Dec 16 2007 sermon
Making the Christmas Connection
The Christmas Song
Luke 2:14
13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14 "Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."
Luke 2:13-14 NIV
The Significance of the Christmas Song…
1. We need to rejoice in the greatness of God
"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."
Luke 2:14 NIV
2. We need to rejoice in the grace of God
"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."
Luke 2:14 NIV
3. We need to respond to the Son of God
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."
Luke 2:15 NIV
Making the Christmas Connection:
The Christmas song points to Christ the Savior. Will you praise Him?
Intro…
One of the hallmarks of the Christmas season around the world is the playing and singing of holiday hymns and music.
Everywhere you go there are Christmas songs…on the radio, in the stores, on the TV.
What are your favorite Christmas songs? (interactive)
I did a little research this week and came up with a list of the Top ten Christmas Songs of the Modern Era.
Top 10 Christmas Songs of the Modern Era
10. Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer - Elmo & Patsy
9. Here Comes Santa Claus - Alvin and the Chipmunks
8. Christmas All Over Again - Tom Petty
7. Silver Bells - Bing Crosby
6. Little Drummer Boy - Neil Diamond
5. Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town - The Crystals
4. Frosty the Snowman - Burl Ives
3. Blue Christmas - Elvis
2. The Christmas Song - Nat King Cole
1. White Christmas - Frank Sinatra
I thought for sure I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus would make the top ten!!
I came across video of a Christmas song that mirrors our Christmas experience…
[Video…12 days of Christmas…]
Often times our Christmas experience is a lot like this…and we miss the Christmas Connection.
Today I want to continue my Christmas series…Making the Christmas Connection…by looking at what has to be the #1 Christmas song of all time…
There are actually four Christmas songs in the Gospel of Luke:
1. Mary’s Song (Lk. 1:46-56)
2. Zechariah’s Song (Lk. 1:68-79)
3. The Angels’ Song (Lk. 2:14)
4. Simeon’s Song (Lk. 2:29-32)
But there is one that is at the top of the list…. The Angels’ Song in Luke 2:14
Why do I say that?
Because it was the song sung immediately after the birth of Christ by angels
CH Spurgeon calls it The First Christmas Carol.
Listen to the words of the first Christmas Carol.
"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."
Luke 2:14 NIV
These words have inspired composers for 2,000 years.
The angels’ song is an all-time favorite.
Often called the Gloria after its first word in the Latin translation, it is the basis of modern choral works, traditional Christmas carols, and ancient liturgical chants.
We can Make the Christmas Connection…by looking at the #1 Christmas song of all time…
This significance of this song is found as we consider these three truths….
The Significance of the Christmas Song…
1. We need to rejoice in the greatness of God
That is what we find the angels doing in Luke 2:13-14…
13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14 "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."
Luke 2:13-14 NIV
After the angel gave the great news of God’s arrival on earth to the shepherds in Luke 2:10-12, suddenly all heaven broke into praise, as the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven.
John’s vision of heaven recorded in Revelation reveals that there are innumerable angels in heaven (Revelation 5:11).
One of the angels’ key roles is to offer continuous praise to God.
The arrival of God’s Son on earth caused all of heaven to join in an anthem of praise to God.
As they sang…Glory to God… they were focusing their praise on the One who set these events in motion, the One who controls all events on earth…
He is in the highest heaven.
Glory here refers to praise given to God.
Glory: The word is used in ascriptions of praise to God
as in doxologies (lit., "glory-words"),
(e. g., Luke 2:14; Rom 11:36; 16:27; Gal 1:5; Rev 1:6.)
As one commentator says, The angels recognize the worth and weight of God’s presence and praise Him for it.
The passionate chant of college football fans regarding their team is…We’re Number 1, We’re Number 1, We’re Number 1…
God is number 1!!!
That is the passionate chant of the angels that first Christmas morning…
"Glory to God in the highest, "Glory to God in the highest, "Glory to God in the highest…”
Followers of Christ have been singing that ever since that first Christmas…it the song of the Christian…
Glo-------------ria in excellis deo
(From the Christmas carol Angels we have heard on high)
"Gloria in Excelsis Deo" (Latin for "Glory to God in the highest")
That should be our song…
That was David’s song….
Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;
let your glory be over all the earth.
Psalm 57:5 NIV
It was Mary’s Song….
And Mary said:
“My soul glorifies the Lord…”
Luke 1:46 NIV
It was Paul’s song…
For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.
Rom 11:36
Is it your song???
You see, a fundamental question in our lives is: Who is going to get the glory?
A lot of the struggles and problems in our lives (family, friends, work, church) are related to this issue… Who is going to get the glory? Me or God??
In 1717, King Louis XIV of France died. Preferring to be called "Louis the Great," he was the monarch who declared, "I am the State!"
