Better People

 Gtcotr/ss122125 

Jesus is a good person. You can see it in the things He did and the things He said.  

John 1:17  The law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 

We know the love and the grace of God because of Jesus. Like I said: “Jesus is a good person.” 

The Bible tells us He loved us before we loved Him. And that He laid down His life for us while we were yet sinful and ungodly. Becoming more like Jesus means becoming a better person. Christians, especially Christians, should be good people. 

Being a good person is often a choice. Being good is intentional. 

• · Christians are better people when they are patient. 
  
• o better neighbors, better parents, co-workers, and better spouses etc. 
  
• · We are better people when we are kind. 
  
• · We are better people when we are trustworthy. 
  
• · We are better people when we are humble. 
  
• · We are better people when we are thankful. 
  

These things are intentional. Goodness is a fruit of the Spirit. (Galatians 5:22 – goodness = virtuous beneficence and uprightness of heart & life)  

We may not get to choose what we go through but we do get to choose how we go through it.  

We’re hearing a lot this morning about goodness, but goodness is not the topic for today. The message for today is about Choices … specifically one choice Jesus made for Himself.  

Our text for today comes from what we call the Christmas Story. Let’s turn and read from the Gospel of Luke, chapter 2. 

Luke 2 NKJV 

1 ¶  And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 

2  This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. 

3  So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city. 

4  Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into 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 wife, who was with child. 

6  So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. 

7  And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. 

Those of us who know Jesus would all agree that He and His Father are intentional. When God does something, it’s on purpose. When we read the Bible, we learn what is right from the choices Jesus made. 

There is a common saying often used when people are facing choices: “What would Jesus do?” 

The Christmas story teaches several powerful principles. The truth we will focus on today deals with God’s decision to create mankind as a dependent creature. What do I mean when I say mankind is a dependent creature? 

Luke 2:7 And Mary brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger … 

Who wrapped baby Jesus and laid Him in a manger? Presumably, it was Mary; if not, it would have been Joseph. 

What does this teach us and why is it important? Because it shows us how dependent Jesus was, and everyone else is, on others. 

Jesus had a choice and He made the decision. Even though He was the Son of God and Creator of the Universe, Jesus trusted His life to a construction worker and a young girl, neither of whom had ever had a baby before. God chose unproven Joseph to be the stepfather of His only begotten Son Jesus, to protect Him, to provide for Him, to lead Him and guide Him through His early years.  

Jesus humbled Himself and submitted Himself to Mary and Joseph (Luke 2:51) – and subjected Himself to them. He needed them; He appreciated them; He obeyed them; and He loved them. 

This is not to say that Jesus could not have miraculously made it on His own … however … the Christmas story points to the fact that neither God nor Jesus ever intended to live life outside of dependency on others.  

If Jesus trusted other people, who are we to imagine we can be all God intended by acting, living, and making decisions all on our own, and without the influence and support of others God has placed in our lives. 

Philippians 2:8 tells us that Jesus humbled Himself and lived His life by the rules.  

The Christmas story and the Christmas season both teach the unwavering design of creation. God intends we all enter this life vulnerable, trusting, and depending on the kindness and the care of others. We need others and Jesus needs us. He goes a long way to build community. 

Are you allowing yourself to be vulnerable? I know it can be disappointing at times and sometimes it can even be devastating. However, both the Christmas Story and the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20) teach us that God depends on others. It’s time the walls come down. 

If you have trust issues, pray and ask God to help you make the right choices this Christmas. And … 

If you are the person others depend on … ask God to help you be trustworthy. 

Life is meant to be lived depending on others. We are better people when we are dependable.

THE ARRIVAL — PART 2 The Promise Fulfilled

INTRODUCTION

Christmas has a way of bringing people to church. Even people who don’t normally think much about church or the Bible still feel something during this season. There is something about Christmas that makes people want to go to church. Why? Because Christmas is more than just gifts, and decorations, and caroling songs. It is also about God sending His son in order to come close to His people. 

When we come to church on Easter and on Christmas, we often come in our best dressed outfits. We want to come at our best! We want to bring our best! We come to show that we can clean up pretty well also! However, Jesus does not require us to clean ourselves up before coming to Him. He does not require us to have it all together in order to come to Him. He does not require us to be perfect to be fit to come to Him. Instead, what the arrival of the Messiah in a manger shows us is that Jesus is for everyone.

But to understand why Jesus ’arrival mattered so much, we have to look at what came before the nativity. 

