The Significance Christmas

Christmas Illustration – MERRY CHRISTMAS

Opening Prayer

· I want to take us back to a month ago to look at snapshots of a family’s experience this Christmas season. Fictional story

· It’s Friday morning November 25th, the day after Thanksgiving.

· Joe and Susan get up early in the morning and drive to Rapid City to shop after Joe’s failed attempt to avoid this catastrophe. They must beat the crowds to get the Black Friday deals on the Christmas present list this year.

Pause

· After a few days pass by. And after some well needed rest from this experience, the Christmas planning begins.

· Susan is getting Christmas cards ready to send to family and friends.

· Meanwhile, Joe is planning out a schedule for the bowl games and NFL games he’s planning on watching this December.

Pause

· Now a few more days have passed by and Susan is now planning out the Christmas day menu.

· Joe has been sent out to decorate the house with lights. The temperature,1.

· After an hour and a half, Joe is not in the best of moods because it took him this long to just untangle a massive knot of lights.

· After another 2 hours, the lights are finally up. Joe plugs them in and of course half of the lights don’t work. That’s the last straw for Joe because he equates checking every bulb with the last prostate exam he had.

Pause

· Christmas is now getting close, so Susan makes the drive to Gillette to get all the groceries. She is kicking herself for not going earlier after parking a mile away from Walmart and spending the next 3 hours weaving her way around the 2000 people there.

· Joe stays home after a long deliberation of which is worse, Walmart or cleaning the house. Cleaning house wins.

· And since Susan will be gone, he figures on cleaning only the areas of high visibility. And the bathroom? Forget about it, it looks great.

· Susan finally returns home from Walmart with a look on her face that would run off a bear. Never mind the look she has after she has seen Joe’s idea of a clean house.

· Joe makes a B-line for the back door headed to the garage to find anything he can work on for the next 6 hours.

· He now doesn’t even care what the temperature is. Frostbite seems pleasant compared to facing Susan.

· That night, Susan gently encourages Joe to sleep on the couch.

Pause

· It’s now 2 days until Christmas. Joe and Susan are welcoming the relatives with smiles as they arrive at the house while in the back of their minds, they are worried about what Crazy Uncle Bill will do this year.

· Christmas has officially begun.

Pause

· Christmas morning finally arrives. And it arrives at 5am as the kids wake them up eager to open presents. Mind you, these are the same kids that trying to wake them up for school is like pulling teeth.

· The tree looks perfect. Most of the presents under the tree are wonderfully wrapped by Susan.

· The remainder of the wrapping was Joe’s responsibility, which apparently, he delegated the job to an ape.

Pause

· The rest of the day, Susan, her mother, and mother-in-law spend in the kitchen preparing dinner.

· Joe and the guys are watching football between naps.

· Dinner is now ready. The table and food look fantastic as if Martha Stuart did it herself.

· Everyone is enjoying the meal, except little Bobby who thinks any vegetable should be avoided like the plague.

· Afterwards, they all make their way to the living room for coffee and dessert.

· But they must pass through the kitchen which looks like the PBR held the bull riding event there.

Pause

· As the night passes by and Christmas day is over, Joe and Susan are wondering what happened during this whirlwind of a month.

· They finally make their way to the bedroom and spend the next 2 days sleeping.

*** I bet many of you can relate to this story.

Pause

Transition

Every year on December 25th families around the world celebrate Christmas, celebrate the birth of Jesus. Unfortunately, many experience the Christmas season like the story I just described.

As Beth and I were planning our own Christmas this year, I started reflecting on the reason for the season. And in doing so, 3 questions came to my mind. I asked myself;

Do I take time out of our busy schedule to purposely reflect on the significance of Jesus’ birth?

Does an event that occured over 2000 years ago have any bearing on my life today?

And have I heard the Christmas story so many times that I have taken it for granted, lost the amazement and awe that I felt when I first believed for the reason why God sent His son?

Well, maybe tonight, maybe tomorrow we all can take time to reflect on these questions.

I believe that until we understand and embrace the significance of Christ’s birth, it will remain just another holiday we observe.

Pause

C. Main Point

So as we look at the significance of this monumental event in history, it is important for us first to know that this birth is just the beginning of God’s overarching plan of redemption and salvation.

And because of this, I want to look at the bigger picture tonight.

Because the centrality of God’s activity and His plan of salvation lies in both the person AND WORK of Christ. He is Emanuel, which means “God with us”

Pause

D. Transition and Context

Our Scripture reading tonight picks up from Luke’s narrative we heard in our children’s message.

Mary and Joseph taking Jesus to the temple in Jerusalem to be dedicated. This was the Jewish custom that every first born son was to be presented to the Lord and be circumcised on the 8th day after their birth.

