The Why and What of the Message: The Gospel elicits Worship and stirs people to Obedience or Rebellion

Scripture: Matthew 2:2-3

"Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw 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.

Insights: Today’s verses cover two aspects of the magi’s message.  The first one deals with why the magi came seeking the Lord Jesus in the first place.  The answer to that why is worship.  They told Herod they had seen the star in the east and had come to worship this Child.  Herod’s response leads us into the second aspect of the magi’s message for today.  It answers the question of what.  In other words, what is the response people have to the gospel?  They are either obedient or rebellious.  Herod is an example of a rebellious heart.  We know this because the verse states he was troubled and all Jerusalem with him.  Why was Herod troubled?  The answer was because he thought his reign was coming to an end because of this Child.  As a result, he was going to do everything he could to hang on to his reign and rule; therefore, he made it very difficult on the people of Jerusalem as he was stressing over his own situation.  Beloved, these truths also affect us today.  In every situation and circumstance of life we have the same choice in regards to God’s grace.  We can either choose surrender which takes on the form of obedience or we can choose to be stiff-necked which takes on the form of rebellion.  When we rightly choose obedience to the Father and His will, it will inevitably lead to worship of Him.  These magi saw His star and immediately began to obey Him as they traveled a great journey to worship the Christ Child.  It is my prayer that as we approach 2014 that we will live our lives like these magi.  We will daily strive to walk in obedience to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  I pray we will be compelled to worship and adore Him because of His great love for us.  Make the decision now, in regards to next year, to walk in obedience to Jesus.  It will be the best decision you make.

Questions:

1. How would you describe your worship before the Lord?
2. Is your life characterized as one of obedience or rebellion?

Prayer: Father, transform my heart to obediently worship and serve You.  As this year of 2013 closes, I truly want You to be my one desire in 2014.  Mold me daily as I worship You into the image of Your Son, Jesus.  Amen.

The Who of the Message: The Gospel is for Everyone

Scripture: Matthew 2:1

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying,

Insights: Have you ever wondered why the magi are in the Christmas story?  I think today’s verse gives us some of the reason for them being in the story.  The significance I believe is found in three little words, “from the east.”  These magi were not Israelites.  They were gentiles who had, by God’s grace, learned about the birth of the Messiah and came to worship Him.  The very fact that they are gentiles speaks volumes to us today in regards to the heart of God.  Last week we saw the angels announced the birth first to shepherds.  The significance being Jesus came to die for the poor and the wealthy.  Today we see gentiles, which mean Jesus came to die for every people group around the world.  Let me run a tangent for a moment.  One of the things a preacher does when asking the Lord if a church he is considering is the right one is to find ministry matches.  In other words, do the passions he has line up with the passions of the church.  Mission involvement is very near and dear to Kristy and me; therefore, when we learned about the Ecuadorian and Argentinian missions in which FBCBG participate, we knew we had a ministry match.  Obviously, there were many other factors to take into consideration, but this one point was very large in giving us confirmation to the will of the Lord.  I mention this to challenge you this coming year.  We have five more trips scheduled to Ecuador.  I would encourage you to seek the Lord as to when you ought to go on this trip.  We as Believers are called to our Jerusalem, our Judea, our Samaria, and to the utter most parts of the world.  This commission is a simultaneous commission.  In other words, you do not what until you have reached all of Jerusalem before you move on to Judea.  You actively reach out to all four locations at the same time.  The way we accomplish this objective is through short term mission trips.  Here is one of those subtle secretes about mission trips: when you go, you come back more evangelistically charged to reach your Jerusalem.  I don’t understand how this works, but it does.  Beloved, let us have the same heart beat the Lord does for the gentiles of this world and actively participate in missions.  May the Lord be brought glory through our obedience.

Questions:

1. Are you missions minded?
2. Is there anything holding you back from engaging the world for Jesus?

Prayer: Father, increase my love for the world.  You created all people and desire a love relationship with each and every one of them.  Help my heart to grow and become more engaged in mission opportunities which lie in front of me.  Amen.

The Proper Response of Proclamation

Scripture: Luke 2:15-18

When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another, "Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us." So they came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger. When they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child. And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds.

