The story is so familiar. Every year we stand in awe as the characters of Christmas move across the stage of history, each step taken in a drama choreographed by God Himself.




But ist's not just a story that brings the past alive for a few weeks each year. When the lessons learned from these 'Christmas people' are transfered into our lives, we become transformed. So let's take a good look at the Christmas cast and launch our living to a new level.




Take a step each Sunday of December ... 02, 09, 16, 23 ... see you at First Presbyterian in Brockville.




LONG FOR GOD – Zechariah Luke chapter 1

Anticipation/longing/waiting
… for a chance to serve … for a son … for a Saviour

Salvation: The Promise, The Plan, The Preparation

A few key phrases:
Vs. 17 = to make ready a people prepared for the Lord
Vs. 68 = God has come and redeemed His people
Vs. 77 = the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of sins

A few key themes:
1. ready
2. recognition
3. response
4. repentance
5. resolve

*** seek God: see God … mess with God: miss God ***


LISTEN FOR GOD part #2 of the Series – 4 Steps to a Better Life: Lessons Learned from the Cast of Christmas – Mary & Joseph
Rev. D. Johns December 09, 2007

Introduction
Consider these two reasons why we might have difficulty hearing God:
1. We are in such a hurry
2. We live with so much noise

Elijah’s Experience (1 Kings 19)
He did not hear God in the wind or the earthquake or the fire. Elijah did hear God in a ….. “still, small voice” (KJV)
….. “gentle whisper” (NIV)
….. “low murmuring sound” (NEB)
….. “sound of sheer silence” (Rob Bell)

Habakuk 2:20 = “The Lord is in his temple; let all the earth be silent before him.”

Deuteronomy 27:9,10 = “Moses said to Israel: ‘Be silent and listen! You are the people of the Lord. Obey your God and follow his commands.’”

Psalm 4:4 = “Search your hearts and be silent.”

Why is listening to God so important? (see Proverbs 4:4)



The experience of Mary (Luke 1:26-38) & Joseph (Matthew 1:18-25)

· How did they hear from God?
· How did they show they were listening?

For Personal Reflection

· Does all the noise in our lives make it hard to hear God?
· Do you ever intentionally surround yourself with noise? – with silence?
· Do you ever wish God’s voice would be louder in your life?


LIVE FOR GOD part #3of the Series – 4 Steps to a Better Life: Lessons Learned from the Cast of Christmas – the Shepherds
Rev. D. Johns December 16, 2007
Luke 2:8-20

The shepherds teach us to …

1. Live responsibly (vs. 8) “keeping watch over their flocks”
2. Live responsively (vs. 16, 17) “hurried of…spread the word”
3. Live reverently (vs. 20) “glorifying and praising God”

After reading this account, we can see that …

1. No one is EXCLUDED (vs. 8 – 10) = “good news for all people" + God reveals Himself to lowly shepherds
2. All leads must be EXPLORED (vs. 15 – 16) … Lee Strobel in The Case for Christmas says that the shepherds were like first century investigative reporters or detectives
3. The circle must be EXPANDED (vs. 17, 18) … good news to share, no secrets





Sunday December 23, 2007 Rev. Doug Johns

Teaching Outline: Series: 4 Steps to a Better Life Lessons Learned from the Cast of Christmas Part #4 “Look For God" (The Magi) Matthew 2: 1-12

A Poor Example: Herod
(the ultimate "power-trip" ...misused, misled, mistreated)
A Good Example: The Magi
DEVOTION (verse 11a) "they saw the child with His mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshipped Him."
DEDICATION (verse 11b) "opening their treasures, they presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh."
DIRECTION (verse 12) "warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route."
Conclusion:
We are all traveling towards a destination in life– we’re going somewhere with our lives. The question is: where?
All of us bow down to something/someone in life. The question is: to whom/what?
All of us prioritize the allocation of our precious personal resources. The question is: who/what guides our giving?
Sometimes our lives need to be re-directed. The question is: Are we trusting God to point us in the right direction?
* * * *
2 Chronicles 30: 18, 19 = “May the Lord pardon everyone who sets his heart on seeking God."
1 Chronicles 28: 9 = "The Lord searches every heart and understands every motive behind the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will be found by you.”
Isaiah 55: 6 = "Seek the Lord while He may be found; call on Him while He is near."
Hebrews 11:6 = "God rewards those who earnestly seek Him."