Grace Church
The Story of Christmas #1 - The People in the Story
Our December series, "The Story of Christmas," tells the familiar story of Christmas from a variety of perspectives.
Locations & Times
Grace Community Church
8950 M-79, Nashville, MI 49073, USA
Sunday 10:00 AM
It's Christmas time! As Christians, we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.
When we think of the Christmas story, there are many characters that come to mind. Some of those are biblical, some are secular.
It seems as if our secular media promotes and has crowded out the biblical Christmas characters. If we aren't careful, this will affect us, if it hasn't already.
When we think of the Christmas story, there are many characters that come to mind. Some of those are biblical, some are secular.
It seems as if our secular media promotes and has crowded out the biblical Christmas characters. If we aren't careful, this will affect us, if it hasn't already.
What does Christmas mean to you today?
If we're honest, it's probably a mixture of feel-good stories, a dose of Hollywood, a sprinkling of Hallmark, a good portion of family tradition, a slice of cultural celebration, and covered with a healthy sprinkling of religious teaching.
We should always ask ourselves, how much of our Christmas is truly Biblical? The reason for this series is to provide a Biblical framework for our thinking, our hearts, our actions, and our relationships.
If we're honest, it's probably a mixture of feel-good stories, a dose of Hollywood, a sprinkling of Hallmark, a good portion of family tradition, a slice of cultural celebration, and covered with a healthy sprinkling of religious teaching.
We should always ask ourselves, how much of our Christmas is truly Biblical? The reason for this series is to provide a Biblical framework for our thinking, our hearts, our actions, and our relationships.
The Bible presents the Christmas story in two main chapters of the Bible. Matthew 1 and Luke 2. In these two chapters, the focus is on three main characters:
- A Man: his name is Joseph
- A Mother: her name is Mary
- The Messiah: his name is Jesus
This morning we will center our attention on just one of these main characters.
Matthew 1:18-25
- A Man: his name is Joseph
- A Mother: her name is Mary
- The Messiah: his name is Jesus
This morning we will center our attention on just one of these main characters.
Matthew 1:18-25
Joseph: A man who demonstrated FAITHFULNESS.
Not much attention is given to Joseph, but here are some things we do know about him.
His family genealogy is provided in Matthew 1:1-17 and is called the royal lineage.
Not much attention is given to Joseph, but here are some things we do know about him.
His family genealogy is provided in Matthew 1:1-17 and is called the royal lineage.
vv. 18-19
We learn that Joseph is pledged to be married to Mary. At this time, marriage was a very long process.
Joseph found that his soon-to-be wife was with-child and the circumstances for which were suspect and virtually impossible to believe.
Joseph is called a righteous man which means he was recognized as someone who honored God.
Joseph sought a way to spare Mary from unimaginable disgrace, and even the loss of her life. He could have:
- publicly chosen to accuse her of infidelity
- bitten the bullet and claimed that he was the father
- considered divorce
We learn that Joseph is pledged to be married to Mary. At this time, marriage was a very long process.
Joseph found that his soon-to-be wife was with-child and the circumstances for which were suspect and virtually impossible to believe.
Joseph is called a righteous man which means he was recognized as someone who honored God.
Joseph sought a way to spare Mary from unimaginable disgrace, and even the loss of her life. He could have:
- publicly chosen to accuse her of infidelity
- bitten the bullet and claimed that he was the father
- considered divorce
vv. 20-21
In the midst of Joseph mulling his options, we read in these verses that God sent him an angel with a message.
He is reminded of God's placement in his life, of God's peace, of God's plan, of God's pleasure, and of God's purpose.
In the midst of Joseph mulling his options, we read in these verses that God sent him an angel with a message.
He is reminded of God's placement in his life, of God's peace, of God's plan, of God's pleasure, and of God's purpose.
vv. 22-23
Here we see God giving assurance to Joseph through His word.
Joseph as a devout Jew and a student of the Scriptures would have been very familiar with the prophet Isaiah and his predictions of the coming Messiah.
Isaiah 7:14
Isaiah 9:6
If we truly want to know God's will we should follow Joseph's example when facing a problem.
1. Live a righteous life so we are in the will of God.
2. Pray about the issues we face.
3. Be a student of the Scriptures so the Lord can use these as He said in Psalm 119:105.
Here we see God giving assurance to Joseph through His word.
Joseph as a devout Jew and a student of the Scriptures would have been very familiar with the prophet Isaiah and his predictions of the coming Messiah.
Isaiah 7:14
Isaiah 9:6
If we truly want to know God's will we should follow Joseph's example when facing a problem.
1. Live a righteous life so we are in the will of God.
2. Pray about the issues we face.
3. Be a student of the Scriptures so the Lord can use these as He said in Psalm 119:105.
v. 24
Here we read of the utter submission of Joseph to the will and word of God.
The quality of faithfulness is a great descriptive word for Joseph and indicates his devotion to God, to Mary, to his soon to be adopted Son, to the nation of Israel, and to all of humanity.
Here we read of the utter submission of Joseph to the will and word of God.