 Insights: Today’s verses show us two dynamics of the shepherd’s obedience.  The first part is the time frame in which the shepherds respond.  They stated, “Let us go straight to Bethlehem.”  Just as yesterday I remarked you will never convince me the angels did not sing their praises to God, I would say the same kind of thing in regards to the shepherds.  I do not think that a single shepherd said, “Hey guys, it’s okay, I will stay around and watch the sheep.  You guys go on into Bethlehem and see this baby the angels just told us about.”  I believe every one of them headed off to Bethlehem to see the baby Jesus.  They risked their livelihood to see the wonder of God.  The second part of their obedience deals with what they did after they saw the baby Jesus.  Notice that the verses state, “And all who heard.”  Remember earlier in the week we discussed how there was no room in the inn for Joseph and Mary.  When she had the baby, it is more than likely that it was only the two of them present.  Yet, after the shepherds see the Christ child, they go out and proclaim the good news the angels spoke to them and all heard and wondered about the things the shepherds said.  In other words, proclamation was reverberated all across the area.  Beloved, the shepherd’s response is exactly what our response ought to be.  We need to immediately obey whatever the Lord tells us to do and we must also be about the proclamation of the gospel.  This kind of response is what pleases the Lord.  Let me encourage you to be faithful and obedient right now today.

Questions:

1. Who have you recently told about the saving work of Jesus?
2. What is holding you back from being a bold witness for our Lord Jesus?

Prayer: Father, I pray You bend me to Your will and grant me boldness and courage to proclaim the truth of the gospel to a dying world.  Amen.

The Praise Song

Scripture: Luke 2:13-14

And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased."

Insights: The verses today state the angels said, “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.”  I don’t believe they just “said” these words.  I believe when the multitude of the heavenly hosts began praising God it was the choir of the ages singing praises to the Lord.  The term, by the way, regarding these angels literally means army.  It would be better stated a multitude of the heavenly armies of the Lord began praising God and singing.  This choir held nothing back.  They sang unapologetically and I also believe they sang loudly!  Beloved, here is the point behind this scene of worship: they sang to God.  We as His children ought to have a song in our hearts for Him.  A lot of us walk around as if we were baptized in lemon juice and haven’t cracked a smile in decades.  I contend that if one is truly in a love relationship with the Lord Jesus, then worship is going to be the outflow of obedience.  Our faces and lives will reflect the grace and joy bestowed on us.  I would encourage you this day to spend a conscientious effort praising God.  Look for ways and opportunities to praise Him.  I promise you it will affect the way you go through the day.  Let the Lord be your central thought and let Him bless you this day.

Questions:

1. What is the song in your heart you are singing?
2. Does your life reflect an attitude of praise and thanksgiving to God or frustration and resentment?

Prayer: Father, You and You alone are worthy of praise.  May I never attempt to steal Your glory and Lord, when I do, quickly bring me to my knees so I might repent and have my heart restored to Your great grace.  You are worthy of praise, my King.  Amen.

The Powerful Salutation

Merry Christmas!!!

Scripture: Luke 2:10-12

But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. "This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

Insights: Today’s verses give us the powerful salutation of the angel to the shepherds.  It truly is a powerful greeting and announcement.  As usual the angel had to assure the shepherds they had no reason to fear him or his message.  The very next part of the reception was “I bring you good news.”  The gospel of Jesus Christ IS good news.  God loved us so much that He sent His Son, Jesus, to this earth to live among us, to die for our sins and finally to have victory over sin and death by His resurrection.  This message is known as the gospel and has the power of life and death; life to those who receive the gift of salvation found in Jesus or death to those who reject such a gracious offering for them.  The second part of the angel’s message was what occurs to those who receive the gospel.  They receive joy which is unspeakable in so many ways.  If you are born again, then you know exactly about what I am writing.  If you are not born again, then you just do not understand because you do not have the joy of Jesus in your life.  The final part of the salutation I wish you to take to heart is the intended recipient of this joy and good news.  The joy and good news is for ALL people.  God desires all to enter into His rest. He understands most will not receive Jesus as their Lord and Savior.  He does, however, still offer such a gift of grace to the perishing.  Beloved, just like the angel, we are supposed to be messengers of grace to the lost and dying of this world.  Let us be as valiant and bold as this angel.  May we point all men to the love of Jesus Christ, their Savior.  It is my prayer that on this Christmas day you have taken opportunity to reflect on His work in your life.  I pray, if opportunity presented itself, you shared the gospel.  I pray the Lord was honored by your conduct and attitude this day of remembrance of our Savior’s birth.

