We welcome you to Stone's Hill today!

A typical Stone's Hill service has:

* music (so feel free to sing out);

* some announcements (things that are upcoming that you can be a part of);

* a message out of the Bible (God speaks to us through his Word);

* and an opportunity for you to respond to the message (either immediately in the case of a decision that needs to be made OR in the future as you live out the message in your daily life.)

So relax and enjoy your morning! We're so glad you are here!

MESSAGE TEXT
Luke 2:1-7
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INTRODUCTION
I love Christmas. Christmas decorations, cards, and music, TV specials and concerts. But what is at the heart of it? But what is the reason for it? More specifically, what is the problem that God is seeking to resolve in sending us His son. Christmas isn’t just a story to make us feel cozy and warm because “Baby, It’s Cold Outside”. Christmas is about family, friends, and peace on earth. It’s Jesus’ birthday! But, Christmas is about God’s plan to do something. Christmas is God’s plan to do something about sin and evil and suffering and death and deal with it for good. Two thousand years ago the creator of the universe, the eternal God, entered human history as a baby. The creator of the universe put on humanity. The Lord of heaven came to live on earth.
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PROPOSITION
In Luke 2:1-7, Luke is answering THREE QUESTIONS that everybody has. He provides THREE SETTINGS as a backdrop for the THREE KINGS that show up in our passage. The passage in Luke 2 gives us three settings. Luke gives us a world setting in Rome. He gives us a national setting with Israel. And he gives us a personal setting with Mary in a small town.
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Did Christmas really happen? Luke answers “Definitely historical.” An Earthly King Over Rome (Luke 2:1-3)
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Is Mary’s baby Israel’s Messiah? Luke answers “Decisively hopeful.” A Sovereign King Over Nations (Luke 2:4-5)
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Is this story for everybody? Luke answers “Deliberately humble.” An Infant King for All People (Luke 2:6-7)
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INSIGHTS
What does the incarnation of Christ teach us in Luke 2? 1. God is not a distant ruler. 2. God takes the initiative. 3. God has an eternal plan. 4. God reveals Himself in Christ. 5. God provides a way to Himself. 6. God demonstrates His love to us. 7. God loves to rescue sinners.
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CONCLUSION
Artist Kevin Carden shows the first and last breath of Jesus in this piece – the crying scream of a baby just born and the crying of victory on the cross. The most beautiful thing in the whole world was in an old ugly feed trough. From the splendor of heaven Christ came to the squalor of earth. for your sake This is the story of Christ, from riches to poverty. Jesus Christ says, “You can’t save yourself. I didn’t come to show you how you can get saved. I’ve come to save you. I’ve come to do what you should have done but can’t. I’ve come to take the penalty for your sins.” He gets what we deserve. His rejection means our acceptance. He was rejected for our transgressions. He was our substitute. That means his rejection has led to our acceptance. God accepts us because he was rejected. That’s the beauty of the way God works.