Video Transition – Christmas Chaos! By Skit Guys.
This video though funny does make you wonder if there are chaotic demons at play at Christmas! Can you relate? It reveals in my view, “How the enemy seeks to make the message of Christmas and the celebration of Christmas overly complicated!” When chaos reigns it creates – stressed out people, joyless people, angry people, an atmosphere with a lack of peace, a rise in health issues for people, the chaotic creates a complicated atmosphere which for some it surfaces at this season – when it does it steals away the message of The Gospel.
Point: The enemy of our spirit and souls always seeks to complicate the simple message of “The Gospel” – Let me say it again – He seeks to make it complicated, hard to understand, discouraging, filled with fear and apprehension, filled with debt, a story which seems out of reach and in touch with their hectic life, a works related story which is just unattainable with more do’s and don’ts added in. The Devil seeks people to become so frustrated, by getting them to assume feelings of hopelessness - that they then give up on the simple message of “The Gospel.”
Truth: The enemy always seeks to complicate the truth! To twist it – to distort it – to pollute it – and to make it foggy.
Jesus rebuked the religious leaders for overcomplicating the message of “The Gospel” and Truth – He was pointing to all their manmade religious rules – their complicated sacrificial system to God.
We see the same today with many religions – they focus on doing manmade works to save themselves!
We see it with things like biology today! You are no longer male or female in certain circles. They have created new categories creating confusion and chaos in this upcoming generation.
We see it in education! New educational systems complicating learning, grading and the study skill needed for life, for happiness, for proper reading and writing, for developing basic math skills – and of course the educational system of distorting social issues.
The Devil seeks to make life complicated (Chaotic) and very hard for everyone – Why? So people become discouraged, so they live in a fog – So they feel hopeless and wrapped up in the chaos – This in turn causes them to miss the truth of the “The Gospel.”
Hands on exercise: Question for the Day and focus of my sermon: “What is the Gospel?”
The explanation as to - Why we are doing this exercise today?
Many scholars in the conservative realm of Christianity say the church is in a fog about this question “What is the Gospel?”
McKnight states, “You may be surprised. You think the word gospel…is the one thing around which there is no fog. You may think the gospel is the simple thing, whereas everything else-like politics and eschatology and atonement theory and poverty – cries debate (because it is complicated)… I think we’ve got the gospel wrong, or at least our current understanding is only a pale reflection of the Gospel of Jesus and the apostles. We need to go back to the Bible to find the original gospel” (Page 24, The King Jesus Gospel)
Application: So, I am taking an informal survey today to see how our church answers this question! “What is the Gospel”
Have the church attendees fill out the index cards to answer this question then have them collected by the ushers – they will forward them to me.
Video Song played as cards are being filled out called “Simple Gospel?”
Sermon: Simply Christmas - The Gospel
Thesis: The simple message of “The Gospel” is the “Good News of Jesus.” It’s about Jesus our Savior – His story – It’s focus’ on His miracle birth, His ministry, His teachings, His death and His Resurrection (another miracle) and His coming again. His story starts with a miracle and ends His earthly ministry with a miracle – and the story says He is coming again - It’s the message of “Good News” of believing in Jesus story, of faith in His story, of hope found in His story and of love all wrapped up in His story.
Illustration: The official name of Christian Hills Church is really: Christian Hills Full Gospel Church this is our officially incorporated name registered with the state. Why? “Full Gospel” – the former spiritual leaders of CHC wanted to communicate the message that this church will always preach and teach the “Full Gospel.” Not parts of the Bible – But the whole Bible – Genesis thru Revelation focusing on “The Full Story of Jesus” – of “Abba” Father – and of the empowerment of The Holy Spirit.
So, we have the official incorporated name – but most know us as Christian Hills Church which is our trade name - as the IRS calls it. But it is important we know what the word “Gospel” really means.
There are Scriptures from the words of angels which declare to us and the world: “What is the Gospel?”
