Sunday, December 22nd, 2019 - AM - God's Glory in Christmas
So you're in Matthew chapter. Number one, I want to begin reading at first number Eighteen with you. And if you're listening outside of these walls, you are listening to the surfaces to Broomfield Baptist Church. I'm bringing the Sunday morning message that will center around cops at Christmas time. And I have some things that a truck will be a blessing to you as if they were to me. I had to work through some of these thoughts and things that I'll share with you this morning and hopefully you'll leave a little more fortified and edified I thinking about this whole Christmas time thing for summer 18 we read these were now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise in other words it happen like this. When is the things that surrounded that happened on this why? When is Mother Mary before she was found with child of the Holy Ghost? Then Joseph her husband being a just man not and not willing to make for a public example was minded to put her away privily. But while he thought on these things the angel of the Lord appeared Joseph of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son and thou shalt call his name Jesus for he shall save his people from their sins. Now all this was done. You remember it happened on this? Why when Jesus Christ was born now all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet said behold a virgin shall be with child and shall bring forth and they shall call his name Emmanuel God With Us Then Joseph being raised from sleep did that's the angel of the Lord had bitten him and took him to him his wife and knew her not till she is brought forth her firstborn son, and he called his name Jesus. Lord I trusted you were going to bless our time this morning I prayed for this hour and I've prepared as well as I know how for what I'm going to share this morning the Lord. I pray that it would not be my thoughts for my words that that take us by our thoughts today will get that it would be your word that would help us find our anchor This is the time. That is a It's a difficult time of year for many people and Lord. There are many reasons that people would give as to all the hustle and bustle of the commercialization of woodfold Christmas everything that's done. Thanksgiving until New Year's in our world today is a Godless world. No different than it has been since the fall and the world has really taken over this holiday time and they go about even give some celebrating but many of them aren't even aware of the greatest gift that you've given and Lord. I pray that you help us to be solid in our hearts in mind. That's the why we're doing what we're doing Lord. Thank you for the song that we have that question on our lips before us what will you do now that you've seen Jesus what will you do with his love? Oh Lord bless our time in your word and I'll thank you for it in Jesus name. I pray amen.
Know what I'm going to share with you this morning. I don't play. I'm not dreaming this up, but I do think and I want to share it with you because it was to me Christmas time. Would you agree with me that Christmas certainly has its critics?
It's always had it for the world criticizes us for what we do at Christmas time. They say, you know, it's all a bunch of the show anyway and surrounds it some people Christmas because of its Christian basis. They don't want anything to do with price in Oman.
there are the world in that what some people hate Christmas because Well, every time it comes around on the calendar they have to sit down in the Nuka table and chair and maybe there's no one around some people don't like Christmas.
Very welcome.
This time of year is one of the darkest times of the year. If you look at the studies that are done more suicides happen this time of year during Christmas season than any other time of the year at least hear where we are now. I know that might be different maybe in places on the North Face in Alaska and work areas where they live in darkness for months and months and months out of the year. There's two different challenges are missionaries that are up there face down here and think about it the loneliness that sets in take us. Some hate Christmas because they feel obligated to celebrate. Well, I have to do this. I've got to be a little transparent.
I'm driving down the road and I forget I was going from one place to another and I was in the hustle and bustle thinking about okay, I've got to do this.
Why am I doing this? I'm just pulling my hair out by and do all this stuff to be a good participant keenly aware of my shortcomings.
I mean how disruptive does our schedule become trying to chase these things around and do all these things at Christmas time will have all of the calendar cleared up for this week. Maybe I'm the only one that feels that way but criticisms do come from the world. I've named some of them you could name or I'm sure all of this. Why are we doing what we're doing? Okay. Criticisms also partly come because of non-Christian religions. I just think Compass the whole damn. It didn't I? We don't have time to go through one of them.
