18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ[e] took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. 19 And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. 20 But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”

Matthew 1:18-21

9 The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. 11 He came to his own,[b] and his own people did not receive him. 

John 1:9-10

DAWN OF THE SAVIOR

Greatest Story Book Cover Picture***

Man vs. Wild Picture***

18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. 19 And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. 20 But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:

23 “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
     and they shall call his name Immanuel”

(which means, God with us). 24 When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, 25 but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.

Matthew 1:18-25

THE BUILDING BLOCKS TO A PERFECT STORY:

Problem—>Conflict—>Savior—>Sacrifice—>Resolution

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21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”

Matthew 1:18-25

The Problem —> Sin

The Savior —> Jesus

The Resolution —> Saved, New Life, Escaping death

PEAKS AND VALLEY’S GRAPH***

CONFLICT (Roman Oppression)

SACRIFICE (Suffering King)

When we don’t allow God to be bigger than the conflict or suffering in our story, then we will write God out of the story as savior and in turn, write an ending without a resolution.

“Christ is not called a Savior for saving us from rainstorms or poverty, but from God’s wrath, the devil, and sin itself.”

J.C. Ryle

When we allow God to write a story that includes conflict and suffering, then we allow God to be the savior and in turn, we fall into the story with a resolution.