Glory to God in the Highest

GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST DECEMBER 18, 2022 GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST THE CHRISTMAS STORY IS THE CHRISTMAS GLORY • Luke 2:1–20 (NIV84) — 1 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to his own town to register. 4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST • 8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.” GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST • 15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” 16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. • THE CHRISTMAS ACCOUNT IS THE ACCOUNT OF GOD'S GLORY COMING TO EARTH AND DWELLING AMONG US GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST THE GLORY OF HIS GRACE: • GRACE IS THE GOOD NEWS OF THE GOSPEL • GRACE IS: GOD’S FAVOR; GOD’S MERCY; GOD’S MANY GIFTS; INCLUDING ETERNAL LIFE GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST GRACE IS AN AWESOME AND INCREDIBLE REALITY FOR THE BELIEVER • "A GIFT OF GOD THAT BRINGS JOY“ • GOD’S UNMERITED FAVOR = Favor we don't deserve, can't earn, or pay for GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST • GRACE IS: GOD’S RICHES AT CHRIST’S EXPENSE • GRACE IS EVERYTHING FOR NOTHING -- TO THOSE WHO DON’T DESERVE ANYTHING! GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST GOD’S GRACE SHOWN IS THROUGH JESUS CHRIST AND HIS INCARNATION • (John 3:16 NIV) "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. • GOD’S GRACE MAKES THE CHRISTIAN FAITH DIFFERENT FROM EVERY OTHER RELIGION ON THE PLANET • WE ALL NEED TO HAVE AN ENCOUNTER WITH GOD’S GLORIOUS GRACE GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST THE GLORY OF HIS GLORY IS SEEN IN THE IMPACT OF HIS COMING • THE GLORY OF GOD IS SEEN IN JESUS: YOU CAN’T HELP BUT SEE “THE GLORY OF HIS GLORY” • I.E. HOLINESS, GRACE, LOVE, COMPASSION POWER • HIS GLORY IS HIS MAGNIFICENCE; HIS RADIANCE; BRILLIANCE • God's glory is his overwhelming presence. • God's glory is a display of who He is. HIS GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST WHAT IS THE GLORY OF GOD??? • THE GLORY OF GOD IS: HIS VERY NATURE. IT IS WHO & WHAT HE IS. HE IS GLORY PERSONIFIED • IT'S HIS INDESCRIBABLE MAJESTY AND GRANDEUR. • IT'S HIS AWESOMENESS; HIS HOLINESS; HIS SPLENDOR. THAT IS THE GLORY OF GOD. IT IS WHO HE IS. GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST “THE GLORY OF THE LORD SHONE AROUND THEM” • It is a bright or shining, brightness, splendor, radiance • It was a state of magnificence, greatness, that caught their eye • It is seen in the transcendent angelic beings that announced His birth GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST • (LUKE 2:13) Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests. • (LUKE 2:20) The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST • Colossians 3:4 (NIV) — 4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. • WE WILL BE WITH HIM IN GLORY: THE GLORY OF HIS GLORY! • IN SCRIPTURE: • God is called the Father of glory. Ephesians 1:17 • AND -- the God of glory. Acts 7:2 GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST WE ARE GIVEN A DUTY REGARDING THE GLORY OF GOD • To honor and glorify God. Matthew 6:9-10 • WHAT BETTER DISPLAY OF HIS GLORY THAN JESUS? • HE IS GOD'S GLORY ON DISPLAY! GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST • HIS COMING GIVES US REASONS TO GIVE GLORY TO GOD • GOD'S PRESENCE AND HIS GLORY ARE ONE IN THE SAME • GOD'S PRESENCE AMONG HIS PEOPLE ALWAYS BRINGS HIS GLORY GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST THE GLORY OF HIS GIFT AND HIS GIVING LOOK AT THE GREATNESS OF THE GIFT: • A GIFT THAT WOULD COVER AND TAKE CARE OF THE GREATNESS OF OUR NEED • JESUS THE GREATEST GIFT EVER GIVEN GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST • A GIFT THAT NOT ONLY GIVES US LIFE IN THE HERE AND NOW… • BUT HIS GIFT GIVES US LIFE FOR ETERNITY • A GIFT THAT BROUGHT TO US THE ONE THING IN LIFE THAT WE NEEDED THE MOST IT BROUGHT TO US A SAVIOR GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST JESUS IS A GIFT OF THE TRUE GLORY OF CHRISTMAS • JESUS’ BIRTH IS THE BIRTH OF A SAVIOR... • This is God's glorious gift to us • JESUS IS A SAVING GIFT; Those who believe in him don't perish or die but they live eternally GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST HE IS JESUS CHRIST; OUR LORD AND SAVIOR. • OH, HOW GLORIOUS IS THIS GREAT GIFT! • HE IS A SAVIOR WHO BOUGHT AND PAID FOR OUR PARDON. • HE IS A SAVIOR WHO PROVIDES THE ONLY WAY TO KNOW AND FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD. GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST OH, THE GLORY OF CHRISTMAS: • THE GLORY OF HIS GRACE • THE GLORY OF HIS GLORY • THE GLORY OF HIS GREAT GIFT