“Born Unto Us This Day!”
Scripture: Luke 2:8-14
Introduction: When you think of Christmas, what comes to mind? Many of us would remember the Christmas’s of the past, of the joy and the love we shared as we gathered with family and friends to celebrate the occasion by delicious foods and gifts unimaginable. We might remember that special gift that we asked for and, to our astonishment, received. We might think of the response from someone close to us that opened a gift we gave to them. The joy and wonder in their eyes as they opened their treasure. We might think of the wonderful lights and beautiful displays that would meet our eyes as we wondered from neighborhood to neighborhood. And, of course, who could forget the tree? Splendidly decorated to our fancy and our taste as we prepared to celebrate what has become a retailer’s delight. Oh yes! The wonders of Christmas! The sights, the sounds, the smells! But, may I say to you that this should not be the significance of the day known as Christmas that we celebrate. We know that Christmas should be the day we recognize as the birth of Christ. But, is this only what we should be keeping upon our hearts? Friends, I say to you that this occasion should bring to our minds so very much more--that we would, with all our hearts, celebrate this joyous occasion! That we would recognize and understand what transpired over 2000 years ago in a tiny town known as Bethlehem.
I. God Gives Man Hope-v10. When Adam and Eve fell from God’s grace, they separated themselves and the rest of mankind from the absolute presence of God. No longer would man walk next to God as he did in the Garden. Sin and death would be brought into the world through the deception of man’s enemy-the devil. The world would go through traumatic changes as the ravages of sin turned the world upside down and inside out. Man would face wars, diseases, and a great flood that would wipe out almost all mankind. But, through out it all, the great God Almighty would promise us through His Word, through His prophets, that One would come that would bring an end to the suffering and death that has plagued mankind throughout our entire existence. God would provide hope for man. That we would no longer be under the ravages of sin. That we would no longer be held in the bondages of disease and suffering. That one day, One would come that would free all those that would choose to trust in God. One day One would come that would offer a way far greater than any known to be set free from the power of sin and death.
II. God Gives Man A Way To Peace-v14. As the wages of sin entered the world, peace was no longer prevalent upon man. He has since been forced to toil for his lively hood (Gen 3:17-19). Man would work, with blood, sweat, and tears, to provide for himself and his family, ever knowing that at the end of it all, he would be faced with death and turning all his accomplishments over to somebody else (Ecc 2:20). What is peace? The dictionary list peace as freedom, tranquility, mental calm, harmony, law and order. As sin has run its course, it is often difficult to know or see these states in our lives. But, 2000 years ago, One was born to us that would bring to man all these and more. Man would still have to toil and work, but we would be able to do it joyfully and at peace knowing that the One would be with us always to teach us and to guide us. We would no longer be working for ourselves, but for the One who was born so long ago (Col 3:23). God would lay upon us all, through the One born, a peace that would transcend all understanding (Phil 4:7). But that peace would be available only to those that would trust in and give their life over to the One sent to man!
III. God Gives Man A Savior-v11. Throughout this entire message I have been using the “One” to point to what God sent to man so long ago. That One is non other than the Lord Jesus Christ! God provided to mankind a Savior! Friends, the reason for the season is non other than Jesus Christ! God gave to us a way to be free, to be at peace, to live happily and joyously, no matter what may come against us as we live out our lives here on this earth. No longer would sin and death have power over us! Yes friends, our bodies will die, but our soul will live on forever, and if you have given your life over to Jesus, you will live on forever with Him in His mighty kingdom, never again to have tears, or pain, or suffering, or sin come against you. How often during our trials and temptations are we quick to forget that God loved us, His creation, so much that He provided a way for us to be with Him for all eternity! Praise the Lord God Almighty that we no longer have to fear anything, that we are no longer defeated, that for all eternity Satan has lost his grip on all that God created! Give a shout today that Christ came and died for you and for me! That Christ Jesus lives forever to loves us and take care of us, to guide us and strengthen us! Praise the Lord!
Conclusion: Friend, have you trusted in the Lord Jesus Christ for your life today? If you haven’t, what is delaying you? What is keeping you from being loved greater than anyone else could ever love you? What is keeping you from being victorious in your life today? Friend, come to Jesus! This day that we celebrate has been set aside to remember that God so loved the world that He gave to us, you and me, a way to be free from the bondage of sin and death. 2000 years ago, love came into the world because we have a Mighty God who loves us and wants nothing more that for us to let Him love us! Won’t you allow Him to love you today? You won’t be disappointed, as a matter of fact, your life will explode into victory, no matter what might befall you, and you can rest assured that the Lord Jesus has the very best in store for you. Jesus Christ has made a way for you and me to live victoriously because all things are through Him, to Him, and for Him. May God bless you this Christmas season!
