Skipping Christmas?
Notes
Transcript
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
He was in the beginning with God.
All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.
In him was life, and the life was the light of men.
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered.
This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria.
And all went to be registered, each to his own town.
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,
to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child.
And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth.
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.
And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
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.
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.
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”
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.”
And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger.
And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child.
And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them.
But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.
And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem,
saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”
When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him;
and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.
They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet:
“ ‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’ ”
Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared.
And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.”
After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was.
When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.
And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.
And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.
Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.”
And he rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed to Egypt
and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet, “Out of Egypt I called my son.”
INTRO:
INTRO:
A few years ago, book by John Grishom called “Skipping Christmas” was a hit. Later, it was made into a movie.
Summary: What if Satan had been successful at preventing Jesus’ birth?
No Christmas?
(Show clip if possible)
A couple Luther & Nora Krank tired of all the commercialism & stress of Christmas, decided to skip it, no lights, no gifts no celebrations and use that money for a cruise. From that the book tells of all the ramifications with neighbor & friends. Ultimately, they realized they couldn’t skip Christmas no matter how hard they tried
INTRO: Last Year a small book by John Grishom called “Skipping Christmas” was a hit. About a couple Luther & Nora Krank tired of all the commercialism & stress of Christmas, decided to skip it, no lights, no gifts no celebrations. From that the book tells of all the ramificatiosn with neighbor & friends. Realizing they couldn’t skip Christmas no matter how hard they tried
TS: There has always been a war on Christmas. From the push to put x-mas, happy holidays, winter break at school, winter parties, etc. However, it goes much farther back than that!
Satan has opposed Christmas since the Garden of Eden! He tried to prevent it from ever coming and wanted the whole world to skip Christmas altogether.
It goes much farther back than that!
**Of course we The Grinch that Stole Christmas famous book & movie
RS: Sadly, many today celebrate Christmas they think, but they are actually skipping it if they ignore the true meaning of Christmas. This is a celebration of the birth of our Savior. His advent. His leaving heaven to “tabernacle” here on Earth as John put it.
A. But I submit to you, That Satan is the Grinch that has tried to
steal or stop Christmas since the beginning & continues to
Attack on Christmas.
Attack on Christmas.
steal its true meaning,
Satan has always attacked Christmas.
First assault- to keep it from ever happening
First assault- to keep it from ever happening
Since the first promise of the seed of the woman, the coming Messiah. He has made every effort to stop Jesus’ birth
coming Messiah. He has made every effort to stop Jesus’ birth
He did this by trying to destroy Abraham or his descendants
a. Destroy Abraham or his descendants
Throughout the OT we see constant assaults on God’s people.
Enslaved in Egypt
Attacked on the journey home
Judges- one round of being conquered after another
Kings
often attacked by enemies
Split into 2 kingdoms at times at war with each other.
Captivity
Assyria came and took 10.5 tribes, Israel, to never return as a nation in ancient times.
Babylon took the rest, Judah, and that should have ended it, but God sent them home!
Second Assault- Complicate the Delivery
Second Assault- Complicate the Delivery
2. Now it is time for Jesus to come into the world, has Joseph
Now it is time for Jesus to come into the world, has Joseph & Mary travel a long way hoping for delivery complications
& Mary travel a long way hoping for delivery complications
a. Birth place
a. Birth in filthy barn, filth, cold, disease, crazed animals
A- barn: There was probably filth, disease, animals
Third Assault- Kill the Babies
Third Assault- Kill the Babies
3. Jesus is born but can still stop Christmas, get rid of the baby
Jesus is born, but Satan didn’t give up. Tried to stop the significance by eliminating the meaning through getting rid of the baby
Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem,
a. Herod the Great, the Awful, Tyrant
a. Herod the Great, the Awful, Tyrant
a. Herod the Great, the Awful, Tyrant
MacArthur Study Bible NASB Commentary
This refers to Herod the Great, the first of several important rulers from the Herodian dynasty who are named in Scripture. This Herod, founder of the famous line, ruled from 37–4 B.C. He is thought to have been Idumean, a descendant of the Edomites, offspring of Esau. Herod was ruthless and cunning. He loved opulence and grand building projects, and many of the most magnificent ruins that can be seen in modern Israel date back to the days of Herod the Great. His most famous project was the rebuilding of the temple at Jerusalem
This refers to Herod the Great, the first of several important rulers from the Herodian dynasty who are named in Scripture. This Herod, founder of the famous line, ruled from 37–4 B.C. He is thought to have been Idumean, a descendant of the Edomites, offspring of Esau. Herod was ruthless and cunning. He loved opulence and grand building projects, and many of the most magnificent ruins that can be seen in modern Israel date back to the days of Herod the Great. His most famous project was the rebuilding of the temple at Jerusalem
The wise men came seeking the newborn King of the Jews, Jesus
magi from the east.
