Messengers of Christmas for Today

INTRODUCTION

The term ‘angel’ in its most simplistic form is defined as ‘messengers.’

The messengers of Christmas include the angel that appeared to Mary, the angel that appeared to Joseph, and the angel that appeared to the Shepherds.

Though we are not angelic beings, for we are much more since we are created in the image of God; we too are messengers of Christmas.

We are called to go and tell the Good News just as the Shepherds who were so compelled to spread abroad the things that they saw and believed in.

As messengers of Christmas for today, it is our purpose that Christ be magnified in us.

READ: PHILIPPIANS 1:20

Philippians 1:20 NKJV

according to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death.

All that we know of as Christmas is wrapped up in Jesus.

All the celebrations that we enjoy with the tasty food and the exchanging of gifts is meant for one purpose: that Christ is magnified.

The greatest way in which we can celebrate, the greatest honor we could bestow upon Him; is that Christ is magnified in us so that others may know Him as we do.

The Apostle Paul stated that the expectation and hope of his life was that Christ is magnified in his body whether by life or death.

Paul’s desire above all else was to make Jesus known. That Jesus would increase as Paul decreased.

This should also be our desire.

That we should live to make Jesus known.

That Christ alone would be lifted up so that all may come and know Him.

This is our God-given purpose.

This is who we are. Messengers of Christmas for today.

Meditating on Philippians 1:20 we must ask ourselves: what does it look like for Christ to be magnified in me?

How should I live so that Christ alone is magnified?

As the messengers of Christmas for today Christ should be magnified both in Word and in Deed.

I. In Word

The angels appeared to Mary, Joseph, and the Shepherds in the most unique and magnificent ways.

To Mary it was a simple visit in her home.

To Joseph it was in a dream.

To the Shepherds, it was an amazing display of the glory of God.

In all three occurrences, it was obvious to all whom the angels appeared that the message spoken was from the Lord.

And in all three occurrences the angels did not just put on a show, they spoke.

They used words to declare the Good News that the Savior has come.

A. What should we speak?

The message we are to proclaim is the same message declared by the angels.

We are to speak the Gospel.

We are to proclaim with our mouths the Good News of Jesus.

READ: ROMANS 10:14

Romans 10:14 NKJV

How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?

A preacher is not limited to the task of a pastor.

To preach is to proclaim. Therefore, all who proclaim are preachers.

Who is to preach? All, who know Christ as their Savior.

We are all called to preach or proclaim the Good News of Jesus.

There is a lost and dying world all around us. Millions of people are living out their days on this earth with no hope.

You and I have been given a message of hope.

We are God’s messengers, and the message we are to proclaim is the hope of the Gospel.

Apart from preaching. Apart from the proclamation of the Gospel, no one can be saved.

They cannot believe without a preacher who proclaims the Gospel to them.

B. How are we to speak?

Speak with Boldness

In the preaching of the Gospel, one must not shy away from the truth.

The Gospel must be preached with bold clarity. It cannot be watered down.

In Paul’s request to the church to pray for him, he asked the Ephesian church to pray “…for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.”

How can one come to saving faith in Jesus unless they hear and understand the Gospel?

How can they hear and understand the Gospel if we do not open our mouths?

There is too much at stake.

It is a matter of life and death. It is a matter of Heaven or Hell.

We cannot be silent!

2. Speak with Love

READ: EPHESIANS 4:15

Ephesians 4:15 NKJV

but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ—

As we proclaim the message of Christmas, the Gospel; we should do so with an attitude of love.

There are a couple of considerations to meditate on from Ephesians 4:15

a. We speak because we love

b. We speak in love

In the book, the Gospel of our King, Bruce Ashford and Heath Thomas writes, “Gospel conversation must never be displaced as the center of our mission. No amount of Gospel-inspired deeds can do what gospel words can do: articulate the saving story of Christ crucified, buried, and resurrected and invite sinners to be saved.”

The Gospel must be spoken boldly and with love.

II. In Deed

As messengers of Christmas, Christ should be magnified not only in the words that we speak but also in the deeds that we perform.

1. Simple acts of kindness

There is nothing that gets someone’s attention more than a simple act of kindness.

2. Gifts of love

The Bible teaches us to give sacrificially. We should be faithful in tithing but also in giving sacrificially out of a heart of love.

Such giving opens the door for the advancement of the Gospel.

Loving God and loving people is the starting and ending point of evangelism.

We are to be motivated by love.

As we offer gifts of love, we show our love for people which softens their hearts and opens the door to share the Gospel.

3. Christ-like attitude

READ: Philippians 2:1-7

Philippians 2:1–7 NKJV

Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.

What was the attitude of Christ?

It was one of self-sacrifice. It was an attitude of humility.

As messengers of Christmas, we are to live with such an attitude of self-sacrifice and humility.

One with a Christ-like attitude is one who desires the best for others.

What is the best? That we may know Jesus and make Him known.

This should be our desire for one another. That we would grow to know Jesus more and to live to make Him known to a lost world.

One with a Christ-like attitude will humbly seek the best in others so that Christ may be magnified all the more.

Conclusion

As the messengers of Christmas for today, may Christ be magnified in Word and in Deed so that the world may know of the Saviors love for them.