Jews Jewish people are first friends. Sometimes they resent Christmas. And do we have to be honest? We don't want to be in time not I'm just pointing out the fact that what we're doing here and calling it Christmas because it reminds them of what Christians tend to think about the Old Testament. I don't know about you but I love my old test in all of the Covenant no promises that now, you know, it's really seeing all these things fulfilled sometimes can be rather than just friends. it also
brings to light the fact that will maybe they went wrong regarding the Sia and so it could rub them that way to okay. Well we got to deal with this again here comes back around there's 50 celebrating Hanukkah the Festival of Lights in Messiah when he came that salt has to be in some of their body occasionally when they're confronted with it.
What do they think about Christmas?
You can cancel that probably better than I can. Is there ever given control over a nation? You know, where the first one of the first thing they're going to do. They will eradicate Christmas completely. Apple before guarantee you if they had the opportunity. They'll do it every chance they get They resent I mean minions and resent the very teaching that we can be safe substitutionary atonement. They resent the fact that all you have to do.
All right, so we dealt with partly these principles come from those of the world non-Christian religion. Now, let's consider those that was partly come from Christian. I think this is tackle because we start with a broad spectrum and now we're going to get a little closer to home.
We all have to deal with this. Many Christians will point out the fact that Christmas derived largely from Roman Catholicism, and we're Baptist Church. And so we celebrate Christmas. We need to understand you as a Baptist parking back to Roman Catholic teachings and doctrines what I say that comes from, Mass. Christmas Roman Catholics make so much of Christmas mini Christian say, you know, it's about how we can do that.
I don't know how many of you agree with me on that. I can't go to chapter and verse.
And so how did this December thing? You know our calendar? Well, there's a big mess behind.
There's no biblical suggestion though that that we should celebrate Jesus's birth. The Bible doesn't say that I'll shout celebrate Jesus's birth.
The other argument for many Christians and I think you know if I haven't gotten by now, this is where you might begin to agree with me.
I'm not saying we shouldn't be.
Christmas has become so commercialized.
I was privileged to do that. I went over there and I saw that man if there's anybody that knows how to market the name of Jesus.
Those people do Jesus everywhere everywhere on that. You're really good at doing the same thing that we have one person said it like that people buy presents that people don't want or need. We sometimes buy things for people. We don't like like everybody. I don't know what we spend money. We don't have for people who don't like
back to commercial
but some add to that may say Jesus came to bring peace on Earth that we talked about. Jesus came to bring peace on Earth, but that piece you don't find that many places. Can I just make a little feel the piece that Jesus is coming to bring is going to occur when he Rules From The Throne of David and we pray even so come Lord Jesus.
We want this to be a peaceful time, but when you look around how much piece really is there. Well, you can't find it in places. And so this means he said he was going to come and bring this is their argument believe like this.
That's the end of the are you. Why should we celebrate such a date? When he's supposed to be the Prince of Peace. many people I mean How how have we missed sometimes seeing the point in seeing the fact of one of well, I'm in safest way. The greatest event that has happened in human history happened. to Millennium 2000 years ago has a thousand years. We are 2000. I don't want to get specific on the map cuz I'm sure if Jesus was more maybe for a d we have to adjust our dates on a calendar.
The greatest thing that ever happened to me.
He was manifested that this isn't some you know Twas the Night Before Christmas poem. We have the best and it's been proven it will uphold in any court that you want to put it in how many lawyers have gone to the Bible to try to disprove it and looked at it and said the evidence many infallible proofs. Not fairy tales not was the Night Before Christmas Saint Nick poems. These are an infallible proofs and so Jesus Christ.
When do we celebrate that? When do we celebrate when the linium of his coming if you will? Well one writer said it should have been back in 1996. Can you make this big adjustment for a before and all that? And so we really mm?
So here's the question as we continue these thoughts. Bottom line up. We got we dealt with persistence from the world pretty symptoms from non-Christian religion criticisms from Christians and sell about why are we doing all of this anyway? The bottom line question of it all we have to answer and no for our stuff does Christmas glorify God? Isn't that what we're concerned about mouth doesn't bring glory to God. We just sang glory to God in the highest and on Earth peace Goodwill for me. Doesn't bring glory to God. Is God glorified when we celebrate the birth of his son? I think the answer is going to depend on how and why we are celebrating the birth of his son is God glorified by non Christians celebrating Christmas with non-Christian Christian C caught up in the hustle and bustle in the commercialization of foot called Christmas today Halloween wasn't over it wasn't even over and we're walking through the stores and everybody's got their Christmas display.
