SERMON SEEDS I36 FOR 12/12/05 - STILL RUNNING LATE
Posted by: jpeters <jpeters@...>
SERMON SEEDS FOR DECEMBER 12, 2005
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A Philippian Christmas
Philippians 2:5-11
Christmas With Paul #2
A Complete Lesson
¯ At Christmastime we think of Jesus as a baby. What are some of the things about Jesus that folks tend to forget, especially at Christmas?
¯ To you, what were the three or four most significant events in the life of the Lord Jesus?
¯ At this time of year, how can we help others see Jesus as more than just a babe born in Bethlehem?
We are considering Christmas with Paul. In this study we are looking at what Paul had to say about the whole life of Jesus from before He was born through to now. Paul certainly shows us that Christmas is more than just a baby.
Vs. 5 - The context of what Paul is talking about here is unity. Paul wanted the Philippians to stop petty bickering, and to be unified. Philippians 2:1-4 explains Paul's appeal nicely. Based on this appeal, in Verse 5 Paul gives the challenge that the person who believes on Christ should have the mind of Christ, or the attitude of Christ.
In talking about the mind or attitude of Christ we find the message of Christmas.
THE HOME OF THE SON OF GOD Vs. 6
· When did Jesus begin to exist? John 1:1-2
· What significant thing(s) did Jesus do before coming to earth? Colossians 1:16
· This word "form refers to the "inner, essential, and abiding nature of a person or thing." What does this tell you about the identity of Jesus?
· What are some things we can be selfish about?
· According to this verse, how was Jesus not selfish?
· What do you think it was like for Jesus to live in Heaven?
THE HUMILITY OF THE SON OF GOD Vss. 7-8a
· But made himself of no reputation... means that he emptied himself. What did He empty Himself of?
· In His lifetime, how did Jesus show Himself to be a servant?
· How did becoming a man automatically make Jesus a servant?
THE HUMILIATION OF THE SON OF GOD Vs. 8b
· How do we know that obedience to God was important to the Lord Jesus?
· In what ways was the Lord Jesus humiliated when He died for our sins? Isaiah 53:3-6
· Why was the cross such a terrible thing?
THE HONOR OF THE SON OF GOD Vss. 9-11
· Why has God exalted the Lord Jesus? Isaiah 53:11-12
· How has God exalted the Lord Jesus right now? Hebrews 4:14
· Name some of the specific people who are going to bow the knee to Jesus, who probably thought that they never would.
· How will the confession by every person that ever lived that Jesus Christ is Lord bring glory to God the Father?
· How should this future bowing and confession affect my attitude this Christmas?
· How should this future bowing and confession affect my lifestyle?
· How should this future bowing and confession affect my witnessing?
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LUKE 1:46-55 etc.
YOUR SONG FOR CHRISTMAS
People have written many songs for Christmas.
Silent Night
O Little Town of Bethlehem
Hark The Herald Angels Sing
Joy To The World
It Came Upon a Midnight Clear
The First Noel, and many more selections are somebody's songs for Christmas.
What is your song for Christmas? I don't mean you have to compose a Christmas Song, and I don't mean you have to chose a favorite, although you probably have. What I do mean is that deep in your heart, you should have a Christmas Song of praise to God. You may express it through one of these Christmas Carols, or through your general attitude.
A song for Christmas is not a modern idea. It actually began with Mary, Zacharias, and the Angels. These dear people help you and I understand what our Christmas Song should be like.
Your song for Christmas should be:
A SONG OF GOD'S GRACE - Luke 1:46-50
The Virgin Mary had received a visit from the Angel Gabriel.
He had given her the great news, that she was going to be the Mother of Israel's promised Messiah, The Lord Jesus Christ. Luke 1:35
Mary's response to the announcement that she would be the mother of Jesus is classic. She said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her. Luke (1:38)
Gabriel had told Mary about another miracle that had taken place. He had told her that her cousin Elizabeth, who was old and called barren, had conceived. Of course Elizabeth was the mother of John the Baptist, the prophet that was supposed to come before Jesus.
1:39-40 - Mary decided to pay a visit to Elizabeth.
1:41-45 - Can you imagine Mary's delight, when Elizabeth confirmed everything that Gabriel had told her. Before Mary uttered more than a greeting Elizabeth, under the influence of God's Holy Spirit, verified what Gabriel had told Mary.