BEFORE THE ARRIVAL: GOD’S PROMISE

Long before Jesus was born, people were waiting. For centuries, God had been making promises to His people that one day He would send a Savior. Someone who would bring hope, forgiveness, and peace. Someone who would make things right again. 

These promises were written down over hundreds of years. Different prophets, living in different generations, all pointing to the same truth: God was going to send a redeemer. 

One of the clearest promises comes from the prophet Isaiah: 

Isaiah 9:6 — “For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. and His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” 

This promise told people to expect a child—but not an ordinary one. A child who would bring peace. 

Another promise explained where this Savior would come from: 

Micah 5:2 — “But you, Bethlehem…out of you will come for Me, one who will be ruler over Israel…” 

So people were waiting. 

Waiting for the child. 

Waiting for the Savior. 

Waiting for the King God had promised. 

And then—after all that waiting—Jesus arrived. 

That’s why Christmas is such a big deal. It’s not just the story of a baby being born. It’s the moment when God finally said, “its time.” And it was at that time that the long awaited Messiah had arrived. This was a big deal!! And when you read through the nativity story, you see how it is still a big deal today. Let’s talk about three reasons why the arrival of Jesus still matters to you today: 

1.   JESUS CAME FOR EVERYONE

When Jesus was born, God made a very intentional choice about how the news would be announced. He didn’t go first to kings, government leaders, or religious experts. Instead, the Bible tells us that angels appeared to shepherds—ordinary people who were working a normal job, out in the fields at night. 

The angel said: 

“I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people. Today… a Savior has been born to you.” — (Luke 2:10-11) 

Not for some people, not for most people, but for all people.

From the very beginning, God wanted everyone to know that Jesus did not come for a select group. He didn’t come only for people who were wealthy, powerful, educated, or religious. He came for everyday people living everyday lives. 

Shepherds were not considered important or influential in society. In fact, many people looked down on them. Yet God chose them to hear the announcement first. That tells us that He does not measure people the way the world does. He does not overlook people who feel ordinary, unseen, or unimportant. 

Later, we see the same message reinforced when wise men (outsiders from a different land) also come looking for Jesus (Matthew 2:1–11). These wise men are also referred to as “Magi” in Matthew 2. These Magi could have been scholars or astrologers from the East (Persia/ Babylon). These people studied stars, signs, and ancient writings. They were considered outsiders of the Jewish faith, nor did they grow up with all the Jewish customs and laws. 

 

They didn’t grow up with the same background or beliefs, yet they were welcomed to come to Jesus as well. Different people, different backgrounds, same invitation. 

This shows us that Jesus came for everyone—people from all backgrounds, all walks of life, and all stages of faith. No one was too far away. No one was excluded. 

The Christmas story would not be the same without Jesus in it. In the same way, Christmas is not the same today without Jesus in it. Will Jesus be with you for Christmas this season? If so, Jesus made room for everyone to come. Why? Because He came for everyone. Therefore, let us make room in our hearts for others to this Christmas because Jesus came for them as well. 

2.   PEOPLE CAME TO JESUS JUST AS THEY WERE

Once the invitation was given, the response was simple. 

When the shepherds heard the news, they didn’t overthink it. The Bible doesn’t say they questioned whether they were worthy or prepared. It simply says they looked at each other and said, “Let’s go.” And they went. 

Luke 2:15-16 

“15 So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger.” 

They didn’t change first. 

They didn’t prepare first. 

They didn’t qualify first. 

They came. 

Later, the wise men responded the same way. They didn’t have full understanding. They didn’t have all the answers. They followed the star they had, and it led them straight to where Jesus was. The Bible says that they rejoiced when they arrived.  

Matthew 2:11 — “And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him.” 

Again, these are people from the East! These were not jews, these were gentiles. And yet, not only were they welcomed, but they fell down and worshipped Jesus. Pretty cool! But they did not have to change who they were to fit in the “Jewish way,” but they came as they were. 

This matters because it shows us that Jesus doesn’t place conditions on how people come to Him. He doesn’t say, “Fix your life first,” or “Know more first,” or “Be better first.” Jesus was not expecting people to be perfect (and neither should we). 

The Christmas story shows us that coming to Jesus comes before change, not after it. Jesus wants you to come as you are. Come.

3.   THE INVITATION IS STILL OPEN: COME TO JESUS

After Jesus arrived, something important became clear very quickly: the invitation didn’t stop with the shepherds or the wise men. What began at the manger continued throughout Jesus ’life. 

Jesus consistently invited people to come to Him. 