How commercialized well there are other questions. Okay, so then at the Christian Pastor, what do you think? Am I better off just to ignore Christmas all together and stick my head in the sand and pretend like it's not happening and when I walk down the street from your all the Christmas carol Scrooge. Okay. Another question does the actual date one way or the other whether he wanted to celebrate and have a birthday party for I don't know pick a date.
Here's another valid when I think for where we are as American history think about the families of our nation what we have called the family unit. Think about how that has come under attack. In our day, why would we want to do things that would take away from family? By saying OK words. It's not going to be Christmas to just stop coming together as family this generation is Miss the folks hunt what that whole thing is about anyway, and many of them don't even know how to act when they come to the Gathering. What if you want to call it well, Should we should we stop coming together since everything is under attack? We just kind of turn it over. Do we do we just turn it over to the pagans? Because they've commercialized called at Christmas and whatever they want to do and we'll just Advocate we're just not going to fight for it anymore. We're not going to stand up and say Merry Christmas to people when they tell us happy holidays and those kind of things and I appreciate the people who are working for someone else. Tell me Merry Christmas.
celebrating Christmas 2000 years ago when we is God's people make a big to-do about this. Do we not point to Jesus in some way shape or form and we see the little round keep Christ in Christmas and it's not the celebration of Christmas make a statement of the fact that Jesus Christ God's son 2,000 years ago the first time that it was God in flesh. I don't know, but I think it could be a good thing to challenge something you have to deal with it. I think through in your belief system. Is it possible you missed the tile? Is it possible that you could you die out that they consider coming back to that now, let me say also that has the Gentiles we have an obligation to witness to our two friends and they helped them the truth so that the scales call Mia Frazier and everything cuz they did that talk. You have to be to be wise as serpents harmless. And then what about they have a Reckoning with that knowing full? Well that that everything about Christmas the origins of it.
Man Called Jesus
So why would a message like this be so vital in Fort what we do is Christian's can be edifying if we'll let it will dig a Little Deeper. It'll also help us become more grounded as we have opportunities to witness your non-Christian we can use it as an opportunity when we get charged to be a little friendly a little more know all those things that the world's commercial in that affect and leave the door open the safe.
Well, maybe your family does like ours you read a portion of Luke Chapter 2. Where do you read a different Christmas Past is the new things gifts by having birthday cake and sing Happy Birthday in getting ourselves why we do what we do.
There's an Inseparable connect. Between the glory of God and when we know it's Christmas. You cannot separate the connect and that's why I challenged you with my f****** God glory in Chris's. Where is it? It's not like commercialization of it. It's not in the arguments that the world's, you know brings about why we do with you. Where do we find the glory of God and Christmas? Jesus Christ Team 2000 music greatest thing that could ever happen to us in human history occurred the coming of The god-man 100.
Second Adam from above reinstate Us in my love. Thank you.
Need to ask as honestly as possible as openly as we can he is there not a way forward. Honesty Christian through birth of Jesus and the connection that has to the glory of God.
Regarding the glory of God if we're going to do a thorough study of God's glory. We have to start with the Old Testament and I will take you to an Old Testament word is translated Glory when we understand the word behind it. We might understand better. And so the word both translate Glory the word literally means heaviness. waiting we sometimes you know, maybe we'll talk about it this way today will see you know, that person really knows how to throw their weight around.
because of their position because of their stature what we're saying they got to wait to them that they know how to use that's the Senate will behind the word Glory general idea is kvothe. God in his character in his in his quality God is of the highest stature. He is the weightiest of waiting. There is none mind. He is the El elyon he is the almighty he is so powerful.
