Supernatural Influence of the Spirit

Christmas Messengers – Message 4
Perry Duggar

December 24, 2022

I. Introduction: Our Christmas teaching series focused on Christmas Messengers.

A. That first Christmas, God communicated information and direction to various people through varied means.

1. He used angels, a star, and dreams, but the Holy Spirit supernaturally influenced every communication God conveyed to bring about the Christmas event, the birth of God’s Son.
2. The Spirit-inspired prophecy predicting that a virgin would conceive and give birth to the Messiah named Immanuel (meaning “God is with us”) (Isaiah 7:14).
3. This was fulfilled when teen-aged Mary became pregnant through the Holy Spirit’s power. (Matthew 1:18, 20).
4. The Spirit inspired the prediction that brought magi to Jerusalem to worship the newborn king of the Jews. (Micah 5:2; Matthew 2:1–6)
5. The Spirit provided a person who would prepare the way for our Savior by enabling his mother, Elizabeth, to become pregnant at an advanced age, then filling the son, John (later called the Baptist), before his birth. (Isaiah 40:3-5; Malachi 4:5-6; Luke 1:13-17,76)
6. John’s parents, filled with the Spirit, foretold the feats of the Savior. (Luke 1:41,67-79)
7. Messianic Jewish scholars suggest the star that led the wise men to a particular house in Bethlehem where Jesus was found was the Holy Spirit appearing as the brilliant, radiant shekhinah (Hebrew dwelling) of God’s Presence and glory (also, burning bush, mercy seat).
8. The Holy Spirit enabled the Christmas event to occur: Jesus, God’s Son, was born to a virgin named Mary, lived a sinless life, then died for our sins so that we could be forgiven.
9. It’s the Spirit who convinces us of this truth and regenerates us (that’s being born again).
10. That’s the Christmas experience! John 3:6 (NLT)—“Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life.” [Then continues to lead our lives!]
11. The Christmas event happened once, in Bethlehem, over 2000 years ago: the Christmas experience is repeated every time someone calls out to Jesus by faith and is born again!

B. Candle lighting – The light symbolizes illumination by the Spirit to the truth about Jesus.

1. Passing the light signifies sharing the Good News that we can be saved, fully forgiven, by believing Jesus, the Christmas child, died as an innocent man for our offenses and sins.
2. At the birth of his son John, Zechariah, filled with the Holy Spirit, prophesied: Luke 1:78-79 (NLT) — ⁷⁸ “Because of God’s tender mercy, the morning light from heaven is about to break upon us, ⁷⁹ to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, and to guide us to the path of peace.”
3. If you have believed and been born again, the Spirit’s light has been ignited in you.
4. 1 Peter 2:9 (CEV) — But you are God’s chosen and special people. …God has brought you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Now you must tell all the wonderful things that he has done. [Share your faith story—tell what you have experienced with Jesus!]
5. Matthew 5:14–16 (NLT)— ¹⁴ “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. ¹⁵ No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. [Don’t conceal your faith; let it show!] ¹⁶ In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.”
6. Ephesians 5:8 (NLT)— For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light!
   
7. Song: Silent Night
8. 2 Corinthians 9:15 (NLT)— Thank God for this gift too wonderful for words!
9. Blow out (and throw away) the light in your hand, but continue to live as people of light!
10. Counselors are here to talk and pray with you! They will anoint with oil as well.
11. Pick up a Christmas morning family discussion card as you leave through the side doors.
12. May you have a Merry and a Spirit-filled Christmas!