Mary knew that she hadn't imagined anything. Mary was assured that her faith was in the right place.
Mary's response is her Christmas song, which is first of all, a song of grace.
Vs. 47 - Mary is filled with the joy of Christmas! Mary exalts, or magnifies the Lord for all that He had done and would do! Dear friends, that is exactly what we should do in our hearts. Every Christmas Carol that brings glory to God should be sung with an attitude of wanting to magnify God!
Notice something else here. Mary rejoices in God her Savior!
Did Mary need a Savior? Yes! Was it God's intent to send a Savior who would deliver Israel and the world from the penalty of sin? Again, the answer is yes! Consider what Joseph was told when he was instructed to marry Mary. Matthew 1:20-21
Mary knew that she needed a Savior! She knew that God was providing a Savior!
Vs. 48 - Mary understood God's grace. She understood that she was just one of thousands of young woman in Judea at that time. She understood that it was only by God's grace, that she a young, handmaid to the Lord, would be lifted up to be considered special by countless generations.
Vs. 49-50 - Mary realized that it was God who was showing mercy on her, and that he shows mercy on all that fear Him.
Mary's Christmas song was a song of God's grace.
My friend, in order to have a true Christmas song warming your heart, it has to be a song of God's grace.
Like Mary, you need a Savior, someone to deal with your sins.
Like Mary, you are one person among billions of people who ever lived, not much in the greater scheme of things.
Jesus came to earth to die for Mary's sins.
Jesus came to earth to die for your sins. Romans 5:6-8, 1 Corinthians 15:3-4
Jesus dying for our sins was an act of grace.
God's unmerited favor is shown to us when He sent His son to die for our sins.
How do we make this grace ours? John 3:16
Have your experienced God's grace in your life by believing on Jesus for eternal life? If you have not, do so today.
If you have trusted Christ as Savior, make sure that your Christmas Song is one that sings praise to God from the heart for the grace that he has shown you!
A SONG OF GOD'S GREATNESS - Luke 1:51-55
Mary's Song continues. She talks about the greatness of God here. And any Christmas Song should remind us of God's greatness!
Vs. 51 - Our God is strong! He is omnipotent! The God who sends the thunderstorm and created the great Niagara Falls is the God who works on behalf of those in need!
I love the words of Jeremiah 32:17 - Ah Lord GOD! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee:
Notice that God scatters those who are proud in their hearts.
There have been those like Haman in the days of Queen Esther and Adolph Hitler in the days of my parents who proudly thought they would eliminate God's people. God destroyed them!
James 4:6 - But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
There will be a day when all proud people are humbled! Philippians 2:9-11
Vs. 52 - Many a mighty ruler down through the years has been cast off their throne. But many a humble person has been exalted.
Humility is a key ingredient to the Christian life. Matthew 5:5
Vs. 53 - This verse is true in the physical world, but I especially think of God's greatness here in the area of Spiritual things. Matthew 5:6
I think of the Apostles, a small band of 12 men, who hungered and thirsted after righteousness and ended up turning the world upside down for Jesus Christ.
I also think of a King named Agrippa, who had an audience with the great Apostle Paul. Paul preached the Gospel to him, and yet as close as he came to Christianity was the statement, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian. (Acts 26:28)
Agrippa was rich, but he was sent away empty.
Vs. 54 - Israel is another indication of God's greatness. God has protected Israel. God has helped Israel, and make no mistake, Israel will one day be victorious with the help of our Lord Jesus Christ! Don't let the current problems in the Holy Land fool you, Israel will once again be preserved by God. And one day as Isaiah 11 promises, Israel will live in total peace under the rule of her Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ.
A SONG OF YOUR GRATITUDE - Luke 1:67-75
Let us move on to the song of another Bible character named Zacharias.
Zacharias and Elizabeth were a righteous couple who loved the Lord. However they had no children and they were well beyond the childbearing years.
Zecharias was on duty by himself in the Jerusalem temple burning incense.
The angel Gabriel appeared to Him and made a startling announcement. Luke 1:13-17
Zecharias did not believe the Angel and became deaf and dumb.
He went home, and it wasn't long before Elizabeth became pregnant. And in nine months Elizabeth had a baby boy!