Matthew 11:28 — “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” 

An invitation was extended to people at the arrival of Jesus, and people came, people experienced Jesus, and people left changed. Jesus continued that invitation throughout His life and into His ministry. He said to all people, “come to me!” And people came!  

People came sick, and they left healed. 

People came broken, and they left mended. 

People came in despair, and they left with hope. 

People came lost, and in Christ they were found. 

Today, Jesus continues to extend that same invitation. Today is saying, “Come to me…” Let me encourage you, come to Jesus today! Lay down your heavy burdens and come to Him. The best thing we can do is come to Jesus! Let us come to Him and let us return to Him. Allow His love and forgiveness to wash over you, receive His grace and His mercy, and allow the Holy Spirt to transform you from the inside out. 

John 6:37 — “All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out.” 

Jesus makes it clear that anyone who comes to Him will not be turned away. Allow the burdens of your heart and your life to be left at the feet of Jesus and receive the portion that He has for you today. 

The best gift we can give this Christmas is Jesus in our heart and an invitation for others to come to Jesus as well. Let me encourage you, extend an invitation to your loved ones this season.  

TAKEAWAYS

• 1. Come to Jesus (receive His invitation) 
  
• • Regardless of where you are with Christ, come to Him
  
• • Come as you are, you don’t have to get yourself all together
  
• • Receive His free gift of salvation and receive His forgiveness
  
• • Allow His grace to trade your burdens with His peace
  
• • Receive His invitation today
  
  
• 2. You don’t have to be perfect to lead people to Jesus 
  
• • The shepherds and the Magi came just as they were and they were not turned away
  
• • You don’t need to be perfect or have all the answers to lead your family and loved ones to Jesus
  
• • In the same way you come to Jesus as you are, go with Jesus as you are. Rely on His grace, His mercy, and His love to lead you with your loved ones.
  
  
• 3. Christmas is not the same without Jesus in it 
  
• • The Christmas story was not the same without Jesus in the manger.  
  
• • In the same way, Christmas is not the same without Jesus in it. 
  
• • In light of all the gifts, family gatherings, and all the holiday cheer, be sure to make room for the reason for the season. 
  

The Set Time A Calendar and A Clock

Gtcotr/ss121425 

Biblical prophecy is such a fascinating subject. Reading the recorded Biblical prophecies written hundreds and even thousands of years before an event happened and then comparing that prophecy with the historical facts of that event’s occurrence gives the reader such confidence in God’s Word. 

This morning as we continue in the Christmas spirit, we are going to take a brief look at some Biblical prophecies and discover how we can participate in the unfolding will of God for our day. 

About one thousand years before Christ, God blessed King Solomon with wisdom that was unmatched on the earth until the time of Christ. In the Book of Ecclesiastes King Solomon wrote: 

Ecclesiastes 3 NKJV 

1  To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven: 

11  God has made all things beautiful in its time … 

Without a doubt God has both a calendar and a clock. He knows the end from the beginning, and He knows each minute in between. God is not one bit surprised by what is going on today. It is impossible to throw Him a curve ball He cannot knock out of the park. 

Solomon’s father, King David, wrote in his day about a set time to come. 

Psalms 102:13  You will arise and have mercy on Zion; For the time to favor her, Yes, the set time, has come. 

Zion is the city of the great King … the place where Messiah rules and reigns supreme. David was prophesying in this Psalm about the birth of Jesus and what it would mean to God’s children when Messiah came. 

In the 8th century BC, just 200 years after King David and King Solomon, the prophet Isaiah wrote: 

Isaiah 7:14  “Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.” 

Isaiah 49:13  Sing, O heavens! Be joyful, O earth! And break out in singing, O mountains! For the LORD has comforted His people, And will have mercy on His afflicted. 

The prophet also knew that before the Messiah came, the children of God would grow weary, and many of them would imagine God had forsaken them. Isaiah continued: 

Isaiah 49 NKJV 

14  But Zion said, “The LORD has forsaken me, And my Lord has forgotten me.” 

15  “Can a woman forget her nursing child, And not have compassion on the son of her womb? Surely they may forget, Yet I will not forget you. 

16  See, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands; Your walls are continually before Me. 

17  Your sons shall make haste; Your destroyers and those who laid you waste Shall go away from you. 

Sons hurrying to Zion and enemies running from Zion. The book of Isaiah is often called The 5th Gospel because of the copious references to Messiah and what would take place at that set time. He further prophesied: 

Isaiah 51:11  Therefore the redeemed of the LORD shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head: they shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away. 

