SERMON SEEDS G40 FOR 12/15/03
Posted by: jpeters <jpeters@...>
WELCOME TO SERMON SEEDS FOR DECEMBER 15, 2003
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THIS WEEKS EDITION OF SEEDS INCLUDES THE CONCLUSION OF THE FORGOTTEN FACES SERIES WITH ANOTHER CHRISTMAS THEME. ALSO INCLUDED IS A REVISION AND ELABORATION ON AN OUTLINE SENT LAST WEEK. I AM ALSO INCLUDING SOME CHRISTMAS OUTLINES FROM SERMON SEEDS FIRST CHRISTMAS (1997)
MORE OUTLINES FOR THE CHRISTMAS SEASON MAY BE FOUND AT http://www.sermonseeds.org/CHRISTMAS.htm
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FORGOTTEN FACE OF A MAN WHO ONLY HAD ONE CHRISTMAS
# 10 of 10 In Forgotten Faces Series
People celebrate Christmas in different ways. Some of you will have big Christmas dinner at home. Others will go out to eat either to a restaurant or someones home. Some of you will open presents Christmas Eve, others will open them Christmas morning. Some will read the Christmas story. Some will have a real tree, while some will have an artificial tree. Some have no tree. Many will hang stockings and/or mistletoe. Some of you will Christmas carol and/or visit shut-ins.
However, how would you celebrate Christmas if it you only had one? Thats right. You would know in advance that say, this Christmas would be the only Christmas that you would ever celebrate? In the Bible there is such a man. His name was Simeon, who was promised that he would not die until he saw the Lords Christ, that is the Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ. Most of us believe that Simeon was an old man. After seeing the Lord Jesus he proclaimed, Now let thou thy servant depart in peace according to thy word.
This can be said for Simeon: He was a man with only one Christmas, but he was a man who celebrated Christmas in a way that was honoring and pleasing to God. Simeons Christmas is a model of how you and I, who have more Christmases than he did, can and should celebrate.
SIMEON HAD A CHRISTMAS CHARACTER Vss. 25-31
SIMEON HAD A CHRISTMAS MESSAGE Vss. 32-35
We will examine Simeons Christmas Character and think about making it our own character.
Lets set the scene from earlier verses in Luke 2.
Vss. 1-3 Caesar Augustus, Roman Emperor, issued a decree that the whole world should be registered for taxation.
Vss. 4-5 Joseph and Mary went together to be taxed in the city of Josephs ancestors, Bethlehem.
Vss. 6-7 Mary had the Baby in a stable, and laid Him in the manger, because there was no room in the local inn.
Vss. 8-17 Shepherds received the message of Jesus birth, made a visit, and told others.
Vs. 21 Jesus was circumcised on the eighth day.
Vss. 22-24 The wife was considered ceremonially impure for 40 days after the birth of a male child. She could not enter the temple. A sacrifice was to be offered. In this case, it was the sacrifice of a poorer person.
Also, Jesus was presented or dedicated in the temple, redeemed by a payment of 5 shekels.
Now Simeon enters the picture.
We do not know that he was a priest, or a Levite, or a scribe, or a ruler.
We only know that he was a godly man.
Very possible, he was what we would call a layman.
This reminds me that one does not have to have a bunch of degrees in the back of his name, or a title in front of his name to be used of God.
Be Godly! Serve Him faithfully, and God will use you.!
SIMEON HAD A CHRISTMAS CHARACTER Vss. 25-31
Have you noticed how people get what we call Christmas Spirit?
People who are grouchy all year round manage to be jolly at Christmastime. People who are stingy all year round, find some generosity at Christmastime. People who never go to church show up on Christmas Eve.
Simeon had Christmas spirit, but Id call it Christmas character. He didnt just have it at Christmastime. He had it all year round. We should follow Simeons example. God would be pleased if you and I had Christmas Spirit or character 365 days a year.
Lets analyze this character:
· SIMEON WAS RIGHTEOUS
Luke 2:25 - And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.
The word in the KJV is just. This means righteous.
A man who is righteous in the Bible is not sinless. God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit are sinless. Man is not.
A man who is righteous is a man who is first right with God. What better way to celebrate Christmas than to be right with the one who sponsors Christmas, God the Father. He sponsored Christmas by sending His Son.
You probably realize that nobody is naturally righteous in Gods eyes. You probably realize that weve all failed God. Isaiah 64:6
It is only a persons faith that makes a person righteous.