The number of wise men is not given. The traditional notion that there were 3 stems from the number of gifts they brought. These were not kings, but Magi, magicians or astrologers—possibly Zoroastrian wise men from Persia whose knowledge of the Hebrew Scriptures could be traced back to the time of Daniel (cf. )
There is a man in your kingdom in whom is the spirit of the holy gods. In the days of your father, light and understanding and wisdom like the wisdom of the gods were found in him, and King Nebuchadnezzar, your father—your father the king—made him chief of the magicians, enchanters, Chaldeans, and astrologers,
MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (2006). The MacArthur study Bible: New American Standard Bible. (). Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers.
MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (2006). The MacArthur study Bible: New American Standard Bible. (). Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers.
probably thought King Herod had to know!
Jewish scholars point out that Bethlehem was to be the birthplace of the Messiah.
4. Three Wise-men/ Kings come seeking Him
a. Wise men still seek Jesus
based on
b. Natural to come to local leader, surely he knows of the
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.
birth of the King
Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared.
Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared.
And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.”
Matthew 2:
He asked them to return with news so Herod could worship the King too.
asked to return the news
5. Pointed the way to Bethlehem, & asked to return the news
Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, became furious, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had ascertained from the wise men.
so Herod can worship the King, yeh, Right!
He lied, had ALL the babies 2 yrs & down murdered.
a. He lied, later we find out after the wise men were warned
of God to return home another route
The star had apparently appeared 2 years before the meeting with the King.
Babies were slaughtered to prevent Christmas from having any meaning.
b. Herod had ALL the babies 2yrs & down murdered
However, Jesus escaped because God had warned them.
The ongoing Offensive
The ongoing Offensive
AP: What if Satan had succeeded? What if Jesus was never was born or had been murdered as a baby? What if Christmas wasn’t Christmas? Never was or has been?
6. What if the Grinch/Satan had succeeded? Jesus never was
born or during the Christmas season as a baby, He was
murdered?
a. What if Christmas wasn’t Christmas? Never was or has
been?
I. No Rejoicing: Glad Tidings Celebration
I. No Rejoicing: Glad Tidings Celebration
I. No Rejoicing: Glad Tidings Celebration
All these years Christmas has developed from a simple recognition of the birth of the Messiah to a mega commercialized, season with things that has little to nothing to do with the birth of the Savior
A. All these years Christmas has developed from a simple
recognition of the birth of the Messiah
1. To a Mega commercialized, season with things that has
little to nothing to do with the birth of the Savior
Yet we celebrate
2. Yet we celebrate
a. We keep trying to get back to the original intent of the season. Keep the reason of the Season Jesus
a. We keep trying to get back to the original intent of the
season. Keep the reason of the Season Jesus
Christmas is a family time, a joyous time a time for memories, fantasies, giving, visiting, singing & love
3. Christmas is a family time, a joyous time a time for
memories, fantasies, giving, visiting, singing & love
a. Yet if no Christmas, none of that would be
a. Yet if no Christmas, none would be
b. Of course we wouldn’t have the on going debate about Religion vs secular ideals & freedom or from religion
b. It is the Christian holiday of Christmas that has affected all
other religious holidays, Hanukah tries to keep up but it
was never the festive occasion that Christmas is
1. No other religion has a holiday on the scale or as festive as
Christmas
4. No Christmas would do away with most celebrations in the
world
5. Of course we wouldn’t have the on going debate about
Religion vs secular ideals & freedom or from religion
a. Religion vs secular ideals & freedom or from religion
1. Merry Christmas vs. Happy Holiday or Christmas parades or Holiday parades or winter Solstice or Christmas break in school
1. Merry Christmas vs. Happy Holiday or Christmas parades or
Holiday parades or winter Solstice or Christmas break in school
c. yes, the hassle of gifts, preperations, decorations etc would be over, but we would also loose the enjoyment they bring.
