Baby's First Christmas - Who is Jesus For?

Introduction:

Who is Jesus For? (Luke 2:1-21)

1. Jesus is for people who make Him Priority . (Luke 2:7)

   Colossians 1:18 - And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent...

2. Jesus is for who are actively Seeking Him. (Luke 2:8-16)

Proverbs 2:3-5 - ...if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God.

3. Jesus is for people who need a Savior . (Luke 2:11)

   Matthew 1:21 - She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.

   If our greatest need had been information, God would have sent us an educator;
   If our greatest need had been technology, God would have sent us a scientist;
   If our greatest need had been money, God would have sent us an economist;
   If our greatest need had been pleasure, God would have sent us an entertainer;
   But our greatest need was forgiveness, so God sent us a Savior.

   Mark 2:17 - "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners."

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Baby's First Christmas - Who is Jesus For?

Jeff Miller

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Small Group Discussion
Read Luke 2:1-21

1. What was your big “take-away” from this passage / message?
   

2. In what ways have you made Jesus a priority in your life? Have you been guilty of giving Him leftovers? If so, what changes do you need to make?
   

3. Why do you think God chose the shepherds to give the big birth announcement to?
   

4. How would you explain to a non-believer what it means to “seek the Lord”?

Breakout
Pray for one another.

Four Things Followers Must Forfeit

Introduction:

As a follower of Jesus
(Luke 9:51-62)...

1. I must abandon my Appetite to Judge . (Luke 9:51-56)
2. I must Concede my Comfort . (Luke 9:57-58)
3. I must part with my Priority Problem . (Luke 9:59-60)
4. I must Let Go of Looking Back . (Luke 9:61-62)

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Guest Speaker - Justin Cady - Four Things Followers Must Forfeit

Jeff Miller / Justin Cady

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Small Group Discussion
Read Luke 9:51-62

1. What is one thing that God revealed to you personally during the sermon?
   

2. Have you ever been in a situation where you were trying to help someone and they didn’t want your help? How did you handle that emotionally (or how should you have handled that)?
   

3. Which is the most challenging for you to give up: a judgmental attitude, a desire for comfort, a priority problem, or looking back?
   

4. Why is it difficult for followers of Jesus to sacrifice things for Him even when we know they aren’t good for us anyway?

Breakout
Pray for one another.

Avoiding The Destruction Of Distraction

Introduction:

When We Are Distracted, Even By A Good Thing (Luke 10:38-42):

1. We try to Do it all ourselves . (Luke 10:40)
2. We Worry . (Luke 10:41)
3. We don't Dwell in His presence . (Luke 10:42)

Ways To Keep The Focus On Jesus:

1. FIND: Your Prayer Room . (Matt 6:6)

   Matthew 6:6 - "But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you."

2. FIND: The real Reason behind the distraction.
3. FIND: Scripture with real answers. (Matt 6:24)

   Matthew 6:24 - "No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money."

4. FIND: Who will Keep me accountable ? (John 17:21)

   John 17:21 - "that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me."

How I will take action today?

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Guest Speaker - Matt Koll - Avoiding The Destruction Of Distraction

Jeff Miller / Matt Koll

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Small Group Discussion
Read Luke 10:38-42

1. What is one thing that God revealed to you personally during the sermon?
   

2. Have you identified what distracts you the most from seeking after the Lord daily?
   

3. Why do you think Jesus calls us to "shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret"? What does it mean to have Him as our reward when we do this?
   

4. Have you taken the time to memorize Scripture? If so, how do you feel it impacts how you live out your day?
   

5. What steps do you feel you need to take to not allow the things you enjoy (entertainment, social media, etc.) become idols and distractions?
   

6. Do you feel like you have the right amount of Christian accountability in your life? Are you that accountability partner in someone else's life? How have you seen that be effective?

Breakout
Pray for one another.

We're Expecting! We Expect Joy!

Introduction:

How to Live in the Joy of the Lord (Luke 1:39-56)

1. Magnify the Lord. (Luke 1:46-47)
2. Minimize myself. (Luke 1:48)
3. Meditate on God's work. (Luke 1:49-55)
   1. Get Personal . (Luke 1:49)
   2. Get Hopeful . (Luke 1:50-53)
   3. Get Reflective . (Luke 1:54-55)

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We're Expecting! - We Expect Joy!

Jeff Miller

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Small Group Discussion
Read Luke 1:39-56

1. What was your big “take-away” from this passage / message?
   

2. You want joy? Give thanks like Mary did in Luke 1:49-55!
   List 1-3 things from each category.
   Things I am thankful for:
   I am thankful right now God is _____________.
   I am thankful God promised to _____________.
   I am thankful that in the past, God has _____________.

Breakout
Pray for one another. Merry Christmas!

We're Expecting! We Expect a King.

Introduction:

What Kind of King Is This? (Luke 1:26-38)

1. As God, Jesus Rules over me. (Luke 1:32, 35)
2. As Man, Jesus Relates to me. (Luke 1:31)

   Hebrews 2:17 - Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect...

Hebrews 4:14-16 - Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

3. As Savior, Jesus Rescued me. (Luke 1:31)

   Matthew 1:21 - She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
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We're Expecting! - We Expect a King

Jeff Miller

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Small Group Discussion
Read Luke 1:26-38

1. What was your big “take-away” from this passage / message?
   

2. Why was Zechariah disciplined for questioning God’s Word, but Mary wasn’t? Support your answer. (hint: see Luke 1:38)
   

3. How would you respond to someone who asks, “Why should I bow down to Jesus now?”
   

4. How does it encourage YOU knowing that Jesus has experienced everything human beings experience?

Breakout
Pray for revival in Pittsburgh! Pray that area churches would faithfully preach God’s Word, and the Spirit would open hearts to receive Jesus Christ.