Four times in the Bible the statement is made, The just shall live by faith.
It is faith in Christ that saves. Romans 5:1
Those of us who have trusted Christ as Savior should not stop living righteously by faith. The walk of faith is to be a daily experience. 2 Corinthians 5:7, Hebrews 11:6
SIMEON WAS RIGHTEOUS
· SIMEON WAS DEVOUT
He was serious about his commitment to God.
He was reverent.
We need to practice the presence of our Savior, listening for Him, and talking to Him, 365 days a year, but especially around the celebration of His birthday.
We sing a great hymn, In the Garden.
However do we practice what we sing?
And He walks with me, and He talks with me,
And He tells me I am His own;
And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other has ever known.
I think of being devout as practicing the presence of God in my life. The more I am cognizant of Christs presence in and through me, the more devout I will be.
SIMEON WAS RIGHTEOUS
SIMEON WAS DEVOUT
· SIMEON WAS WAITING
Who was Simeon waiting for?
He was waiting for the consolation of Israel.
Who or what was that?
It is none other than the Lord Jesus Christ.
The prophecy in Daniel 9 concerning Israels Messiah was close to the time of fulfillment. Simeon evidently knew this. So, he was waiting for Israels Messiah.
Just as Simeon was waiting for the first coming of Jesus, the Messiah, we should be waiting for the second coming of Jesus the Messiah. John 14:2-3, Titus 2:11-13
· SIMEON WAS HOLY SPIRIT CONTROLLED
and the Holy Ghost was upon him.
The Holy Ghost rested upon Simeon. Today, each child of God has the Holy Spirit living inside of him. John 14:16-17
Today we are to be filled or controlled by the Holy Spirit. Ephesians 5:18, Galatians 5:16
Luke 2:26 - And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ.
The Holy Ghost had told Simeon that death would not come until he, Simeon, had seen the Messiah.
Today Gods Holy Spirit has a teaching ministry.
As we study Gods Word, hear it preached and pray, the Holy Spirit will instruct us. John 16:13
Luke 2:27 - And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law,
Gods Holy Spirit guided Simeon to be in the right place at the right time and led him to the right child.
As we are guided by God we will be at the right place at the right time.
· SIMEON WAS GRATEFUL
Luke 2:28 - Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,
He blessed God!
He showed his gratitude.
He had seen the Lords salvation in a person, the Lord Jesus Christ.
He knew that God was faithful to Israel.
He knew that God was faithful to keep His promises.
He had much for which to be grateful, and knew it.
I fear that this is one part of the Christmas character that we often overlook.
We fail to say thank you to God and to praise Him.
We forget to be truly thankful for the gift of His Son at Christmastime.
But we also forget to be grateful year round. Things go wrong and we do not give thanks or worship. If we look around at what others are facing, very often we recognize Gods good hand upon us.
When we fail to look around and God continues to bless us, we often fail to recognize just how good God has been to us and we fail to say thank you. 1 Thessalonians 5:18
· SIMEON WAS SUBMISSIVE
Luke 2:29 - Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:
The word now is stressed here. He was ready to go according to the plan of God. There were no complaints, no begging God for more time. He had seen what God had promised and he was satisfied.
Simeon recognized that God was his absolute owner. Lord
Think of yourself.
Can you say that God has rights of ownership in your life? Of course He does!
But do you admit it? Do you submit to it?
God owns you because of creation.
God owns you because of redemption. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
The best gift we can possibly give to God is to recognize and accept His ownership and absolute rule in our lives.
Simeon only had one Christmas.
But He celebrated it with a Christmas character.
SIMEON WAS RIGHTEOUS
SIMEON WAS DEVOUT
SIMEON WAS WAITING
SIMEON WAS HOLY SPIRIT CONTROLLED
SIMEON WAS GRATEFUL
SIMEON WAS SUBMISSIVE
Let us follow His example and display a Christmas character all the year round.
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Luke 2, Matthew 2
THE JOYS OF CHRISTMAS
When we do these nice things, we are showing the joys of Christmas.
We feel the stress of getting ready for Christmas, but Christmas is a time of joy.
We let the attitudes and actions of others bother us, but Christmas is a time of joy.
We get frustrated with long lines at the stores and the incompetency of store personnel, but Christmas is a time of joy.
