John Gray - Manger Things
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In the humble manger, God wrapped His greatest gift—Jesus Christ, the Savior born amidst filth to reach the lowest, delivering humanity from sin's bondage through divine love, accessible to all who receive Him, transforming rebellion into redemption and offering eternal peace and goodwill.
Call to Praise and Scripture Reading
Somebody give the Lord the greatest praise you can! We’re getting into the Word. Tell a couple of people, «I’m ready for the Word.» Tell them, «I’m ready for the Word.» I’m ready for the Word. Listen, I’m excited! I want you to go to Luke Chapter 2.
I want to say to my family in the balcony, I love y’all so much! Shout out to the balcony! Y’all make some noise for the balcony! Grateful for y’all! Merry Christmas! I hope y’all have some wonderful food.
Luke Chapter 2, reading from the New King James Version.
And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city. Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David. To be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. So it was that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger because there was no room for them in the inn.
Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night, and behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, «Do not be afraid! For behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.»
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of heavenly hosts praising God and saying, «Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!»
The title of my message is «Manger Things.»
Prayer and Gratitude
Lord Jesus, get the glory out of this service! Be lifted up! We honor you right now. Speak through your Word! Purify anything in me that even remotely resembles personal ambition or motive or the need to be accepted! Let me preach an uncompromising gospel that lifts up the only one who is worthy to be lifted up! He is the prophesied and true Messiah, Yeshua Hamashiach, the Son of God, and the Son of Man! I pray this prayer over your people: Bless Love Story Church! Bless the families of Love Story Church! Bless our time together in Jesus' name! Amen, amen, and amen!
I am grateful for this moment with you, and thank you for taking time out of your Christmas plans to make Jesus a priority. It matters. It matters in a commercialized society. It matters after a bruising election cycle that we still ourselves and quiet our souls.
The Gift of Jesus
Today, I want to have a conversation with you, albeit brief, about what each one of us has been given in the form of a gift that has paved the way for us to have full access-not only back to right relationship with the Heavenly Father but freedom from the penalty of sin and the effects of the iniquity that was passed down through our bloodline.
That Jesus lived is a matter of historical record! That he lives is a statement and declaration of my personal faith because he still lives today! Jesus Christ is the one who was, who is, and who is to come. He is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
You don’t have to live in bondage any longer! You don’t have to cry yourself to sleep at night! You don’t have to go from person to person looking for temporary relief when there is an eternal relief from the bondage of sin and shame and guilt and fear and doubt!
It is a strange way to save the world-in a time where we celebrate heroes and we deify human beings, we need to get back to what the Heavenly Father thought in all of his profound, incomprehensible wisdom in his way of saving mankind from itself! It’s an unbelievable, staggering equation that the love of God plus nothing saved you!
God is not shocked by your humanity! He still chose to save you, and he still called you!
Bethlehem means House of Bread-and Jesus is the bread of life!
Manger Things: Humility and Accessibility
Joseph and Mary-Mary had a baby, Joseph was the covering, but he was not the father! Honor every stepfather who steps up and covers children that he didn’t birth.
There was no room in the inn-kataluma, a guest room in a house. The manger was in the lower level of the house, where preferred animals were kept.
Jesus was born amongst the animals, in the dirt and filth, because that’s what he came to save.
The manger was a feeding trough-a stone box where animals ate. Jesus, the bread of life, placed where animals dine.
The glory of God in the Old Testament was in the Ark-a box. Jesus is the living Ark, the embodiment of God's glory, now approachable in the manger.
The angels announced to shepherds-the lowest, untrustworthy in society-not to the religious elite.
Good tidings of great joy to all people, including the worst.
Jesus came from the highest heavens to the lowest earth to fill all things.
Prophetic Declarations for 2025
2025 is going to make sense of the last five years! Everything that I lost for the last five years is going to have to pay me back! I’m stepping into my wealthy place-mentally, emotionally, spiritually, and financially!
What God’s about to birth is going to cause people and provision to move in your direction!
You’ve been carrying something for a while, and God says it’s time right now!
Your DNA is different because this is God’s work!
Closing Prayer and Altar Call
Lord, thank you that a manger housed the King of Kings and Lord of Lords-a dirty and filthy place. Jesus still comes to the unclean, the unkempt, and the unsanitary!
The gift was wrapped-Jesus, the gift that keeps on giving.
Altar call: If you’ve never given your life to Jesus or want to rededicate, come to the manger for your gift-freedom, deliverance, new life.
Prayer of salvation: Lord Jesus, it’s me! I confess with my mouth and believe in my heart that Jesus is Lord! Thank you for the blood that was shed for me! I receive the free gift of salvation-not through my works, but the finished work of the cross! The blood is enough to pay for all my sins! Now, Holy Spirit, come live inside and teach me how to be more like Jesus each and every day! You are my Savior and my Lord! In Jesus' name! Amen!