Christmas Lessons: The Neccesity of a right response

I love the Christmas story.

Each part of it not only reveals God’s power and wonder but its amazing how this incredible display of glory involves personal encounters with ordinary people.

One of my favorite scenes is the Shepherds who received the announcement of Jesus from the angel.

As we read this story pay attention to the response of the shepherds:

Luke 2:8–20 NKJV

8 Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. 10 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: 14 “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” 15 So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. 17 Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. 18 And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.

In this story the shepherds are the ones who teach us today's lesson:

The correct response to God and His provision in our lives is to use our words, tongue, speech to praise and glorify His Name.

Transition:

By using their speech to give glory to God, the shepherds made others marvel at the love and grace of God.

When a family uses their speech to give glory to God and praise to one another, people all around you will also marvel at the love and grace of God upon your family.

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James 3:9–11 NKJV

9 With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. 10 Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so. 11 Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening?

The same tongue that we use to praise God in worship must also be used to edify, encourage, and praise our families.

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Just as God calls us to worship and honor Him with our lips, He also calls us to reflect His character within our homes.

Our families are the closest relationships God has given us.

And our tongues play a vital role in either building them up or tearing them down.

The way we speak to our families should reflect the way we speak to and about God.

Praise and Edification Begin in the Home

Scripture Commands Us to Use Our Words Rightly.

Ephesians 4:29 NKJV

29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.

Our speech must aim to build up (edify) rather than tear down.

This begins with those closest to us—our families.

Proverbs 18:21 NKJV

21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.

Words can create life or destroy it.

In marriage and family, words of love, encouragement, and honor bring peace, while harsh words sow bitterness.

The bible shows a powerful Parallel Between Praising God and Praising Our Families

Husbands are to love their wives as Christ loves the church.

Ephesians 5:25 NKJV

25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her,

Just as we praise God for His sacrificial love, husbands should praise their wives for their value and service:

Proverbs 31:28 NKJV

28 Her children rise up and call her blessed; Her husband also, and he praises her:

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Wives are to respect their husbands, reflecting the honor we give to Christ.

Ephesians 5:33 NKJV

33 Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.

Praise and affirm your husband’s role as the leader and provider, just as we honor God as our head.

Application:

The practice of gratitude and praise must flow naturally within our families.

Thankfulness and praise change the tone of our homes and bring joy and peace.

The Wrong Use of the Tongue Brings Bitterness and Strife

When a husband misuses his tongue and speaks harshly to his wife it changes the whole atmosphere of the home.

The stereotype of an angry, abusive, shouting husband and father is often all to real.

God specifically commands all husbands NOT to speak with contentious words to their wives.

Let me ask the husbands this:

We are commanded to honor God.

What kind of words honor God?

The bible commands husbands to honor their wives.

1 Peter 3:7 NKJV

7 Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered.

Colossians 3:19 NKJV

19 Husbands, love your wives and do not be bitter toward them.

The word “bitter” means harshness, sourness, or resentment.

Bitterness often begins with negative words and criticism.

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A wife misuses her tongue against her husband it creates an environment of silence and distance.

A quarrelsome or contentious tongue damages relationships.

Again we have a stereotype that unfortunately is also all to common:

The nagging wife.

A nagging wife is a wife who simply finds fault with everything.

If her husband does not fix x then she moans. If he does fix x then she moans about how it was done. If he pays a professional to fix x then she moans about the money spent.

The bible speaks of this many times:

Proverbs 21:9 NKJV

9 Better to dwell in a corner of a housetop, Than in a house shared with a contentious woman.

Proverbs 21:19 NKJV

19 Better to dwell in the wilderness, Than with a contentious and angry woman.

and my favorite:

Proverbs 27:15 NKJV

15 A continual dripping on a very rainy day And a contentious woman are alike;

Let me tell you: More than half the drunks who sit at bars are there simply because they cannot take the constant dripping of noise and complaining at home.

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James reminds us of the danger of an uncontrolled tongue:

James 3:6 NKJV

6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell.

Application:

Reflect on the words you speak to your spouse, children, and family members.

Are they words of grace and reconciliation, or words that fuel bitterness and division?

The Right Use of the Tongue Brings Peace and Reconciliation

We must speak Words that Heal and Restore

Proverbs 16:24 NKJV

24 Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, Sweetness to the soul and health to the bones.

Words of praise, affirmation, and encouragement can heal wounds, bring peace, and restore broken relationships.

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Husbands if an Australian asked you to describe Cheslin Kolbe - What would you say?

Best wing, fastest man, brilliant tactics...

You see: You don't actually have a problem praising people - You have a problem praising your wife.

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Wives, when your BFF asks you how she looks what do you say?

You look amazing, you are such a strong person, your friendship means so much to me...

You see: You also dont have a problem praising people - You have a problem praising your husband.

We must Speak Words that Reflect Christ

Husbands:

Speak words of love and honor to your wives, reflecting Christ’s love for the church.

Ephesians 5:25 NKJV

25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her,

Wives:

Speak words of respect and support to your husbands, reflecting the church’s submission to Christ.

Ephesians 5:22–24 NKJV

22 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. 24 Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything.

Parents:

Speak words of encouragement and discipline to your children:

Colossians 3:21 NKJV

21 Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.

Children:

Speak words of honor to your parents, reflecting obedience to the Lord:

Ephesians 6:2 NKJV

2 “Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with promise:

Warning:

Matthew 12:36 NKJV

36 But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment.

We must speak Words can bring Reconciliation Through Christ.

Jesus teaches that reconciliation must be pursued with urgency.

What do you think is more important, more urgent: Offering God a gift or offering your wife/husband grace?

According to Jesus: God can wait, your marriage cannot.

Matthew 5:23–24 NKJV

23 Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.

In our families, reconciliation often begins with humble words:

“I’m sorry,” “I forgive you,” or “Let’s seek peace together.”

Application:

Use your tongue to promote peace. Let your words reflect the reconciling love of Christ.

Conclusion

The Tongue Can Destroy or Heal:

Words of bitterness and strife tear families apart, but words of love, honor, and grace build them up and reflect God’s peace.

Challenge:

Let us commit to using our tongues to glorify God by building up our families:

Husbands, love and praise your wives.

Wives, respect and honor your husbands.

Parents, speak encouragement to your children.

Children, honor and obey your parents.

Closing Scripture:

Psalm 19:14 NKJV

14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer.

Prayer:

• Ask God to cleanse our hearts so that our words reflect His love, grace, and peace within our families.

Lord create in me a clean heart

Fill my heart with your great love

Fill my heart with appreciation, gratitude and loving kindness for my family

May my mouth not only be filled with your praises but also the honering, respecting and loving praises of my wife/husband

May my mouth have a single devotion to speak only good and blessings

Remove all cursing, complaining, bitterness from my mouth in Jesus name