrew language, the term child speaks of human birth. On the other hand, the word Son can be seen as speaking of His relationship to the Father. As a child, Jesus was born to a human mother. As a Son, Jesus was linked to His divine Father.

Isaiah caught the duality of Jesus' nature in the profound words he used to describe the marvelous gift that would be given.

Jesus had an earthly mother but no earthly father.

Jesus had a heavenly Father but no heavenly mother.

He is the most special child ever born. He is the gift of God to you and to me. Christmas is more than a special feeling in the air. We celebrate more than goodwill and love among people at Christmas. The day is special because God entered into human flesh to become the greatest gift the world has or ever will experience. I like to call Jesus the gift that keeps on giving. I want you to see why we can rightly make this claim about the Son that was given.

When God sent His Son into our world, He gave us a gift that we desperately needed! Many people have not accepted this gift because they do not know what they need. But that does not change the reality of the situation. God looked down on a world that was stained with sin and bound for eternal judgment and then gave us the best heaven had to give

People give expensive gifts to the people they love the most. God must have loved you very much to send His only begotten Son into human form to live, suffer and die in your place.

Jesus came to be the light of the world.

Our world was in the grip of terrible, spiritual darkness. When Christ was born. The Father hung a star in the sky above Bethlehem to symbolize the light giving ministry that Jesus came to fulfill.

Jesus came to give us eternal life.

He came to provide victory over sin, hell, death and the grave!

Yes, the gift of Bethlehem is a gift we all need!

2. This gift actually works.

Most of us have received gifts at Christmas that did not work. That gadget that does not work is often bought on sale and cannot be returned. So, you’re stuck with it!

God made a promise and fulfilled the promise with the divine provision. This gift, His Son, is real!

A. We see this in how He displays His power.

"The government shall be upon His shoulders."

“Government” refers to Jesus, who was born to have the responsibility of ruling the earth. Those who come to Him have the responsibility of allowing Him to give them direction and lead their lives.

B. We see this in the definition of His Person as our Wonderful Counselor.

We live in a cynical age. We live in a time when it seems all promises are futile and useless. But God's promises in Christ are real and true! He is a promise you can believe!