We get upset with ourselves when we dont do what we know we should do, and do things that we shouldnt do, but Christmas is a time of joy!
The Bible is very clear that Christmas is a time of joy. I want us to see Bible characters who had joy on that first Christmas.
THE ANGELS HAD THE JOY OF REVEALING
As you know, Jesus was born in Bethlehem to a virgin named Mary. Joseph was Jesus step-father.
She wrapped Jesus is swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger. There was no room in the inn.
Luke 2: 8 Out on a hillside outside of Bethlehem, shepherds were doing a traditional duty. They were keeping watch over their flocks.
Vs. 9 An angel appearing out of nowhere would have been startling enough. But you can imagine the intense light that must have shone round about him, probably lighting up the night sky. The shepherds were terrified.
Vs. 10 The angel brings to them good tidings of great joy.
If the good tidings had just been for the shepherds or for the people of Israel, it would have still been good tidings of great joy.
But this message of joy is for the whole world, including you, me, America, and the people of every tongue and nation.
Vs. 11 Notice that the shepherds are told that Jesus was born to them. He was born for their benefit!
He was born in the City of David, Davids home town, Bethlehem.
He was born to be the Savior. Thats exactly what He did when he died on the cross to pay the debt you owe God for your sins. Isaiah 53
Not only was he born to be the Savior but He was Christ, the Lord
Jesus was the promised Messiah, the anointed one who was promised in the Old Testament.
Jesus was and is the Lord. He has the authority and power to reign.
Vs. 12 The babe would be tightly wrapped in long strips of cloth called swaddling clothes. He would also be found lying in a manger.
As a servant of God, I am sure that it was sheer joy for this angel to reveal this great news. This was Gods plan, and the angel would rejoice in the plan of God.
Vss. 13-14 As if the message of one angel needed confirmation, and I think because the angels could not remain silent, an angel host filled the sky giving praise to God.
The only way there will be peace on earth is when Jesus comes and rules. And will.
The only way there is true good will to men is through the ministry of the Lord Jesus.
THE SHEPHERDS HAD THE JOY OF RECEIVING
Vs. 15- 16 The shepherds decided to do the logical thing.
They decided to go and see this child.
They received the news from the angel as truth and
acted on it. They believed what they were told.
And they found things to be just as the angels had reported.
You have been told the story of Christmas.
Do you accept the story of Christmas as true?
More important, have you received the Lord Jesus as your Savior? Have you trusted in Him as your forgiveness of sin and your only hope for Heaven? John 1:12, Romans 5:1
Vs. 20 Notice the great joy that led to glorifying and praising God for what they had seen and heard.
They experienced the joy that was a result of receiving the message of the Angel by faith.
If you dont know Jesus as your Savior, make this the happiest day of your life by trusting in Him. If you do know Christ as Savior, if you have received Him, I encourage for you to continue to receive.
Continue to receive the message of the Angels with joy.
Continue to study your Bible and do what it says and you will have the joy that obedience brings.
Continue to abide in Christ, and experience the joy of His daily presence.
Continue to talk to God and experience the joy of answered prayer!
Continue to receive what God has to tell you by faith and continue to feel joy and to rejoice!
THE SHEPHERDS AND ANNA HAD THE JOY OF REPORTING
Vss. 17-18 The shepherds could not keep silent.
They had seen a miracle.
They had seen Gods Anointed One for themselves.
They had something to report and they did.
Vss. 36-38 A very old woman named Anna saw the Lord Jesus and praised God. And she told those who were waiting for the coming of Gods Messiah.
You realize that one of your obligations as a Christian is to be a reporter of the good news about Jesus. Mark 16:1, 1 Peter 3:15
We have a problem.
Our problem is this: We know we should report to others about the Lord Jesus. We know that we should tell them they need to be saved and we know we should tell them how to be saved.
But we consider witnessing a cold obligation that wed rather pass up or ignore for fear of the response of others or fear of our own embarrassment if we mess it up.
We fail to consider witnessing as a joy and a privilege.
It should be a joy to tell people what has happened to us.
It should be a joy to tell people that there is only one way to Heaven, and you can tell them what it is.
It should be a joy to represent as an ambassador for the one who has done so much for us.
2 Corinthians 5:20
Will you take the time to share your joy with those who need to hear it?
MARY HAD THE JOY OF REFLECTING
Luke 2:19 - But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
Mary thought on all the events of Christmas.
