Dr Tom Hover
December 17, 2023
Luke 2 & Matthew 2 / James 1:19-27
JESUS IS REASON FOR THE SEASON / HOW TO GET THE MOST OUT OF A SERMONÂ
JESUS IS REASON FOR THE SEASON
Luke 2 & Matthew 2
Introduction: Today in our schools, our communities, and even our homes, Christ is crowded out. May we never be guilty of leaving Jesus Christ out of His own birthday celebration.
JESUS IS REASON FOR THE SEASON
I. WHEN JESUS IS THE REASON FOR THE SEASON, THERE IS ROOM Luke 2:7
II. WHEN JESUS IS THE REASON FOR THE SEASON, THERE IS JOY Luke 2:8-11, 20
III. WHEN JESUS IS THE REASON FOR THE SEASON, THERE IS PEACE Luke 2:13-14, Romans 5:1, Philippians 2:3-4,
Isaiah 26:3-4
IV. WHEN JESUS IS THE REASON FOR THE SEASON, THERE IS FAITH Luke 2:15-18, Matthew 2:1-2, Ephesians 2:8-9,
John 3:16, Galatians 2:20, Hebrews 11:6 Who Is Jesus? He began His ministry by being hungry, yet He is the Bread of life. Jesus ended His earthly ministry by being thirsty, yet He is the Living Water. Jesus was weary, yet He is the King. Jesus was accused of having a demon, yet He cast out demons. Jesus Wept, yet He wipes away our tears. Jesus was sold for thirty pieces of silver, yet He redeemed the world. Jesus was brought as a lamb to be slaughter, yet He is the Good Shepherd. Jesus died, yet by His by His death Kept destroyed the poor of death.
V. WHEN JESUS IS THE REASON FOR THE SEASON, THERE ARE GIFTS Matthew 2:11
THE WISE MEN GIFTS:
1. Gold - Speaks of His Royalty and Deity
2. Frankincense - Speaks of His Mediator-ship and Power. It would also be symbolic of purity of life; a sweet-smelling savor.
3. Myrrh - Speaks of His Sacrificial Death. Myrrh is bitter and would show the better death of Christ to come. Let us give Him gifts of: Money for His work (gold) Sweet smelling Prayers of adoration and requests (frankincense) Sacrificial service (myrrh).
Incarnation: He was born of a virgin, that we might be born of God. He took our flesh, that He might give us His spirit. He lay in the manger that we might lie in paradise. He came down from heaven, that He might bring us to heaven. And what was all this but love? If our hearts be not rocks, this love of Christ should affect us. Behold love that surpasses knowledge.
GIVE YOUR HEART TO JESUS! Ephesians 3:19
PM
HOW TO GET THE MOST OUT OF A SERMON
Text: James 1:19-27
Introduction: The Word of God is to your spirit what blood is to your body.
Revelation always creates responsibility: Luke 12:48, Romans 3:4, Proverbs 14:12
I. OUR RESPONSIBILITY BEFORE THE SERMON
A.) Remove All Hindrances - James 1:21
1. “Filthiness” = Dirt or dirtiness
2. “Superfluity” = Excess
3. “Naughtiness” = Sinfulness - Hebrews 12:1, I John 1:9, Psalm 119:9,
Psalm 119:11, Psalm 119:25, Psalm 119:28, Psalm 119:105, Psalm 119:165
II. OUR RESPONSIBILITY DURING THE SERMON
A.) “Receive with meekness the engrafted word” James 1:21, John 7:17, II Timothy 3:16-17 The Word of God is more sure than anything we see, hear, feel, or think. We all must Point people to Scripture and then get out of the way.
III. OUR RESPONSIBILITY AFTER THE SERMON
A.) We are to be Doers of the Word of God - James 1:22
B.) We Need to Know What We Need Changed in Our Lives and Work at Changing Those Things Example: James 1:23-25
C.) We need to walk worthy of God - I Thessalonians 2:10-12
D.) We Need to Do More Than Like the Sermon, We Must Live the Sermon
Ezekiel 33:30-33
E.) We Have a Responsibility to Reproduce the Truth That Is in Our Life in Others - II Timothy 2:1-2
One little boy said to an adult at the close of one service, “Is the preacher done?” The man said, “Yes, the preacher is done, but the sermon must be done.” The starting place for everyone in found in: Acts 2:41-42
