What God Offers This Christmas Luke 2:8-14 Intro: A) Last Sunday we emphasized the conception of the gift 1) Today we will see the reception of the gift 2) Last week was all about God keeps His promise This week we see how man receives this promise B) I heard about a little 4-year-old girl 1) She had a 4-year-olds perfect Christmas Special presents she wanted Her cousins were home and they had so much fun And the candy! 2) When mom tucked her in that night, she said. I sure hope Mary and Joseph have another baby next year! 3) BTW. Mary and Joseph did have children together (3 boys and numerous girls) But Jesus was unlike any of Mary s other children C) The National Religious Broadcasters analyzed 48,000 hours of programming in December 1) 90% of Christmas programming had no spiritual theme 2) 7% had a spiritual or religious theme 3) 3% had a focus on Jesus D) The question that is so amazing about the incarnation is not that Jesus could come. 1) It is that Jesus would come! 2) Christmas is about God keeping His promise But Christmas is also about God s immense love for us 3) Yet, very sadly, many are not receptive! E) This morning I want you to see how this all ties in together with Jesus! 1) Whether you have Christmas or not Has everything to do with how you receive Jesus 2) Let me take this passage and show you what Jesus gives to us (Christmas) I. Jesus Gives the Promise of Satisfaction (vs. 10)
A) Angels are all in the Christmas story 1) Think of how much you see them around this story Angel tells Mary she will conceive Angel explains to Joseph how his wife was with child Angels speak to the shepherds in the fields A chorus of angels sing at the announcement (Heavenly host, army of angels) 2) The angels deliver good news (Luke 2:10) Contrary to popular belief, God is primarily in the good news business B) The angel s message was of joy 1) Do you know the secret to joy is contentment? God sent His son into the world to bring us joy Let me elaborate, God sent His Son into the world to bring satisfaction 2) Your greatest need was what to do about your sin The ONLY answer is Jesus Christ! 3) Sadly, we live in a dissatisfied society Personal income. dissatisfied Personal home. dissatisfied II. Investment portfolio. not satisfied Job satisfaction. not satisfied 4) Problem is People are looking for satisfaction in all the wrong places C) Word of God consistently reminds us that Jesus satisfies.. 1) In Luke 2 when we understand joy to the world 2) Psalm 23:1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 3) Christmas is the promise of God READ II Corinthians 1:20 For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us. Jesus alone satisfies!!!! Jesus Gives the Provision of Salvation (vs.11) For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. A) A Savior is exactly what man needed
1) It has been said, If our greatest need was. Technology God would have sent an I.T. specialist Money God would have sent an economist Pleasure God would have sent an entertainer 2) But our greatest need was forgiveness of our sin So, God sent us a Savior! 3) A Savior for the whole world Muslims, Hindus, Jews, Gentiles, rich, poor, black and white ALL need Jesus! viewed the whole business as a lot of enthralling hocus-pocus!! There is a guy nailed to a cross and dripping blood and everyone is blaming themselves. I said to myself, forget it I will pass on all of this! 2) Sadly, if you pass on God in this life, God will pass on you in the next! C) How do you receive a gift at Christmas? 1) Want it 2) Take it 3) Open it 4) Receive it God has given us a gift so valuable money cannot buy it!! B) You dare not pass on His provision for you 1) Read about Billy Joel (talented piano player and popular singer of the 70 s) I wasn t raised Catholic, but I ve gone to mass with friends. I III. Jesus Is the Provider of Serenity (vs. 14) Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. A) God came that we might have peace 1) Man desires peace
Often times when we reflect on our lives. Some of our decisions haunt us Our lives can be a mess! 2) God knows what we need. He offers forgiveness of sin He paid the price for us 3) One of the most difficult things to do is rest in our forgiveness Peace and forgiveness go hand in hand B) The greatest gift God has ever given is peace and serenity to the soul 1) Knowing your sins are forgiven Knowing nothing is between you and God anymore It is a serenity the world knows little about and his father had spent months looking at cars, and the week before graduation, they found the perfect car. On the eve of his graduation, his father handed him a gift-wrapped Box. The Father told the boy that the package contained the most valuable gift a father could give a son. Thinking it was a box holding the keys to the car, he opened it, but instead found it was a Bible. Bill was so angry that he threw the Bible down and stormed out of the house. He and his father never saw each other again. It was the news of his father's death that brought Bill home again. AS HE SAT ONE NIGHT GOING THROUGH HIS FATHER'S POSSESSIONS THAT HE WAS TO INHERIT, HE CAME ACROSS THE BIBLE HIS FATHER HAD GIVEN HIM. HE BRUSHED AWAY THE DUST AND OPENED IT TO FIND A CASHIER'S CHECK, DATED THE DAY OF HIS GRADUATION-IN THE EXACT AMOUNT OF THE CAR THEY HAD CHOSEN TOGETHER. Conclusion: A) The story from Dear Abby Dear Abby: A young man from a wealthy family was about to graduate from high school. It was the custom in that affluent neighborhood for the parents to give the graduate an automobile. "Bill" B) You are in 1 of 3 positions in your spiritual journey 1) First group: Some of you know Jesus You have surrendered your life to Him Celebrate the meaning of Christmas!
2) Second group: Some of you have not received Christ as your Lord and Master You have not unwrapped the gift of His love! Today could be the greatest day in all eternity for you! 3) Third group: You have been saved, but you ve gotten away from God You are like Peter when He denied Christ You feel an internal uproar inside God still offers you peace with your surrender!!