Questions:

1. On this Christmas day is your heart filled with joy?
2. Have you received the gift of salvation the Christ child bought for you?

Prayer: Father, thank You for the true gift of Christmas, Jesus Christ, Your Son.  May my heart be filled with joy this day as I encounter You and Your grace.  Amen.

The Profound Shift

Scripture: Luke 2:7

And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened.

Insights: Today’s verse gives us another one of those amazing truths regarding God’s character.  We go through this world and face all kinds of obstacles and situations.  While we are going through these opportunities it might feel as if God is absent or possibly uncaring.  Then, often times, when it seems as if things could not possibly get any worse, God shows up suddenly and unexpectedly and astonishes us with His power, provision and grace.  Think about Joseph for a moment.  He spent years in slavery and prison and on a given day, when he was about his normal routines in the prison, he is called before the Pharaoh to interpret his dream.  He goes from last place to the second most powerful man in all of Egypt.  Think also for a moment about Mary and Martha when their brother was sick.  They sent word to Jesus (God if you will) and asked Him to heal their brother whom Jesus loves.  Instead of rushing to their need Jesus heads the other direction as if He does not really care about their pain and suffering.  Unbeknownst to Mary and Martha, Jesus shows up after Lazarus has been dead for four days.  He unexpectedly caught them unaware of what God was going to do in the middle of their lives…in the middle of their pain and suffering.  Beloved, God still works like this today.  He suddenly showed up to the world when He sent His angel to proclaim to the shepherds about Jesus.  His glory resonated throughout the hillside and it radically affected those shepherds.  No matter what you are facing, whether the mundane routine of life or a tragic event, God wants to intervene and make His power and glory known in your life.  I pray you will humble yourself before this mighty God we serve and be completely swept off your feet as He displays His great power and glory in your life.

Questions:

1. In what ways is the Lord God catching you unaware of His majestic glory?
2. Are you grateful for God’s sudden activity in your life?

Prayer: Father, You constantly amaze and wow me with Your agenda and plans.  You continually catch me unaware of Your activity in this world.  Lord, let me cry out to You now and ask for Your continual sudden activity in my life.  Continue, I beg to catch me in awe of Your grace and glory.  Amen.

The Places of Promise

Scripture: Luke 2:1-6

Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth. This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. And everyone was on his way to register for the census, each to his own city. Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, in order to register along with Mary, who was engaged to him, and was with child. While they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth.

Insights: This week’s sermon passage breaks down into three different segments.  The first segment I will cover in its entirety today.  It deals with places.  In other words, the first few verses deal with the prophetic place of Bethlehem.  The next couple of verses deal with the paltry place of the stable.  The final verse deals with the picturesque place of the field country in which the shepherds were watching their flocks.  The Father moved the kings of this world to bring about His plan of allowing Jesus to be born in Bethlehem.  Caesar Augustus held a census every fourteen years in order to receive the proper taxes to run the empire.  Because this census required everyone to return to their home city, Joseph had to return to Bethlehem.  He took Mary along with him and because of her pregnancy they moved more slowly than others heading to Bethlehem.  As a result, when they finally arrived, there was no room available in any normal lodging facility.  A kindly inn keeper, however, had pity on them and allowed them to stay in the stables where at least it was dry and warm.  It was not the best place to have a baby, especially the Son of God.  Yet, that was God’s plan and purpose to bring about His perfect agenda of saving the world.  The final scene introduces us to the shepherds and their introduction helps us understand that Jesus came to this world for everyone.  He came to die for the emperor of Rome and the lowly shepherd in the fields.  Jesus came for all. Beloved, the Lord has you in a specific place right now in order to reveal Himself to you just as He did in the ancient world to all involved in the birth of the Savior.  Your job is to seek the Lord while He may be found and grow in your relationship with Him.

Questions:

1. In what kind of place are you presently encountering the Lord?
2. Are you grateful the Lord has come to save all of mankind?

Prayer: Father, thank You that You have a perfect plan that incorporates all of humanity.  Thank You for Your gracious act of reaching out to the lowliest of people and using the “rulers” of this world to bring Your plan to pass.  Amen.