Joy To The World

Welcome

Good Morning! I’m Pastor Wayne and I’d like to welcome you all to the gathering of Ephesus Baptist Church.

It’s nice to see so your smiling faces. But, I’d especially like to welcome those of you who are here for the first or second time.

Know that you are surrounded by some pretty amazing people. This is an active community on a mission with Jesus.

We don’t all share the same story; in fact, we come from many different paths. But here, we are one people giving our all to love god, love others, proclaim Jesus, and make disciples in our generation.

I invite you to sign in and let us know you were here. We have a connect card in the pew in front of you. Please be sure to include your name, email, and address. You can place those cards in the offering plate when it comes around.

We have a great prayer team who stand ready to lift you up in prayer. If you have prayer request, you can leave those on the connect card as well.

We simply want to provide you with the information you need. We want to help you decide if this is a place you’d like to become a part of. So, for those of you new to Ephesus Baptist Church… welcome! I hope you will find the people sitting next to you are real, and really great. Thank you for visiting with us today!

Scripture Memory

2 Corinthians 8:9 ESV

9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.

Opening Scripture

Hebrews 1:1–2:3a ESV

1 Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. 3 He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, 4 having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs. 5 For to which of the angels did God ever say, “You are my Son, today I have begotten you”? Or again, “I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son”? 6 And again, when he brings the firstborn into the world, he says, “Let all God’s angels worship him.” 7 Of the angels he says, “He makes his angels winds, and his ministers a flame of fire.” 8 But of the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom. 9 You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions.” 10 And, “You, Lord, laid the foundation of the earth in the beginning, and the heavens are the work of your hands; 11 they will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment, 12 like a robe you will roll them up, like a garment they will be changed. But you are the same, and your years will have no end.” 13 And to which of the angels has he ever said, “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet”? 14 Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation? 1 Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. 2 For since the message declared by angels proved to be reliable, and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, 3 how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard,

Lighting of the Advent Candle

Oxendine’s

On the fourth week of Advent, we light the final purple candle to mark the final week of prayer and repentance as we wait for the birth of our Savior. This final candle, the “Angel’s Candle,” symbolizes peace. It reminds us of the message of the angels: “Peace on Earth, Good Will Toward Men.”

Pastor’s Family

The wreath and candles are full of symbolism tied to the Christmas season. The wreath itself, which is made of various evergreens, signifies continuous life. The circle of the wreath, which has no beginning or end, symbolizes the eternity of God, the immortality of the soul, and the everlasting life we find in Christ.

The white candle placed in the middle of the wreath is called the “Christ Candle” and represents the life of Christ. The color white is for purity—because Christ is our sinless, pure Savior.

Introduction

Two more nights and we will awaken to Christmas morning! Two more nights and we will celebrate the most joyous occasion the world seems to know: Christmas!

No song captures the Joy the world should recognize better than the song Joy to the World!

The words were written by the famous English hymn writer Issac Watts (1674-1748) and first published in 1719. (Issac Watts is credited with some 750 hymns)

It was based on the second half of Psalm 98 and though it is one of the most popular and beloved Christmas hymns of all time, it was written to celebrate not the first coming of Christ, but his second coming at the end of history.

Listen to the lyrics once more!

Joy to the World, the Lord has come! Let earth receive her King;

Let ev’ry heart prepare Him room, And Heav’n and nature sing,

And Heav’n and nature sing, And Heav’n, and Heav’n, and nature sing,

Joy to the earth, the Savior reigns! Let men their songs employ;

While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains Repeat the sounding joy,

Repeat the sounding joy, Repeat, Repeat the sounding joy.

No more let sins and sorrows grow, Nor thorns infest the ground;

He comes to make His blessings flow, Far as the curse is found,

Far as the curse is found, Far as, far as, the curse is found.

He rules the world with truth and grace, And makes the nations prove

The glories of His righteousness, And wonders of His love,

And wonders of His love, And wonders, wonders, of His love.