Vss. 59-64 - Zacharias, who had been silent for nine months was now able to speak. He was not bitter over God's discipline. Instead he was grateful for what God had done. His song is one of extreme gratitude!
Vs. 68 - Zacharias was grateful for God's visit. God had visited with the supernatural birth of the Messiah's prophet, John the Baptist.
God would visit with the arrival of the Messiah himself, born of a Virgin.
Zacharias was grateful also for God's redemption. Israel was redeemed through these births.
Redemption speaks of the purchase or a slave in order to give him freedom. Jesus was born to die for our sins so He could redeem Israel and everyone else. The only requirement on the part of people is to believe on Him.
Has God visited you with salvation? Have you been redeemed?
Then your Christmas song should be a song of gratitude!
Just think, you would be looking forward to eternal punishment in hell, if it weren't for the work of Christ! Your condition without Christ was terrible!
Zacharias was grateful! How grateful are you for what God has done?
A SONG OF GOD'S GRANDEUR - Luke 2:13-14
Now we move ahead in our story to the birth of our Savior.
You know the story. When he was born in Bethlehem there was an announcement made to a bunch of Shepherds. First one angel appeared and made a wonderful announcement. Luke 2:10-12
Vs. 13-14 - Here is the fitting conclusion for a Christmas song. It is short but it says so much! Glory to God in the Highest!
The grandeur of this Christmas Song is that God gets all the praise! It is God who allowed Zacharias and Elizabeth to have a baby. It is God who caused Mary, a virgin, to give birth to the Lord Jesus.
It is God who sent a Savior.
It is God who gives redemption.
Our Christmas Song should echo this sentiment of glory to God in the highest.
Before we conclude our message about your song of praise, I want you to notice something. If we are going to sing a Christmas song of praise to God that speaks of his grandeur, we also need to wish others peace and good will!
The Christian can not truly praise God with all his heart until he has forgiven those who have hurt him. This Christmas time, make sure that you can truly wish peace and good will to all, because you harbor no grudges and hold no ill feelings. Ephesians 4:30-32
So what about your song this Christmas? Make sure that it is,
A SONG OF GOD'S GRACE - Luke 1:46-50
A SONG OF GOD'S GREATNESS - Luke 1:51-55
A SONG OF YOUR GRATITUDE - Luke 1:67-75
A SONG OF GOD'S GRANDEUR - Luke 2:13-14
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Matthew 2:1-12
CHRISTMAS VISITORS
DIRECTED INQUIRY
Matthew 2:1-2 - Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, [2] Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.
DISTURBED KINGDOM
Matthew 2:3 - When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.
DISTINCT PROPHECY
Matthew 2:4-6 - And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. [5] And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet, [6] And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.
DECEITFUL INSTRUCTIONS
Matthew 2:7-8 - Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. [8] And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.
DELIGHTFUL VISIT
Matthew 2:9-11 - When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. [10] When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. [11] And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.
DIVINE INTERVENTION
Matthew 2:12 - And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.
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Luke 2:1-20
BETHLEHEM VISITORS
These people visited Bethlehem the first Christmas night.
HUMBLE PARENTS Vss. 1-5
HOLY BABY Vss. 6-7
HAPPY ANGELS Vss. 8-14
HOPEFUL SHEPHERDS Vss. 15-20
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Luke 2:25-35
SIMEON, GODS REPRESENTATIVE
SIMEON WAS A GODLY PERSON Vss. 25-26
SIMEON WAS A GODLY PERSON WHO RECEIVED A GODLY PROMISE Vs. 26
SIMEON WAS A GODLY PERSON WHO RECEIVED A GODLY PROMISE, AND CELEBRATED WITH GODLY PRAISE Vss. 27-32
SIMEON WAS A GODLY PERSON WHO RECEIVED A GODLY PROMISE, AND CELEBRATED WITH GODLY PRAISE AND MADE A GODLY PRONOUNCEMENT Vss. 33-35
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Luke 2:25
DO I?
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.
DO I HAVE THE PURITY OF SIMEON? - just and devout,
DO I HAVE THE PATIENCE OF SIMEON? - waiting
DO I HAVE THE POWER OF SIMEON? - and the Holy Ghost was upon him.
This is a previously shared Sermon Seed.
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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.
This is a previously shared Sermon Seed.
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