SERMON SEEDS F37 FOR 12/2/02
Posted by: jpeters <jpeters@...>
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Over the years on Sermon Seeds I have shared many Christmas Outlines. The next three editions of Sermon Seeds will be repeats of these Christmas Outlines. These three issues of Sermon Seeds combined cover just about all my Christmas Outlines in print on the web. If you already have these, just delete them. If you don't, I trust that they will be helpful.
Remember that these are only outlines. You will have to work to give your congregation some real meat!
As always, these Seeds are adaptable and you may use any outline as an individual sermon without preaching it in a series.
PLEASE PASS THESE SEEDS ALONG TO OTHERS IF THEY ARE A BLESSING TO YOU!
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Isaiah 7:14 etc..
ISAIAH'S CHRISTMAS MESSAGE
Isaiah is a great book of prophecy. One of Isaiah's favorite topics is the Lord Jesus Christ. Here are three prophecies concerning his coming, which will help us remember the true meaning of the Christmas season.
THE COMING OF JESUS - Isaiah 7:14-16
The promise is given of a virgin conceiving and bringing forth a son.
His name will be called "Immanuel", or "God with us."
See Micah 5:2.
THE CHARACTER OF JESUS - Isaiah 9:6
"Wonderful"
"Counselor"
"The Mighty God"
"The Everlasting Father ("Father of Eternity")"
"The Prince of Peace"
THE CONDUCT OF JESUS - Isaiah 61:1-3
You will note that there are parts of this passage that refer to Jesus' first coming to earth, and parts that refer to His second coming. Those things mentioned in verses 1-2a (ending with "To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.") refer to the first coming. Those things mentioned in the remainder of the passage deal with His second coming.
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Isaiah 9:6
THE MESSIAH
Introduction - "For unto us a son is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder; and his name shall be called.."
HIS PERSONALITY - "Wonderful"
HIS PROFESSION (JOB) - "Counselor"
HIS POWER - "Mighty God"
HIS PERMANENCE - "Everlasting Father" (Means "Father of eternity")
HIS PREEMINENCE - "Prince of peace"
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Micah 5:2 etc.
BETHLEHEM
A CITY OF DESTINY - Micah 5:2
A CITY OF DELIGHT - Luke 2:11
A CITY OF DEATH - Matthew 2:8, 11-18
It was a city of death because of the unbelief of Herod. If Herod had believed, he would not have tried to kill Jesus. Today, there is still death when a person does not believe in Christ. John 3:16-18
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Matthew 1:1-17
SPECIAL WOMEN
There are some special women in my life. My wife, Dottie, is of course, special and important to me. My mom is also of special importance, as is my daughter, Donna! The Lord has blessed me with two more daughters by way of marriage to my sons. Carletta and Candace have also become special to me. About a year ago, another special lady entered my life. Her name is Nicole. I don't think I have to tell you that my granddaughter is special! 🙂 (You may want to introduce your message by mentioning those special women in your life.)
In the genealogy of the Lord Jesus in Matthew 1, there are four special women mentioned. They are, of course, special because of their being included in the lineage of our Lord. But they are also special because they remind us of the types of people our Lord receives.
TAMAR (THAMAR) - THE FORGOTTEN WOMAN - Vs. 3
According to custom, Tamar was to have a husband from among her dead husband's family. Although Judah promised Tamar a husband, he did not keep his promise. She was forgotten on purpose! See the story in Genesis 38.
Many people feel like they have forgotten, especially during the holidays. However, the Lord Jesus died for all, forgetting nobody!
In a special way, He has not forgotten or forsaken those who have trusted Him as Savior. Hebrews 13:5
RUTH - THE FOREIGN WOMAN - Vs. 5
The book of Ruth in the Old Testament tells of this woman who was born a foreigner. First of all, she placed her faith in the Lord God of Israel (Ruth 1:16-18). Later, she married Boaz.
Just as God received this foreign woman into the His Son's genealogy, God receives those who are foreign to church and/or Christianity into his family. One does not need to be brought up in the church in order to be received into God's family. It's a matter of faith (John 1:12-13)!
BATH SHEBA - THE FALLEN WOMAN - Vs. 6
David and Bath Sheba committed adultery! Her husband was allowed to die in battle. This was a subtle form of murder. However there was forgiveness for David and Bath Sheba. Their story is found in 2 Samuel 11-12.