His court was the most magnificent in Europe, and his funeral was the most spectacular.
In the church where the ceremony was performed, his body lay in a golden coffin.
To dramatize his greatness, orders had been given that the cathedral would be very dimly lit with only one special candle that was to be set above the coffin.
The thousands of people in attendance waited in silence.
Then Bishop Massillon began to speak. Slowly reaching down, he snuffed out the candle and said, "Only God is great."
The preacher understood like the angels that sang that first Christmas morning… Only God is great!!
Shaun Alexander, running back for the Seattle Seahawks and the Most Valuable Player for the 2005 NFL season, said the following in an interview with the 700 Club:
I am a Christian that loves the Lord, that just happens to play football, that happens to get to be on cool TV shows, that happens to get to be on commercials. I'm a godly man first. I chase after God. I play football for the sole reason to give God glory.
Can you say that…I ____________ for the sole reason to give God glory.
I work for the sole reason to give God glory.
I Sell cars… for the sole reason to give God glory.
I Work on cars… for the sole reason to give God glory.
I Program computers… for the sole reason to give God glory.
I Work on houses… for the sole reason to give God glory.
I preach for the sole reason to give God glory.
I sing for the sole reason to give God glory.
Etc…
Paul said,
“…Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”
1 Cor 10:31
The Significance of the Christmas Song…is this
1. We need to rejoice in the greatness of God
To glorify God or to give Him glory means to show forth His virtues.
Allowing other to see Christ in you…glorifies God.
The Significance of the Christmas Song…
2. We need to rejoice in the grace of God
Notice the last part of the song…
"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."
Luke 2:14 NIV
The arrival of God’s Son on earth caused all of heaven to join in an anthem of praise to God…because of the greatness of God AND the grace of God…
The angels praise God for sending peace on earth to all whom he favors.
The peace referred to is the peace that only the Messiah can bring—not peace after war or conflict, but peace between sinful humanity and the holy God.
The NIV‘s on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests is preferred to the KJV’s “good will toward men.”
Why?
Because God’s peace is not given to those who have good will, but to those who are recipients of God’s good will or favor.
Paul said in Rom 5:1-2
Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand.
Rom 5:1-2 NIV
And in Eph 2:8-9 Paul says,
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God- not by works, so that no one can boast.
Eph 2:8-9 NIV
Notice what Isaiah said about Christ 700 years before His birth…
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isa 9:6-7 NIV
The promise of peace would come to those who welcome God’s only Son.
In a recent Dennis the Menace cartoon there was a vivid picture of grace.
Dennis was shown walking away from the Wilson’s house with his friend Joey.
Both boys had their hands full of cookies.
Joey then asked, “I wonder what we did to deserve this?”
Dennis delivered an answer packed with truth.
He said, “Look Joey, Mrs. Wilson gives us cookies not because we’re nice, but because she’s nice.”
My name could easily be replaced for Dennis and God could be substituted for Mrs. Wilson.
The good that comes my way is not because I’m good but because God is so good…and full of grace
It because of God’s goodness and grace we can have peace with God and the peace of God in the most difficult situations.
In 1969, the "Eagle" landed on the moon and set up Tranquility Base.
It was an ironic name for such a daring and dangerous mission.
Neil Armstrong landed the spacecraft on the moon with just eleven seconds of fuel left, and he did it with less computer power than is contained in a new car today.
NASA seemed to be communicating a biblical principle: you can have peace in the midst of turmoil.
The same can be said on earth as well.
Oceanographers say the sea remains tranquil below twenty-five feet.
No matter how bad the storm rages on top of the ocean, the waters are peaceful down deep.
The Christian finds peace in the same place--down deep.
Shallow faith leaves you anxious and fearful when the storms arise, but a deep and stable faith provides tranquility in the midst of severe and threatening storms.
CS Lewis said,
"God cannot give us happiness and peace apart from himself, because it is not there. There is no such thing."
--C. S. Lewis
Peace is found in the Prince of Peace…Jesus Christ!!
Though God offers peace and new life to all, His peace does not rest upon everyone.
Only those who personal accept the gift of eternal peace through a personal relationship with Christ are the beneficiaries of what was made possible because of Christmas.
But if you will turn to Christ - the One who came to die for your sins be raised from the dead, and return to heaven, where by the person of His Spirit, He stands ready to enter into your life and change you from the inside out - you can become the personal beneficiary of His grace.
John 1:12
“Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.”
We can rejoice in that…we can sing because we have been saved!!
That brings us to this final truth…
The Significance of the Christmas Song…
3. We need to respond to the Son of God
Ultimately the greatness of God and the grace of God call for a personal response…to the Son of God…
Notice the example of the Shepherds…in Luke 2:15,
15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."
