Christmas Candle Light Service

Christmas Candlelight Service

Rev. Timothy and Abby Porter

The Bridge Church Upstate

Luke 2:1-20

Welcome/Prayer: Pastor

Fellowship Time

Offering

Scripture Reader

Isaiah 7:14 (NKJV)

14 Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel. (which is translated God with us)

Hymn - “Emmanuel” Congregation

Hymn - ”O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” Congregation

Scripture Reader

Isaiah 9:6 (NKJV)

6 For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Hymn - “Joy to the World!” Congregation

Hymn - “O Come, All Ye Faithful” Congregation

Hymn - “The First Noel” Congregation

Scripture Reader

Luke 2:7 (NKJV)

7 And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

Hymn - “Away in a Manger” Congregation

Hymn - “O Little Town of Bethlehem” Congregation

Special “O Holy Night” Solo

Scripture Reader

John 1:14 (NKJV)

14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

Hymn - “Angels, from the Realms of Glory” Congregation

Devotional Sermonett Message - Pastor

Why Shepherds

Luke 2:8-20

I would like for us to think a few minutes about these shepherds. Why do you suppose God choose these shepherds to be the first to visit Jesus and then begin spreading the good news?

*** STAND *** READ *** PRAY ***

I.) They Listened

Some might say they didn’t have a choice but to listen….. But there is a big difference in hearing and listening.

They had ears to hear. They were willing to hear what God had to say. If angels had gone to the priest and Pharisees in Jerusalem with the same message I suspect they would have said: “The Messiah born in a stable? The Messiah laid in a manger? I don’t think so. Let’s wait and see.”

So many today don’t have ears to hear. Too many today won’t except that the only way to God is through the baby of the manger—Jesus Christ. He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life: no one comes to the Father but by Him.

The sad part is that so often we Christians don’t really listen to Him. We need to slow down, stop, and hear Him speak to us. And when we hear—listen.

II.) They Went

God told the shepherds about this good news, but He didn’t tell

them to go. But they did. They went. They had to see.

God knew they would be willing to be a part of this first

Christmas—willing to drop what they were doing, even if it meant financial loss to them, and seek out the savior. They didn’t give excuses. They didn’t wait for a more convenient time. They went.

What would you have done? What do you do? What do you do when the Lord lets you know of something you need to do. Do you give excuses or look for a more convenient time?

III.) They Were Diligent

They made haste. (The word Haste is a noun meaning: Swift of motion; or Urgent need of quick action) They didn’t hem-haw around. They were

serious about finding Jesus the savior. Are you ?

So many Christians today are not serious.

They don’t take seriously what they hear about God or from God.

They don’t take seriously their:

Faith

Responsibilities

Duty

Opportunities

Do you?

IV.) They Followed

Verse 16 says “and found Mary...”. We don’t know how many mangers they searched before they found the baby wrapped in swaddling clothes. But they diligently followed God’s instructions.

Sometimes today Christians are all fired up and ready to go, but their enthusiasm runs out long before the project is finished. And to some extent it is because they don’t follow God’s instructions. Or maybe it wasn’t God’s project to begin with. A great man of God once said: The faith that fizzles before the finish had a flaw from the first.

Does your faith have a flaw? Do you follow –closely?

V.) They Shared

“They made widely known the saying which was told them” vs.17

What if you claimed to be a fisherman but never went near the water? What kind of fisherman would you be?

What if you claimed to be a Christian but never shared your faith in Christ, Never give your testimony of how Jesus saved you from the pitts of hell? What kind of Christian would you be?

Today too many Christians are failing to share. We must get out of these four walls and share what God has done and is diong!