As Christians, we often fall into sin. Although God is not pleased, there is always forgiveness available (1 John 1:8 - 2:2)
MARY - THE FAITHFUL WOMAN - Vs. 16
Mary was a sinner just like the rest of us!
However, she was a woman of great faith and sterling character (Luke 1:26-38).
We Christians need to remember that faithfulness is a quality that is pleasing to God (2 Corinthians 4:2).
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Matthew 1:18-25
A BABY IS ON THE WAY!
A MIRACLE - Vs. 18
Mary became pregnant through the work of the Holy Spirit of God.
Isaiah 7:14, Luke 1:34-35
A MISUNDERSTANDING - Vs. 19
Joseph, of course, thought that Mary was guilty of unfaithfulness.
Espousal was a very serious commitment. Even though the couple had not come together physically, they were considered married.
Joseph was thinking of privately giving her a divorce, rather than causing her public shame. Notice, he was a righteous man.
A MESSAGE - Vss. 20-23
Joseph is told that Mary is pregnant by the Spirit of God, and that his name will be Jesus. (Vss. 20-21) We are told that all of this was done to fulfill the Scriptures. (Vss. 22-23)
A MARRIAGE Vss. 24-25
Notice the faith and obedience of Joseph.
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Matthew 2:1-15
SOMETHING SPECIAL
SPECIAL TIME - Vs. 1 - "When Jesus was born..."
SPECIAL PLACE - Vs. 1 - Bethlehem - Micah 5:2
SPECIAL PERSON - Vs. 1 - Jesus - Isaiah 9:6
SPECIAL WELCOMING COMMITTEE - Vs. 2 - The Wise Men
SPECIAL ENEMY - Vss. 3-8 - Herod
SPECIAL JOY - Vss. 9-10 - See Luke 2:10
SPECIAL GIFTS - Vs. 11
SPECIAL PROTECTION - Vss. 12-15
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Matthew 2:1-12
WISDOM AT WORK
They were called "wise" men. Indeed these men showed much wisdom!
(Note that the first letter from each of the points spell "STAR".)
They SOUGHT the King! - Vss. 1-2
They TRAVELED from the East - Vss. 1-10
To Jerusalem - Vss. 1-8
To Bethlehem - Vss. 9-10
They ADORED their King. - Vs. 11
They RESPONDED with Obedience - Vs. 12
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Luke 1:5-39
THE BEST IS YET TO COME!
Imagine taking a friend to you favorite restaurant. The waiter brings out the appetizer, and your friend says, "This fruit cup is great!" And you answer, "You haven't seen nothing yet. The best is yet to come!"
Next, out comes the soup, and your friend says, "Why this is the best soup I've ever eaten!" You answer you friend, "Just wait. The best is still yet to come."
The same thing happens for the salad and the main course. In each case you assure the friend that "The best is yet to come!" And sure enough, when the dessert comes, it turns out to be better than all the good things the man had already tasted at this terrific restaurant. The best was yet to come.
Now imagine a fan of music that has never heard the Messiah. He hears the first few choruses and raves to you how great the music is. You would assure him to "Just wait. The best is yet to come." The best does come at the end with the Hallelujah Chorus.
On a lighter note there's an old story about a preacher who was stealing his messages from a book by Charles Haddon Spurgeon (a great preacher of the past). Unknown to him one of the church deacons had the same book. After listening to the man preaching Spurgeon's sermons without giving him any credit, the deacon took action. On one Sunday morning the deacon shook hands with the pastor at the end of the service, and said "Great message pastor!" And then the deacon leaned over and whispered, "Wait until you see next week's sermon. It's even better!" The best was yet to come. (I am unaware of the source of this story, but it is not original.)
In keeping with the season, our message is found in Luke 1. Here we find the announcements of the births of two men. The first announcement was the announcement of the birth of a great man by the name of John The Baptist. Although John was great, the second birth announcement in this chapter was about the birth of a greater man, The Lord Jesus Christ. Although John was great, THE BEST WAS YET TO COME!
