Christmas Worship

A. INTRODUCTION

There are three obvious acts of worship associated with Jesus coming to earth. These teach us how to worship the Lord today.

1. What is worship? Giving the worthy ship to the Lord that He deserves.

2. What does the Lord deserve?

a. Praise. “The shepherd . . . praising God” (Luke 2:20).

b. Adoration. “O come let us adore Him.”

c. Exaltation. “Let us exalt His name together” (Psa. 34:3).

d. Magnify. “My soul doth magnify the Lord” (Luke 1:46).

e. Rejoice. “They rejoiced with exceeding great joy” (Matt 2:10).

f. Glorify. “The shepherds returned glorifying . . .” (Luke 2:20).

g. Worship. “Fell down and worshipped him” (Matt. 2:11).

3. What was the result of their discovery? Sense of awe. “They were amazed” (Matt. 2:10, ELT).

B. MARY WORSHIPPED

1. The birth of Jesus is the beginning of a new level of worship. “My soul doth magnify the Lord” (Luke 1:46).

2. Worship draws us away from our frustration and failure to focus on God. “My spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior” (Luke 1:47).

3. Worship is a gift that lifts us up to God. “He that is mighty hath done to me great things” (Luke 1:49).

4. The only thing that will give us the highest fulfillment in life is worship. “He hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden” (Luke 1:48).

C. THE SHEPHERDS WORSHIPPED

1. God first invited worship from common people. “Shepherds abiding in the field” (Luke 2:8).

2. God accepts worship from working people. “Keeping watch over their flocks by night” (Luke 2:8).

3. Worship comes out of a rejoicing heart. “Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy” (Luke 2:10).

4. Worship centers on Jesus, salvation, and His Lordship. “Unto you is born . . . a Savior, which is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11).

5. What is the focus of worship? To glorify God. “Glory to God in the highest” (Luke 2:14).

6. What should you do when presented with the opportunity to worship?

a. Respond whole heartedly. “Let us go . . . and see” (Luke 2:15).

b. Immediately. “They came with haste” (Luke 2:16).

c. Go to Jesus. “They . . . found . . . the babe lying in a manger” (Luke 2:15).

d. Worship. “Glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen” (Luke 2:20).

D. WORSHIP BY THE WISEMEN

1. Why the star? God saw men searching for Him, so He used what they understood and what they would respond to.

2. What did they know about the star?

a. The star was tied to the Deliverer. “His star” (Matt. 2:2).

b. The star meant hope.

c. The star draws us. “Went before them” (Matt. 2:9).

d. The star leads to Christ. “The star which they saw in the east . . . came and stood over where the young child was” (Matt. 2:9).

3. We know the scientists (educated of that day) came to worship, called wisemen.

4. We know the wealthy can worship because of their gifts. “Gold, frankincense, and myrrh” (Matt. 2:11).

5. What was their first response of worship? Amazement. “They rejoiced with exceeding great joy” (Matt. 2:10).

6. What was the second step of worship? Bowed down. “Fell down and worshipped Him” (Matt. 2:11).

7. What was the third step of worship? Gave presents. “They opened their treasures and they presented unto Him gifts” (Matt. 2:11). Not grudgingly giving something to God, but letting go of our lives.

For unto us a child is born

Isaiah 9:6

If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:

Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God. Please contact me at eltowns@liberty.edu and tell us about your salvation experience so that we can rejoice with you.