"Why The Nativity?" by Dr. David Jeremiah video excerpt

12/14/2025 morning worship service Pastor Anthony Fields " "The Miracle of the Method" Luke 2: Romans 1 I. God's methods transcend us Part of the miracle of Christmas is the miracle of the method. God's methods are different than our methods. II. God's methods include us God uses ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary things! 1 Corinthians 1:26-29 IlI. God's methods sanctify us God is at work in our lives in ways that we don't and maybe can't fully comprehend. This requires us to believe what He has promised us." _____________________ "Where there is no love let us put love : and so, by your power, draw love out. Psalm 73:14 - 18 I have been afflicted all day long : and punished every morning Had I gone on speaking this way : I should have betrayed the generation of your children. When I tried to understand these things : it was too hard for me; until I entered the sanctuary of God :and discerned the end of the wicked. Surely, you set them in slippery places :you cast them down in ruin Where there is no love, let us put love : and so, by your power, draw love out." ____________________ "Lord, Help us not to despair when you 'seem' far away or when our walk with you proves treacherous. Give us grace to trust your presence even when we feel your absence. Amen" _____________________ "THINK ON THIS: Biblical JOY" Joy is lasting gladness, a promise from God, independent of circumstances, rooted in hope, faith in Jesus, and the presence of the Holy Spirit, contrasting with fleeting worldly happiness. It's a state of being found in God's presence, developed through trials (James 1:2), obedience, and trusting His promises manifesting as strength and an "inexpressible" glory that endures suffering. "Count it all joy...when you meet trials" (James 1:2). "In your presence there is fullness of joy" (Psalm 16:11) The announcement of Jesus' birth brought "great joy" (Luke 2). Rejoice always, pray continually, and focus on God's Word (Philippians 4:4)" ______________________ "The greatest of all the commandments is love" Mark12 28-34 By Jesus' time, the Jews had created hundreds of rules for following God. There were so many rules some leaders started sorting them into major and minor laws. ▪︎ What does it mean to love God with all your heart, mind and soul? ▪︎ What's one way you can love a co-worker, classmate, or neighbor this week? ▪︎ Think about your life before Jesus. What are some of the ways you were hard to love? How does that change your perspective on the hard-to-love people in your life today?"