THE ANNOUNCEMENT CONCERNING JOHN
Background Material - Vss. 5-10
A Great Birth - Vss. 11-13
Although Elizabeth had been barren, she would conceive. The child born to Zacharias and Elizabeth would be named "John"
A Great Life - Vs. 14
John would be great in the sight of the Lord!
He was the equivalent of an Old Testament Nazarite, who drank no alcohol. (Numbers 6:1-8)
He was filled with the Holy Spirit from the womb. (Luke 1:41)
A Great Ministry - Vss. 16-17
He would turn many to the Lord. (Vs. 16)
He was the messenger promised in Malachi 3:1. (Vs. 17)
THE ANNOUNCEMENT CONCERNING JESUS
In verses 26-31, Gabriel made a great announcement to Mary.
Mary was puzzled how these things could be. Vs. 34
A Greater Birth - Vs. 35
The birth of the Lord Jesus was the work of the Holy Spirit of god within the body of Mary.
This virgin birth was a greater miracle than the birth of John.
A Greater Life - Vs. 32
Jesus would be called "The Son of the Highest" He was God in the flesh. See John 1:14
A Greater Ministry - Vss. 31-33
According to Vs. 31, the child's name would be JESUS. This word means "Jehovah-salvation".
He accomplished His greatest ministry on the cross when He died for your sins. 2 Corinthians 5:21
He would reign as Israel's Messiah according to Vss. 32-33 (This prophecy will be fulfilled in the future! Psalm 89:3-4)
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Luke 1:5-25
ABOUT GOD'S WILL
GOD EXERCISES HIS WILL IN THE LIVES OF THE GODLY
Vss. 5-7
GOD EXPLAINS HIS WILL THROUGH HIS WORD Vss. 10-17
(Zacharias received the spoken word, we have received the written word.)
GOD EXPECTS THE GODLY TO BELIEVE HIM Vss. 18-25
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CHRISTMAS IS
CHRISTMAS IS A VIRGIN - Luke 1:26-38
CHRISTMAS IS A VISION - Matthew 1:18-25
Joseph needed to know the source of his wife's pregnancy. God explained it to him through a dream.
CHRISTMAS IS A VISIT - Luke 2:1-7
To fulfill prophecy (Micah 5:2), Mary and Joseph visited Bethlehem.
In the birth of Christ, God visited man (John 1:14, Philippians 2:5-7).
CHRISTMAS IS A VOICE - Luke 2:8-14
The voice is that of angels announcing the birth of Christ to the shepherds, and proclaiming glory to God!********************************************************
Luke 1:26-38
A SURPRISE VISIT
Probably every lady in Israel would have liked to be the mother of the promised Messiah. The privilege came to a young lady by the name of Mary. She was visited by the angel, Gabriel.
MARY WAS SPECIAL IN GOD'S EYES. Vss. 26-28
Although we do not hold to the deity of Mary in any way (She was a sinner saved by grace. Luke 1:46-47), she was a very special lady.
MARY WAS SHOWN GOD'S PLAN Vss. 29-37
Although Mary didn't doubt Gabriel, she did need some explanation. Vss. 34-35
MARY WAS SURE THAT GOD TOLD THE TRUTH. Vss 38
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Luke 1:76-80
ABOUT JOHN THE BAPTIST
Under the control of the Holy Spirit, Zecharias tells us about the ministry of his son, John.
JOHN WAS A PROPHET Vs. 76a
JOHN HAD A PURPOSE Vss. 76b-79
1. To Prepare Jesus' Ways Vs. 76b
2. To Give Knowledge Vss. 77-78
3. To Give Light Vs. 79a
4. To Give Guidance Vs. 79b
JOHN MADE PROGRESS Vs. 80
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Luke 2:1-35
WHEN GOD INTERFERED!
We don't think of God interfering with our plans, but He often does. And when God interferes with our plans, it means that He has a better plan. So it is was in the lives of certain people involved in the Christmas Story.
AN INCONVENIENCE THAT FULFILLED PROPHECY - Vss. 1-7
I'm reasonably sure that Mary and Joseph were expecting the Baby Jesus to be born at home in Nazareth. Then the inconvenience took place. Because of a governmental proclamation, Joseph had to register for taxation in Bethlehem. The couple had the inconvenience of birth in a strange, uncomfortable place away for home. But out of that convenience came the fulfillment of prophecy from Micah 5:2.
