2011 Decembers Ago Series

Sermon: 2011 Decembers Ago

Thesis: The greatest even in history happened 2011 Decembers ago with the birth of Jesus Christ. Have you wondered about that exceptional night in Bethlehem? When Heaven and nature sang out, when God showed up in the flesh, when the temporal and eternal came together, when heaven and earth collided, when God’s plan came together through an act of love in the form of a baby who would deliver the world from sin and death.

Question: Have you experienced that night yourself?

Scripture Texts:

Isaiah 9:1-7:

To Us a Child Is Born

1Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the Gentiles, by the way of the sea, along the Jordan—

2The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.

3You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as men rejoice when dividing the plunder.

4For as in the day of Midian’s defeat, you have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor.

5Every warrior’s boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood will be destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire.

6For 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. 7Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end.

T.S. – Throughout history there was an eager expectation for the coming Savior of the world. The Jewish nation was crying out for Him to come – praying that the Messiah would show up and deliver them and when He did – they did not recognize Him as a nation. Very few gave Him the honor and the praise that was due Him. But Heaven celebrated and God’s plan was set in motion to redeem mankind from the fall in the Garden of Eden.

Luke 2:8-19:

The Shepherds and the Angels

8And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.

9An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.

10But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.

11Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.

12This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

13Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

14“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”

15When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

16So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.

17When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child,

18and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.

19But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.

20The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

Question: Have you experienced this night from over 2,000 years ago? Have you pondered it in your heart and met this child – this Messiah – this Savior of the World?

Introduction:

Does it still make you wonder how powerful a night it was? How 2011 years later we still celebrate this historic event in history all over the world. It is recognized and celebrated by different ethnic groups, has been celebrated throughout the different decades and millenniums of history, by different people on different continents and climates. By people who have spoken different languages but yet all acknowledge the love language of Heaven through Jesus Christ! Have wondered about that night recently with all the nativities popping up around you?

Quotes: Christmas is the harvest time of love. Souls are drawn to other souls. All that we have read and thought and hoped comes to fruition at this happy time. Our spirits are astir. We feel within us a strong desire to serve. A strange, subtle force, a new kindness animates man and child. A new spirit is growing in us. No longer are we content to relieve pain, to sweeten sorrow, to give the crust of charity. We dare to give friendship, service, the equal loaf of bread and love…Helen Keller (1880-1968)