This is the manuscript of the sermon of the second Sunday of December as we begin the celebration of the birth of Immanuel...God with us.
Matthew 2:11 NIV On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.
The spirit of Christmas is the spirit of giving. We read that the wise men brought gifts and presented them to the newborn King of Israel. They brought gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
Gold is the king of metals and is an appropriate gift for one born to be the King of mankind. This new King was to rule not by force but by love. His throne was to be a cross.
They brought a gift of frankincense, which is a gift appropriate for a priest. The Christ was to be the high priest who would open up the way to God for sinners. He was to build the bridge by which we could come into the presence of God and by which God in love would enter our lives.
The wise men also brought a gift of myrrh, a spice that was used to anoint the bodies of the dead. Even at the beginning of Christ’s life there was an indication of a cross at the end of the way.
The wise men also brought a gift of myrrh, a spice that was used to anoint the bodies of the dead. Even at the beginning of Christ’s life there was an indication of a cross at the end of the way.
The wise men were not the ones who started the practice of giving gifts at Christmas. The one who started the gift giving was God Himself.
John 3:16-17 NIV For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
It is appropriate for us to take note of the Magi's gifts for the King but let’s not forget the great gifts the King gives to us.
There are some gifts given through the King and there are some gifts given for the King
Scripture Reading:
Matthew 2:1-12 NIV After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written: “ ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’” Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.” After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.
Text:
Matthew 2:11 NIV On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.
Introduction
The spirit of Christmas is the spirit of giving. We read that the wise men brought gifts and presented them to the newborn King of Israel. They brought gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
Gold is the king of metals and is an appropriate gift for one born to be the King of mankind. This new King was to rule not by force but by love. His throne was to be a cross.
They brought a gift of frankincense, which is a gift appropriate for a priest. The Christ was to be the high priest who would open up the way to God for sinners. He was to build the bridge by which we could come into the presence of God and by which God in love would enter our lives.
Hebrews 4:14-16 NIV Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
The wise men also brought a gift of myrrh, a spice that was used to anoint the bodies of the dead. Even at the beginning of Christ’s life there was an indication of a cross at the end of the way.
There was another incident later on in preparation for Christ's burial.
Matthew 26:6-13 NIV While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, which she poured on his head as he was reclining at the table. When the disciples saw this, they were indignant. “Why this waste?” they asked. “This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor.” Aware of this, Jesus said to them, “Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me. The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me. When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial. Truly I tell you, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.”
Jesus Christ was to be the true King, the perfect Priest, the supreme Savior.
Isaiah 9:6-7 NIV For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.
The wise men also brought a gift of myrrh, a spice that was used to anoint the bodies of the dead. Even at the beginning of Christ’s life there was an indication of a cross at the end of the way.
John 3:16-17 NIV For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
It is appropriate for us to take note of the Magi's gifts for the King but let’s not forget the great gifts the King gives to us.
There are some gifts given through the King and there are some gifts given for the King.
There are some gifts given through the King.
The Christ of Christmas was born to be the King of our hearts. Christ was born and lived a sinless life on earth for the kingdom of God,
2 Corinthians 5:20-21 NIV We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
And as we read before
Hebrews 4:15 NIV For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.
For the kingdom of God, Christ prayed and performed miracles and taught his disciples. For the kingdom, he suffered the darkness of Gethsemane and endured the awful agony of the cross. For the kingdom, he arose from the dead and lives to make intercession for those who come to God through him.
Romans 8:31-35 NIV What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?
1 John 2:1-2 NIV My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.
Through Jesus Christ our King, God offers us the gift of forgiveness.
Ephesians 1:7-10 NIV In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.
Colossians 3:13 NIV Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
God, offers the gift of forgiveness. Our part is to repent and turn from a life of evil and self-destructiveness.
Mark 1:14-15 NIV After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”
We only receive forgiveness when we acknowledge our sin, repent, and put our faith and trust in Jesus.
After Peter's sermon on the Day of Pentecost the people asked what they should do.
Acts 2:37-39 NIV When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”
Through Jesus Christ our King, God also offers us the gift of eternal life.
Romans 6:22-23 NLT But now you are free from the power of sin and have become slaves of God. Now you do those things that lead to holiness and result in eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.
He also offers us the gift of adoption into the family of God
John 1:12-13 NIV Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.
Ephesians 1:4-6 NIV For he chose us in him (in Christ) before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.
He gives us guidance through the difficulties and perplexities of life
John 8:12 NIV When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
John 16:33 NIV “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.
Through Jesus Christ our King God assures us of fruitfulness and significance if we will abide in Him, in Jesus.
We talked about this a few weeks ago. Jesus offers not only eternal life but true success, true happiness, true love, genuine security, and healing for body and soul. When your relationship is in line with your faith in Jesus, you have a more secure chance of real success. Jesus is the guideline for ethical behavior. He is the foundation of good government. Jesus is the true vine—he is the true fountain of all that is good and wholesome about life.
