Zooming in on the story of Jesus’ birth, Tyler examines how the humble origins of the King of Kings clearly points to two undeniable truths, God’s sovereignty and His humility.  With these two facts in mind, we can confidently claim that the current events of the world are in the hands of the King, and that those in desperate need can confidently approach their savior.

Tyler’s Main Points:

1. God is the sovereign ruler over all authorities who governs all things.
2. The Sovereign God chose to take on a great humiliation for the salvation of his people.

Key Takeaways:

• Luke 2:1-3: God was sovereign over the events of Caesar Augustus, orchestrating the Roman census in order to fulfill the prophecy he proclaimed thousands of years before.

• Luke records Jesus’s birth as a historical person rather than a mythological figure.

• Jesus’ parents were foretold:
  • Genesis 49:10; the line of Judah was blessed to hold authority
  • 2 Samuel 7:12-13; the Davidic Covenant promised the line of David authority

• Micah 5:2: the hometown of Jesus was prophesied

• Knowledge of God’s sovereignty allows us to do three things:
  • Live without anxiety in the midst of world events
  • Work according to God’s ways to be a part of restraining evil
  • Make the singular purpose of our life to focus on the growth and expansion of the kingdom of Jesus Christ

• Luke 2:6-7: the birth of Jesus, the single most significant moment in human history, was one bathed in humility.
  • Bethlehem was a small and seemingly insignificant town
  • His mother, Mary, had to ride a donkey for 90 days to arrive in Bethlehem
  • Jesus was surrounded by livestock at his birth, hardly a royal welcome

• God made the statement through Jesus’ humble birth that He was going to associate with the lowly.
  • We would have assumed the king of the world would arrive in a palace in a great empire, but instead he arrives in a stable.
  • God came to save those who are powerless, who know their need for a savior.
  • God is stating, regardless of your station in life, God has come for you.  You can approach him to receive grace and salvation.
  • Jesus himself became poor, not simply associating with the poor but being one of them.

• 2 Corinthians 8:9: In Jesus’ birth, we see God initiating and pursuing, through poverty of circumstances, to make the declaration that through Him there was a way for newness of life.

• The incarnation is the declaration of God coming to seek and save that which was lost.

Discussion Questions/Application

Personal Application:

• What parts of God’s story do you “check out of due to familiarity?”

• In your own life, do you trust that God is sovereign over all things?  How would this knowledge change your perspective on day-to-day life?

• If the sovereign king of all would humble himself as a man, how is he calling us to humble ourselves?

Discuss with your community group:

• How can we as a group remind each other of God’s sovereignty?

• Do we live in freedom with each other, knowing that God is in total control?

• What sins are we afraid to bring before each other?  How does God’s humility enable us to share these with each other?

Passages Referenced

Proverbs 21:1, 2 Timothy, Micah 5:2, Psalm 2: 1-12, 2 Samuel 7:12-13, Genesis 49:10, Luke 2:1-7, 2 Corinthians 8:9

Worship Set List

Savior of the World, God So Loved, Beautiful, No Other King, Come Let Us Adore Him, Joy to the World (Joyful, Joyful)