T.S. - Let’s look at a few of them:
The Angel proclaims “The Gospel” the “Good News” to Mary:
Luke 1:28: “The angel (Gabriel) went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”
Luke 1:30-33: “But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of His Father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”
Luke 1: 35 “the angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So, the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.”
The Angel proclaims “The Gospel” the “Good News” to Joseph:
Matthew 1: 20-21 “But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”
The Angel of the Lord and the Angels proclaim “The Gospel” the “Good News” to the Shepherds:
Luke 2: 8-9 - 10-14 – 15-20:
8And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.
9An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.
10But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.
11Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.
12This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
13Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
14“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”
15When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
16So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.
17When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child,
18and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.
19But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.
20The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
Introduction:
Let’s start putting together a complete definition of “The Gospel” from the original Greek word “euangelion” it literally means “Good News” or “Good Story” or “Good Telling” or “Good Tidings” or a “Good Message!” A message – news – story which needs to be told to everyone!
The term “Gospel” is a simple message from “The Host of Heaven” to us on the earth! There is “Good News” for those who Believe, Receive the main character of the story - Jesus - they need to embrace Him as their Lord and Savior! Their deliverer! Their King!
From https://www.britannica.com/biography/Orm
The Greek word “euangelion” is even used in the Gospel of Luke when describing the “glad tidings” given to the shepherds that Jesus, the Messiah, was born (Luke 4:18).
Subsequently, “gospel” refers to the “good news” of the incarnation or birth of Jesus, His life, His teachings, especially the salvation plan for mankind, His miracles, His death, His Resurrection, His Ascension, and the truth that He is coming again. Most people just think of the Gospel as the plan of salvation but the truth is The Gospel refers to the Story of Jesus from birth – to death – to Resurrection – to His coming Again.
The above from https://stswithuns.org.uk/2020/07/gospel-meaning/
The simple meaning of “The Gospel” is “The Good News” that Jesus the Messiah (Savior) of the world was born to set in motion the salvation of mankind from sin.” Jesus is the fulfillment to the story of Israel. God sent His Love in human form Jesus to show the world His love for them and to open a door for a direct relationship with Him! Jesus birth, life, teachings, death, resurrection and His future second coming is the Gospel Story – the story of Jesus. This is the “Good Story” – “The Good Message” – “The Good News!” Which we all should associate with the term – “The Gospel.”
Why is “The Gospel” – The “Good News” Story of Jesus so good? I believe you may be thinking this – SO here is the answer to the “why” because this Gospel is for all who hear it, believe it, receive it, are willing to tell it to others and who are willing live it out?
Illustration Hold up: “The Believe Signs”
John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
Do you recall how we watched “Christmas Chaos” I talked about how the Devil seeks to complicate the message of Jesus! The enemy will always throw and even twist key words of “The Good News” to bring the message and focus off of Jesus! Off His birth and His message – he will substitute Jesus story for other stories like he does with mythological Christmas story (This seemingly harmless story is taken from the life of an actual fully devoted follower of Jesus) The story has risen to the position to dominate the story of Christmas today – Why – to pull the true meaning away from the intended message of Christmas which is Jesus Story - “Love personified coming to the earth” – Why does this happen – simply to complicate the simple message of Christmas – to create distraction and confusion from the true message of Christmas.
Today - I see “believe” everywhere especially in the Christmas sections and messages of Christmas movies, I see it on shirts but with the focus not on Jesus Story but on “Santa Claus Story!”
But the word “believe “ is reserved for “Jesus” not Santa – it’s not even for the “Easter Bunny” – not even for the elusive “Christmas Spirit” – “Believe” is a word from Scripture directly connected to The Gospel message of Jesus Story - “Whoever Believes In Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
Here is the truth Santa will not save your soul or set you free from sin – or even the illusion of a “Christmas Spirit” will do that - It’s Jesus and only Jesus!
Jesus birth announced and proclaimed by the angels in our texts today make that very clear – The Good news is found in believing in Jesus whole story!
The Gospel is more than just “The Salvation Story for you and I” though because it encompasses Jesus whole story: “The beginning of His story it to the end of the completion of His story.”