John 15:5-9 NIV (Jesus said) “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.
The King wants us to be with him forever (John 17:24).
I want you to read all of John Chapter 17, which is Jesus’ prayer in which He prays for Himself, He prays for the apostles, and He prays for all who will come to faith in Him. This morning I will only read verses 20-24, which is the part of His prayer where He is praying for those who will come by fath to Him. In it He includes His eternal existence and His desire that all who come to Him will be with Him for eternity.
John 17:20-24 NIV “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.
He has also given us, through our King,the Holy Spirit to be our guide.
The Holy Spirit will be our Teacher and Helper throughout our earthly life.
John 14:15-19 NIV “If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live.
These precious gifts of God that come to us through his Son are perfect, precious, permanent, and personal.
As i said earlier there are gifts through the King and there are Gifts for the King.
The wise men brought rich gifts and presented them to the Christ child while he was still a baby. They could not possibly know the joys of his salvation as we know them today. If they brought the best they had, we should bring even greater gifts to the One who God has appointed to be our King.
First let's give Jesus Christ the throne of our hearts.
Satan wants to be enthroned in our hearts and be the sovereign of our lives. But Satan’s greatest rival for this position is our own selfish selves. We have an ungodly desire to put ourselves above all persons and things. So instead of giving self the throne rights of our lives (which means giving them to Satan by the way), let's give them to Jesus Christ.
Jesus deserves to be King because of who he is.
Jesus deserves to be King because of what he has done for us.
Jesus deserves to be King in our lives because of what he will do in us and through us.
Next Present your body as a gift to God in gratitude for his great mercies to you
Romans 12:1-2 NIV Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
That was what Paul wrote to the church in Rome and he taught the believers at Corinth that their bodies were the temple of the Holy Spirit
1 Corinthians 3:16 NIV Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst?
He further declared that their bodies belonged to God because they had been purchased by God in the act of redemption.
1 Corinthians 6:18-20 NIV Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body. Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.
In reality Paul was encouraging them to let God so abide within their bodies that others would be reminded of his gracious presence in them.
We should bring the gift of thanksgiving and give God the praises of your heart.
Through the psalmist God declared, that the person who brings thanksgiving as their sacrifice honors Him.
Psalms 50:23 NIV Those who sacrifice thank offerings honor me, and to the blameless I will show my salvation.”
To remain silent when we can give praises to God for his goodness is to rob God and at the same time to deprive others of the blessings this testimony could bring. To give a joyful testimony about God’s goodness before nonbelievers is to encourage them to trust God with their lives. This is the greatest gift we can give to an individual, and it is the greatest joy we can bring to the Father.
Conclusion
At this time of year, a lot of people get excited about what will be waiting for them under the Christmas tree, thinking that these things will somehow bring them fulfillment.
But how many of us remember what we received last Christmas? A few months after this coming Christmas, we probably will also have forgotten about many of the gifts we will open on Christmas day. Christmas is really not about gifts under a tree; it’s about a relationship with God. Jesus came to give us life in all its fullness.
Jesus said, “The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life” (John 10:10 NLT).
Jesus came to this earth to bring us a meaningful life, a life with purpose. Medical science may add years to our lives, but Christ adds life to our years. He gives us a life that’s worth living.
Jesus also came to give His life as a ransom for many. He was born to die so that we might live. Jesus came on a rescue mission. He came to die on a cross. As a matter of fact He said of himself,
“For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45 NLT).
Jesus was born in a manger so that we could come into a relationship with God through Him. And He offers us the gift of eternal life. The Bible calls this the indescribable gift.
2 Corinthians 9:15 NIV Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!
The spirit of Christmas is the spirit of giving. God initiated this spirit by giving his Son to be our Savior. To become our Savior, Jesus became our substitute. He bore our sin by dying on a cross, and God raised him from the dead to show his great love for us.
Because God loved us first, we should love him. Because God gave his best, we should give our best back to him. True worship is bringing the best we have to God, who has already given his best to us.
2 Corinthians 9:7 NIV (says) Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
Why does God love a cheerful giver? It is because God is a generous giver. God loves in a special way those who have responded to his love and become the channel through which his love reaches others.
The spirit of Christmas is the spirit of giving. Let us become givers of ourselves to God, to our family, and to others.
Prayer
In a world where worry, not peace, prevails, stir up that good news again. This Christmas, make it real in our hearts. Never have we needed Your joy and peace more than now. Thank You for the gift of Jesus, our Immanuel, the Word made flesh. Forgive us for forgetting—that Your love never changes, never fades, and that You never abandon the purpose for which You came: to save us from our sinful condition, and to give us life eternal, the joy of relationship with a holy God. Your birth—and Your death—sealed Your promise to us forever.
Amen
Sermon Audio
No comments:
Post a Comment