Sunday School Lesson Outlines

God's Rescue Mission

Sending A Saviour

Luke 2:10-11 "And the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which shall be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord'" (NASB)

Luke 7:19 "And summoning two of His disciples, John sent them to the Lord, saying, 'Are You the Expected One, or do we look for someone else?'" (NASB)

John 7:28-29 "Jesus therefore cried out in the temple, teaching and saying, 'You both know Me and know where I am from; and I have not come of Myself, but He who sent Me is true, whome you do not know. I know Him, because I am from Him, and He sent Me." (NASB)

All the people, even the tax collectors, when they heard Jesus' words, acknowledged that God's way was right, because they had been baptized by John ... in other words their ears and eyes were opened through the prayers of others and they publicly proclaimed Christ as Lord of their lives.

John 9:39 "And Jesus said, 'For judgment I came into this world, that those who do not see may see; and that those who see may become blind." (NASB)

John 10:9-11 "I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal, and kill, and destroy; I came that they might have life, and might have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays downo His life for the sheep" (NASB)

John 12:46-47 "I have come as light into the world, that everyone who believes in Me may not remain in darkness. And if anyone hears My sayings, and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I dod not come to judge the world, but to save the world" (NASB)

Let's take the account of Zacchaeus in Luke 19:

Luke 19:2-4 "And behold, there was a man called by the name of Zaccheus; and he was a chief tax-gatherer, and he was rich. And he was trying to see who Jesus was, and he was unable because of the crowd, for he was small in stature. And he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree in order to see Him, for He was about to pass through that way." (NASB)

Zaccheus reminds me of black Friday Christmas shopping where people wait in lines overnight to get a bargain. He is also like people waiting way in advance of the concert to make sure they get a ticket. This is how bad Zaccheus wanted to see the Savior.

Luke 19:5 "And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up and said to him, 'Zaccheus, hurry and come down, for today I must stay at your home.'" (NASB)

Can you imagine! Jesus notices your efforts to get close to Him. This is what he came here for. He came so we can have a relationship with the living God. He not only wants you to have an abundant life on earth, but an eternal life with God.

Luke 19:10 "For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost." (NASB)

They were looking for a Savior from the Romans. Today we look for a Savior from a job, a meaningless life, a bad marriage, from being in debt, etc. We are just like the people we read about in Scripture. We are looking for a physical Savior. Jesus Christ came to give us Spiritual freedom. He didn't come here to save us from all the things listed above. He came here to save us from our sins. If you're not saved from your sin you can't be saved from you problem. This is the essence of Luke 19:10.

Luke 15 teaches us through three parables how valuable the relationship with our Heavenly Father through Jesus Christ is:

• The Lost Sheep:

  Luke 15:4-7 "What man among you, if he has a hundred sheep and has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open pasture, and go after the one which is lost, until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!' I tell you that in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents, than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance." (NASB)

• The Lost Coin:

  Luke 15:8-10 "Or what woman, if she has ten silver coins and loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the houseo and search carefully until she finds it? And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying ' Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin which I had lost!' In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents." (NASB)

• The Lost Son:

  Luke 15:11-32 "And He said, 'A certain man had two sons and the younger of them said to his father, "Father, give me the share of the estate that falls to me." And he divided his wealth between them. And not many days later, the younger son gathered everything together and went on a journey into a distant country, and there he squandered his estate with loose living. ... And he said to him, "My child, you have always been with me, and all that is mine is yours. But we had to be merry and rejoice, for this brother of yours was dead and has begun to live, and was lost and has been found."'" (NASB)

Through the parables of Luke 15 we see how passionately the Lord seeks for us.

The Rescue Mission

A Savior is needed to seek us.

Romans 3:21-26 "But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets,, even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed for the demonstration, I say, of His righteousness at the present time, that He might be just and the justifier of one who has faith in Jesus." (NASB)

God is a gentleman. He will not force Himself on you. He e will knock at the door and wait for our response.

Isaiah 9:6 "For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace, On the throne of David and over His kingdom, To establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness From then on and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will accomplish this." (NASB)

Micah 5:2 "But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Too little to be among the clans of Judah, From you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel. His goings forth are from long ago, From the days of eternity." (NASB)

Both of these prophets prophesied Jesus' birth 700 years before He was born. Their prophecy was specific: Not only that He would be born, but exactly where he would be born.

Hosea prophecies that a certain time would come that Mary and Joseph would have to go to Egypt to spare the life of their child.

God came down for humanity. When you go into debt, bring up grudges, miss those we've lost to death, etc. start thinking of Jesus. He is the King of Kings, Christ, God, Holy one of God, Prophet, Priest, King and our Savior.

The Christmas season is about God's present to humanity and His presence in our life. When life gets out of control and depression sets in, focus on the One who came to earth. He specifically came to be your Savior. This ultimately lead Him to death on the cross for you. He conquered death, Hell and the grave so we may have a hope that goes beyond this life and into eternity.

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