Jesus does rule the world with truth and grace. The question for all of us to ask and answer this day: “Does he rule my heart, my life, my church with His truth and grace?”

Today we are going to ponder the Christmas story and allow it to inspect our hearts this day! What we are studying in these verses is not just a story, a fable, or a myth. These things really happened.

This should be a celebration, a fun and happy occasion. I pray it will give us joy and lead us to worship as we wonder anew at the message of Christmas!

1. O Little Town of Bethlehem. 2:1-5

Bethlehem was the right town at the right time!

Luke 2:1–5 ESV

1 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child.

Luke connects his narrative to events in world history. He connects Christmas with Caesar Augustus: The first Roman emperor (31 B.C. – A.D. 14). who expanded the Roman empire to include the entire Mediterranean world. In doing so, he established the popular expression Pax Romana (“The Peace of Rome”).

God used the decree of pagan emperor to fulfill the prophecy of Micah 5:2 that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem.

Micah 5:2 ESV

2 But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.

The Right Town

Joseph and Mary, both descendants of King David, hailed from Bethlehem, the birthplace of King David.

Bethlehem, the city of David, is generally thought to mean “House of Bread.” How fitting is it that the “Bread of Life” should be born in the city known as the “House of Bread.”

Bethlehem is one of the oldest cities still in existence and is located six miles south of Jerusalem.

The Right Time

The Peace of Rome didn’t come free, it had a cost. Every citizen under Roman authority had to pay taxes. That is what the census is all about. Some things never change do they? Whether Uncle Caesar, or Uncle Sam, we all have to pay taxes to someone.

Bethlehem was at least a three day journey from Nazareth. That would have been about 80-90 miles through the wilderness. This was the journey of Joseph and Mary. It was to the right town, and it was at the right time. God was about to redeem humanity, and with the Pax Romana in place, there was never a better time.

Galatians 4:4 ESV

4 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law,

Luke 2:6–7 ESV

6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

O Little town of Bethlehem, How still we see thee lie!

Above thy deep and dreamless sleep The silent stars go by.

Yet in thy dark streets shineth The Everlasting Light;

The hopes and fears of all the years, are met in thee tonight.

2. Hail, Thou Long Expected Jesus. Luke 2:8-12

Jesus came to the right town and to the right time for the right reason: Our Salvation!

We are truly the reason for the season! Jesus is the architect of the season. The “Ancient of Days” planned it from ancient days.

Luke 2:8–12 ESV

8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”

I have always found it interesting the good news was first announced to lowly shepherds!

Shepherds often have a bad reputation, as people describe them as despised, unclean, and untrustworthy. But the Bible has a different view, as shepherds are often seen in a positive light.

They are the lowly and humble, those unimportant to and forgotten by the world, but not by God. They are common, everyday people like you and me. In fact, according to the Bible, they are the object of God’s love and concern.

Here we find an angel of the Lord appearing and exchanging their Great Fear for Great Joy!

Luke 2:10–11 ESV

10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

That is the reason! Great Joy! Joy is found in forgiveness, in salvation. The reason Christ came, born of a virgin, was to lay down His life for us!

Jesus is the Bible’s promises savior, the culmination of Old Testament promise, hope and expectation.

Do you find your hope and joy in the finished work of Jesus today?

“Hail, thou long expected Jesus, Born to set Thy people free:

From our sins and fears release us; let us find our rest in Thee.

Israel’s strength and consolation, Hope of all the saints Thou art;

Long desired of ev’ry nation, Joy of ev’ry waiting heart.”

“Born Thy people to deliver, Born a child, and yet a King.

Born to reign in us forever, Now Thy gracious kingdom bring.

By Thine own eternal Spirit, Rule in all our hearts alone;

By Thine all sufficient merit, Raise us to Thy glorious throne.”

3. Hark! the Herald Angels Sing. Luke 2:13-14

As humanity is offered peace, joy, and salvation, heaven offers praise and ascribes glory to God.

