Opening song – Handel – Hallelujah Chorus
Angels We Have Heard on High – Paul Baloche
1 John 4:9-10
By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
Galatians 4:4-5
But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.
We gather here tonight on the eve of the day we celebrate the birth of God into this world, to offer Him our thanksgiving, praise, and worship. He is King of kings and Lord of lords, He is Prince of Peace, the Lamb of God, our Immanuel.
Let us join together in song offering up the praises of our lips.
Hark the Herald Angels Sing – Paul Baloche
O Come Emmanuel – Paul Baloche
Message
We discussed Christmas from heaven’s eyes at length on Sunday. Tonight I want to touch briefly on 4 specific points in support of this theme.
First point – the 1st Christmas was a declaration of war and therefore we should be reminded that we are still in a battle.
- Ephesians 6:10-18 – We must daily take up our “equipment.”
- Romans 13:12-14 – We must know the time is short.
- 1 Peter 5:8 – We must know we will be challenged
Second point – the 1st Christmas brought the world’s rightful ruler to earth therefore we must “occupy till He comes again.”
- Matthew 28:18-20 – Jesus last words must be our heartbeat
- Hebrews 4:14 – we must stand firm in His word w/o wavering
- 2 Timothy 2:2 – we must be a disciple who makes disciples
Third point – the 1st Christmas was God’s invitation of reconciliation to the human race therefore we must be heralds of the gospel of grace.
- Mark 1:38 – Jesus came to preach a Kingdom message
- Acts 17:30 – the message is repent and be saved
- 2 Corinthians 5:17-19 – it is our individual & corporate message
Fourth and final point – the 1st Christmas was a demonstration that Jesus Christ has already overcome the power of the evil one and therefore all who are in Christ are overcomers as well.
- John 16:33 – knowing Christ as Savior brings peace of/with
- 1 John 2:14 – faith overcomes the evil one
- 1 John 4:4 – we are indwelt by the Holy Spirit for power
- 1 John 5:4-5 – our faith is in Christ not ourselves
Christmas looks vastly different when you understand it through the lens of Scripture. Isn’t it time we truly give Jesus Christ the central place in our retelling of the Christmas “story”?
I remind you again of Paul’s words to the Christians residing in Rome about the necessity to be bold for Christ in witness and deed – Romans 13:12.
Prayer