Sermon Central
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Don’t Miss Christmas Series
Contributed by James Crain on Dec 14, 2007 (message contributor)
Summary: This message describes those prepared for Christ’s coming and those who were not. The religious crowd is indifferent. The leaders are worried. A widow is watching and an old man is waiting. Magi are wandering and worshipping. Which one describes you?
Don’t miss Christmas (portions of this sermon are borrowed from illustrations and sermons on Sermon Central)
Christmas time is a time filled with traditions. There is the time to get a Christmas tree and put it up along with the decorations. There are presents to buy, so there is shopping to do and more shopping. Then there are the holiday meals at church where there is much eating. Later, there will be more meals with family and friends where there will be more eating. Decorating, Eating and Shopping fill our schedules for the month of December to the point that one barely has time to catch his his breath. And finally when it is all over and the last person has left our home or we return home from a whirlwind of activity, we collapse and we ask ourselves again. “Where was Christ in Christmas?”
It reminds me of the little girl who misquoted John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only forgotten Son.” The music this morning has helped us remember that the baby who was born in Bethlehem is Jesus, the Son of God, who brings great joy today.
In December 1903, after many attempts, the Wright brothers were successful in getting their "flying machine" off the ground. Thrilled, they telegraphed this message to their sister Katherine: "We have actually flown 120 feet. Will be home for Christmas." Katherine hurried to the editor of the local newspaper and showed him the message. He glanced at it and said, "How nice. The boys will be home for Christmas." He totally missed the big news--man had flown!
I want to plead with you today not to miss the wonder of the birth of Christ. Do not allow familiarity to rob you of the joys God has for you. He is worthy of your praise today. His birth is the greatest news in the world! Everything about His birth ends in the glory of God. Come today and catch a glimpse of that glory!
You see, the incarnation of Christ, His birth in Bethlehem 2,000 years ago was only the first of two visits Christ will make to earth. On that first visit He came to purchase your salvation. He came to live and die and raise from the grave to pay for your sins. He came to offer to you and me eternal life. His invitation is for you to be reconciled to God by turning from yourself and trusting in the work that He did. God will forgive you of your sins and will look upon you as though you had never sinned and never again will sin when you place your faith in Jesus Christ.
Those Who Missed Christmas
THOSE WHO ARE INCONVENIENCED BY CHRIST (Crowded) Lk 2:7
NO ROOM-“the extent of space available for something.”
The tradition of the innkeeper-the word for inn is not like a Holiday Inn; rather
it may have been like; a rest stop; a tent city like we saw in Mississippi during Katrina
Instead of One angry, selfish innkeeper; there was a crowd of selfish folks.
They were probably late due to her condition.
You would think that upon seeing a woman near full term, some man would have had mercy and gave up his place.
Today, folks will not allow Christ into their lives because they are afraid they might have to sacrifice something in order to live for Him. They do not realize that it is “more blessed to give than receive.”
Christianity-the religion of sacrifice. The whole focus of Christianity is a cross, where Jesus gave the ultimate sacrifice.
Now, he says to us, “Deny yourselves, take up your cross and follow me.”
If Christ be God and died for me, no sacrifice can be to great.- CT Studd
Only you can decide to give room for Christ-
Non Christian must surrender your life to Christ as Lord, and He will save you. Rm 10:9
As Christians, we’re commanded to lay our lives on the altar as living sacrifices. Rm 12:1
Christ, the gentleman does not force himself upon those who do not want him.
THOSE WHO ARE INTIMIDATED(TROUBLED) BY CHRIST
They are Afraid of Losing Their Position or Possessions for Christ. Matt. 2:1-3;
Why do 90% of people run for President do so? To make America better? No, Power!
King Herod-Wicked, Ruthless, Consumed with fear of losing power of king.
POWER-“the ability to control resources to insure one’s destiny”
Killed-B-I-L & M-I-L, TWO SONS AND EVEN HIS WIFE
“You were better off being one of his animals than his son.”
His fears was unfounded- a little baby-would not even be old enough to reign till Herod was dead.
Today, why won’t people call on Christ as Lord? Power! Control, they want to call the shots in their lives. Like one Charlie Daniel’s song. “If you don’t like the way I’m living, you just leave this long haired country boy alone.”