The promise of God was not only about joyful salvation but also about the deserved destruction of the enemies who constantly attack His Children. 

A promise from God is a sure thing. Even if a woman forgets her nursing child, yet the Lord will not forget you … He has inscribed you on the palms of His hands and He has a set time to draw you close and to also destroy those who trouble you. Of whom do I speak? Those who trouble you … 

• · It’s not your neighbor 

• · It’s not your ex … 
  
• · It’s not your last employer 
  
• · It’s not your sibling. 
  
• · It’s not the person who cut you off in traffic. 
  
• · It is the devil and his wicked evil demon spirits. 
  
• · Those you suppose are troubling you need prayer … they need to get saved and step into the will of God for their lives. 
  

The Bible says: 

Ephesians 6 NKJV 

12  For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 

13  Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 

14  Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 

15  and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 

16  above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 

17  And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 

18  praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints —  

We get dressed up like Jesus, then we go to war for Him, not against Him. 

People all throughout the communities of Southeast Texas and around the world are coming to Jesus in record numbers. Families, old adults, young children, moms and dads, grandparents, and teenagers from every strata of society are turning their lives over to Christ as never before.  

We are in a set time of the Lord’s favor on Zion. People are getting saved, born-again as a new creation in Christ, opening their hearts to the Word of God, and publicly proclaiming their faith in Jesus more than I have ever seen before in my whole lifetime. 

Israel is our time piece, and we are soldiers of the cross. 

The Word of the Lord today is this: It is time!

It’s time for you and your family to dedicate yourselves to the call of God in the earth. It is time for you to join, so dress up and join the fight.  

There came a time in the life of Joseph to answer the call of God. He was betrothed to a young lady named Mary from the town of Nazareth. His answer to God was yes. It wasn’t easy but it was doable.

 Joseph made room in his life for Jesus.

Joseph got dressed in the truth, he was right with God, he got his mind straight in line with God’s Word, put on his shoes and followed God’s directions.  

What can you do to answer the call? I’m glad you asked.  

Jesus loves you and I have a plan for your life … lol. Seriously – God needs your help to wage war against the devil and drive out the enemies trying to destroy the fabric of family and the call of God on our nation and the Church. 

Beginning Monday, January 5th, I am asking our congregation and those who will join us all over the world to: 

• 1. Dedicate the first Monday of each month in 2026 to God. 
  
• 2. Fast one meal each first Monday. (12 times during the year) 
  
• 3. Spend the time you would have eaten that meal in prayer for your family, our Church, and the nation. 
  
• 4. Join us here on campus or online at 6:30pm each First Monday, for 30 minutes of corporate praise, worship, and prayer. 
  

This will provide the baseline for our year of fasting, praise, and prayer. 

This word is for someone listening: What you are facing is not a set-back … it’s a set-up! God has been, is, and will be in control of that situation. He has the calendar and the clock.

The Arrival — Part I

(Luke 1:26-37)

INTRODUCTION

There are less than 3 weeks left until Christmas! That means Christmas parties galore, last minute Christmas shopping, and spending more money than we necessarily want to. Of course, there is much more to it than that. Spending time with family, reflecting on things we are thankful for, being a blessing to the people around us.

But there is a part of Christmas that makes it special; a silver lining that speaks to us in a different light. I believe that to be the God-Factor. That is, Christmas is more than just gifts and family, and decorations. Christmas is not Christmas without the “reason for the season.” 

But before there was a reason for the season, there was a purpose, there was a plan, and there was a person. That person was Mary. And the story of Mary teaches us an important lesson, that God is still at work in our lives. 

Today, we’re going to look at Mary’s story and see how her life relates to us today and how it can help us look at this season in a different light. As we dive in to Luke chapter 1, let us take a look at 3 lessons that we learn from Mary. 

1. GOD SHOWS UP RIGHT WHERE YOU ARE

Luke 1:26–27 — “In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph… The virgin’s name was Mary.” 

Luke is intentional with these details.  

Nazareth was insignificant. 

• • Small obscure village in Galilee 
  
• • Was not mentioned in the OT 
  
• • Not known for any religious significance 
  
• • Can anything good come from Nazareth? 
  
• • A town that people passed through, not visited 

• • Nazareth was the kind of place where nothing important ever happened 

Mary was unknown. 

• - Ordinary young woman 
  
• - No title, no platform, not influence 
  
• - Lived a normal quiet life 
  
• - Not educated or wealthy 
  
• - She would not have been considered a leader 
  
• - **God doesn’t choose people based on how known they are—He chooses based on how willing they are. 
  
