OPENING SCRIPTURE

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you TRUST IN HIM, so that you may OVERFLOW WITH HOPE by the POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. (Romans 15:13 NIV)

Trust is built on a combination of 3 key factors: Vulnerability, Reliability, and Empathy.
All relationships are based on Trust.
All Godly relationships require: Vulnerability, Reliability, and Empathy

#1 VULNERABILITY

Definition: the willingness to be open and authentic.
• Vulnerability requires trust. Trust is a process!
• God chose the process of being vulnerable Himself in order to identify with our humanity and to build a relationship with us.

For TO US A CHILD IS BORN, TO US A SON IS GIVEN, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6 NIV)

• The whole Theology of Christmas hinges upon that one scripture – God Became Human
• He chose a vulnerable process to establish trust with us.

To be build trust with humanity and to redeem humanity from the power of sin, God had to become human. HE CAME TO US!

Just like He came to us we have to come to Him – that’s vulnerability.

• Being vulnerable to God means acknowledging our weaknesses, fears, doubts sins and opening our hearts to His guidance and His unconditional love.
• It involves trust, surrender and a willingness to let God do His work.

“COME TO ME, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30 NIV)

• Vulnerability means being honest about the weights and burdens you are carrying and surrendering them at His feet.
• He promises no judgment, no punishment but only peace and rest.

#2 RELIABILITY

Definition: Reliability is the act of consistently fulfilling promises.
• We can rely on the consistency of God’s word.

The 3 wise men had to rely on God’s promise in His word in order make this 900-mile camel journey in order to find this King.

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? WE SAW HIS STAR when it rose and have come to worship him.” (Matthew 2:1-2 NIV)

• They had to rely on accuracy and reliability of Numbers 24:17

A STAR will come out of Jacob; A SCEPTER will rise out of Israel. (Numbers 24:17 NIV)

• They had to rely on the consistency of God’s promises, over 300 of them that led them to this stable in Bethlehem to meet this King, this savior that would be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Prince of Peace.

What does the reliability of God and His Word mean to you and me? When God says He will do something, He will do it!

My word that goes out from my mouth: IT WILL NOT RETURN TO ME EMPTY, BUT WILL ACCOMPLISH WHAT I DESIRE and ACHIEVE THE PURPOSE for which I sent it. (Isaiah 55:11 NIV)

• God’s word is powerful and purposeful. “It will not return to me empty”
• God’s word is certain and unfailing. When He speaks it, it is not conditional and subject to change.

#3 EMPATHY

Definition: Showing care and concern for others, fostering emotional safety.

For God so LOVED THE WORLD that HE GAVE his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but TO SAVE THE WORLD THROUGH HIM. (John 3:16-17 NIV)

• God showed us empathy by demonstrating His love to us by giving.
• He gave us His One and Only Son to foster safety: “whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life”

But God DEMONSTRATES HIS OWN LOVE for us in this: While we were STILL SINNERS, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8 NIV)

• God did not wait until we got our act together.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you TRUST IN HIM, so that you may OVERFLOW WITH HOPE by the POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. (Romans 15:13 NIV)

CONCLUSION

What is the Holy Spirit saying to you through this message?