Sermon by Bruce McCallum 25 December 2019

2. Things will start looking up
when you start looking up

4. Things will start looking up
when you start looking up

5. 1. Mary was confused and worried.
Luke 1:29 (NLT)
Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the
angel could mean.
confused - "perplexed, anxious, completely shaken,
troubled."

6. 2. Joseph was hurt and
brokenhearted.
Matthew 1:19 (NLT)
Joseph, her fiancé, being a just man, decided to
break the engagement quietly, so as not to disgrace
her publicly.

7. 3. The shepherds were scared to death
Luke 2:8-9 (NLT)
That night some shepherds were in the fields outside the
village, guarding their flocks of sheep. 9 Suddenly, an
angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the
radiance of the Lord's glory surrounded them. They were
terribly frightened,
Frightened – ‘fobeto’ – ‘phobia’

8. 4. The wise men were exhausted
Matthew 2:1 (NLT)
Jesus was born in the town of Bethlehem in Judea,
during the reign of King Herod. About that time some
wise men from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem

9. Things will start looking up
when you start looking up

10. 1. Everything changed for Mary when
she LOOKED UP at God's promises
Luke 1:37-38 (NLT)
For nothing is impossible with God." 38 Mary
responded, "I am the Lord's servant, and I am willing
to accept whatever He wants. May everything you
have said come true." And then the angel left.

11. Luke 1:48 (MSG)
1:48 God took one good look at me, and look what
happened— I'm the most fortunate woman on earth! What
God has done for me will never be forgotten,

12. Luke 1:58 (NLT)
1:58 The word spread quickly to her neighbours and relatives
that the Lord had been very kind to her, and everyone
rejoiced with her.

13. 2. Everything changed for Joseph
when
he LOOKED UP
Matthew 1:20 (NLT)
As he considered this, he fell asleep, and an angel of
the Lord appeared to him in a dream. "Joseph, son of
David," the angel said, "do not be afraid to go ahead
with your marriage to Mary. For the child within her
has been conceived by the Holy Spirit.”

14. 3. Everything changed for the
shepherds
when they LOOKED UP!
Luke 2:10-13 (NLT)
…but the angel reassured them. "Don't be afraid!" he
said. "I bring you good news of great joy for everyone! 11
The Saviour - yes, the Messiah, the Lord - has been born
tonight in Bethlehem, the city of David! 12 And this is
how you will recognize Him: You will find a baby lying in
a manger, wrapped snugly in strips of cloth!" 13
Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of
others—the armies of heaven—praising God:

15. Luke 2:10-13 (NIV)
"'Today in the town of David, a Saviour has been
born for you! He is Christ the Lord. And this is what
you're to look for: you will find a baby wrapped in
cloth and lying in a manger.' Then a very large group
of angels from heaven joined the first angel, praising
God and singing, 'Glory to God in the highest, and
peace on earth to all whom God favours!'"

16. Luke 2:13-16 (NLT)
… the shepherds said to each other, "Come on, let's
go to Bethlehem! Let's see this wonderful thing that
has happened, which the Lord has told us about." 16
They ran to the village and found Mary and Joseph.
And there was the baby, lying in the manger

17. Luke 2:17 (NLT)
Then the shepherds told everyone what had
happened and what the angel had said to them about
this child.

18. Luke 2:20 (NLT)
The shepherds went back to their fields and flocks,
glorifying and praising God for what the angels had
told them, and because they had seen the child, just
as the angel had said.

19. 4. Everything changed when the wise men
LOOKED UP, followed the star
and met Jesus.
Matthew 2:9-10 (NLT)
… Once again the star appeared to them, guiding
them to Bethlehem. It went ahead of them and
stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When
they saw the star, they were filled with joy!

20. Matthew 2:11 (NLT)
They entered the house where the child and His
mother, Mary, were, and they fell down before Him
and worshiped Him. Then they opened their treasure
chests and gave Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and
myrrh.

21. Things will start looking up
when you start looking up

22. How do you know
if you've really met Jesus?
you feel humbled by His presence
you express your gratitude and your love
(called worship)
you open to Him everything important to
you
you want to give Him the best of everything
you've got

23. Sorry
Thank you
Please

24. Lord Jesus Christ,
I am sorry for the things I have done wrong in my life
Please forgive me. I now turn from everything
which I know is wrong.
Thank you that you died on the cross for me so
that I could be forgiven and set free.
Thank you that you offer me forgiveness and
the gift of your Spirit. I now receive that gift.
Please come into my life by your Holy Spirit to
be with me forever.
Thank you, Lord Jesus. Amen.