This is why At the end of this message I will include the angels message of “The Gospel” spoken of in Revelation right before Jesus 2nd coming.
But The Gospel is also fully defined in ancient creeds – such as “The Nicene Creed” of Ad 325 – yes this is the same council in which Saint Nicholas ( From which The fairytale of Santa Claus emerged) who is the real Saint Nick know for giving gifts to children – yes behind the mythological twisted character of Santa Claus was a devote follower of Jesus – At one point in the debate at this council he got so upset with Arius who was teaching the lie that Jesus was not fully God got up and went over and slapped him.
The declaration of the truth of Jesus Story – which is “The Gospel” was declared by this council- so please listen to the words of the Nicene Creed of 325AD:
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
The Only Son of God,
Eternally begotten of the Father,
God from God, Light from Light,
True God from true God,
Begotten, not made,
Of one Being with the Father,
Through him all things were made,
For us and our salvation,
He came down from Heaven:
He became incarnate from the Virgin Mary,
And was made man.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontus Pilate:
He suffered death and was buried.
On the third day he rose again
In accordance with the Scriptures:
He ascended into Heaven
And is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,
And His Kingdom will have no end.
This creed or statement of faith is the message of “The Gospel!”
T.S. – So we have defined what is “The Gospel” but you may be wondering why is the Gospel the “Good News” – glad you asked this and are thinking about the amazing story of Jesus – But let’s explore what comes with believing in the “Good News of Jesus and His full story” – which to be clear is the believing in his birth, life, teachings, ministry, miracles, death, resurrection and the truth also that He is coming back to set everything in order in this world.
1. The Gospel is good news and is a good message to hear, to believe, to receive, and to live for because it banishes that emotion of fear.
a. “Do not be afraid…” (Luke 2:10) were the first words of the angel to the shepherds.
i. Also, to make a comparison to other angelic messages: The Angel of The Lord told Mary “Not to fear” – The angel also told Joseph “To not fear!”
1. The messages seems clear – Embracing the message of The Gospel of Jesus will cast out fear.
2. When you are connected to the “Full Gospel” there should be no fear!
ii. At the end of verse 9 we read that the shepherds were, “Terrified- or filled with fear”.
1. Quote: “But then, of course, the whole world was gripped by fear and superstition, as our history books inform us. For 400 years there had been no word from the Lord. The prophet Malachi was the last to speak, and then there was no more word until Jesus was born and His birth was announced.”
a. Generations had gone without hearing a message from Heaven! Could you imagine?
iii. Today there is still fear everywhere, and the antidote to fear is the Gospel of Jesus Christ.” Getting rid of fear comes (to those) - who believe on Him, who receive Him, and who live for Him.
1. This is proclaimed in the Scriptures especially in:
a. Psalm 23:4: “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”
b. Isaiah 41:10: “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
c. Hebrews 13:5-6: “5Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” 6So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?”
d. 1 John 4: 7-18 God’s Love and Ours: 7Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 10This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.11Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.12No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.13We know that we live in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit.14And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world.15If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and he in God.16And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him.17In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him.18There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
b. Quote: Max Lucado “Fear has touched everyone of us in some way- whether it has entangled us or completely enchained us. But how we respond to fear, and whom we turn to for a way out, is what matters more than anything. Will your fear leave you embittered or awestruck?” Fearless
i. Fear is not of God! It will keep us from a relationship with God and with others – not it really will – fear will tell you to hide – stay away from others – it will.
1. See 2 Timothy 1:7 “For God has not given us a spirit of fear.”
T.S. – Fear is not of God because Love – which is Jesus in the flesh has cast out fear – if we have Jesus – but those who live in fear miss the point of who Jesus is, was and will be and they undervalue what He has done for them – the truth is if you live in fear you cannot find happiness or joy.
2. The Gospel is good news because it brings great joy – The Gospel brings happiness to this life filled with struggle.
a. Luke 2:10: “I bring you good news of great joy…” said the angel (verse 10).
i. When fear reigns and is in control there can be no real joy or any kind of happiness.
