Sermon Central
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The Christmas Story
Contributed by Larry Finley on Dec 29, 2008 (message contributor)
Summary: The facts of Christmas are here for all to see
1. Another Christmas Myth Destroyed
According to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game,
both male and female reindeer grow antlers in summer male reindeer drop theirs in winter Nov. to mid-Dec.
Female r keep their antlers til give birth in spring.
Therefore, according to EVERY historical rendition depicting Santa’s reindeer,
EVERY one, from Rudolph to Blitzen, had to be a girl.
Ladies, We should’ve known...
ONLY women would be able to drag a fat man in a red velvet suit all around world in one night & not get lost.
2. In spite of 2100 years of trying to De-mythologize
a. Unsuccessful – no Myths to De-mythologize!
b. All Facts – Pure Facts
1. TERMINATES THE SILENCE OF GOD
A. Amazing Absence
1. No New Word
a. Stop and read what I have said
b. Be praying for and aware of next event
2. No Living Word
a. attend church and never be moved
b. love of God would not bring joy
c. holiness of God would not bring conviction
d. judgment of God would not bring fear
B. Amazing Apathy
1. No one really cared!! or even questioned
2. Entertain me; let me out early; tell me I’m good
For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
(MSG)
… people will have no stomach for solid teaching, but will fill up on spiritual junk food—catchy opinions that tickle their fancy. 4 They’ll turn their backs on truth and chase mirages.
C. Amazing Announcement
1. Judgment was warranted
a. instead a Savior was announced!!
2. 4 xs Gabriel mentioned 2- Daniel & 2 –Luke
a. both times had to do w/Messiah’s coming
b. Daniel w/2nd & Luke with 1st
3. Angels announced His Birth, resurr. & asc.
a. sound the trumpet at rapture & join in 2nd
2. ILLUMINATES THE SERIOUSNESS OF SIN
A. Rescue From Its Peril
1. Sin’s - purpose is to separate man from God
2. Progressive – Possessive – Destructive
B. Release From its Power
1. Sin Alienates from God
2. Sin Degrades the sinner
3. Sin Disrupts Social Relations
4. Sin Causes Suffering
C. Remedy From its Poison
1. Sin Brings Death
But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, you shall not eat of it: for in the day that you eat thereof you shall surely die.
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
Then when lust has conceived, it brings forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, brings forth death.
3. CELEBRATES THE COMING OF THE SAVIOR
A. Greatest Single Event
1. The Incarnation - God Becomes Man
2. The Deprivation – heaven w/o Jesus
3. The Presentation –man could see God
B. Greatest Stellar Show Luke 2:8-14
1. Exodus 24:17
And the sight of the glory of the LORD was like devouring fire on the top of the mount in the eyes of the children of Israel.
So that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud: for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of the LORD.
And when all the children of Israel saw how the fire came down, and the glory of the LORD upon the house, they bowed themselves with their faces to the ground upon the pavement, and worshipped, and praised the LORD, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endures for ever.
C. Greatest Shout of Joy v. 13
1. Angels Worship in heaven Isaiah 6:1-4
In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple. 2Above it stood the seraphim: each one had six wings; with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he did fly 3And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory. 4And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke.
And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps:
And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigns.
