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What A Birthday! No Greater Celebration, Cru Weekly Tip #3, Fall 2013
Looking at the next big event in the gospels in the life of Christ, Luke 2:10-11, 13, describes the angels approaching the shepherds in the field.
“10And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord…13And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God…”
Imagine you are a shepherd in a field when this amazing bright light shines all around you. An angel, followed by a great crowd of God’s heavenly hosts, announces the birth of the Savior, Christ the Lord. That is the greatest birth announcement ever given because it was the birth of our Messiah.
Luke 2:25-32 tells the story of Simeon, a man who desperately wanted to see the Messiah before he died.
25Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. 27And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, 28he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said, 29“Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; 30for my eyes have seen your salvation 31that you have prepared in the presence of all people, 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.”
Imagine if you were Joseph or Mary? You already know that the child that came into the world was a very special baby. They began to understand that Jesus was the “salvation” for all peoples, Gentiles and Israel.
In verses 36-38 there was a prophetess, Anna, who was continually in the temple fasting and praying. Anna may have seen Jesus and/or heard the announcement by Simeon in the temple when “she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.”
And then came the wise men in Matthew 2:1-12. When Jesus was a toddler, the wise men from the east came seeking the “king of the Jews.” They followed the star in the heavens until it shone down in Bethlehem, resting over the place where Jesus was. They fell down and worshipped Him, bringing their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.
What do we know about the birth of Jesus from Matthew and Luke.
- The birth of Jesus was good news of great joy for all the people.
- The birth of Jesus ushered in the Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
- Simeon says that he has now seen the Lord’s salvation, prepared for all peoples. “A light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.”
- Anna called Jesus the “redemption of Jerusalem”.
- The wise men, following a star in the sky placed there miraculously by God, sought to find the King of the Jews and they worshipped Him.
The start of Jesus life was miraculous. The life and teachings of Christ ushered in a new beginning for all Israel and for the Gentiles with the life of the Messiah. Finally, we understand that Jesus came to redeem Jerusalem and the Gentiles. He is worth of our worship. Let’s serve Him this week with joy and a heart of worship.
Next Steps This Week For Your Ministry
Follow-Up
Begin and continue with follow-up of anyone who has expressed an interest in Cru. Call or text those on your list who expressed an interest, or anyone new who came to your first meeting. Here are some one-on-one materials you can use: http://crupressgreen.com/life-concepts/
Have The Best Meetings/Bible Studies
Read articles 2-7 to capture steps on having some great meetings on campus. You want to have people coming back, placing their trust in Christ, and desiring to grow in their relationship with Him. Here are the articles under “How To Lead A Bible Study, Leading a Small Group”: http://crupressgreen.com/cru-comm/
Keep Prayer Central In You Ministry
Keep praying. Gather your leadership and/or committed students and have a 30 minute meeting where you pray and ask God to work supernaturally in your ministry situation.
Here are some prayer ideas: http://crupressgreen.com/videos/crupress-presents-group-prayer-meetings/
Talk to you next week,
Ben with Cru
Orlando, FL