But Before we look at this event in the Bible, I want to provide some context for us.

The narrative focuses on a man named Simeon. His role in the story would be to testify to the identity of Christ and the significance of His birth.

Now Simeon was a wise Jewish elder. He was anticipating the coming of a King who would be the salvation of Israel.

You see, the Jewish people knew the Old Testament very well, they knew of the prophesy of the coming of this King.

In fact, Steve’s earlier reading of the passage in the Old Testament book of Isaiah prophesied about this king who is Jesus. The amazing thing was that it was written over 700 years before Christ’s birth.

Pause

So Let’s now turn to our text.

E. The reading is from the Gospel of Luke in chapter 2 versus 25-33.

Pause

(25) Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. (26) And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. (27) And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, (28) he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said,

(29)  “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word;

(30) for my eyes have seen your salvation

(31) that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,

(32) a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.”

(33) And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him.

AMEN

Pause

F. Exegesis

Let’s take a closer look at these versus of the text to help us understand and interpret it’s most important parts.

Starting in verse 25, we learn that Simeon was righteous and devout. But what do these characteristics look like?

Well it means that Simeon was faithful and obedient to God. He had a strong relationship with God and served Him with joy and thanksgiving.

In the same verse, we see that he was waiting for the consolation of Israel.

In the original Greek language used in the New Testament, consolation means comforter. And the consolation Simeon was referring to was Jesus and the salvation He brings that provides this comfort to the world.

Turning to versus 25 to 27 we see that the Holy Spirit is mentioned 3 times. It was this Holy Spirit who powerfully influenced Simeon to guide and direct his actions and words.

Now I don’t want to go off on a tangent by getting too deep into the Holy Spirit, but in a nutshell, this means that the Holy Spirit was revealing to Simeon the incredible event he was about to experience.

In verse 26 and then 29, we learn that Simeon knew he was facing his own death after seeing God’s salvation. Yet his unafraid reply to the Lord was that he was ready to depart in peace.

For Simeon, the priority of knowing and serving God. The priority of the relationship he had with Him brought about an amazing feeling of contentment and peace that far outweighed any circumstance he faced on earth.

Now the central versus of the narrative come in 30 to 32. Notice Simeon does not say he has seen Jesus Christ. He says he has seen God’s salvation. This bold proclamation teaches us that to see Jesus is to see salvation in a person, salvation in Christ Himself.

Pause

G. Transition

Can you imagine yourself being in Simeon’s shoes during this extraordinary moment in time? Take a moment to paint this picture in your mind.

Pause

Can you visualize Simeon holding Jesus, HOLDING GOD with his own 2 hands? Can you see him as he stares face to face with the One who brings the offer of salvation to the world?

What an amazing picture

Pause

H. Transition and goals for the message

Well, my purpose and goal’s for tonight’s service is twofold.

First, for those here who have already come to faith in Christ, I hope to renew the amazement, the wonder, and the awe of Christmas and the free gift of salvation from God through the birth, death, and resurrection of Jesus.

My second goal is to present a powerful argument regarding the significance of Jesus’ birth to anyone who has not yet come to Jesus through faith. Those who have yet to embrace this great news.

If this is you, I have been praying that tonight you would have a firsthand encounter with Jesus that would lead you to make a decision to believe in faith and invite Him into your life to receive God’s gift of salvation.

In fact, if this does describe you, it is important to me that you know that you are the most important people here tonight.

Now, to accomplish these goals, I want to focus on 3 Biblical truths; Our human condition before coming to faith in Christ, God’s solution for this condition, And last, the life changing results of Christ’s work on earth and on the cross.

Remember, we are looking at the bigger picture as to the significance of Christmas.

Pause

1. Let’s start with the Human Condition Before Faith

By nature, we are sinful people. And with sin comes consequences.

You see, God created us to be in a relationship with Him. However, it is because of our sin nature that we are separated from God.

The Bible tells us that we all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God short pause and the wages of sin is death, eternally separated from God.

Further, we cannot fix this condition on our own. We can’t earn our salvation by trying our best to be a good person.

We NEED a Savior.

Pause

2. Well this is the good news, that God’s solution to this Condition IS a Savior.

God is love. And in this love, He sent His son who had no sin to die on a cross to bear all of our sin.

Jesus paid the price. The fact is that in reality, we are the ones who deserved to be on that cross.

This is the free gift of God who pours out His mercy and grace upon us.

This has always been His overarching plan of redemption.

The Bible’s incredible news is that because of God’s love for us while we were still sinners, Christ died for us for the forgiveness of sin.

God brought us out of darkness and into His light.