She pondered them. She remembered them.
In fact, I personally believe that Lukes account of the Christmas story probably came from Mary herself.
She was able to share many years later because she had pondered them in her heart.
Have you discovered the joy of reflecting in a Spiritual sense?
The more you memorize and meditate upon Scripture the more joy you will have.
And the more you reflect on the Christmas story and what it means to you, the more joy you will have. Jeremiah 15:16
THE WISE MEN HAD THE JOY OF RECIPROCATING
Matthew 2:1-12 tells the story of the Wise Men who came to visit Jesus.
These mystical men of the east came bearing gifts.
In appreciation for the birth of The King of the Jews they brought gifts.
They brought four gifts.
Yes, four!
They brought gold, frankincense and myrrh.
But they also brought the gift of worship.
Matthew 2:11 says they fell down and worshipped him.
Their worship for the King of Kings and Lord of Lords was the best gift of all.
Do you appreciate what Jesus has done for you?
You could never fully reciprocate for what He has done, but there are some things you can do. These things will bring joy.
· Joyfully take the time to worship Him.
· Joyfully help someone else in need in His name.
· Joyfully continue to support His church and His missionaries.
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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"
Sermon Seeds A39
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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.
Sermon Seeds A39
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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
Sermon Seeds A39
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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
Sermon Seeds A39
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Matthew 2
LESSONS FOR CHRISTMAS
The Christmas story is full of truths which we can apply to our own lives. Consider these four truths from Matthew 2:
1. GOD'S TIMING IS PERFECT Vss. 1-2
Jesus was born at just the right time and in just the right place (Micah 5:2)
The wise men came at just the right time to just the right place.
2. GOD'S ENEMIES ARE TREACHEROUS Vss. 3-8
Satan, through Herod, would do all that he could to destroy the Lord Jesus, including trying to deceive the wise men.
3. GOD'S SERVANTS ARE FAITHFUL Vss. 9-14
a. To go. Vss. 9-10
b. To share. Vs. 11
c. To obey. Vss. 12-14 (The wise men and Joseph obeyed God's directions.)
4. GOD'S PROTECTION IS POWERFUL Vss. 15-23
Satan through Herod tried to destroy Jesus, but God protected His Son.
Sermon Seeds A40
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Matthew 2:1-12
HOW WISE ARE YOU?
WISE MEN SEEK JESUS - Vss. 1-10
WISE MEN SHARE WITH JESUS - Vs. 11
WISE MEN SENSE GOD'S LEADING - Vs. 12
Sermon Seeds A40
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Luke 1:13 etc.
"FEAR NOT!"
One of the great messages of the Bible is that those who fear and trust God completely have nothing to fear. Many times God says to his followers, "Fear Not". Consider that this message is stated four different times in the Christmas Account. God says "Fear not" to:
1. A DESPERATE OLD MAN - Luke 1:13 (Luke 1:5-25)
Zecharias so desperately wanted a son that he was probably praying for one, when he was supposed to be praying for the people. When we are desperate, God says to us "Fear not".
2. A DISTINCT YOUNG WOMAN - Luke 1:30 (Luke 1:26-38)
Mary was distinct because she was chosen to be the mother of the Messiah. We are distinct as Christians because we the children of God, and have nothing to fear except God (Luke 12:4-5). Because we are distinct, God says to us, "Fear not".
3. A DISAPPOINTED YOUNG MAN - Matthew. 1:20 (Matthew. 1:18-25) - Joseph was disappointed because he thought his bride to be was unfaithful. God's message to "fear not", assured Joseph that all was well. Often through our disappointments we will hear God say,
"Fear not."
4. DEDICATED SERVANTS - Luke 2:10 (Luke 2:8-14)
The shepherds were just doing their jobs, watching their flocks by night. Something special happened to them on the job. The angel appeared, and they were told to "fear not". As we faithfully serve the
Lord, and a surprise occurs, we will hear the Lord saying "Fear not."
Sermon Seeds A40
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Luke 2:10-14
MESSAGE OF THE ANGELS
A PEACEFUL MESSAGE - "Fear not, for behold I bring you good tidings of great joy..."
A PERSONAL MESSAGE - "...for unto you..."
A PRACTICAL MESSAGE - "...is born...a savior, which is Christ the Lord."
A PRAISE WORTHY MESSAGE - Vss. 13-14
Sermon Seeds A40
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