Anticipating Christmas

Anticipating Christmas

November 27, 2016 Morning Service

Immanuel Baptist Church, Wagoner, OK

Rick Boyne

Message Point: The Birth of Jesus was foretold centuries before He was born.

Focus Passage: Isaiah 9:1-7

Introduction: For the past several years, I just haven’t been in the “Christmas spirit” (whatever that is). I suppose that by Thanksgiving, I’m already “Chrismased” out, that is, Walmart, WalGreens, etch have been selling Christmas junk since September, and when it finally comes time for Christmas, I’m tired of it. This year seems to be a bit different. I’ve purposefully limited my soirees into the Christmas section of Walmart and have fairly successfully avoided Christmas music. This year, I’m excited to go look at Christmas lights, I already have lights on my roof, and now can’t wait for the kids to have their Christmas break. This year, I’m anticipating Christmas. For centuries, prophets foretold of the coming of the Messiah. They were anticipating it so much, that when Jesus finally arrived, they completely missed it! His coming didn’t meet their preconceived ideas of what it would look like. For 2000 years, we have been anticipating the Second Coming of Christ. Let’s make sure we don’t miss that!

I. Great Light

a. Darkness - Sin

b. Darkness – ignorance

c. Jesus says that we are the light of the world.

II. Endless Reign

a. No coups

b. No revolution

c. God’s Word says we are Ambassadors of Christ.

III. God will see to it

a. It is God’s sovereign will

b. There is no changing it

c. Jesus tells us to tell the world.

Application/Invitation: We now look forward to the Second Advent! Jesus said He will return. Are you anticipating that? Are you ready? If you are not ready, it will be too late if He gets here. “Ready or not, Here I come” but He’s not playing a game; this is for keeps!