Pause

3. So what ARE the Results of God’s Solution that WE Receive?

Because of Jesus Christ, those who believe have now been reconciled to a right relationship with God. We now have peace with our Heavenly Father. All because of Christ paying the price for our sin through His death.

And not only do we receive forgiveness of sin, this includes ALL sin; past, present, and future. We are no longer slaves to sins power.

Psalm 103 versus 8-12 CAPTURES THE HEART OF THIS TRUTH

“The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. He will not always chide, nor will He keep His anger forever. He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His steadfast love toward those who fear Him; as far as the east is from the west, so far does He remove our transgression from us.

Another incredible result is that we become a new creation for those who believe and are united with Christ. The old sinful person has past away, the new has come.

This means we have new values, new priorities, and a new perspective and purpose in life.

With this new perspective, we look at our life circumstances differently. We receive the power to successfully go through the trials and challenging circumstances we face in life.

Yes, we will still feel the pain and the negative emotions, but we can remain content in all circumstances because of the redemption and salvation we have received in Christ. Just as Simeon was content when facing his own death.

Last, we become sons and daughters of our Heavenly Father.

As Christian author C.S. Lewis wrote, “The Son of God became a man that men might become the sons of God.”

We are welcomed into God’s family and His Kingdom.

And when we die, we go home. We are resurrected to new life in eternity with God because of the One who was first to be resurrected, Jesus Christ.

Pause

I. Application

So in light of these 3 Biblical truths, how should we respond? What is God requiring from us?

Now, remember, we have 2 goals to accomplish tonight.

PAUSE

The book of Hebrews tells us that because of God’s offer of salvation to us, we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard so that we don’t drift away from it.

So, for those who already consider themselves Christians, we CAN do to reflect on the meaning and significance of Christmas to renew the awe and amazement of this most important event in history.

So, I would like to ask 3 questions to drifting away.

And notice I use WE rather than YOU in each question because they are just as important for me to answer as well.

1: First, Can we set aside time by ourselves to purposely reflect upon all we have received from God through Christ?

2: Can we take time to teach our children or discuss with family and friends the significance of Christmas?

3. And last, Can we open up our Bible’s and read by ourselves or to others

just the last couple chapters of any of the 4 Gospels?

Answering “YES” to these questions will help us focus on this significant birth.

Now for all who have yet to come to Jesus in faith:

As we went through our 3 main truths; our condition, the solution, and its results, we must be aware that in and of themselves, they are only words, only intellectual information that we can understand.

BUT INFORMATION DOES NOT LEAD TO LIFE TRANSFORMATION.

To take this intellectual information and make it a reality in our lives depends on how we respond to Christ’s birth , death, and resurrection.

I want to illustrate this response through an event recorded in the Bible. In the book of Acts.

We are told that there was a large crowd in Jerusalem who witnessed the incredible miracle of transformation in the life of Christ’s disciples.

However, they could not grasp what was happening nor why it was happening.

Now as the Apostle Peter saw the crowd’s reaction, he addressed them by sharing the Gospel, the good news of salvation through Christ. The same message I am sharing tonight.

As Peter was speaking, we are told that they were cut to the heart and asked, “Brothers what shall we do?”

Well Peter proclaims they must repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sin.

Remarkably, that day 3000 people came to faith in Jesus receiving eternal salvation.

PAUSE

The book of Hebrews I mentioned a moment ago also says, “Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts.”

* So I ask you, “Do you hear His voice, are you being cut to the heart tonight?”

Will you tonight make a heart felt decision to believe by faith in Christ’s name and receive Him into your life?

If you are ready to make this decision, I would love for you to let us know by including it on your connection card or speaking with me after the service.

Pause

Conclusion

Well, Before we end our night with our 2 last songs, some parting words I highly encourage us to consider:

Let’s not make Christmas just another holiday we observe. Let’s remember and embrace the significance of Christ’s birth.

And if you have yet to believe, don’t let another Christmas come and go without making the remarkable life changing decision for Jesus.

Concluding Prayer

Candle lighting

As you light your candles, the light is a symbol that reminds us that:

Jesus is the light that came into the world and the light shined in the darkness bringing life to men.

And as we receive Christ by faith, we become His light to the world.

So let the candle’s flame encourage us to be a light in our community, to take the love of God that has been poured into us that we may pour it into the people of Upton and the surrounding areas.

After Silent Night

Folks, I can’t tell you how grateful and thankful I am that you have taken time out of your busy schedules to joins us tonight.

As you leave, there is a basket on the back table. If you can put your connection cards in it that would be great.

There are also New Testament Bibles on that table. Please feel free to take one home with you tonight.

And I hope we will see you all on January 22nd as we begin our regular Sunday services.

GOOD NIGHT EVERYONE AND HAVE A WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS