Jesus – Truth In The Christmas Story

SERMON OUTLINE:

(1). Introduction.

(2). Information.

(3). Description.

SERMON BODY:

(1). Introduction.

ill:

• The story is told of a little 4-year-old girl called Sophie.

• Who despite several reprimands kept telling lies?

• It seemed she was constantly spinning tall tales.

• So, her mother was becoming more and more embarrassed by her behaviour,

• This wasn’t an overactive imagination; it was out and outlying.

• So, the mother decided to tell her the story of the boy who cried wolf.

• “The boy kept telling the villagers a wolf was about to attack, but there was no wolf at all”

• Sophie’s mum explained.

• “Wasn’t he naughty?”

• Sophie replied very seriously; “Oh yes!”

• Sophie’s mum continued the story:

• “And then one day there really was a wolf,

• And he cried out loud to warn the people,

• But everyone thought he was lying, and the wolf ate him up. Silly hey?”

• She looked down hopefully to see if Sophie had got the point.

• 4-year-old Sophie was deep in thought.

• Then Sophie replied, “I was eaten by a wolf once!”

• TRANSITION: The truth is important,

• And if you have been watching the news or reading the papers the last few days,

• It would seem that the truth is something that Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson,

• The British Prime Minister & his friends,

• Do not seem to know or understand the common meaning of the word!

• Sadly, once again the prime minister's relationship with the truth is under intense scrutiny,

• As he once again refuses to give full explanations on certain issues.

• The fact it has been the lead story in the news of the past few days,

• Is a reminder that truth is important,

• And if truth is important in politics, then it is far more important in religion,

• This morning we are looking at Jesus – Truth in the Christmas story:

Note:

• If you stick to the Biblical text, then you have no problem with the truth!

• Archeology, historical criticism and time will reveal if it is fact or fiction.

• But when we allow traditions and the imagination of song & Carol writers,

• To interpret the story, then that is when the myth and the fiction creeps in,

• And it changes the truth into…we might say white lies, or a half-truth – but lies!

• Now I am not out this morning to rob anyone of the wonder of Christmas,

• But let’s look again at the story and separate some fact from fiction.

Ill:

• I thought for the first part of my talk we could learn via a quiz,

• A mixture of serious and lighter questions.

• We can do it as a true or false questions,

• And I will take a few minutes to explain or teach via the answers.

(2). Information (via Teaching/quiz).

(1). True or False - there are no records of Joseph speaking in the Christmas

story?

• Answer: True.

• I'm sure he said something, but there is absolutely no record of him speaking at all.

• There are no records of Joseph speaking anywhere in Scripture.

• He is a man of action, not words.

• Joseph is the unsung hero of the Christmas story.

• We sing of the virgin and child, the angels, the shepherds and the wise men.

• But as far as I can remember there are very few, if any Christmas carol that mention Joseph!

• Although the Bible doesn’t record any words from the mouth of Joseph,

• His life is an example of the life we should lead.

• Joseph was a man of simple faith and instant obedience to God.

• He was a man who did not care for his reputation, what others thought of him,

• But was more concerned with what God thought of him!

(2). True or False - the wise men were three kings from the orient?

• Answer: False

• The wise men were not kings and we do not know how many of them there were.

• Matthew chapter 2 verse 1-12

“After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi[a] from the east came to Jerusalem”

(Verse 1)

“On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshipped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.”

(Verse 11)

(a).

• Over time, church traditions (5th century) have assigned them names:

• Melchior, Caspar, and Balthasar.

• But that is all tradition not the Biblical text.

(b).

• Sure, these Eastern visitors brought three gifts,

• People assume three gifts means three Magi,