Luke 2:13–14 ESV

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 among those with whom he is pleased!”

The time of darkness has ceased. For the first time in hundreds of years, the glory of God is on full display at the birth of His son.

The Angel of the Lord, is now surrounded by a multitude of the heavenly host! It was an angelic choir, that blessed these lowly shepherd that night.

Glory to God in the Highest is the angel’s way of ascribing to God their praise, worship, adoration, and therefore, validating before God His supreme worth in the highest possible sense.

Peace, is talking about the fullness of blessing we receive through the salvation that our Savior Jesus brings.

The favor or goodwill in this verse does not belong to us, but to God.

The Savior, Christ the Lord, has come for all people (v. 10), but those who receive Him as their Savior are those who will benefit from His coming, they will be men and women of God’s good pleasure.

Do you know God’s peace this morning?

“Hark! The herald angel sing, “Glory to the new-born King;

Peace on earth, and mercy mild; God and sinners reconciled.”

Joyful, all ye nations rise, Join the triumph of the skies;

With angelic hosts proclaim, “Christ is born in Bethlehem!”

“Hark! The herald angel sing, “Glory to the new-born King;

4. Go, Tell It on the Mountain. Luke 2:15-18

The angels appeared before the right shepherds.

In these shepherds, we see a picture of obedience and faithfulness as they investigate the Lord’s message to them and begin to proclaim their new found faith immediately.

Luke 2:15–18 ESV

15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. 17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them.

The angelic announcement moved the shepherds into action as they would become the first witnesses of the good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

They went to Bethlehem with haste. This was probably about a 2-3 mile walk from the fields into the city.

Like Mary (1:39), they responded immediately, as we should, to God’s word, as they said, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.”

Coming to Bethlehem, they found God was true to His word. There they saw Mary the mother, Joseph the step-father, and the little Lord Jesus, lying in a manger.

They saw with their own eyes the Savior, the Christ, the Lord. What a blessing!

Seeing, they start speaking, telling, and witnessing! They become the first human witnesses of the good news.

The shepherds now take on the assignment of the angels! Proclaiming the Glory of God!

Think about it. We have the privilege to do the work of angels when we proclaim the Gospel of Jesus, our Savior!

Some will listen and receive Him. Some will listen and reject Him. Some will not even listen at all; but one thing remains the same, to experience God’s peace, Christ must be born in your heart just as he was born into this world.

Therefore, we should proclaim the gospel to everyone we know and come in contact with. All must be given the opportunity to accept his most valuable Christmas gift.

Have you received God’s gift of salvation? Have you seen the Savior? What are you doing with that good news?

Go tell it on the mountain, Over the hills and ev’rywhere;

Go tell it on the Mountain That Jesus Christ is born.

Down in a lowly manger The Humble Christ was born

And God sent us salvation That blessed Christmas Morn.

Go tell it on the mountain, Over the hills and ev’rywhere;

Go tell it on the Mountain That Jesus Christ is born.

Conclusion:

Joy to the World, The Lord is Come! Luke 2:19-20

Mary found joy in pondering the witness of the shepherds. No doubt it would sustain her as she walked with her son all the way from his birth to his death.

Luke 2:19 ESV

19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.

As for the shepherds, they have seen Jesus and will never be the same again! They have been transformed.

They would continually glorified the Lord. They constantly praised His Name.

Luke 2:20 ESV

20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

They now had a new song in their heart and good news they had to share. They had experience the Joy of the World. How could they keep silent, this night was anything but silent! How could they not share this powerful encounter with God!

If you have encountered Christ, how can you keep silent, how can you not proclaim the excellencies of his glorious grace to the multitudes?

Jesus does rule the world with truth and grace. The question for all of us to ask and answer this day: “Does he rule my heart, my life, my church with His truth and grace?”

Jesus is the joy bringer! Jesus is our hope! We are the reason He came! So wonder a new at his gift to you this Christmas as we sing Joy to the World together!