Self! (Your Gift to Jesus #2)

(Sunday message for House Church and individual use: preached 12/6 – 12/12/2020)

“Baby no. 1 was born after 22 hours of sweating with five other laboring women, miserable drug-induced contractions and ultimately a C-section.

“Years later, my doctor lied about supporting a normal birth and scheduled another C-section, but during my 50-hour labor I switched doctors!

“For the third, I sobbed through pulses of agony to pass my silent fetus. I didn’t feel ready, but four months later a rainbow found her way into my womb.

“No. 4 would be different! I prepared with a trusted midwife, a team of friends, Hypnobirth, daily partner massage, Spinning Baby exercises, acupuncture, raspberry leaves, nettles and, most importantly, painting therapy to overcome my fears. During a day of gentle contractions, I danced, nested and baked a birthday cake. As the sun set, I slid into a warm tub, and in 20 minutes, wondrous Samaira reached earth, en caul at home, caught by my own hands.” (“8 Moms Share Their Birth Stories.” ParentMap, 11 Sep. 2017, https://www.parentmap.com/article/8-moms-share-their-birth-stories. Accessed 06 Dec. 2020.)

“An en caul birth is when the baby comes out still inside an intact amniotic sac (caul). This might make it look like your newborn is completely gift-wrapped in a soft, jello-like bubble. An en caul birth is also called a “veiled birth.” This rare thing of beauty happens in less than 1 in 80,000 births.” (“What Is an En Caul Birth?” Healthline Media, 20 Dec. 2019, www.healthline.com/health/pregnancy/en-caul-birth. Accessed 06 Dec. 2020.)

“For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pains.” (Matthew 24:7-8, NASB)

1. God creates a perfect world.
2. Man corrupts the world by bringing sin into it.
3. God destroys and then recreates the world through water.
4. God sends his Son to pay for our sins.
5. God sends his Son back to reign no Earth for 1,000 years.
6. God destroys and then recreates a perfect world through fire.
7. God reigns on Earth… forever!

Bible reading from Luke 2:1-7:

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.

2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)

3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)

5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

(Luke 2:1-7)

I. Give your soul to Jesus!

A. Like a woman who gives everything to prepare for her child to be born.

“To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.” (Luke 2:6)

B. Or else just let it all go… and allow yourself to lose the baby!

“For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Matthew 16:26)

II. Give your sins to Jesus!

A. Like a woman who endures the worst… to give birth to her child!

“And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.” (Luke 2:7)

B. Or don’t give birth… and have the baby rot inside until you die!

“Then said Jesus again unto them, I go my way, and ye shall seek me, and shall die in your sins: whither I go, ye cannot come.” (John 8:21)

III. Give your salvation to Jesus!

A. Like a mother who, after giving and enduring everything, is rewarded… with a newborn life that will now always be in her life!

“And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.” (Luke 2:8)

B. Or go through life on Earth, and then out into eternity… without Christ ever being born in you!

“But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.” (Romans 8:9)

Conclusion: He will have you and you will have him!

“And she brought forth her firstborn son,

“and wrapped him in swaddling clothes,

“and laid him in a manger;

“because there was no room for them in the inn.” (Luke 2:8)

OUTLINE:

Self! (Your Gift to Jesus #2)

(A Message to the Multitudes)

“And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.” (Luke 2:8)

I. Give your soul to Jesus!

II. Give your sins to Jesus!

III. Give your salvation to Jesus!

WORSHIP:

The Best Christmas Song I’ve Ever Heard (It Will Give You Chills)

Opening:

Chris Tomlin – What Child Is This? (Live/Lyrics And Chords) ft. All Sons & Daughters

Message:

Birthday Of A King Lyrics