Introduction: How should we pray in the New Year? Let’s look at the model prayer of Jesus.

1. Focus on Who to pray to! (Matt 6:9)

“Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.”

Thank God we have a Heavenly Father who knows our needs.

2. Focus on How to pray! (Matt 6:10)

“Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.”

When Jesus brings His Kingdom there will be PEACE. Even so come, Lord Jesus.

3. Focus on What to pray! (Matt 6:11-13)

“11Give us this day our daily bread. 12And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. 13And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil”

We need the Lord daily. Do you take time to pray daily? Why not start?

Conclusion: Don’t forget to end your prayer by saying….

“For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.” (Matt 6:13)

Good news. His Kingdom rules!

Introduction: No doubt the New Year will bring New Challenges, New Opportunities, and New Breakthroughs. What are you praying? How should we pray? How should we prepare? Are we supposed to exercise faith?

1. Pray Now. (James 4:2,3)

“… yet ye have not, because ye ask not. 3Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.”

Our Lord invites us to pray and trust Him. Are you? What are you praying? Who are you praying for? What should you be praying?

2. Plan Now. (James 4:13-15)

“Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: 14Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. 15For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.”

The New Year (2023) may hold some challenges that we need to plan for beforehand (even though we do not know what they are). It pays to pray beforehand and it pays to plan beforehand; i.e. financially, relationally, etc.

3. Patience Now. (James 5:7)

“Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.”

Pass the patience please! Now!! Interruptions. Changes. Disappointments. Setbacks….etc. Patience needed!

4. Prepare Now. (James 5:8,9)

“Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh. 9Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door.”

At the end of the day, as well as the beginning of the day, prepare for Jesus Christ to return for His Church. Are you watching? Waiting? Worshipping? Witnessing?

Paul under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit wrote,

Good Christian men, rejoice
With heart, and soul, and voice;
Give ye heed to what we say:
Jesus Christ was born to-day:
Ox and ass before Him bow,
And He is in the manger now.
Christ is born today! Christ is born today.

2. Listen to the second stanza:

Introduction: God with us….Immanuel. This was the message that the angel announced to Joseph. Matthew’s gospel confirms it. 

1. What did this mean to Joseph? (Matt 1:20-23)

“20But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. 21And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. 22Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, 23Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.”

Of course this was the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy.

“Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” (Isaiah 7:14)

Even though this was predicted over seven hundred years before the event, it was fulfilled during the New Testament times. No doubt Joseph was relieved to hear this! Are you?

2. What does this mean to us today? (Matt 1:20-23)

“20But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. 21And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. 22Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, 23Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.”

This means God is with us…
* in good times
* in bad times
* in sickness
* in health
* in trials
* in temptations
* in life
* in death

Conclusion: Having studied this subject, check out what Paul wrote:

“31What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? 32He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?” (Rom 8:31-32)

Introduction: Have you ever heard of this term? What does it mean? How does it fit into the CHRISTmas message. All of these questions will be answered in this devotion.

1. Where do we find this term? (Micah 4:8)

“8And thou, O tower of the flock, the strong hold of the daughter of Zion, unto thee shall it come, even the first dominion; the kingdom shall come to the daughter of Jerusalem.”

Micah the prophet uses this phrase “tower of the flock” to describe the building that was used by the shepherds.

מִגְדָּל: (mig-dawl’): a tower

עֵדֶר: (ay’-der), which means a flock, or a herd

1. Joseph was a just man- his integrity was on the line! (Matt 1:18,19)

“Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. 19Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.”

2. Joseph needed some answers! (Matt 1:20)

“20But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife:”

3. Joseph had to trust his God! (Matt 1:20-24)

“for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. 21And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. 22Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, 23Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. 24Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife.”

Introduction: Paul writes,

“4But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, 5To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. 6And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. 7Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.”

But what did he mean? What was God wanting to communicate with those believers at that TIME and at our present TIME?

Let’s consider briefly the meaning.

1. Who? (Gal 1:2)

“And all the brethren which are with me, unto the churches of Galatia:”

The Holy Spirit is targeting CHRISTians. Evidently, there were some misunderstandings. And the Lord is wanting to clear it up.

2. Why? (Gal 1:6)

“I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel.”

The Holy Spirit of God is leading Paul to address the false teaching that had invaded the Churches in that area.

(Gal 3:3)

“O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?”

LEGALISM was a BIG PROBLEM back then as it is today! There were those who were teaching that one could be JUSTIFIED (regenerated) through GOOD works.

“16Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.” (Gal 2:16)

Instead of being justified by good works, Paul explains it is by GRACE alone through FAITH alone. But after regeneration, the process of sanctification begins whereby a believer is justified (proven to be saved – see James 2) by his or hers works.

3. How? (Gal 4:4-7)

“4But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, 5To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. 6And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. 7Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.”

Seeing the fact that the law could not save anyone, rather it exposes our sin and points us to Jesus Christ’s redemptive work on the cross. That is the point. We’ve been redeemed….Justified…….Sanctified thru Jesus Christ’s sacrificial death and resurrection from the dead.

Introduction: How? How did Jesus do it? How did He become the Godman? A quick glance at the tenth chapter of the book of Hebrews explains how it happened.

1. By taking on a human body! (Heb 10:5)

“5Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me.”

Jesus took on human flesh. He did that of course to live a life we cannot live – without sin. In so doing, He was the perfect sacrifice for our sins.

2. Jesus came to do His Father’s will! (Heb 10:7)

“Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God.”

Watch how the plan of God from eternity past unfolds.

God the Father thought it!
God the Son brought it!
The Holy Spirit wrought it!
The devil fought it!
Praise God I caught it!

3. Jesus’ sacrifice was all that would be forever needed! (Heb 10:10)

“By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.”

God the Holy Spirit explains that God the Son’s offering was absolutely ENOUGH! Forever.

1.Who said the following?

“37For with God nothing shall be impossible.”

If you answered the angel Gabriel you are correct. (Luke 1:26f)

“26And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, 27To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. 28And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. 29And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. 30And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. 31And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. 32He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: 33And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.”

27To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary.

4. What did the angel say in response to Mary’s surprise?

“37For with God nothing shall be impossible.” (Luke 1:37)

I love Mary’s FAITH response, “…be it unto me according to thy word.”

Introduction: “Oh little town of Bethlehem” – This song was written by Phillips Brooks in 1868. Here is some background on him.

1. Jesus was born in Bethlehem! (Luke 2:11)

“11For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.”

Listen to the first stanza:

2. Bethlehem was predicted to be the birthplace of Jesus Christ! (Micah 5:2)

“2But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.”

The second stanza goes…

3. The wise men went looking for the Savior and Redeemer of mankind as they followed the star! (Matt 2:1-6)

“Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, 2Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. 3When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 4And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. 5And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet,
6And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.”

The third stanza ….

4. Jesus Christ’s kingdom will extend Beyond Bethlehem! (Luke 1:31,32,33)

“31And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. 32He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: 33And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.”

Listen to the last stanza:

O holy Child of Bethlehem,
descend to us, we pray,
cast out our sin and enter in,
be born in us today.
We hear the Christmas angels
the great glad tidings tell;
O come to us, abide with us,
our Lord Immanuel!