Beforehand: Be sure to check out Pastor Ben’s message online if you were not able to catch it on Sunday morning.

Below is the outline of Pastor Ben's message.

The Deep Six Study follows.

The Perfect Gift – “Jesus”

1 – Wrapped – Luke 2:6-7

2 – Make Room – Luke 2:7

Deep Six Study

Introduction

Hebrews 2:14A – “Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same.”

John 1:14 – “And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

John 3:16 – “For God so loved the world, that He gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish, but have eternal life.”

There is a story about a small boy who was put to bed but was having a hard time settling down because he didn’t want to be alone. After calling out for his daddy a couple of times with the usual requests like a drink, a light, etc. he finally confessed that he was afraid to be alone. His daddy reminded the boy that God was always with him, watching over him, and protecting him. The little boy thought about this for a moment and then said “but Daddy, I need someone with skin.” So, the boy’s dad climbed into bed with him and held him tenderly until he fell asleep. God the Father sent God the Son, wrapped in “skin” as it were so that we would no longer be alone, alienated from Him because of our sin and rebellion. We don’t have Christ here now directly in the flesh but indirectly as He yet manifests Himself in the flesh through His people (whom He indwells) to those around them who are yet alienated from Him. It is to the degree that His people make room for Him in their actual experience that He becomes someone with skin to a world of waiting, fearful, lonely people. This is the focus of this week’s Deep Six Study

Question # 1 – Can you think of someway God’s presence became alive and real to you at a time in your life when you felt alone and cut off from Him?

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Part 1 - Corresponds to the first point of the message

Luke 2:6-7 - “And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. She gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them.”

Philippians 2:6-8 - …. “Although He existed in the form of God, (Christ) did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”

Hebrews 2:17-18 – “Therefore, He (Christ) had to be made like His brethren in all things, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted.”

Comment – God the Son came wrapped in human form as a baby born in Bethlehem and then was wrapped in cloths and laid in a manger. This baby was announced by the angel who appeared to the Shepherds as Christ the Lord, the Savior of all people. And so Christ grew up and though sinless, was wrapped in the sins of the world upon the cross so that the debt of sin owed by all was paid in full. God the Father giving His Son as a gift to the world He loves requires no payment on our part but rather that by faith we simply receive the gift of His Son and the forgiveness He offers.

Question # 2 – How would you explain to someone why it was necessary for Christ to come in the flesh and dwell among us?

Question # 3 – What are some ways that you struggled with truly believing that Christ and all He provides for you is free?

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Part 2 - Corresponds to the second point of the message

Luke 2:7 – “She gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them.”

1 Corinthians 3:16 – “Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?

2 Corinthians 6:16 - …. “For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said, ‘I will dwell in them and walk among them; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.’”

Colossians 1:26-27 – “ …. The mystery which has been hidden from the past ages and generations, but has now been manifested to His saints, to whom God willed to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.”

Comment – As believers in Christ we are temples for His presence as He indwells us by His Spirit. But often there is little room to operate within us because we are so full of ourselves and our willful agendas. The result of this is that Christ is not free to manifest Himself through us to those around us that need to see God in a real and tangible way. God took on human form so He could become our Savior. When others see the reality of His presence in us, He again takes on human form so that others are helped to respond to Him and become temples for His presence as well.

Question # 4 – What are some ways that one’s life can make God’s presence real to others around them?

Question # 5 – What is something that exists in your life that blurs Christ’s presence in your life for those around you?

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Conclusion

God wrapped up in His people individually and collectively is God’s plan for reaching the world. As His presence is manifested in us in this way, He will lead His people in wonderful ways and use them miraculously to touch a world of lonely, fearful, and hurting people who are waiting and longing for God with skin to come and hold them tenderly so they too may find their rest in Him.

Question # 6 – What are some ways that we collectively as His people can manifest the presence of Christ to the world?

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Under “comments” in the Deep Six section of the church website post your thoughts, applications, and questions on anything from this week’s Deep Six Study.