God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen

1 God rest you merry, gentlemen, let nothing you dismay; remember Christ, our Savior was born on Christmas Day to save us all from Satan's pow'r when we were gone astray.

Refrain: O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy, O tidings of comfort and joy.

I. God Came to Deliver

A. Deliver from Dismay

1 God rest you merry, gentlemen, let nothing you dismay;

remember Christ, our Savior was born on Christmas Day

One of the great things about Christ’s coming is it gave us something to keep our eyes on!

Hebrews 12:2 KJV

2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

O soul are you weary and troubled No light in the darkness you see There's light for a look at the Savior And life more abundant and free

Turn your eyes upon Jesus Look full in his wonderful face And the things of earth will grow strangely dim In the light of his glory and grace

B. Deliver from the Devil

to save us all from Satan's pow'r when we were gone astray.

Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil.

1 John 3:8 KJV

8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.

Part of the devils works is to tempt us away from God.

1 Peter 5:8–9 KJV

8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.

2 From God our heav'nly Father a blessed angel came and unto certain shepherds brought tidings of the same, how that in Bethlehem was born the son of God by name.

Refrain: O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy, O tidings of comfort and joy.

II. God Came to Shepherds

2 From God our heav'nly Father a blessed angel came and unto certain shepherds brought tidings of the same, how that in Bethlehem was born the son of God by name. [Refrain]

This verse tells about the happenings in Luke 2:8-12

Luke 2:8–12 KJV

8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. 10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. 12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

The fact that God came to the Shepherds helps us see that God’s coming is...

A. Available to All Men

It doesn’t matter who you are you can receive the gift of Jesus as your Savior!

Romans 6:23 KJV

23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Romans 10:13 KJV

13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Rich or poor

Educated or uneducated

Male or female

Boss or employee

Red, or Yellow, Black or white, or brown or purple or green!

God came and is available to All Men.

B. Available to the Active Men

Notice with me what the shepherds were doing when the Angels announced the coming of the Christ.

They were watching their sheep

They were doing their job.

Just a quick application from this fact.

God most often comes to those who are already doing what they are supposed to do.

3 "Fear not," then said the angel, "let nothing you affright; this day is born a Savior, the true and radiant light, to free all those who trust in him from Satan's pow'r and might."

Refrain: O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy, O tidings of comfort and joy.

III. God Came to Remove Fear

3 "Fear not," then said the angel, "let nothing you affright;

A. The Command

Fear not, in some form, is in the Bible 365 times

that’s one time per day of the year.

Do you think that Maybe God wants us to trust Him?

B. The Cause

this day is born a Savior, the true and radiant light,

John 8:12 KJV

12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

Jesus is born, that will remove fear.

2 Timothy 1:7 KJV

7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

C. The Conclusion

to free all those who trust in him from Satan's pow'r and might." [Refrain]

We are free from Satan’s power and might

Try as he may, God is bigger than Him!

1 John 4:4 KJV

4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

4 Now to the Lord sing praises, all you within this place, and in true love and fellowship each other now embrace; this holy tide of Christmas is filled with heav'nly grace.

Refrain: O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy, O tidings of comfort and joy.

IV. God Came to Unite in Praise

Because of what Christ has done for us we are united together as one body in Christ, by one Spirit!

Ephesians 4:4–6 KJV

4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; 5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

The fourth verse of this song speaks of first of all...

A. The Place of Praise

4 Now to the Lord sing praises, all you within this place,

Truthfully we can praise God anywhere!

But God’s ordained plan is for us to praise Him corporately in church!

Oh how important it is that we are faithful to God’s house!

Every time we are able, we need to be here.

For our sake

For each others sake

and out of obedience to Christ!

Hebrews 10:25 KJV

25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

Matthew 18:20 KJV

20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

Unless we are sick or providentially hindered, we need to be in church!

I have personally always sought employment only in places where I could have Sunday off.

God always provides when we put Him first!

I had to come into the job with that requirement from the beginning.

Then notice secondly...

B. The Posture of Praise

and in true love and fellowship each other now embrace;

Hebrews 10:24 KJV

24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:

Romans 12:15 KJV

15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.

C. The Product of Praise

this holy tide of Christmas is filled with heav'nly grace. [Refrain]

When we are obedient in our praise, we continue on the grace of God.

Especially around Christmas the Grace of God is felt all around.

The image of this innocent baby breathes hope into hopeless man.

God gave Mary grace to have a child, even when it turned peoples scorn her direction.

God gave Joseph grace to continue with marrying Mary, who suddenly was with child.

God gave grace to the shepherds that night as he gave them the desire and the power to find the babe in swaddling clothes.

God gave grace to the Wise Men to study and follow the star and see and worship the Christ Child.

God will give you heavenly grace to obey him, just stay faithful to Him, and ...

Turn your eyes upon Jesus Look full in his wonderful face And the things of earth will grow strangely dim In the light of his glory and grace