Christmas Greetings
December 14, 2008 Morning Service
Immanuel Baptist Church, Wagoner, OK
Rick Boyne
Message Point: The proclamation of the Good News is still a valid activity today.
Focus Passage: Luke 2:8-20
Supplemental Passage: ‘Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things--and the things that are not--to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God--that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: "Let him who boasts boast in the Lord."’
– 1 Corinthians 1:26-31 (NIV)
Introduction: Happy Holidays vs. Merry Christmas
I. Shepherds
a. Outcasts – social and religious; looked upon with suspicion; not necessarily religious;
i. Don’t participate in society
ii. Don’t participate in temple activities
iii. Spend all their time with sheep
b. Last people you’d expect to be give the good news
II. Angels
a. Just doing their job
III. You
a. Do you identify with the shepherds?
b. Our task is to take the Good News and Share It!
Invitation: If our greatest need had been information, God would have sent us an educator; If our greatest need had been technology, God would have sent us a scientist; If our greatest need had been money, God would have sent us an economist; If our greatest need had been pleasure, God would have sent us an entertainer; But our greatest need was forgiveness, so God sent us a Savior.
