Friday First - The Best News Ever

For some reason, we don’t talk a lot about the birth of Christ in the churches of Christ. But the story found in Luke 2.1-11 fits in so well with what we’re talking about during March. Jesus is the hope of the world! It's hard to fully appreciate that fact until we better understand what it meant for Jesus to be incarnated and live on earth as a man … experiencing life just as we do.
So our lesson on Sunday will take a longer look at some verses we may have “flown over” in the
past and missed some significant facts about the hope we share.

Luke 2.11 records the words of an angel who proclaims, today in the city of David a Savior was born for you. This is the best news ever! A deliverer, the Messiah, has come to save sinners from the fires of eternal hell. Jesus is the savior of the world! His coming was no small event. It was the greatest moment in history! Jesus came to take our place … meeting the punishment and wrath intended for us because of our sin.

Jesus came to take away our sin. He came to give us forgiveness. He came to make us clean from the pollution of sin. He came to give us a new heart. He came to rescue us from judgment and the hell to come. This is why people, for over two millennia, have literally dropped everything and surrendered to the transforming power of the gospel of Christ. Truly Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life, John 14.6.

On Sunday we will take an in-depth look at Luke 2.1-11. We’ll learn about:

• 2.1-7 - the birth of Jesus
• 2.8-10 - the message of good news
• 2.11 - the extent of the good news

As you prepare for worship on Sunday, please give consideration to these questions:

1. Why did Joseph and Mary go to Bethlehem? What is the significance of that city?
2. What do you think is notable about shepherds being the first to receive the message of the birth of the Savior?
3. What is the impact of the good news? See v. 10. What is it intended to produce?
4. Read 2.11. Is there anyone not intended to be included in the Savior’s mission?
5. What makes 2.11 personal? For who did the Savior come?

THOSE SERVING:
OPENING / WELCOME
Kody Pritt

SONG LEADER
Dru McLaughlin

PRAYER OF PRAISE
Chris Fles

LORD'S SUPPER
Jeremy Price

SCRIPTURE READING
Bob Hoopes
Luke 2.1-11

PREACHING
Matthew Allen

CLOSING COMMENTS & PRAYER
Rich Walker

WELCOME CENTER
Rich Jacobs / Roger Robins / Pat Reeder

USHERS
Justin Spargo / Jim Rutter

CLOSING THE BUILDING
Greg Morrison