B. No parties at work or school
1. No gift exchange, no dirty Santa,
2. No hassles shopping, mall, finding the perfect gift or getting
that gift for the person who already has everything
a. Well there is something good
3. No Search for the perfect Christmas tree
a. No decorating the tree or the house
b. No Christmas specials on tv or Christmas song on the
radio
c. No annual “It’s a Wonderful Life”
4. Getting this, things would be drab, dull
a. We wouldn’t have this holiday to look forward to all year,
we only have to look forward to Tax Day or April Fools
Day or Holloween
II. No Redemption: Gospel/ Gift
II. No Redemption: Gospel/ Gift
1. I submit to you there wouldn’t be a “Thanksgiving Day’
2. No Redeemer, No God, No one to give thanks to
5. With all the stress, hoopla, hassles of Christmas I am glad
we have it
II. No Redemption: Gospel/ Gift
Yes, we love the joy of this season and the special memories built with our friends and loved ones, but there are far greater ramifications to not having Christmas.
The penalty of sin would still be in effect
For the wages of sin [is] death;
For the wages of sin [is] death;
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
The curse would still be in full effect
The curse would still be in full effect
For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them.”
For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed [is] every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.
But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
…. but the gift of God [is] eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.
that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.
That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
We live in this fallen condition & we see the results every day around us in our world & in our own life
And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
A. WE needed a gift from God
1. Man is sinful, is a fallen creature, racked by the disease of
sin, condemned lost for ever
2. Man lives in this fallen condition & we see the results ever
day around us in our world & in our own life
a. If we will be honest, there are things we don’t like
a. If we will be honest, there are things we don’t like
1. Sin nature, rebelliousness, Pride, greed, selfishness, Uncontrolled passions, rage, anger, lusts,
b. But Our Holy Creator see more in us than He intended
1. Sin nature, rebelliousness, Pride, greed, selfishness, Uncontrolled
2. We commit sin each day of our life and cannot work a remedy for our self
passions, rage, anger, lusts,
2. We commit sin each day of our life and cannot work a remedy for
our self
God’s gift of Jesus overcomes that!
Christmas is the beginning of the Help
3. As humans who are sinners, we sin,
a. It is that human flaw that condemns us reveals itself in our
conduct, behavior, habits & choices
4. Each person is Lost, separated from God, hopeless & hell bound
a. Eternity doomed, we need mercy, Grace Help from God
5. Christmas is the beginning of the Help
a. God’s gift to mankind started in Bethlehem
a. God’s gift to mankind started in Bethlehem
**Hurried & hassled Christmas shoppers crush into the elevator
the door closes. Silence. A lady with 2 kids hanging on arms loaded with bags frustrated with it all & exasperated says, Whoever thought of the Christmas thing should be hung.’ From the back of the elevator some body said, They already did, hung him on a cross
B. Gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ
B. Gift of God is eternal life through…..?
1. A Savior willing to take away Sin’s curse
1. Religion, Santa Clause, Government benefits
a. Education, financial stability. Inner peace
2. A Savior willing to take away Sin’s curse
2. A Redeemer who pays our debt
a. A Redeemer who pays our debt
3. A God who forgives us of OUR Transgressions
b. A God who forgives us of OUR Transgressions
We can never earn it or deserve it
c. A Cleansing Agent that washes away our sin, Blood
3. Something we can afford, because we are bankrupt
a. Man can’t buy himself out of his predicament
Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, [as] silver and gold, from your vain conversation [received] by tradition from your fathers;
b. Man can’t work it out,
If we can work our way to heaven, why Christmas, why Jesus & the cross at all?
1. If we could start today & be perfect for the rest of our life, how
would that solve our past sin debt
2. If we are spiritually dead how can we do spiritually good works at
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,
not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
all?