The quality of faithfulness is a great descriptive word for Joseph and indicates his devotion to God, to Mary, to his soon to be adopted Son, to the nation of Israel, and to all of humanity.
v. 25
This verse shows us an interesting situation...something that makes little sense in our modern world. We see a principle here that really needs to be taught to our children and grandchildren:
God rewards those who demonstrate their commitment to Him by prioritizing His will over their own desires.
This verse shows us an interesting situation...something that makes little sense in our modern world. We see a principle here that really needs to be taught to our children and grandchildren:
God rewards those who demonstrate their commitment to Him by prioritizing His will over their own desires.
Seven Closing Thoughts:
1. Joseph had a real relationship with God.
2. Joseph is known as a righteous person because he lived his life to honor God.
3. Joseph put others before himself.
4. Joseph obeyed God when he became aware of the Lord’s will.
5. Joseph chose to sacrifice and suffer for the sake of God and others.
6. Joseph stood up and led his family.
7. Joseph was an ordinary guy willing to be used by an extraordinary God.
1. Joseph had a real relationship with God.
2. Joseph is known as a righteous person because he lived his life to honor God.
3. Joseph put others before himself.
4. Joseph obeyed God when he became aware of the Lord’s will.
5. Joseph chose to sacrifice and suffer for the sake of God and others.
6. Joseph stood up and led his family.
7. Joseph was an ordinary guy willing to be used by an extraordinary God.
Breeze Church Management
At Grace we use a secure directory/giving service called Breeze Church Management. Creating your personal account allows you to contact others in the church family, keep your contact information updated, and keep track of your giving if that is important to you, and/or create an online giving account.
Use the link below to get started or to login if you already have an account.
https://gc3.org/login/CJ's Coffee Shop Pre-Order Link
https://gc3.org/cjs/Meet and Greet
Grace Church holds a Meet & Greet for those who are newer to Grace Church on the 4th Sunday of each month. Our next Meet & Greet will be held on December 22nd following the service in CJ's coffee shop. It is a great opportunity to meet the staff and leadership of Grace Church and learn a little more about the church. It also gives us an opportunity to learn a little about you! Contact Leslie Booher if you have any questions (leslie@gc3.org).
Coat Collection
The deacons at Grace Church are partnering with Helping Hands in Charlotte for a coat drive.
We are collecting new or gently used coats of any size to donate to Helping Hands. If you have these, please hang them in the Lost & Found coat rack next to the church office on or before December 1st. If anyone in the church has a need for a coat themselves or a loved one, please feel free to take a look and help yourself. Any questions, contact Denny Shaver (dennisshaver49@gmail.com).
We are collecting new or gently used coats of any size to donate to Helping Hands. If you have these, please hang them in the Lost & Found coat rack next to the church office on or before December 1st. If anyone in the church has a need for a coat themselves or a loved one, please feel free to take a look and help yourself. Any questions, contact Denny Shaver (dennisshaver49@gmail.com).
January/February Grace U Classes
Freed-Up Financial with Brian Krauss and John Mater 8:30 am on Sunday mornings beginning January 5th This class provides a Biblical perspective of stewardship as well as skills to help you control your finances in a God honoring way. The book can be purchased online or in CJ's ($10). Child care is offered if you sign-up by December 29th and note that you need child care. Foundations 1 with David Smith Sundays at 9:00 am beginning January 5th This class takes you deeper into the basic doctrines of the Bible. The book will be available in CJ's soon. Child care is offered if you sign-up by December 29th and note that you need child care. Get Out of the Boat 1 with Aaron Smith Monday evenings 6:30-7:30 pm beginning January 6th. This class will help you to respond to God's call to live with greater faith. The book can be purchased online or in CJ's ($12).
https://gc3.org/grace-university/Christmas Cards
If you have interest in sharing Christmas Card greetings with your Grace Church family, you can drop your cards at the Welcome Kiosk now through December 22nd. The Welcome Team will be sorting the cards and distributing them to families on Sunday mornings. Contact Leslie Booher (leslie@gc3.org) if you have any questions.
Christmas Tree Voting
Christmas Tree Voting
We have 8 Christmas Trees to vote on before and after the service on December 1st. Make plans to come early, grab at latte, and take a look at the trees.
The theme this year is The CHRISTmas Story!
Visit the Welcome Kiosk to cast your vote by writing the number of your favorite tree on a slip of paper and placing it in the red basket.
We have 8 Christmas Trees to vote on before and after the service on December 1st. Make plans to come early, grab at latte, and take a look at the trees.
The theme this year is The CHRISTmas Story!
Visit the Welcome Kiosk to cast your vote by writing the number of your favorite tree on a slip of paper and placing it in the red basket.
Wednesday Nights in CJ's
CJ's coffee shop will be open on Wednesday nights 6:00-7:30 pm. This is a great time to invite others and "pull up a chair" to have conversations.
Birthdays and Anniversaries We're Celebrating This Week!
Sunday, December 1st - Arianna Noteboom
Monday, December 2nd - LuAnn Campbell
Tuesday, December 3rd - Greg Bowers
Wednesday, December 4th - Bonnie Guigar
Saturday, December 7th - Rick Abbott
Monday, December 2nd - LuAnn Campbell
Tuesday, December 3rd - Greg Bowers
Wednesday, December 4th - Bonnie Guigar
Saturday, December 7th - Rick Abbott