1.   God is with us!
       a.    With us in flesh to be like we are!  Matthew 1:23
       b.    With us to save us from sins’ penalty.  Matthew 1:21
       c.    With us to redeem us from sins’ power.  Romans 8:23
       d.    With us to sustain us in sins’ lingering presence.  Romans 8:26
       e.    With us to sanctify us into the image of Jesus.  Romans 8:28-29
       f.     With us until we are with Him face to face!  Romans 8:30

2.   Do we notice?
       a.    Most people do not see God’s true presence!
                       i.   Caesar Augustus did not notice!  Luke 2:1
                      ii.   Quirinius did not notice!  Luke 2:2
                     iii.   Nazareth did not notice!  Luke 2:4
                     iv.   Bethlehem did not notice!  Luke 2:4
                      v.   The innkeeper did not notice!  Luke 2:7
        b.    Look to see that God is with you!
                       i.   Zechariah heard from Gabriel but did not believe.  Luke 1:13-18
                      ii.   Elizabeth responded to the Holy Spirits prompting and blessed Mary!  Luke 1:39-45
                     iii.   Simeon obeyed the Holy Spirit and believed God’s sovereign promise!  Luke 2:27-31

3.    Anna continually worshipped God: Luke 2:36-38
        a.    In His temple,
        b.    fasting, praying, giving thanks,
        c.    looking forward to the redemption of Israel

4.    Shepherds: Luke 2:8-20
        a.    Go and see this thing for ourselves
        b.    Find Jesus
        c.    Tell others what you found
        d.    Glorify and Praise God

SO WHAT?

• Investigate the claim of the Bible!
• Obey the prompting of the Holy Spirit!
• Tell others about what you have experienced for yourself!
• Expect God to show Himself to you in your circumstances!

1.  Purity in their Relationship! Matthew 1:18-19, 25
     a.  Sexual purity: No sins against self or one another: 1 Corinthians 6:18-20
     b.  Spiritual purity: No sin against God: Psalm 51:4
2.  Sensitivity to God Voice! Matthew 1:20-25
     a.  His words are heard. 2 Peter 1:19
     b.  His will is understood and obeyed.
     c.  Received the Angelic command, Remembered the Ancient Prophecy, Rejected the Attitude of Fear and Selfishness
3.  Unity in God’s Will! Ephesians 5:21-33
     a.  Concern for God’s work in the other person’s life
     b.  Clear understanding of God’s work in their relationship
     c.  Certainty in moving forward together
4.  Community with God’s Church: Luke 1:45, 56
     a.  Elizabeth
     b.  Shepherds
     c.  Magi
     d.  Simeon and Anna

SO WHAT?

• Be right in your relationship!
  
• Pray together for God to speak to you!
  
• Write down two specific & common goals God has for your marriage!
  
• Commit to meet regularly with other people who are living for God!
  

Sermon Notes:
1.  Life is full of circumstances of disappointment.  Verse 22-23a
          a.  The Fall of Man brought death into the world.
          b.  The World groans!  All men and all the created world!
          c.  We/Christians groan!
          d.  Groaning is caused by circumstances that remind us of our broken condition 
2.  The Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness to patiently wait with hope!  Verse 23b-27
          a.  Hope of our Salvation
                    i.  Redeemed bodies 
                    ii. Adopted Sons/Daughters of God
          b.  The Hope?
                    i.  Can’t be seen.  Must be believed!
                    ii. Can’t be rushed. Must be waited on!
          c.  The Spirit helps as we wait: verse 27
                    i.  Intercedes for us!
                    ii. Brings us into oneness with the Father’s will!
3.  The Work of God turns disappointment into Christlikeness! Romans 8:28-29
          a.  God works for our good in all things: love Him/called according to His purpose
          b.  Conforming us to the image of His son/Jesus!
         c.  Predestined-Called-Justified-Glorified
4.  The Word of God turns the impossible into the possible! Luke 1:37-38
          a.  Everything God speaks, God does!

REVIEW:
1. Life is full of circumstances of disappointment. Verse 22-23a
2. The Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness to patiently wait with hope! Verse 23b-27
3. The Work of God turns disappointment into Christlikeness! Romans 8:28-29
4. The Word of God turns the impossible into the possible! Luke 1:37-38

Sermon Notes:

Jesus puts His Light in the darkness of this world!

1.  You are the light of Christ in this dark world! Matthew 5:13-16
      a.  Shine among men!
      b.  Shine through good deeds!
      c.  Let it Shine! The Light shines from another source! Undeniable, unquenchable, Unashamed!

2.  You must avoid the Light Quenchers! Verse 15
      a.  Moral Perversion: Isa 5:20
      b.  Spiritual Perversion: John 3:19

3.  You must receive the Light in order to be light! Verse 16
      a.  Jesus came to bring light to all people in darkness!
                i.     Prophecy Fulfilled: Isa 9:2; Matt 4:16
               ii.     People Liberated: Isa 42:7, 16
              iii.     Proclamation of Jesus’ Gospel: Isa 61:1
      b.  Jesus provides light to you that will change your life:
                i.     You will never walk in darkness: John 8:12; John 12:46
               ii.     You will proclaim His message to others: Act 26:17-18

4.  You must do good deeds: Verse 16
      a.  Put off deeds of darkness! Rom 13:12; Ephesians 5:11
      b.  Put away your partnership with unbelievers! 2 Cor 6:14
      c.  Put on the light of God! Eph 5:8
      d.  Prepare for Jesus’ Return! 1 Thess 5:4
      e.  Praise Him who called you into the light! 1 Peter 2:9