The Christmas Journey

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The Christmas Journey Luke 2:1-7 Steve Holdaway, LifeSpring Church 12.20.15 The Big Idea: If God can direct history, kings, and events to cause Christ to be born in Bethlehem to fulfill a 700 year-old prophecy, you can trust him to direct your life. The Prophecy: Micah 5:2 But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose origin is from of old, from ancient days. Luke 2:1-7 ESV In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. Will you trust God when you don’t understand his plans? Will you trust God when your journey gets difficult? Will you trust God’s good purpose for your journey? SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD: A theological term which refers to the unlimited power of God, who has sovereign control over the affairs of nature and history (Isa. 45:9-19; Rom. 8:18-39). The Bible declares that God is working out His sovereign plan of redemption for the world and that the conclusion is certain. (from Nelson's Illustrated Bible Dictionary) Isaiah 45:5-6 5 I am the Lord, and there is no other; apart from me there is no God. I will strengthen you, though you have not acknowledged me, 6 so that from the rising of the sun to the place of its setting men may know there is none besides me. I am the Lord, and there is no other.