Sermon Theme
All around the world as people have geared up to celebrate Christmas, many have considered the ‘WONDER’ of Christmas.
Most in this world would speak of the BURST of goodwill in which to have a negative spirit is to be a GRINCH.. a time in which grudges and hurts are laid aside & hearts, at least for a day, are opened wide.
Nice as this is, it fall far short in grasping the TRUE WONDER of Christmas. When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him? (Psalm 8:3, 4) This speaks to fallen humanity but also POINTS TO CHRIST who would redeem fallen mankind…. “But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because “he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.” (Heb 2:9)
It is when we consider the details of Christmas our hearts and minds are drawn to what is the REAL focus of WONDER leading to our own expression of amazement as to what God did that Christmas morning. Max Lucado beautifully captured the essence of what is truly WONDERFUL about Christmas “Majesty in the midst of the mundane. Holiness in the filth of sheep manure and sweat. Divinity entering the world on the floor of a stable, through the womb of a teenager and in the presence of a carpenter”.
Sermon outline
- SON OF THE MOST HIGH GOD
- DIVINITY AND HUMANITY IN ONE PERSON
- AMAZING GRACE!
Readings reproduced on this page:
The Holy Bible: New International Version. 1996, 1984. Grand Rapids: Zondervan
Sermon Outline
Readings
Heidelberg Catechism: Lord’s Day 14, QA 35-36
35 Q. What does it mean that He "was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary"?
A. That the eternal Son of God, who is and remains true and eternal God,
took to Himself, through the working of the Holy Spirit, from the flesh and blood of the virgin Mary,
a truly human nature so that He might become David's true descendant, like His brothers in every way except for sin.
36 Q. How does the holy conception and birth of Christ benefit you?
A. He is our mediator, and with His innocence and perfect holiness He removes from God's sight my sin__ mine since I was conceived.
Psalm 8 (NIV84)
1 O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens.
2From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise because of your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger.
3When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place,
4what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?
5You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor.
6You made him ruler over the works of your hands; you put everything under his feet:
7all flocks and herds, and the beasts of the field,
8the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea, all that swim the paths of the seas.
9O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!
Text
Luke 1:26–38 (NIV84)
26In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee,
27to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary.
28The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”
29Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be.
30But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God.
31You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus.
32He 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,
33and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.”
34“How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”
35The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come upon 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.
36Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month.
37For nothing is impossible with God.”
38“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May it be to me as you have said.” Then the angel left her.