• - Regardless of how insignificant you see yourself as, God can still use you in a significant way. 
  

Mary was not searching for a miracle. She was not praying for a sign. She was simply going about her day. And that’s often how God arrives—right in the middle of ordinary life. 

Whether things are going good or things are going bad, things are are easy or things are hard, regardless of the season new are in, God will meet you right where you are at.  

2. GOD’S PLANS ARE BIGGER THAN YOUR FEARS 

When the angel appears to Mary, his first words are full of encouragement: 

V. 28

“Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!”  

What a wonderful message that God has for Mary! 

“29 But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was.” 

But Luke immediately tells us that Mary is troubled by this greeting. This is something that is exciting! Yet, Mary is troubled, she is afraid. Fear often shows up when God is doing something new. Now, I don’t think that Mary was afraid because she lacked faith. I don’t think that was it at all. Instead, I believe she was afraid because she knew that her life was about to change and she was not prepared for it. 

That is something we all can relate to. Fear is birthed from uncertainty. Fear comes when the future feels unclear, when plans shift, and when life takes a turn when we didn’t expect it. We have all been there. However, one thing I have been reminded is the potential of a problem in our life. Pastor Ron preached a message on potential. I was encouraged when we were reminded that within every problem is the potential for God to do something great in our life. Problems do present challenges that many times produce fear. However, one thing we learn from this text is that God’s plans are bigger than our fears.  

Look at how the angel responds: 

“Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God.” 

In other words, God acknowledges her fear, but He does not allow fear to have the final word. Instead, He allows the potential of His purpose for her life to ring in her heart. 

Mary’s fear was real. However, it did not cancel God’s plan for her. Not only that, but her fear did not disqualify her either. Fear makes you focus on what you can’t do, shortcomings, or the obstacles that stand in your way. However, God looks beyond our obstacles and shortcomings into the His future plans that He has for our life. 

Why? Because His plans are bigger than our fears. We see that with God’s response to Mary: 

31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. 32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. 33 And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.” 

God responds to Mary’s fear with His future purpose for her life. 

This encourages me. Because you may not know all the plans that God has for you, you may not know what it will look like, you may not know how you are going to accomplish them, but one thing you do know is that God is going to do it. 

Whatever life brings you this Christmas, know that in the midst of your fear is God’s plan and future purpose through it all. 

3. GOD IS WITH YOU EVERY STEP OF THE WAY

Luke 1:34–37 

34 Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a man? 35 And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. 36 Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren. 37 For with God nothing will be impossible.” 

While God has a plan for Mary, He doesn’t say, “Figure this out on your own.” Instead, He says, “I will be with you.” He promises that He will be with her every step of the way. God was not expecting Mary to carry this calling alone, and neither are we. 

God is not asking you to do what He has called you to do all in one moment. He is not calling you to carry it out on your own. Instead, He plans to be right there with you every step of the way. 

I am sure Mary had no idea how she was going to do what God had called her to do. However, she didn’t have to. All the had to do was to be faithful where she was at. All she had to do was to trust God with the next step. 

Many times, that is all that God is asking us to do, to trust Him with the next step. You don’t have to figure it out all on your own. Why? Because God is with you every step of the way. All you have to do is to trust Him. How do you do that? By saying yes to Him in your ordinary life. It is through our yes in the ordinary that God is able to do the extraordinary through us.

38 “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” 

This is where Christmas truly began. Not in Bethlehem. Not in a manger. But in a heart that is surrendered to God. Mary’s “ordinary” yes made room for Jesus to enter the world in an “extraordinary” way. 

Similarly, when you say yes to God in your everyday ordinary life, Jesus is able to shine through you in extraordinary ways. You don’t have to have all the

answers. You don’t have to know how God is going to do it. All you have to do is trust God and know that He is with you every step of the way. 

TAKEAWAYS 

• 1. God meets you right where you are 
  
  
• 2. Fear does not have to be the final word in your life 
  
  
• 3. All God needs is for you to trust Him with the next step 

CLOSING

God was not asking Mary to do something extraordinary, He was asking her to say yes in her ordinary. This Christmas, God is not asking you to do something extraordinary. He is only asking you to say yes in your ordinary

It’s A Choice

 Gtcotr/ss120725 

Are you hungry? You can be … more about that later. 

Faith is man trusting God. 

Grace is God trusting man. 

