Christmas Eve 2006
24 December, 2006 12/24/2006
Larry McWherter
Isaiah 42:1-9 (NIV)
The Servant of the Lord
42 “Here is my servant, whom I uphold,
my chosen one in whom I delight;
I will put my Spirit on him
and he will bring justice to the nations.
2 He will not shout or cry out,
or raise his voice in the streets.
3 A bruised reed he will not break,
and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out.
In faithfulness he will bring forth justice;
4 he will not falter or be discouraged
till he establishes justice on earth.
In his law the islands will put their hope.”
5 This is what God the Lord says—
he who created the heavens and stretched them out,
who spread out the earth and all that comes out of it,
who gives breath to its people,
and life to those who walk on it:
6 “I, the Lord, have called you in righteousness;
I will take hold of your hand.
I will keep you and will make you
to be a covenant for the people
and a light for the Gentiles,
7 to open eyes that are blind,
to free captives from prison
and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness.
8 “I am the Lord; that is my name!
I will not give my glory to another
or my praise to idols.
9 See, the former things have taken place,
and new things I declare;
before they spring into being
I announce them to you.”
John 1:1-18 (NIV)
The Word Became Flesh
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning.
3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.
6 There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe. 8 He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. 9 The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.
10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12 Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13 children born not of natural descent,c nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.
14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only,d who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
15 John testifies concerning him. He cries out, saying, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’ ” 16 From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another. 17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only,e f who is at the Father’s side, has made him known.
Receive: Hand receipt – a signing for
1. many do not receive because they do not want to part with their sin, nor allow Christ (anyone) to rule over them
2. Some do not receive because they do not know/recognize Him or are not looking for Him to come
3. Some received him – opened the door (His rightful door) to Him…seeing that He is who he claims to be and allowing access they receive His gift…believing on His name
4. Believe that he is the Word of God, King of Kings, Lord our Righteousness, Jesus the Savior. Acquiesce to the truth of it.
a. We would obey Him as Word, Serve Him as King, Walk in His Righteousness, honor/thank Him for our salvation
b. Receive the image of His grace…(be gracious) and the impressions of His love…love as He loves…take up these governing principles as our own
c. Trust Him, trust His intentions and attempt to be like Him
5. We have the privilege of becoming His sons (adoption) privilege and authority - the right to become sons of God – believe on His name (character and authority) – it is the grace of God that makes us willing to be His
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c Greek of bloods
d Or the Only Begotten
e Or the Only Begotten
f Some manuscripts but the only (or only begotten) Son