Sermon Tone Analysis

Introduction

When the fullness of time had come.

The turning point of history B.C. becomes A.D. Christ is the centre, Christ is the essence.

His Birth, Death, Resurrection, Ascension and Triumphant Return are all part of a glorious, sovereign, certain plan of God.

Four have happened the fifth is yet to come.

Our nine readings trace the unfolding of the first part of the plan, Christ’s birth and give the certainty of the other four.

We will look briefly at the nine readings.

Slide

1. God tells sinful Adam that he has lost the life of Paradise and that his seed will bruise the serpent’s head.

Slide

Genesis 3:15 (ESV)

15 I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.”

Slide

2. God promises to faithful Abraham that in his seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed.

Slide

Genesis 22:17–18 (ESV)

17 I will surely bless you, and I will surely multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore.

And your offspring shall possess the gate of his enemies, 18 and in your offspring shall all the nations of the earth be blessed, because you have obeyed my voice.”

Slide

3. The prophet foretells the coming of the Saviour.

Slide

Isaiah 9:6 (ESV)

6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Slide

4. The peace that Christ will bring is foreshown.

Slide

Isaiah 11:1–2 (ESV)

1 There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit. 2 And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.

Slide

5.

The angel Gabriel appears to Mary.

Slide

Luke 1:38 (ESV)

38 And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.”

And the angel departed from her.

Slide

6. Luke tells of the birth of Jesus.

Slide

Luke 2:7 (ESV)

7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

Slide

7. The shepherds go to the manger.

Slide

Luke 2:10–11 (ESV)

10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.

11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord.

Slide

8.

The wise men are led by the star to Jesus.

Slide

Matthew 2:11 (ESV)

11 And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshipped him.

Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.

Slide

9. John unfolds the great mystery of the Incarnation.

John 1:14 (ESV)

14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Conclusion

Slide

2 Corinthians 9:15 (ESV)

15 Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!