December 21, 2025
Teacher: Mike Laughrun
For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ;
Philippians 3:20
looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus,
Titus 2:13
Luke 2:1-20
(1) In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. (2) This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. (3) And all went to be registered, each to his own town. (4) And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, (5) to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. (6) And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. (7) And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. (8) And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. (9) And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. (10) And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. (11) For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. (12) And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” (13) And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, (14) “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” (15) When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” (16) And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. (17) And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. (18) And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. (19) But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. (20) And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
BIG TRUTH:
Jesus Followers Rejoice in the King
But the king will rejoice in God;
Psalm 63:11
Let all who seek You rejoice and be glad in You.
Psalm 70:4
Yet I will exult in the LORD, I will rejoice in the God of my salvation.
Habakkuk 3:18
These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.
John 15:11
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!
Philippians 4:4
Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.
Romans 12:12
Rejoice always,
1 Thessalonians 5:16
BIg idea:
We rejoice in the King’s grace.
Luke 2:8-11
(8) And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. (9) And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. (10) And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. (11) For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
How are the shepherds a picture of grace?
Those who deserved judgement were introduced to a Savior
“It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick; I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”
Mark 2:17
How did the shepherds respond to the GOOD NEWS?
(15)…the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us. (16) And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger.
Luke 2:15-16
How did the shepherds return home?
And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
Luke 2:20
BIg Idea:
We rejoice in the King’s humility.
How will the Shepherds be able to find this King, Savior, Messiah?
(12) And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” (13) And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, (14) “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”
Luke 2:12-14
What did He do?
For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich.
2 Corinthians 8:9
(6) who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, (7) but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men.
Philippians 2:6-7
How do we respond?
(3) Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; (4) do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. (5) Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus,
Big Idea:
We rejoice in the King’s promised birth.
(10) And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. (11) For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
Luke 2:10-11
- Genesis 3:15- Descendant of Eve… crush the Serpent’s head
- Genesis 12- The Descendant of Abraham who would be a blessing to the nations
- Genesis 49- Descendant of the tribe of Judah… in whose hand would be a scepter
- 2 Samuel 7- Decedent of David
- Isaiah 7- Born of a virgin
- Isaiah 9- The God Man
- Miciah 5- Born in Bethlehem (City of David)
- Isaiah 53- Pierced through for our transgressions.
Big Idea:
We rejoice in the King’s promised return.
Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
1 Peter 1:13
Anticipate – to expect or look forward to something, often with preparation or forethought.
Future Grace: God’s ever-arriving power, provision, mercy, and wisdom that sustains a believer from this moment into eternity. Rather than being a concept reserved only for heaven, future grace is the “undeserved help” available every second to empower a life of sacrificial love and holiness.– John Piper
What will that GRACE look like?
Full and Final Transformation
(2) Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is. (3) And everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure. 1 John 3:2-3
Eternal Inheritance and complete salvation
(4) to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, (5) who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
1 Peter 1:4-5
Reign with Christ
If we endure, we will also reign with Him;
2 Timothy 2:12
Perfect unhindered Fellowship with God in a new Creation
(1) Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea. (2) And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband. (3) And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them, (4) and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.” (5) And He who sits on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” And He said, “Write, for these words are faithful and true.”
Revelation 21:1-5
FDP: Advent Week 3
Jesus Followers Rejoice The King
Talk about it
- Why does authentic faith in Jesus long for his return? What can we learn from Paul’s example in Philippians 3:12-21?
- How can Christmas lead you to anticipate Jesus’ 2nd Advent? What specific plans will you and your family take to Remember to Anticipate this Christmas?
give
We respond in worship to God, our Creator and Sustainer, by giving sacrificially and generously. tcbchurch.org/give
respond to the gospel
If you want to know more about what it means to follow Jesus or how to respond to the gospel, visit the Hub in the upper atrium or tcbchurch.org/gospel.