Harold Trent
Scripture: Luke 2:8-14
Introduction: When you think of Christmas, what comes to mind? Many of us would remember the Christmas’s of the past, of the joy and the love we shared as we gathered with family and friends to celebrate the occasion by delicious foods and gifts unimaginable. We might remember that special gift that we asked for and, to our astonishment, received. We might think of the response from someone close to us that opened a gift we gave to them. The joy and wonder in their eyes as they opened their treasure. We might think of the wonderful lights and beautiful displays that would meet our eyes as we wondered from neighborhood to neighborhood. And, of course, who could forget the tree? Splendidly decorated to our fancy and our taste as we prepared to celebrate what has become a retailer’s delight. Oh yes! The wonders of Christmas! The sights, the sounds, the smells! But, may I say to you that this should not be the significance of the day known as Christmas that we celebrate. We know that Christmas should be the day we recognize as the birth of Christ. But, is this only what we should be keeping upon our hearts? Friends, I say to you that this occasion should bring to our minds so very much more--that we would, with all our hearts, celebrate this joyous occasion! That we would recognize and understand what transpired over 2000 years ago in a tiny town known as Bethlehem.
I. God Gives Man Hope-v10. When Adam and Eve fell from God’s grace, they separated themselves and the rest of mankind from the absolute presence of God. No longer would man walk next to God as he did in the Garden. Sin and death would be brought into the world through the deception of man’s enemy-the devil. The world would go through traumatic changes as the ravages of sin turned the world upside down and inside out. Man would face wars, diseases, and a great flood that would wipe out almost all mankind. But, through out it all, the great God Almighty would promise us through His Word, through His prophets, that One would come that would bring an end to the suffering and death that has plagued mankind throughout our entire existence. God would provide hope for man. That we would no longer be under the ravages of sin. That we would no longer be held in the bondages of disease and suffering. That one day, One would come that would free all those that would choose to trust in God. One day One would come that would offer a way far greater than any known to be set free from the power of sin and death.
II. God Gives Man A Way To Peace-v14. As the wages of sin entered the world, peace was no longer prevalent upon man. He has since been forced to toil for his lively hood (Gen 3:17-19). Man would work, with blood, sweat, and tears, to provide for himself and his family, ever knowing that at the end of it all, he would be faced with death and turning all his accomplishments over to somebody else (Ecc 2:20). What is peace? The dictionary list peace as freedom, tranquility, mental calm, harmony, law and order. As sin has run its course, it is often difficult to know or see these states in our lives. But, 2000 years ago, One was born to us that would bring to man all these and more. Man would still have to toil and work, but we would be able to do it joyfully and at peace knowing that the One would be with us always to teach us and to guide us. We would no longer be working for ourselves, but for the One who was born so long ago (Col 3:23). God would lay upon us all, through the One born, a peace that would transcend all understanding (Phil 4:7). But that peace would be available only to those that would trust in and give their life over to the One sent to man!
III. God Gives Man A Savior-v11. Throughout this entire message I have been using the “One” to point to what God sent to man so long ago. That One is non other than the Lord Jesus Christ! God provided to mankind a Savior! Friends, the reason for the season is non other than Jesus Christ! God gave to us a way to be free, to be at peace, to live happily and joyously, no matter what may come against us as we live out our lives here on this earth. No longer would sin and death have power over us! Yes friends, our bodies will die, but our soul will live on forever, and if you have given your life over to Jesus, you will live on forever with Him in His mighty kingdom, never again to have tears, or pain, or suffering, or sin come against you. How often during our trials and temptations are we quick to forget that God loved us, His creation, so much that He provided a way for us to be with Him for all eternity! Praise the Lord God Almighty that we no longer have to fear anything, that we are no longer defeated, that for all eternity Satan has lost his grip on all that God created! Give a shout today that Christ came and died for you and for me! That Christ Jesus lives forever to loves us and take care of us, to guide us and strengthen us! Praise the Lord!
Conclusion: Friend, have you trusted in the Lord Jesus Christ for your life today? If you haven’t, what is delaying you? What is keeping you from being loved greater than anyone else could ever love you? What is keeping you from being victorious in your life today? Friend, come to Jesus! This day that we celebrate has been set aside to remember that God so loved the world that He gave to us, you and me, a way to be free from the bondage of sin and death. 2000 years ago, love came into the world because we have a Mighty God who loves us and wants nothing more that for us to let Him love us! Won’t you allow Him to love you today? You won’t be disappointed, as a matter of fact, your life will explode into victory, no matter what might befall you, and you can rest assured that the Lord Jesus has the very best in store for you. Jesus Christ has made a way for you and me to live victoriously because all things are through Him, to Him, and for Him. May God bless you this Christmas season!
Harold Trent
Comments
Post a Comment