Don¡¦t Let the Grinch Steal your Christmas
Isaiah 12:2-6
2 Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The LORD, the LORD, is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation."
3 With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.
4 In that day you will say: "Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done, and proclaim that his name is exalted.
5 Sing to the LORD, for he has done glorious things; let this be known to all the world.
6 Shout aloud and sing for joy, people of Zion, for great is the Holy One of Israel among you."
(NIV)
Luke 3:4-6
4 As is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet: "A voice of one calling in the desert, ’Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.
5 Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill made low. The crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways smooth.
6 And all mankind will see God’s salvation.’"
(NIV)
Luke 3:15-16
15 The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John might possibly be the Christ.
16 John answered them all, "I baptize you with water. But one more powerful than I will come, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.
(NIV)
Opening video clip of the movie ¡§How the Grinch Stole Christmas¡¨. We used the section where the Grinch went to Whoville and stole the toys and then began the sermon right there.
John the Baptist had a purpose that was unwavering and that was to proclaim the coming of the Savior. We are living in that time of preparation like we do every year where we are preparing our hearts, minds, and spirits to receive the coming Messiah.
John¡¦s bold proclamations produced unbridled expectancy. This expectancy was so great that some ignored his message and even wondered if he were the Messiah. John was clear that when the Messiah showed up that he would straighten all things out. You see the Israelites were living under Roman rule although they were their own sovereign state. They were a minority group within the wider society and they were constantly looking for one to return the kingdom back to its earlier glory and strength. News that the messiah was coming sparked excitement and expectancy all over the region to the point that it upset the government leadership. The basis for their contempt was that they did not believe and wanted to cause confusion with those that did believe.
Much like the Grinch.
Modern Day grinches are people who want to rob you of the experience of encountering Emmanuel- (God with us)
„«Your strength
„«Your song
„«Your faith
„«Your joy
„«Your hope
„«Your opportunity to encounter God¡¦s purpose for your life
When this has been taken away we loose perspective and become overly involved in the commercialization, materialism and consumerism. Our text is pointing us to the hope that is found in God¡¦s salvation. Let¡¦s look at the text
I. ANTICIPATING THE COMING OF A RIGHTEOUS SON
Isaiah 7:14
II. ANNOUNCING THE BIRTH OF A REIGNING PRINCE
Isaiah 9:6-7
III. ACKNOWLEDGING THE LINEAGE OF A ROYAL KING
Isaiah 11:1-2
IV. ACCLAIMING THE SALVATION OF A REDEEMING LORD
Isaiah 12:1-2
The one who brings Hope
Luke 3v.2 elimination of Fear
Power
v.2b Ability to act on behalf of the Messiah
Joy
v. 3 Reality of your relation is greater than the circumstances
around you
Refreshing of your Spirit
v.3 Washing, renewing, rejuvenation
A Song
V5 Communicating the reality of expectancy
