How Bethlehem Missed Christmas

How Bethlehem Missed Christmas

December 16, 2007 Morning Service

Immanuel Baptist Church, Wagoner, OK

Rick Boyne

Message Point: Don’t be so distracted with life that you miss Christ this Christmas.

Focus Passage: Luke 2:1-20

Introduction: In December 1903, after many attempts, the Wright brothers were successful in getting their "flying machine" off the ground. Thrilled, they telegraphed this message to their sister Katherine: "We have actually flown 120 feet. Will be home for Christmas." Katherine hurried to the editor of the local newspaper and showed him the message. He glanced at it and said, "How nice. The boys will be home for Christmas." He totally missed the big news--man had flown!

I. God is always at work; worship Him!

a. Angels

b. Shepherds

II. God is always in control; Trust Him!

a. Mary & Joseph hadn’t heard from God since the visions.

b. The shepherds showed up breathless and excited.

III. God loves us more than we’ll ever know: This is the gift of Christmas.

a. In our culture, Christmas is about gifts.

b. Microwave illustration.

c. God sent His Son with His gift, not a complicated sets of instructions.

Invitation: Two women who were having lunch in an elegant hotel were approached by a mutual friend who asked the occasion for the meal. One lady replied, "We are celebrating the birth of my baby boy." "But where is he?" inquired the friend. "Oh," said the mother, "you didn't think I'd bring him, did you?" What a picture of the way the world treats Jesus at Christmas.