That means he has some weight about he has a certain Glory that none of them can compare them.
And we think about his glory in the Hebrew word for those we think of that waiting. Is that our God hat. If we were to go to the New Testament, we would do different words words, like stuff and gase is translating Glory, but the flavor of this word dachshund carries with it the ideas for door frame. Grade 1 how do we hear the words? Pray throughout our choir in there singing effusion chapter 1 Glory Glory pranks Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the Redemption of the eyes of his?
Glory be connected with spray the Aquinas near translates as pray and then you have docks that is Flor translation. To come from a root word. That means an opinion. That's the roof understanding of it. So what opinion do you think? I pray God bless him. The docks of the glory of God if you will, the praise of God is not only the phrase but also the opinion of God what we think about and we think about the will of God. Being in set for Inseparable from the glory of God. the gospel of God for the context of Ephesians chapter 1 verse 14. If we read the rest of the versus around it versus 11 and 12 in particular we find out there is a purpose. He's waiting. But he also is working. He has a purpose. And we're eating whom also we have obtained an inheritance. That's it. We're going to have that image of Adam and race.
the constant contact free decimated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will
that we should be to the friends of his glory seat praise and glory connected there again, who First Trust in infants
We can price and let's men still together. In our understanding of Glory as English speakers, what do we mean by Glory? dachshund Not only to pray but the opinion of God when we put them together. This shows us the Dignity of God will. It reveals to us the praise of his whip. It was his will that a young Hebrew girl, and it's real life young lady who was betrothed to man would be visited by an Angel and give it a message. That she would bring forth the sun when she had known to man. That being a virgin she should conceive and bring for Amanda and that that man-child should have a designated name. The Joseph it was revealed to him that this child would be named Jesus. So we praise the will of God in the intervening on behalf of all of mankind. And we praise His will. In that when it's done on Earth as it is in heaven, we can give God glory. There is no tire. So when we combine two bows with with. So we come up with an understanding that suggest God's Will has a certain dignity about it. And we pray that when we recognize his will be accomplished in our lives and in the lives of those that we love kvothe. However, that could just Glory that's awesome also connected with life and with brightness on your chin strap. We're talking about this being connected with light. glory be connected with life in brightness. So here we go. Are you ready? Isaiah prophesied that the glory of God would come to Giant Isaiah chapter 16 verses 1 through 3, Isaiah 64. The light is come and the glory of the Lord. That's Jehovah all caps is risen upon thee for behold Darkness shall cover the Earth and gross Darkness to people but the Lord Jehovah and His glory
And King to the brightness of the Rising.
Glory of the Lord prophesied when the Lord would come to Zion. His brightness would be seen it would be drawn to that line. the glory of the Lord making an appearance where it can be visible. Turn light companies that might the glory we see we talked about that. We see God's glory is something with the Exodus chapter 16 & Bourke number 10. If you read that verse to read these words Exodus chapter 16 verse
And it came to pass as Aaron speaking to the whole congregation children of Israel that they look for.
The glory of the Lord the glory of Jehovah appeared where in the cloud it appeared in the cloud. the first after
in Egypt When we have the the details given of the Passover your Nexus Luke chapter 14. And I'll reimburse is 19 to 20. The angel of God which went before the camp of Israel removed in behind them. In the pillar of the cloud before their face and stood behind them and darkness to them, but it gave light by night Tuesday so that none came not near the other all the night. What are we just read about? This Cloud came and it made the darkness and it made confusion. It made it hard for the Egyptians to find where they were going. But for the Israelites they could see clear is that
I think the glory of God has that effect on people even today. That for some because they have not ears to hear. They not been enlightened by the Holy Spirit. They're still in their natural affections. They cannot receive the Blind and we pray and we witness so that the scales of blindness to fall off what they should see the light of the Glorious gospel.
