Work of Adoration

Christmas Series: God’s Work at Christmas

Work of Adoration

Luke 2:10-15

Theme: God shows us man’s reaction to His work.

Welcome to Mountain View Baptist Church. As we enter the Christmas Season, it is my prayer God will give you the best season you have ever had. Thank you for attending today and we pray God will allow us to connect with you. God bless you for coming.

Today we will begin a Christmas series entitled: God’s Work at Christmas. Too often Christmas has become a season of materialism and parties and food. We have become accustomed to these things and give very little attention to the true meaning of Christmas. While people choose to celebrate in their own way, the first century world did not comprehend the meaning of the events which took place in the city of Bethlehem. This community which is believed to be around 1000 residents.

This series is intended to bring us closer to the Lord as we recognize the true meaning of Christmas. This week we will see the Work of Adoration.

The word adoration means to give love and respect to a person. In this case it means to worship the Lord. The events which took place in this passage are truly miraculous. These are totally given to us by God. There are three reactions found here in this passage that illustrate their adoration.

First reaction . . .

Reaction of fear

When the angel of the Lord came, fear came over them. These poor shepherds were the lowest of the community. They were looked down upon and their job was considered one of the lowest in the society. Since they had been scoffed and rejected by most, here something unexplainable occurs to them. Naturally fear came upon them.

This was not just some bright light this was a heavenly being. Something beyond description and the shepherds could only stop in fear. They were fixated on the sight.

The birth of this baby was not just any birth, but it was a unique birth. One that caused fear and adoration. That day two thousand years ago, God Himself came to this earth in the form of a baby.

Matthew describes this birth:

“Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.” (Matthew 1:22–23)

Here in the presence of the rejects of society is the arrival of God Himself. The angel warned them to “Fear Not.” This fear may have come out of the sheer unexpected event from heaven or their condition before the holy God.

“The Son of God became a man to enable men to become sons of God.” (CS Lewis)

One day Jesus will return “And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.” (Revelation 19:11). This is when Jesus will come back to establish His millennial kingdom to rule for 1000 years. Prior to His coming to earth., He will come in the clouds to rapture us out of this world. His coming means we need to be ready. Are you ready for His coming? If you have not received Jesus Christ as your personal Savior, you can today. This is the first step in being ready. This means we realize we are sinners and we need forgiveness. This is the reason for Jesus dying on the cross for our sins. He was buried and rose again the third day. Will you accept Him today?

There is also the fear in the Bible that refers to reverence of God. Different from the human emotion of fear. This reverential fear is what God wants from His people.

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.” (Proverbs 9:10)

The wisest thing we can do is the fear the Lord-this means we adore and reverence God as God. Will you choose this year to honor and fear God during Christmas? Will you decide to put Him in the center of your meals, of your family celebrations, and of your gift giving? Certainly there is nothing wrong with any of these activities but be sure to put Christ first.

“That all the people of the earth might know the hand of the LORD, that it is mighty: that ye might fear the LORD your God for ever.” (Joshua 4:24)

The Bible teaches He is everywhere and we must honor Him. He sees what you do and what place you put God in your life?

The overused story is told of an infant birthday party that a couple was having in their home. As the guests arrived on that cold winter day, they were to put their coats in the spare bedroom. The coats were stacked on the bed and the guests were talking, eating and drinking until one person said where is the baby? The mother ran frantically into their bedroom to only find the lifeless baby under the coats on the bed. In the middle of the activity, everyone has forgotten the reason they were there. This year do not forget the reason for Christmas.

The second reaction . . .

Reaction of joy

This good tiding means good news. The gospel is the good news: death, the burial, and the resurrection. Jesus came to offer good news not just to the Jews but to the whole world. The gospel is for everyone regardless of color, nationality, social standing, or economic conditions.

What is the good news about? God did not send a soldier or a reformer or a financier or a professor or an athlete, He sent a Savior. Man’s greatest need can only be met by a Savior.

The words the angel spoke was not just to the shepherds to the whole world. They were wonderful words because mankind is living without hope in a world without hope. Whatever our situation, He can deliver us. The angel said this good news brings joy to the recipient.

If you are here today without hope, no wonder you have not joy. Joy comes when we worship the King of Kings.

The San Bernadino County Sheriff is Shannon Dicus. I was in a meeting when he said, “As we live in a confused world today, the sheriff department is not confused and we will take care of you.” While that was a great statement, God tells us in His Word, while we live in an evil world, God will take care of our need through His Son Jesus Christ. This truth is clearly spelled out in this passage where so many were depending on the world’s conditions to bring them joy. God points them to the Savior in verse 11 who will bring them joy.

One cannot imagine living in a world without the hope of Christ. The swaddling clothes are grave clothes. They were given in this passage to bring us to the mission of Jesus which gives great joy. It is not far from the cradle to the cross.

The people had great joy which leads to the last reaction.

The third reaction . . .

Reaction of praise

Who brought praise? In verse 13, you see an angelic host joined the angel giving praise to God.

The angels praised God at creation

“When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?” (Job 38:7)

The angels now praise God at the beginning of the new creation. The whole purpose of the plan of salvation is to bring glory to God.

“To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.” (Ephesians 1:6)

“That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.” (Ephesians 1:12)

“Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.” (Ephesians 1:14)

God’s glory had dwelt in the tabernacle and in the temple but had departed because of the nation’s sin. Now God’s glory is returning to earth in the person of His Son

“And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14)

The lowly manger was a holy of holies because Jesus was there. The Christmas message should make us sing year-round. The substance of the angel’s song is instructive. It was first upward as they praised God “in the highest” heavens and then it was outward as it pronounced peace for all mankind. This peace means wholeness, completeness, and security.

Without Jesus your life is incomplete. He alone brings you the completeness found in the gospel. This gives us something to praise God about!

Are you here today without Christ? Will you turn to Him today? Will you let Him complete your life?

“You can never truly enjoy Christmas until you can look up into the Father’s face and tell Him you have received His Christmas give.” (John R. Rice)

What about you Christian? Have you lost your joy? You can be guaranteed you will lose joy when you have stopped adoring Christ. God’s work of adoration will restore joy to your life when you come back to Him.