The Worship of the Savior

I. Introduction

The Birth of the Savior

What is Worship?

Ryrie’s Basic Theology (A. The Words Involved)

The primary (Greek) word for worship is connected with the idea of kissing (as kissing the earth to honor the deities of the earth); it came to connote prostrating oneself in reverence. This showed that the worshiper considered the object worthy of whatever he was offering.

the English word “worship” (a shortened form of “worthship”) means to attribute worth to the object worshiped.

Charles Caldwell Ryrie, Basic Theology: A Popular Systematic Guide to Understanding Biblical Truth (Chicago, IL: Moody Press, 1999), 496.

“Worship is more fully understood as an interrelation between divine action and human response: worship is the human response to the self-revelation of the triune God. This includes (1) divine initiation in which God reveals Himself, His purposes, and His will…”

Ben Witherington III

II. Why Worship the Savior

A. The Recipient(s)

Luke 2:8 CSB

In the same region, shepherds were staying out in the fields and keeping watch at night over their flock.

B. The Messenger

Luke 2:9 CSB

Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.

C. The Message

Luke 2:10–11 CSB

But the angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people: Today in the city of David a Savior was born for you, who is the Messiah, the Lord.

The Titles

1) Savior- one who rescues or saves—‘deliverer, rescuer, savior.’

Johannes P. Louw and Eugene Albert Nida, Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament: Based on Semantic Domains (New York: United Bible Societies, 1996), 240.D. The Sign

2. Messiah- (literally ‘one who has been anointed’) in the NT, titles for Jesus as the Messiah—‘Christ, Messiah’

Johannes P. Louw and Eugene Albert Nida, Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament: Based on Semantic Domains (New York: United Bible Societies, 1996), 542.

3. Lord- (a title for God and for Christ) one who exercises supernatural authority over mankind—‘Lord, Ruler, One who commands

Johannes P. Louw and Eugene Albert Nida, Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament: Based on Semantic Domains (New York: United Bible Societies, 1996), 138.

Luke 2:12 CSB

This will be the sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped tightly in cloth and lying in a manger.”

E. The Response(s)

1) The Angels

Luke 2:13 CSB

Suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying:

Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament based on Semantic Domains 33.354 αἰνέω; αἶνος, ου; αἴνεσις, εως; ἐπαινέω; ἔπαινος, ου

to speak of the excellence of a person, object, or event—‘to praise, praise.’αἰνέω: ἐγένετο σὺν τῷ ἀγγέλῳ πλῆθος στρατιᾶς οὐρανίου αἰνούντων τὸν θεόν ‘there appeared with the angel a great army of heaven’s angels praising God’ Lk 2:13.

Luke 2:14 CSB

Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to people he favors!

Isaiah 9:6 CSB

For a child will be born for us, a son will be given to us, and the government will be on his shoulders. He will be named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.

2) The Shepherds

A. Investigated the Revelation

Luke 2:15–16 CSB

When the angels had left them and returned to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go straight to Bethlehem and see what has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” They hurried off and found both Mary and Joseph, and the baby who was lying in the manger.

B. Shared the Message

Luke 2:17–19 CSB

After seeing them, they reported the message they were told about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary was treasuring up all these things in her heart and meditating on them.

C. Glorifying and Praising God

Luke 2:20 CSB

The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had seen and heard, which were just as they had been told.

III. How will you respond?