DIVINE - THE RELATIONSHIPS OF CHRISTMAS (2 OF 3)
by Rich Wooten
Scripture: Luke 1:26-80, Luke 2:1-20
This content is part of a series.
Divine - The Relationships of Christmas (2 of 3)
Series: Divine
Richard Wooten
Luke 1:26-2:20
December 2008
Last week, we took a detailed look at the relationship between God and Man in the Christmas story and found that God is more than capable of working everything in our lives out! Nothing takes him by surprise. Nothing confuses him!
But for us, there are times when relationships get confusing. It is comforting to know that God truly is in control! That sets the foundation for all other relationships.
Relationship honor -
vertical -
horizontal -
Mary to God - Magnificat
Joseph to Mary - through dream, acceptance of duty, love
Wise Men to Jesus - bringing of gifts, journey of faith
Shepherds to Jesus - faith, response to encounter
Angels to Shepherd - good news, don't be afraid
Angels to Mary/Joseph - don't be afraid
Whenever people get together, the dynamics at play are pretty significant. Take this room for example - if we were to poll each person, we would find a wide variety of families represented here. Many income variations as kids as well as now. Some are outgoing, others are introverted. Some faced discrimination, others have perpetrated it, sub-tly or otherwise. Education differences. Food preferences. Married or single. Nerdy or jock (ode to Jr. High!).
So, what are we to do? How are we to handle this chasm which, if allowed, could separate the people of God into unnatural alliances. There is a relatively simple principle revealed in the Word for us to follow - it's found not in the Christmas story, but has great application within this grandest of revelations.
Romans 12:10 - "Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves."
This principle of 'honor' is lost in today's culture. We must harken back to the days of Knights and Fair Maiden's to gain a better understanding of honor. The dictionary definition is "high respect, esteem" and also "adherence to what is right o ...
Series: Divine
Richard Wooten
Luke 1:26-2:20
December 2008
Last week, we took a detailed look at the relationship between God and Man in the Christmas story and found that God is more than capable of working everything in our lives out! Nothing takes him by surprise. Nothing confuses him!
But for us, there are times when relationships get confusing. It is comforting to know that God truly is in control! That sets the foundation for all other relationships.
Relationship honor -
vertical -
horizontal -
Mary to God - Magnificat
Joseph to Mary - through dream, acceptance of duty, love
Wise Men to Jesus - bringing of gifts, journey of faith
Shepherds to Jesus - faith, response to encounter
Angels to Shepherd - good news, don't be afraid
Angels to Mary/Joseph - don't be afraid
Whenever people get together, the dynamics at play are pretty significant. Take this room for example - if we were to poll each person, we would find a wide variety of families represented here. Many income variations as kids as well as now. Some are outgoing, others are introverted. Some faced discrimination, others have perpetrated it, sub-tly or otherwise. Education differences. Food preferences. Married or single. Nerdy or jock (ode to Jr. High!).
So, what are we to do? How are we to handle this chasm which, if allowed, could separate the people of God into unnatural alliances. There is a relatively simple principle revealed in the Word for us to follow - it's found not in the Christmas story, but has great application within this grandest of revelations.
Romans 12:10 - "Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves."
This principle of 'honor' is lost in today's culture. We must harken back to the days of Knights and Fair Maiden's to gain a better understanding of honor. The dictionary definition is "high respect, esteem" and also "adherence to what is right o ...
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