GETTING THE MOST OUT OF CHRISTMAS!

LUKE 2:1-7

I. FOCUS YOUR PRIORITIES ON HIM [V. 8-20]

1. Be awed by God's awesomeness! [v. 8-9]

Another shepherd, David was!

Psalm 4:4 Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah
Psalm 33:8 Let all the earth fear the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him.
Psalm 119:161 Princes have persecuted me without a cause: but my heart standeth in awe of thy word.

2. Be comforted by God's comfort! [v. 10-14]

Psalm 23:4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Isaiah 49:13 Sing, O heavens; and be joyful, O earth; and break forth into singing, O mountains: for the LORD hath comforted his people, and will have mercy upon his afflicted.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.

3. Be busy about God's business! [v. 15-20]

Luke 2:49 And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?

1 Thessalonians 4:11 And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you;

II. FORGE YOUR PARTNERSHIP WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT [V. 21-35]

1. Salvation is purposeful [v. 25-27]

Ephesians 4:30 And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

1 Thessalonians 5:19 Quench not the Spirit.

2 Timothy 1:9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began...

2. Salvation is in a Person [v. 28-30]

3. Salvation is personal [v. 31-35]

III. FIND YOUR PURPOSE IN HIM [V. 36-38]

1. Serve Him with your ability [v. 36-37]

2. Thank Him for your salvation [v. 38a]

3. Speak for Him about His salvation [38b]

GET THE MOST OUT OF CHRISTMAS!