4. God’s Grace is greater than our sin
3. If we can work our way to heaven, why Christmas, why Jesus & the
cross at all? For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Conclusion:
Conclusion:
WE can’t afford to skip Christmas!
4. God’s Grace is greater than our sin
Yes, we can simplify and even ignore the celebrations, traditions, and costly aspects of materialistic Christmas.
BUT Real Christmas, the coming of Jesus can never be skipped!
He he come into your life?
Are you giving the best gift of all, the good news of Jesus to those around you?
5. No Christmas, No Gift, No Good news, No Salvation
III. No Rejoicing: Worship
Amazing grace how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me,
I once was lost but now am found, was blind but now I see
A. Because God is Good, because God is Love
1. His Grace has reached down to us
2. Many a poor wretched sinners have been dramatically
changed
a. The old Slaver John Newton was never the same
b. Countless testimonies in history and in our own personal
lives proclaim God’s Grace
3. We rejoice today because not that another baby was born
a. But life was born anew for man-kind
4. We rejoice cause we have a savior, a God that doesn’t
demand we die, but He died for us
a. A God that all us to life, now & in eternity
b. A God that Loves us in spite of our sin, unconditionally
1. A God who knows us perfectly yet Loves us
5. A God who doesn’t need me, but wants me,
a. A God who saved me perfectly & completely
Then sings my soul, my savior God, to Thee; How Great Thou Art, how great thou Art
B. Joy comes because of our redemption,
1. Before it was me, myself & I
2. But something happens to a person, when Jesus comes in
a. Jesus makes all the difference in the world
And my soul shall be joyful in the LORD: it shall rejoice in his salvation.
Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.
3. Without Christmas there would be no Easter
If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.
a. I have always said Easter is more important to the
Christian
b. But if there is no Virgin Birth, if there is no baby Jesus
c. There is no Cross of Calvary or a savior to die & raise
from the grave for our hope
4. We are wasting our time, we are a miserable people without
Christmas
IV. No Revolution of Society: Benefits of Christ & Christianity on the World “..The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field: Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof.
A. Before that first Christmas the world was a cruel, & dark in
the depravity of man
1. Everything Jesus touched , He utterly Transformed
“..Behold, I make all things new.”
Therefore if any man [be] in Christ, [he is] a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
a. From the individual to families to cities, & cultures &
nations & the world
b. Our world is better off because of Christmas, because
Jesus was born
2. Quick over view of what ahs improved& transformed our
world for the better because Christ & Christianity
a. Medical care, hospitals became acceptable, norms because
of the Christian compassion
b. Education for All became a theme for believers
c. Compassion for All, help for the poor & needy
d. Government of the people for the people & by the people
e. Civil Liberties: Freedom for all races, Woman rights
f. Arts: some of the greatest works of art is based on
scripture & biblical beliefs
g. Discovery of the new World, Despite the rewriting of History.
Columbus a devout Christian saw his voyage as fulfillment of
Isaiah’s prophecies
h. higher standard of Justice, ethics and moral code
i. civilization of the uncivilized
3. Yes we can find fault with Christianity, there has always
been & always will be those who abuse the name of Christ
a. Who do wrong in the name of Christianity just as have in
government, education & science
1. Re-establishes the point of man’s depravity
4. The positive contribution to man-kind is undeniable
a. All because a baby was born in Bethlehem who changed
men’s hearts & by God’s power changed their world
V. No Resolve: Reason to Serve
A. The greatest service, work a person can be involved in is the
Work of the Lord
1. Whether at school, work, on the farm, street corner, at the
store in the church or on the Foreign Mission field
2. We have a calling, a Charge, a Great Commission to Go tell
a. To tell the old old story of Jesus and his love
3. Because of Christmas we share the greatest love story of
ALL TIME
4. Jesus came, was born in old mean cruel dark sinful world
a. He came through a miraculous birth, but in a filthy dirty
barn so we can know Our God has not forgotten any
5. Because of All our God has done for us, can we do any less
than what He has called each to do
a. Because of Christmas is real
1. Go tell, tell about Jesus, the man that knows everything you have
ever done, yet loves and forgives
2. Go tell of a God who cares and can change one life
3. Go tell there is hope, love & Joy
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