Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for December 23, 2018

Christmas Message

“Doing the Humanly Impossible”   Luke 1:34-38   Bible Study   12/23/18

In anticipation of Christmas, we turn our attention this morning to Luke’s account of some key details leading up to the birth of Jesus. Luke is the only gospel writer who records the foretelling of the births of John the Baptist and Jesus. By focusing our attention on both the similarities and differences between these events, Luke teaches us important truths about the power of God, the preeminence of Jesus and our response to the One who does the humanly impossible.

-summary of Luke 1:1-2:20
-an emerging pattern and an invitation to compare/contrast

1. The Power of God

• prediction of births (1:13 and 1:31)
• nature of births (1:7 and 1:35-36)

2. The Preeminence of Jesus

• words of John the Baptist (Matt. 3:11 and John 3:30)
• affirmation of Gabriel (1:32-33)

3. Our Response to the One who does the humanly impossible

• Zechariah: “I can’t be sure.” (1:18-20)
• Mary: “I don’t understand.” (1:34)
• explanation and declaration (1:35-38)

4. So What?

• Because God excels at doing the humanly impossible, trust His promises.
• “The Son of God became man to enable men to become the sons of God.” (Lewis)
• “…If Christian mission doesn’t flow from and toward the worship of the Incarnate One, we’re really just running around the hamster wheel…Whatever condescensions and sacrifices we embrace along the path of gospel advance, they simply will not hold a candle to the Light of the world and his divine stooping to take our humanity and endure the excruciating death on our behalf.” (David Mathis)
• Stand on the promises of God this Christmas!