Series: A COVID Christmas [#2]
GOVERNOR APPROVED WORSHIP
Luke 2:8-20
Introduction:
Here we are in the Christmas Season; and I’m agitated. It is supposed to be a time of joy and celebration; and instead, it is a time of corrupt politics and virus lockdowns. Political, Governmental, and Religious corruption is nothing new to this world. Our Governor has imposed some of the strictest mandates in the World. So, what do we do?
As we continue our Christmas Series- A COVID Christmas; I want you to see how our worship of Jesus is not welcomed by many in our Government. Our Governor has set up guidelines for our Worship Services that we are supposed to be following; and I want to show you her desired reaction from us.
Luke 2:8-10
The Governor’s desired reaction to worship is…
1. Fear.
These shepherds were out doing their jobs. They were watching their flocks. All of a sudden, an angel appeared and there was a bright light around them. Of course, they were afraid- Wouldn’t you be? One of our enemy’s favorite things to do to us is to cause us to be afraid.
The Governor is saying that we should not attend a Worship Service in person because we might get COVID-19 and die. She says that we cannot have congregational singing because we might spread COVID-19. We cannot pass out bulletins. We cannot say Amen. The point is, she is trying to scare people from worshipping together.
What is the solution? “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.” The Good News is Jesus. Jesus came to this Earth in the form of a man because He loves us.
1 John 4:18
Fear is a liar. Do not allow the enemy to convince you that you need to be afraid. Place your hope and faith in Jesus. Worship of Jesus, is a focus on Jesus and no other.
Luke 2:11-14
The Governor’s desired reaction to worship is…
2. No peace.
The angels were praising God and giving Him all of the glory. The kind of peace this is talking about only comes from God. This type of peace has nothing to do with what is going on around us; but what is going on inside of us.
The Governor is thinking that through fear, she can make people afraid and uneasy about worship. The goal is for us to be worried about what will happen to us if we get caught worshipping; or if we are going to get the virus. When you are worshipping God, your focus is on Him and nothing else. Peace comes through worshipping God.
Luke 2:15-20
The Governor’s desired reaction to worship is…
3. No joy.
The Shepherds had to go and see Jesus. They thought of nothing else but seeing this baby that was going to change the world. When they arrived, they saw Mary, Joseph, and Jesus. They were told about Jesus and about who He was. They told everyone they could about this baby. This Baby brought great joy to the shepherds, Mary, Joseph, and all who have placed their hope in Him. The shepherd’s response to Jesus was to glorify and praise God.
The Governor wants us to be afraid, which means that she wants us to not find any joy in life. The tragic suicides of several young people in our community are proof of what fear does to people. They lose all hope and cannot find any joy in life.
Focus on Jesus and the hope that comes from Him. When the enemy is trying to convince you that life will never get better; be reminded of the joy that comes from worshipping Jesus.
Conclusion:
Christmas is supposed to be a time of joy and peace. Christmas is supposed to be a time of celebration; but for many people this is a terrible time. All they can think of is what they have lost. You must make a choice- Am I going to be like our Governor or the Shepherds?
No matter what the Governor decides to do, I will continue to worship Jesus. I must keep my focus on Jesus and not all of the daily distractions that the enemy keeps throwing at me. I must tell people what Jesus has done for me and what He will do for them.