AN INTERRUPTION THAT WAS A PRIVILEGE - Vss. 8-20
The shepherds were quietly doing their jobs, when they were interrupted with a scary appearance by an angel, and then a heavenly host of angels. They were interrupted, but had the privilege of being the first to see God's Son.
AN INTERLUDE (WAITING PERIOD) THAT BROUGHT PEACE - Vss. 21-35
Simeon was a godly man who was promised that he wouldn't die until he saw the Lord's Christ. Vss. 25-26
He had to wait. The wait was worth it, as we see in verses 29-35.
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Luke 2:25-35
ONE MAN'S CHRISTMAS
People celebrate Christmas in various ways. (Elaborate on the different ways people celebrate the holiday.) There was one man who celebrated the first Christmas in a very fitting way. His name was Simeon.
HE WAS A GODLY MAN Vs. 25
HE HAD A GODLY MOTIVATION Vss. 26-27
The Spirit had told him he would not die until he had seen the Messiah. Also, the Spirit guided him to the baby Jesus in the temple.
HE HAD A GODLY MESSAGE Vss. 28-35
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Luke 2:36-38
ANNA
SHE SERVED FAITHFULLY - Vss. 36-37
SHE SAW JOYFULLY - Vss. 38a
SHE SHARED SELECTIVELY Vs. 38b
Anna shared with those who had like faith.
Note: You might want to combine the messages about Simeon and Anna into one message.
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2 Corinthians 9:15
THE UNSPEAKABLE GIFT
The greatest gift that God ever gave was His Son!
Consider just how unspeakable the gift of Jesus is!
THE UNSPEAKABLE PRESENCE OF JESUS
In His Birth - John 1:14
In His Miracles (Chose your own examples.)
In His Teaching (Chose your own examples.)
THE UNSPEAKABLE PRICE WHICH JESUS PAID - Isaiah 53
THE UNSPEAKABLE POWER OF JESUS
He Arose From the Dead - Matthew 28, 1 Corinthians 15:3-4
He Saves - John 3:16, Acts 4:12
He Intercedes - Hebrews 4:14-16, Hebrews 7:25, 1 John 2:1-2
He's Coming Again - Acts 1:10-11, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
Make sure you accept God's gift of salvation through the Lord Jesus Christ! Ephesians 2:8-9
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Revelation 4:11
EARLY CHRISTMAS PRESENTS
The day after Thanksgiving marks the beginning of the holiday shopping season for Christmas. If you value your sanity, the best thing to do the Friday after Thanksgiving is to stay out of the department stores!
Christmas is coming, and most of us have a sizable Christmas shopping list. I wonder how many have on their list the one who's birthday we celebrate? He's the only one I know who celebrates a birthday and watches others get more presents than He does.
Revelation 4 is an heavenly scene showing the worship around the throne of God. The four and twenty elders are worshipping God, and cast crowns at His feet. As they cast these thrones they say, "Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour, and power..."
Here are three things that every Christian can give the Triune God as an early Christmas present.
GLORY
Glory is praise. We can and should continually give God praise and Thanksgiving. Hebrews 13:15, Philippians 4:4, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, Psalm 29:2, Psalm 100
HONOR
We honor God by:
1. Trusting Christ As Savior. Ephesians 2:8-9
2. Doing good works Ephesians 2:10
3. Using fitting speech. Ephesians 4:29
4. Avoiding the wrong places. Psalm 1:1
5. Doing all things for His glory. Colossians 3:23
6. Thinking the right thoughts. Philippians 4:8
7. Being Obedient. John 14:15
POWER
Allow God's power to work in you. Ephesians 5:18-21, Galatians 5:22-23
Allow God's power to work through you. Philippians 4:13
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Mary
Various Texts
MARY'S CONVERSATION WITH THE ANGEL - Luke 1:26-38
MARY'S COMPLETION OF PROPHECY - Isaiah 7:14, Micah 5:2, Luke 2:1-7
MARY'S CONTACTS AFTER JESUS' BIRTH
1. With The Witnesses - The Shepherds - Luke 2:15-20
2. With The Waiters - Simeon and Anna - Luke 2:27-38 (Waiting for Jesus to arrive)
3. With The Worshipers - The Wise Men - Matthew 2:8-11
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