The devil have some blind. Until we see this phenomenon of life with Israel. Appeared at the Tabernacle and it came to pass as Moses entered into the tavern at that dwelling place where God would well with me. What was it be cloudy for descended and stood at the door of the Tabernacle and watch this Jehovah the Lord talk with most Here comes the cloud with Jehovah Jehovah was there. When we pass forward 3 through history in a cup of the time of Solomon and the Ark has been brought into the temple. We see these were the first Kings chapter 8. I reading verses 10 through the 1st Kings chapter 8 verses 10 and 11th, and it came to pass when the priests were come out of the Holy place. That's a cloud filled the house of the Lord so that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud to push them out.
For the glory of the Lord the glory of Jehovah had filled the house of the Lord. Now hold on with me we're going. the coming of Messiah
Was prophesied in associated with the glory of God being with you? These are promises that were given in the Old Testament Isaiah back to chapter number 40 and I read this and verse number 5 and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and All Flesh shall see it together for the mouth of the Lord has spoken. birth of Christ as Messiah is inseparably connected with the idea of the glory of God. The Lord was suddenly coming to Temple and there's some results don't have to because they would be conviction of sin. He would have it would have the same effect on them when he saw the Lord high and lifted up. He said behold. He that is Jehovah for he is like a Refiner's Fire and he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver a purge them as gold and silver that they may offer unto the Lord Jehovah. They're all caps floor and offering what's going to happen when the Lord There's going to be some refining to the purging there's going to be conviction of sin. We're going to come face-to-face with that and say woe is me for I am undone because I am a man of unclean lips of a people of unclean lips for mine eyes have seen the Lord of hosts. The next time you read the Christmas passes when you think about the baby. Think about the cake. And maybe you'll feel a little bit more. Like I say again and maybe through this Christmas time. You might be able to step back and realize the glory of God to the point that you say Lauren. I am I am nothing like you. refined mold Lord, I humble myself.
In a word if we were to take one word to describe all of God's attributes. May I suggest to you that we should summarize that in the word Glory? Think about the attributes of God.
Omnipotence. What does that mean? What is Godzilla? He is all-powerful omniscient omniscient. What does that mean? He is all-knowing. I'm not present. What does that mean? is everyone His Holiness some of these are communicable some of these are non communicable.
That is an attribute of God. is love his Mercy is truth. It's wisdom. Can I just take all of those compact them down and give you a word?
You think about Christmas, and all the hustle and bustle of the glory of God? That is all. even related it this way next chapter 7 verse number two when he was preaching to the elders elders of his men Brethren Father's Heart the god of Glory Appears Our Father Abraham
Let me remind you of something remember that story that we always read about our Father Abraham. Will you remember how God showed up to him in his glory? remind back to Abraham that he left her in the same man at the end of chapter 7 and he looked up steadfastly to heaven into heaven and saw what He saw the glory of God.
I need Jesus.
Great Pacific
But it says just before that he saw the glory of God and Jesus not sending, you know the account he was watching a Steven lay down his life and preaching the truth and righteousness of God story. Beheld God's glory and then there's Jesus. That's fine. So what happened when Jesus was born those 2000 plus juicer?
prophecy was fulfilled this is an arguable. It clearly wasn't just the young lady in the Hebrew.
Isaiah 7:14 this was the prophecy but this is the truth of what happened when Jesus was conceived therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign Behold a virgin shall conceive 1 verse 26 to 28 Matthew Chapter 1 Verse 18 25 we read lean in There were some things out of Bethlehem ephrathah House of Bread Bethlehem mean going forth have been from old from Everlast Matthew Chapter 2. We're eating vs 5 and 67 him and Bethlehem do My People Israel? Prophecy was fulfilled we could go to the places we can compare Isaiah chapter 9 the rod of Jesse we can turn over and see how the king. Can the Kings if you will notice those mad guy They Came To Worship Matthew Chapter 2. That was because Isaiah the Gentiles shall come to my life and McKean to the brightness of the rice. Magi came from the East
those who are in power. So what happened to those who were completely bypassed. I love looking at that and seeing how he fell out. We talked about the Dignity of God's will. Think about how he accomplished his purpose Exodus chapter 33 verse 19th and show Mercy on whom I will show mercy and then this was right after Moses had asked him in Exodus 33:18. He said show me thy Glory Show Me Your Glory and when I moved in my was accomplished, that's when you see my door.
