The Big Picture of Christmas

Notes: The Big Picture of Christmas

Greg Laurie

Sunday, December 17, 2017

John 1:1

Music: Phil Wickham

The detailed Christmas story is in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke.

John goes back way before that night in Bethlehem.

John 1:1-5 NLT

[1] In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. [2] He existed in the beginning with God. [3] God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him. [4] The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. [5] The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.

1. Jesus is God.

Before there was matter in this universe there was Jesus.

When He was born in Bethlehem He was deity in diapers.

2. Jesus, who was and is, be a,e flesh.

God literally walked among us.

1 John 1:3 NLT

[3] We proclaim to you what we ourselves have actually seen and heard so that you may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.

You cam have fellowship with God.

Certain things get etched in our minds. Certainly a disciple walking with God could be one of those events.

The birth and death of Jesus is so significant that we divide human time by it.

Jesus’ life was recorded in the Gospels but secular writers also wrote about Him. Josephus was one of the most famous.

These accounts were written in the lifetimes of the people who could prove or dispute if they were true. The people of the time did not dispute these things written in the Gospels.

Deity was shown when Jesus woke from a nap and stopped a storm. He became human without ceasing being God.

The Father and Son were continually together.

John 1:1 NLT

[1] In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God.

Jesus came to our place, He took our place and then He invites us back to His place.

You follow a God that understands what you are going through.

This time of year can be a very stressful or sad time for many. This time is not about let snow or cheer. The message of Christmas is that God is with you.

God knows what your issues are and he wants to keep your life in order.

3. God, who became Man, shined his light on humanity.

John 1:4-5 NLT

[4] The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. [5] The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.

Man can not fix our problems.

John 1:5 NLT

[5] The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.

A nonbeliever will never understand what happened to you when you put your faith into Jesus Christ.

Most nonbelievers will look at you as kind of a drag. Embrace the tension, it’s a good thing. Be loving and caring and be happy to be different. Shine that light.

Pray for the meal at Christmas, you will have the the attention of them all. It’s a great time to share the Gospel with everyone. 

John 1:9 NLT

[9] The one who is the true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.

The light is not “in” every person, it is “shined on” every person.

Jeremiah 29:13 NLT

[13] If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.

3 ways you are not going to become a Christian:

John 1:12-13 NLT

[12] But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. [13] They are reborn-not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.

1. “Who were born, not of blood.”

You aren’t born as a Christian just because your family is.

2. “Nor of the will of the flesh.”

It has nothing to do with desire. You must go humbly before God.

3. “Nor of the will of man”

We must go to God and ask.

Most gifts are forgotten, but some gifts last. They become more valuable with the passage of time. The gift of eternal life is a gift that becomes more valuable with the passage of time.

The gift of Eternal Life is the most precious gift you have.

How do you receive that gift; reach out and receive it, hold on to it, enjoy it, and remember to say thank you!