Christmas Proclamation

Personal Call

Luke 2:10 NASB95

But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people;

The angels were sent to the shepherds to be told of the birth of Christ. Shepherds were the lowest of society. RC Sproul writes, “The shepherds of Palestine were considered to be the lowest class of people. The nature of their calling prohibited them from frequent participation in the religious rituals of their day, and there were discriminating practices against them with respect to the law courts, for a shepherd was not permitted to give testimony. They were considered to be so unscrupulous and untrustworthy that their testimony was of little value. But although their contemporary society hated them, it seems that they held a special place in the heart of God

R. C. Sproul, A Walk with God: An Exposition of Luke (Great Britain: Christian Focus Publications, 1999), 30–31.

I believe this is a great parallel to us today. Most are not know for being the top of the societal class. We live lives that we work hard and make our ends meet. Some have savings, but most are not independently wealthy. Our class would be low on the societal scale.

Most in our country and community live such busy lives that we are pulled away from daily worship. The demands of the temporary have a dramatic impact on the eternal. We pour so much into the day to day activity that our schedules demand that our spiritual life gets what is left over. As a result we find ourselves with a superficial relationship with Christ. Just as the shepherds were spiritually starved so are we because of the demands of our schedule.

Often time we discount our value by dreams of bigger influence. We think that our lives have very little to offer others, while in reality our potential for influence is unlimited.

Christ changes all of this. When we become a Christian our social status immediately changes. We become an heir to royalty. We become sons and daughters of the King! As a follower of Christ the burning desire for relationship with him drives us to the pursuit of God which demands daily worship. Finally the influence we have has eternal implications. We have the power of the gospel to forever change a persons life.

The call of the Savior immediately changes a person personally.

Corporate Call

Not only is the call of the Savior a personal one, but it is for all people. Christ is for all people. He will never turn any repentant person away from salvation. He is our Savior.

We have a terrible and wonderful message to share. The terrible part of our message is that we are all sinners and separated from the glory of God. We are enemies of God in our sin. Ephesians 2:1-3

Ephesians 2:1–3 NASB95

And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest.

In our sin we are children of wrath. That means that God will pour out His wrath on us for all our sin. There is a judgement day where this becomes a reality and apart from Christ you are cast into the Lake of Fore for all eternity to suffer.

The great part of our call is that God has sent a Savior to take the punishment for our sin. He sent His Son Jesus to die the death we deserve on the cross. He took the wrath of God for us on the cross. Jesus then rose victorious from the dead, conquering death and sin. He gives eternal life. He takes our sin and gives us eternal life. WHAT A WONDERFUL MESSAGE TO SHARE THIS CHRISTMAS AND ALL YEAR LONG!

God Gets Glory In the Call

Luke 2:14 NASB95

“Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.”

The greatest expression of God’s love is sending His son as our Savior. Romans 5:8

Romans 5:8 NASB95

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

God desires relationship with all of us. He provided a way for us to enter into that relationship it is through His Son Jesus Christ. John14:6

John 14:6 NASB95

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.

You can bring glory to God this morning by receiving the gift of His Son this morning! Mark1:14-15

Mark 1:14–15 NASB95

Now after John had been taken into custody, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”

The time is fulfilled. Jesus has prepared the way of salvation.

Repent. This means to have a heart change. You must desire to turn away from your sin. You must recognize your sin as it is and tur away from it.

Believe. When you turn from your sin you turn to Jesus. Ask Him to forgive you and save you from the death that sin brings. He will save you and change you! He will begin to shape into His image.

If this is your desire this morning, please pray this prayer with me. “Sinners Prayer” If you prayed this prayer this morning, MERRY CHRISTMAS! You have just received the greatest gift your will ever receive. JESUS CHRIST YOUR SAVIOR!