God passed by he passed by Herod.
Matthew 2 verse 4. He passed by the teachers of the law of the scribes and the Pharisees and the teachers of the law.
Old Jerusalem is mentioned in Matthew 2 verse 3 Herod the king and heard these things he was troubled and all through some with him to see this wasn't something that happened in a closet somewhere who else got passed by Augustus. And it came to pass chapter 2 verse one of those days. There went out a decree from Caesar Augustus.
Cyrenius he was governor of Syria. So he would be in that list of God's glory passing. The God's glory passing before that those who were at the Inn in Bethlehem.
Luke chapter 2 verse 7 she work she brought forth her firstborn son rapping in swaddling clothes and laid him in a Manger because there was no room for him in the end everybody in that in the glory of God.
Those who were let in on the event.
the Magi new Wise Men new Y'all begin on this what's Zacharia prophesied as a day of small things small thing in the handles ruggable with those seven?
Prophecy is fulfilled when Jesus Christ was for Glory of God was manifested.
Well, I'm taking more time from you than I should this morning. You've been kind of whistle, but what's the climax of it all? celebration Why do we do what we do around Christmas time? The Claw Golf In the revelation of the will of God being done intervening in mankind happened when all of this was done to our keyword glory to the glory of God Luke Chapter 2 for September 14th. They saying it earlier, but let's read it. Glory to God in the highest and on Earth. Peace Goodwill it for men. All the above and things that I wasn't even able to get you this morning all of that points to the glory of God. The manifestation of that Glory King when Jesus Christ was born in all of what we have just talked about me to bring glory to God. So then I closed with these thoughts. Can we do that during Christmas time when everything is so commercialized and the world is arguing.
Can we bring glory to God behind this possibility is the principal that I would leave you with you that Grace is abound. Grace Isabel and Caesar Augustus
He makes even the wrath of menstration Psalm 76:10 surely the wrath of man shall praise thee the remainder grass cut the hours it will work to see that happen will be part of his plan. Redemption of self the fact that Jesus Christ came to save us in the fall of Man to begin with so should we just give up on this whole idea is what man messed it up anyway.
same argument with the fall posted this more over the wall entered that the offense might have found but where sin abounded they would be Grace did much more abound. What's Point people to the grace of God that might help and behold a little bit more of his floor all the things that we've talked about this morning can help you bring glory to God understanding understanding his praise.
We can do this when we bring honor to the birth of Jesus. So sometimes it's Christmas present exchange everything you have going on bring Glory great honor for the fact that Jesus Christ was born that will help you grow. If I got it Christmas remind people of the whole reason for the season.
Take some people who may be your non-Christian and they're your friends take them to church services in anywhere that you can go where God's word. We treat bring them along with in know the teachings about the birth of Christ. When we worked at the we did it all happen and how God remember all of these things.
I know you checked out on me a few minutes ago. It's all right. I'll be I'll be done here.
above all remember the cross he was born to die. His death explained why he was cold savior. Can you save his people from their sins all we like sheep have gone astray returned and the Lord laid on him the iniquity of us all. Those songs that we sing the great Christmas carols don't just sing them think about them. Let the words poured through you meditate on it, especially songs like Hark the Herald Angels Sing.
and when you think about the truth that's in those songs what that what that
Remember as you go through these days. I remember those who were alone. Go to maybe have an empty chair at their table those who are really bad on those haunting memories.
visit different Be thankful for family and friends when you receive something from someone make make your thoughts. Go towards God and him getting the greatest gift that you could have ever received getting his son. So when you receive something safe, thank you. But then also thank you Lord because it's picture of what you gave in Jesus. So yes Christmas
followers of other religions festivity time if you will
Yes, and we stood let it God's glory was manifest and it is inseparable from the birth of Jesus Glory as we gather around and as we go forth and we prevent all of these things for your consideration.