1. Fear and joy cannot rest in the same soul or spirit!
2. Joy comes from believing and receiving The Gospel!
ii. Quote: “Fear is the greatest enemy of joy, and because the hearts of men were filled with fear before Jesus came, those same hearts were also joyless.”
1. How do you want to live your life fearful and joyless or free and filled with happiness.
iii. How amazing it is to understand that “The Gospel” brings joy into the lives of all who come to Jesus and trust Jesus.
1. John 15:9-12:
a. 9“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love.11I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.12My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.
2. Only the gospel of good news, believed in and received can bring a heart of rejoicing.
3. The truth is the joy of the Lord coming into the heart and life of the believing person changes everything.
4. There is no other way, and His joy is a joy that can be experienced even in the face of great problems and trials.
a. Acts 16:22-25: 22The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered them to be stripped and beaten. 23After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully. 24Upon receiving such orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks. 25About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.
i. Then an earthquake hit they were released from the stocks and chains and the gates opened – when you have this kind of joy and a strong relationship with Jesus – miracles will happen – the chains will be broken off in your life.
3. The Gospel is good news because it is for all people.
a. Luke 2: “I bring you good news…that will be for all the people” (verse 10).
i. This shows us that the gospel is adapted to the needs of every man and woman, and we must remember this because we are living in a very cosmopolitan world, and the tendency today is to say that Christ can only meet the needs of certain people. This is quite wrong.
1. Jesus came to meet everyone’s needs.
ii. He is rightly described by the prophet Haggai as “the desired of all nations” (Haggai 2:7).
1. The Gospel has reached every continent and different people group an all shout out how He is there for all of them. If you believe in His story.
iii. He is the One whom everyone, in every place, desires and certainly needs- Jews, Gentiles, young, old, rich, poor- and satisfaction can be found only in Him. The gospel is God’s revealed plan and method for saving the lost (John 14:6; Acts 4:12).
4. The Gospel is good news because it emphasizes the value of each person:
a. In spite of the tendency today to lose sight of the individual, the gospel always emphasizes his or her personal worth and value.
b. Christ preached his greatest sermon message to one man, Nicodemus (John 3:1-16); he went out of his way to go to Samaria to speak to one woman (John 4:1-26), and Luke 15 contains three parables to emphasize the value of the individual.
i. You can also look up John 5:1-9 and read of the man’s healing.
c. The Gospel – Jesus full Story is for you – the Bible tells me that everyone who believes – receives – lives for Jesus has his/her name written in The Lambs book of life.
i. He wants you in with him in the end – He wants a personal relationship with you!
5. The Gospel is good news because it saves.
a. In Luke 2:11 We have a clear statement of the angel that Jesus had come to be the Savior of His people.
i. This reminds us of the Apostle Paul’s clear statement recorded in 1 Timothy 1:15.
b. The angel might have said that Jesus had been born to be a teacher, a reformer, an example, a friend, a king - all of which was true. But the primary purpose of His coming was that He might be the Savior of His people (Matthew 1:21).
i. The Savior – deliverer – the person who can free you spirit, soul and mind.
ii. He is the Savior from sin (Hebrews 7:25); from self (Romans 8:2); from Satan (Acts 26:18).
c. Do you know anything about His saving power? Have you experienced the Good News – Christmas season is the right time to embrace and experience it!
6. The Gospel is good news because it glorifies God.
a. As the angel finished giving this great gospel message to the shepherds, the heavenly host appeared joining in the chorus “Glory to God in the highest…” (Luke 2:13-14).
i. The Story of Jesus glorifies God!
ii. The gospel is the central theme of heaven. Nothing glorifies God so much as The Story of Jesus.
b. Quote: “The Gospel magnifies His love and compassion for sinful men; it declares His great gift of the Lord Jesus to be our Savior and our Friend; it proclaims His remedy for sin and His promise of eternal life, and every time we preach the gospel God is glorified.”
c. This surely is one good reason for why we are teach it - preach it – and proclaim it and tell others about it.
i. It is not enough to proclaim ethics or morality, and certainly there is little hope and help offered by the preacher of politics; it is a tragedy beyond all tragedies to proclaim some “other gospel” (Galatians 1:6-9).
ii. How different it is, however, to proclaim the pure gospel as it is revealed in the inspired Word of God by the angels – by the Bible!