Luke 2:15 NIV
16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
Luke 2:16-20 NIV
The first announcement of the Messiah’s birth was given by an angel to some anonymous shepherds.
Why shepherds?
Why not to priests or scribes?
By visiting the shepherds, the angel revealed the grace of God toward mankind.
Shepherds were really outcasts in Israel.
Their work not only made them ceremonially unclean, but it kept them away from the temple for weeks at a time so that they could not be made clean.
They were alienated from people and from God.
But God’s message from the example of the shepherds is:
God meets us where we are.
There is no place we can go where God won’t find us…even out in a dark lonely field.
Some of you think you are so far gone, God doesn’t even know your address.
You feel somehow that God might be able to work in other people’s lives…but He couldn’t possibly draw close to you.
Let me set your heart at ease…God loves you and He knows your address.
God’s message found the Shepherds out in a lonely field and it will find us today if we will listen.
What is the message?
Luke 2:10-11
But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."
Luke 2:10-12 (NIV)
You don’t have to be afraid…you don’t have to be alienated anymore… because Jesus is Savior and Lord!
God is speaking that same message to us this morning!
It is a message that is personal:
“Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you”
Luke 2:11(NIV)
Like the shepherds we can rejoice that Jesus came to the earth for us to be our Savior.
It is a message of peace:
The angels said in v.14
14 "Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."
Because Jesus came to be our Savior we can have peace with God.
The birth of Christ speaks loud and clear: When you embrace Jesus, you don’t have to be alienated anymore…you don’t have to be afraid.
You see my friend what you need to hear today is:
· Jesus will save you
Jesus is within your reach…no matter how far you have strayed from God.
What is your response?
That was the testimony of the shepherds when they personally found the Savior.
Notice how The Shepherds responded to the Son of God…
· They found Him…vv.15-16
· They shared Him… v. 17
· They worshiped Him… v. 20
The first Christmas song points to a Savior…
The first Christmas song requires a response…
· We can rejoice if Christ is our Savior…
· We can receive Christ today if we have never trusted Christ personally…
Concl.
Making the Christmas Connection:
The Christmas song points to Christ the Savior. Will you praise Him?
Sing a Song…of praise to God this Christmas…May it be a song from your heart to his…A Christmas present to Him from you…
How Great is our God…
Appendix:
Christmas, Gifts
An African boy listened carefully as his teacher explained why Christians give presents to each other on Christmas day. “The gift is an expression of our joy over the birth of Jesus and our friendship for each other,” she said.
When Christmas day came, the boy brought the teacher a seashell of lustrous beauty. “Where did you ever find such a beautiful shell?” the teacher asked. The youth told her that there was only one spot where such extraordinary shells could be found. When he named the place, a certain bay several miles away, the teacher was left speechless. “Why…why, it’s gorgeous…wonderful, but you shouldn’t have gone all that way to get the gift for me.”
His eyes brightening, the boy answered, “Long walk part of gift.”
God came from heaven to a manger, from a manger to a cross, from a cross to the grave and from a grave back to heaven. And we ask, “Why all this trouble, God?” And God would say to us, “Long walk part of gift” (Sharon Jaynes, Celebrating a Christ-Centered Christmas).
Find this article at: http://bible.christianity.com/SermonHelps/11557582
One of the hallmarks of the Christmas season around the world is the playing and singing of holiday hymns and music.
Christianity is a religion of song. Agnosticism has no carols. Confucianism and Brahminism have no anthems or alleluias. Dreary, weird dirges reveal no hope for the present or for the future. Christianity, however, is filled with music. Only the message of Christ puts a song in a person’s heart.
When you have Christ in your heart, when you know what Christmas is all about, something changes inside of you, and a melody starts to form that you can’t really control. It is unlike any other belief system.
As we read the stories of Christmas in the book of Luke, we find six different songs recorded almost back-to-back: the “Beatitude of Elizabeth,” when she was visited by Mary; the “Magnificat of Mary,” Mary’s song; the “Benedictus of Zacharias,” the father of John the Baptist; the “Song of Simeon,” when he was presented with the Christ Child at the temple; the “Evangel Song” of the angel of the Lord over the plains; and, finally, the “Gloria” of the angelic hosts. When Jesus came into the world, poetry expressed itself and music was reborn.
Luke alone contains the four beautiful hymns commonly known as the Magnificat of Mary (1:46–55), the Benedictus of Zacharias (1:67–79), the Gloria in Excelsis of the heavenly host (2:14), and the Nunc Dimittis of Simeon (2:28–32).
