Christmas Eve Service

Christmas Eve Sermonette

Dec 24, 2014 Dr. Mike Fogerson, Pastor

Luke 2:6-7 (NASB) 6 While they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

A. God had a messy plan to save the world. The plan? Send His Son.

1. Where does the King of the Universe send His Son?

a. Barn, stable, manger... not a place for a King... but this was no ordinary King.

b. The manger was messy. (Barn, Stable)

aa. Animals (manure, mud, messy)

bb. Why would God chose to have His only Son born in a barn?

Isaiah 55:8 (NASB) 8 "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways," declares the LORD.

2. That same prophet, 400 years before Jesus was born wrote, Isaiah 53:6 (KJV) 6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

a. Jesus came to a messy place (manger, YES!) But a messy world. Why?

aa. The shepherd was coming to take care of the sheep... to prepare a way for they to go home.

bb. That’s what a shepherd does, He sleeps where the sheep are, He lives where the sheep are... He eats where the sheep eat.

cc. That got Him in trouble?

b. Why would Jesus eat with sinners? Hang out with drunkards/rounders? — That’s what a Shepherd does.

B. Luke 2:8 (NASB) 8 In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night.

Luke 2:11-12 (NASB) 11 for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 "This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

1. A sign for what?

a. His accessible to everyone, everybody, at anytime.

aa. No room n the inn? No money for the inn?

b. The sign said —

aa. Gods not just concerned with the people in the inn, money, societies darlings... God can’t be locked in a room/building, bought or earned.

bb. He’s as unimpressed with what the world calls luxury, beauty, opulent as He is equally unmoved at our degrees, titles, or wallets.

cc. His home is Heaven, His title is King of the Universe, He owns the cattle on a thousand hills — He maybe a little hard to impress or to buy for.

dd. It was a sign for us; that we should follow suit.

2. Paul wrote, Philippians 2:5-7 (NASB) 5 Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men.

a. Being a servant is messy.

aa. He got down on His knees and washed feet.

bb. The God who deserves the best of everything, Worthy of Glory & Honor got on His knees & came into the world, in a feed trough.

cc. Why? It was a messy plan.

b. The very first Christmas was dirty, grimy, filthy — but thank God it was. Without it, what a mess we’d be in.

c. Explain Kneeling doorway, communion

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Respectfully,

Mike Fogerson