7. The Gospel is good news because it gives real and lasting peace.
a. Luke 2: 14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests” (verse 14).
i. Yes, this is indeed the gospel of peace, for Jesus is our Peace and He alone can make peace.
1. See Ephesians 2:14
2. See Romans 16:20.
3. We may have His peace now, as Job 22:21 assures us – “peace with God” (Romans 5:1) and the “peace of God” (Philippians 4:7).
4. But the angel spoke of peace on earth. How will this come about? Not by pacts, agreements or treaties, but by the coming of the Prince of Peace Himself.
5. Peace will come to this earth when Jesus comes back.
b. The 7 points and thoughts above are taken directly and gleamed from the following article - https://www.wordsoflife.co.uk/bible-studies/study-5-the-gospel-according-to-an-angel/
Conclusion:
As I come to the close of my sermon I want to point to the Angel in Revelation who proclaims the Gospel at the end times in Revelation 14:
Revelation 14: 6-16: The Three Angels
6Then I saw another angel flying in midair, and he had the eternal gospel to proclaim to those who live on the earth—to every nation, tribe, language and people.
7He said in a loud voice, “Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come. Worship him who made the heavens, the earth, the sea and the springs of water.”
8A second angel followed and said, “Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great, which made all the nations drink the maddening wine of her adulteries.”
9A third angel followed them and said in a loud voice: “If anyone worships the beast and his image and receives his mark on the forehead or on the hand,
10he, too, will drink of the wine of God’s fury, which has been poured full strength into the cup of his wrath. He will be tormented with burning sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and of the Lamb.
11And the smoke of their torment rises for ever and ever. There is no rest day or night for those who worship the beast and his image, or for anyone who receives the mark of his name.”
12This calls for patient endurance on the part of the saints who obey God’s commandments and remain faithful to Jesus.
13Then I heard a voice from heaven say, “Write: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them.”
The Harvest of the Earth
14I looked, and there before me was a white cloud, and seated on the cloud was one “like a son of man” with a crown of gold on his head and a sharp sickle in his hand.
15Then another angel came out of the temple and called in a loud voice to him who was sitting on the cloud, “Take your sickle and reap, because the time to reap has come, for the harvest of the earth is ripe.”
16So he who was seated on the cloud swung his sickle over the earth, and the earth was harvested.
The Gospel is about The Story of Jesus all of it! Not just part of it!
To learn more and to read more about the term “The Gospel” see what Paul says about it in 1 Corinthians 15!
What do we need to know from this message?
Answer: What is the Gospel? Definition of “The Gospel” from the original Greek word “euangelion” means “Good News” or “Good Story” or “Good Telling” or “Good Tidings” or “Good Message!” The term “Gospel” is a simple message from The Host of Heaven to us on the earth! There is “Good News” for those who Believe in the main character of the story – Jesus! We are to believe is his miracle birth, his life, his teachings, his miracles, his death, his resurrection, his ascension and his imminent return – all these aspects of Jesus life should compel us to live for him and drive us to tell his story to others so they can be set free. These truths should also compel us to live holy and be different from the world.
Why do we need to know this message?
Answer: So, we know how to tell the Good News of Jesus life and story to others! So others see how Jesus has changed our lives and transformed us! So they too can believe in His Story.
What do we need to do from hearing this message?
Answer: Go tell His Story – from the mountains and in the valleys – we need to tell it to everyone – yes everyone we know and meet! We also need to tell “The complete full story of Jesus” we should specific about what Jesus has done for each of us! Tell how He fulfilled the history and completed the story of Israel, how He was birthed, how He lived, His miracles, His teachings - especially the plan of salvation, His death, His resurrection, His ascension and the truth that He is coming back. So get ready now – now is the time to embrace and believe His Story.