Wilkinson, Bruce: Talk Thru the Bible. electronic ed. Nashville : Thomas Nelson, 1997, c1983 (Logos Library Systems), S. 328
Illus…mouthing the words...singing while sinning
The First Noel the Police Did Arrest
Thursday, December 06, 2007
ANDERSON, Ind. —
A Salvation Army bell ringer sang "The First Noel" while shoplifting Christmas ornaments on his break, police said. Sean M. Sayers, 33, Anderson, was arrested Wednesday on a misdemeanor charge of conversion.
Sayers was being held in Madison County Jail without bond for allegedly violating terms of probation on a previous case.
According to a probable cause affidavit filed by police, Sayers was on his break as a bell ringer at a Wal-Mart in the city northeast of Indianapolis when he went inside the store and slipped about $20 worth of Christmas ornaments inside his jacket and a fast food bag. Police said he was singing the Christmas carol as he shoplifted the goods about 6 p.m. Wednesday.
Sayers made an initial court appearance in Anderson City Court and is expected to stand trial on Friday, jail officials said. If convicted, he could face up to a year in jail and a $5,000 fine.
New Nave’s Topical Bible
Exemplified: By David, Psa. 57:5; the multitude, Matt. 9:8; 15:31; the virgin Mary, Luke 1:46; the angels, Luke 2:14; the shepherds, Luke 2:20; by Jesus, John 17:4; the man sick of the palsy, Luke 5:25; the woman with infirmity, Luke 13:13; the leper whom Jesus healed, Luke 17:15; the blind man, Luke 18:43; the centurion, Luke 23:47; the church at Jerusalem, Acts 11:18; the Gentiles at Antioch, Acts 13:48; Abraham, Rom. 4:20; Paul, Rom. 11:36.
Selected Text
Matthew 9:8
8 When the crowd saw this, they were filled with awe; and they praised God, who had given such authority to men.
Matthew 15:31
31 The people were amazed when they saw the mute speaking, the crippled made well, the lame walking and the blind seeing. And they praised the God of Israel.
Luke 1:46
Mary’s Song
46 And Mary said:
“My soul glorifies the Lord
Luke 2:14
14 “Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”
Luke 2:20
20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
John 17:4
4 I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do.
Luke 5:25
25 Immediately he stood up in front of them, took what he had been lying on and went home praising God.
Luke 13:13
13 Then he put his hands on her, and immediately she straightened up and praised God.
Luke 17:15
15 One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice.
Luke 18:43
43 Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus, praising God. When all the people saw it, they also praised God.
Luke 23:47
47 The centurion, seeing what had happened, praised God and said, “Surely this was a righteous man.”
Acts 11:18
18 When they heard this, they had no further objections and praised God, saying, “So then, God has granted even the Gentiles repentance unto life.”
Acts 13:48
48 When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and honored the word of the Lord; and all who were appointed for eternal life believed.
Romans 4:20
20 Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God,
Romans 11:36
36 For from him and through him and to him are all things.
To him be the glory forever! Amen.
GLORY, GLORIOUS
The word is used in ascriptions of praise to God, e. g.. Luke 17:18; John 9:24, RV, "glory" (KJV, "praise"); Acts 12:23; as in doxologies (lit., "glory-words"), e. g., Luke 2:14; Rom 11:36; 16:27; Gal 1:5; Rev 1:6. See DIGNITY, HONOR, PRAISE, WORSHIP.
(from Vine's Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words, Copyright (c)1985, Thomas Nelson Publishers)
1994 “God Only Is Great”
At the funeral of Louis XIV the great cathedral was packed with mourners paying final tribute to the king whom they all considered great. The room was dark, save for one lone candle which illumined the great solid casket that held the mortal remains of the monarch.
At the appointed time, Massilion, court preacher, stood to address the assembled clergy of France. As he rose, he reached from the pulpit and snuffed out the one candle which had been put there to symbolize the greatness of the king. Then from the darkness came just four words, “God only is great!”
—Homer J. R. Elfor
Tan, Paul Lee: Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations : A Treasury of Illustrations, Anecdotes, Facts and Quotations for Pastors, Teachers and Christian Workers. Garland TX : Bible Communications, 1996, c1979
In the 19th Century George Wilson was sentenced to hang after he was convicted of killing a guard while robbing a federal payroll from a train.
Public sentiment against capital punishment led to an eventual pardon by President Andrew Jackson.
Unbelievably, Wilson refused to accept the pardon.
Can one do that?
The case became so legally confusing that the Supreme Court had to rule on it.
Chief Justice John Marshall delivered the verdict:
"A pardon is a parchment whose only value must be determined by the receiver of the pardon.
It has no value apart from that which the receiver gives it.
George Wilson has refused to accept the pardon.
We cannot conceive why he would do so, but he has. Therefore, George Wilson must die."
Consequently, Wilson was hanged.
God's grace becomes a pardon from sin only to those who receive it.