Sermon Central
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Can Jesus Shake Up Your Christmas? Series
Contributed by T.j. Conwell on Dec 17, 2022 (message contributor)
Summary: When we live the life Christ has called us to - we are testifying about His birth. We testify because we are joyful of what He has done for us. This message is a story of prophecy, dependency on God, and (most importantly) witnessing to others.
2022 Advent Sermon Series
“Can Jesus shake up your Christmas?”
Introduction
- The Advent season is a wonderful time of year!!
-- Not only does it signify the celebration of Jesus’ arrival to this world
-- But it gives us opportunity to pause and celebrate all that God has done
- Today, want to begin by saying preaching Advent gets challenging each year
-- Been preaching for over 20 years now, and even in the joy of this service …
-- Finding fresh angles for this glorious season still gets harder and harder
- Prayerfully, this morning you’ll tune in with me and see what God says
-- Likewise, it’s my prayer that I would not be remembered for saying anything
- I’d like to take a look at a story that happen shortly after Jesus’ birth
-- It is a story of prophecy, dependency on God, and (IMP) witnessing to others
- Truly, I believe this is what God is calling His people to press into today
- And … (spoiler) it will be something we’ll tackle even deeper in 2023!
- Read Luke 2:25-40 / Pray
Point 1 – What will you celebrate this Christmas?
- On Christmas morning, what will be your greatest thing you celebrate?
• Will you marvel at the latest technological gift?
• Perhaps you’ll be excited to get that new kitchen appliance?
• Or maybe it will be that long awaited opportunity to get away with family?
- All of these are good things to celebrate, but we must celebrate Jesus, first!
-- I would be irresponsible if I did not say: Jesus is the reason we celebrate!
-- His birth, His redemption, His love gives us purpose to find joy every day!
- Simeon was a reverent/faithful man who was led by the Spirit to the temple (v25)
-- He has been given a revelation that before his death he would see the Messiah
-- Greek: chrématizó; to transact business (loosely: promise of something later)
- And it was on the very day that Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to the temple
-- It is not revealed when Simeon received this promise - only that it guided him
-- As you can see, his life was led by knowing the Messiah would come
-- And, that before he died, he would be able to see this promise of God
- IMP: This promise, this revelation, focused his life to obey God
-- He knew that God was faithful, and he was devout in following God’s Word
- Let me give you two scriptures to have in your hip pocket:
-- Habakkuk 2:3, “This vision is for a future time. It describes the end, and it will be fulfilled. If it seems slow in coming, wait patiently, for it will surely take place. It will not be delayed.” (APP: When God gives you a word, hold onto it!)
-- Philippians 1:6, “And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.” (APP: What we have to do isn’t completed until we see Jesus)
- Might ask: Why are these verses important to this message?
-- BIG: We can be assured that if God says it will happen - then it will happen!
-- It’s why we should have a devo. time, time of prayer, time of personal growth
-- APP: Hearing from God is how we grow in faith and trust of His promises
- Yes, celebrating Christmas is an important part of the Christian faith
-- But do we celebrate and rejoice because God has given us a Son to redeem us?
- Simeon led his life knowing that one day he would see God’s promised Messiah
-- Take a look at Simeon’s praise as he rejoices in what God has done
- Re-read v29
-- Notice his words (re: he is an old man) “… let your servant die in peace”
-- He has seen God’s salvation, and knows that this is for all people (imp, “all”)
-- Jesus is the glory of His people … it’s a wonderful declaration of faith
- IMP APP: Once you “see” Jesus, it ought to change your purpose
-- Your focus, desire, your wants begin to look for ways to worship/serve Him
-- Amazing Grace is a perfect example of this: “I was once blind but now I see!”
- ACTION: Once we have seen the Lord, we then have to (must) respond
- Have you seen Jesus? Deeper: Have you worshiped His arrival? Will you?
- TR: In each of our lives, there is a call to obedience much like Simeon has
-- It really is what ought to lead us, and draw us closer to God (esp. at Christmas)
