JESUS IS THE REASON FOR THE SEASON
(Dec. 2012 – Beausejour Church – Pastor Chris Jordan)
OPENING THOUGHT: Christmas… is it really the most wonderful time of the year?
• Many people find this season stressful and depressing. Remembering the loss of a loved one, or the pressure to have the ‘perfect’ Christmas can overwhelm people.
OPENING TEXTS:
“Wherever they look, there will be trouble and anguish and dark despair. They will be thrown out into the darkness.” (Isaiah 8:22, NLT).
• Isn’t this a picture of the world we’re living in today? Darkness, depression, despair?
“Nevertheless, that time of darkness and despair will not go on forever… The people who walk in darkness will see a great light – a light that will shine on all who live in the land where death casts its shadow.” (Isaiah 9:1-2, NLT).
• That light is talking about the coming of Jesus 2,000 years ago! (see Matt. 4:12-16).
“For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. And the government will rest on his shoulders. These will be his royal titles: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6, NLT).
• Jesus is wonderful, counselor (knows how to help us), mighty (has the ability to help us), father (cares for his children) and peace (in the midst of our storms and darkness!).
THE CHRISTMAS STORY DRAMATIZED #1: LUKE 2:1-21:
And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city. Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child.
So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them,
"Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger."
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:
"Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!"
So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another,
"Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us."
And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them. And when eight days were completed for the circumcision of the Child, His name was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb.
THE SHEPHERDS:
1. They were religious outcasts and considered unclean by the Jewish religious law.
2. Their jobs kept them from regularly attending church – like a truck driver or shift worker.
3. They were social outcasts, constantly on the move, regarded with suspicion.
4. They were accused of being thieves, didn’t have much contact with other people.
5. Their job was lonely, wearisome, often boring, tedious and dangerous.
6. They had hours with nothing to do but watch sheep eat grass (does that make you feel any better about your job?).
7. It is surprising then that these are the people that God chose to send His angels to, to announce the birth of Jesus! They were nobodies, outcasts, and underdogs.
8. This is the Good News of the Christmas message – peace on earth, good will toward ALL people – underdogs, outcasts, and screw-ups.
GOOD NEWS: “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel," which is translated, "God with us.” (Matthew 1:23).
• No matter what you’re going through – divorce, debt, depression – you’re not alone.
• This is the good news of great joy that Christmas is all about – God came near to you.
• Like the Shepherds, go to Jesus for yourself, then go to the world.
• Let’s keep Christ in Christmas this year, and celebrate the reason for the season.
• Let’s rejoice, celebrate, share God’s love with others, invite people into our homes, etc.
SONG: A STRANGE WAY TO SAVE THE WORLD
INTRO TO TOPIC: Have you ever heard anyone say, “Christmas isn’t really about the gifts”?
• “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights.” (James 1:17). God loves to give good gifts!
• “Thanks be unto God for His indescribable gift.” (2 Cor. 9:15).
• Christmas is about celebrating the greatest Christmas gifts of all that God has given to us from Heaven: salvation, forgiveness, joy, peace and hope. See my daily devotionals!
THE THREE WISE WOMEN – JOKE:
Things would have been considerably different if these wise men had actually instead been wise women. They would have asked for directions, arrived on time, helped deliver the baby, cleaned the stable, made a casserole, and brought practical gifts from Baby’s-R-Us, including diapers, wipes, bibs and formula.
THE CHRISTMAS STORY DRAMATIZED #2: MATTHEW 2:1-11:
Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying,
"Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him."
When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.
And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. So they said to him, "In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet: ’But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, Are not the least among the rulers of Judah; For out of you shall come a Ruler Who will shepherd My people Israel.’ " Then Herod, when he had secretly called the wise men, determined from them what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem and said,
"Go and search carefully for the young Child, and when you have found Him, bring back word to me, that I may come and worship Him also."
When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
SONG: O HOLY NIGHT
THREE THINGS WE LEARN ABOUT GIVING:
1. GIVE AN UNEXPECTED GIFT:
• “wise men from the East came to Jerusalem.” (v.1).
• No one expected these wise men to give gifts to Jesus.
• Some of the best gifts are unexpected gifts.
2. GIVE A GIFT WITH GENUINE JOY:
• “they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy.” (v.10).
• Sometimes people give ‘have-to’ gifts because someone gave them one.
• There are also ‘grace’ gifts, which give us joy to give!
3. GIVE A GIFT THAT WILL LAST:
• The gifts the wise men gave over 2,000 years ago are still being talked about today.
• What are some gifts that will last?
o The Gift of Memories: Do fun things with your family that they will remember.
o The Gift of Forgiveness: Choose to let go of a hurt or an offense. Grace!
o A Godly Heritage. Bring your family to church. Teach them about the Lord.
CHALLENGE: Give that Gift Today! Send that card, make that phone call, or give that hug.
Beausejour Community Church Website: www.beausejourchurch.ca
Pastor Chris Jordan’s Blog: http://pastorchrisjordan.wordpress.com/