When we trust God, we give Him a chance to work in our lives. When God trusts us, it’s not because we have earned it or that we deserve it … it’s because of His unmerited favor. Grace is our chance to choose God. 

Ephesians 2 NKJV 

8  For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 

9  not of works, lest anyone should boast. 

10  For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. 

Today we are going to take a brief look at the lives of two key figures in the Christmas story. God hand-picked these two individuals because He saw something in them and knew something about them.  

These two people will teach us about grace and faith. Let’s read from the traditional Christmas story as recorded in the Gospel of Saint Luke. 

Luke 1 NKJV 

26 ¶  Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 

27  to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 

28  And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!” 

29  But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. 

30  Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. (Greek: charis = grace) Mary found God’s grace …

31  “And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name JESUS. 

32  “He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. 

33  “And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.” 

34  Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?” 

35  And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. 

36  “Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren. 

37  “For with God nothing will be impossible.” 

38  Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her. 

Mary had extreme faith in God because she found the grace of God. She trusted God with her life, her future, the future of her family, and the salvation of her nation. When we trust God it opens a door to the storehouse of His grace. That’s where the impossibilities are kept. 

God didn’t choose Mary because she believed Him … rather … Mary chose God because He believed in her. Mary became able to conceive because her faith accessed the grace of God. It was because of His gift of grace. 

God often asks people to do something because He wants it done and He knows they can do it if they will trust Him.  

The second person we are going to learn from this morning is Joseph, the husband of Mary. Let’s read from the Gospel according to Saint Matthew. 

Matthew 1 NKJV 

18 ¶  Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. 

19  Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly.

20  But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. 

21  “And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins.” 

22  So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: 

23  “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.” 

24  Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, 

25  and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name JESUS. 

It is evident that Joseph was full of God’s grace. What other source could bestow such love, such devotion, and such grace at a time like this. Joseph trusted God and God trusted Joseph. God chose Joseph because: 

• · Joseph was connected to someone who was connected to God.
  
• o Who you allow in your inner circle can be a blessing or a curse. 
  
• o The spouses of Noah’s three sons were saved from the flood for no other reason than who they married. Talk about the favor of God! Favor changes everything. 
  
• o How did Noah build the ark? By faith. It was a choice to trust God and by faith he accessed the grace to get it done. 
  
• · Joseph was a humble person. 
  
• o He did not react selfishly, nor was he cruel, critical, or brutal in his response to Mary’s considered betrayal.  
  
• o He wanted to minimize her pain and not add to her problems. 
  
• o He was gracious.  
  
• o You can afford to be humble and gracious when you trust God.. 
  
• · Joseph embraced the supernatural. 
  
• o He believed in dreams and visions and angels and the voice of God. All things are possible to him who believes! (Mark 9:23) 
  
• o He allowed one word from God to change everything in his life. 
  
• · Joseph was unafraid to go against public opinion. 
  
• o His trust in God’s Word and the grace of God to sustain him enabled Joseph to swim against the tide. 

• o God trusted Joseph and asked Him to take care of Mary and her son and when Joseph said yes to God, then God gave Joseph the grace and the resources to do it. 
  

This is the story of God. God enables us to trust Him by His grace and then He rewards our faith with more grace and resources. But it is still a choice.  

• · Do you trust God?  
  
• · Can He trust you?  
  
• · Can He entrust you with His plan?  
  
• · God is looking for someone to help Him fight this war. 
  
  

You might say, “Who am I? What can I do? How can I do anything for God? I’m too weak or poor and I’ve failed God too many times.” He will say to you what he said to one of the greatest persecutors the Church has ever known … Paul wrote: 

2 Corinthians 12:9  And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” 

If you don’t know where to start, let me invite you to begin your grace-filled faith journey on Monday, January 5th, followed by the First Monday of each month in 2026. God needs help and I am asking you to join with me in First Monday’s Fasting, Prayer, and Praise. Are you hungry? You can be! 

• · Fast one meal each 1st Monday and use the 15 to 20 minutes you would normally be eating to pray for our nation, your family, and our Church. 
  
• · Then join me at 6:3pm for 30 minutes of praise and corporate prayer right here in our sanctuary or online each First Monday of the month. 
  
• · We are going to offer our services to God and dedicate ourselves as soldiers of the cross. 
  

But you don’t have to wait until January to begin dedicating time to God in prayer for our nation, your family, and our Church. God will do His part if we will do ours.  He said: 

2 Chronicles 7:14 If My people, who are called by My name shall humble themselves and pray; seek My face and turn from their wicked ways – then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sins, and heal their land.