“Christmas in the Gospels”

(Matthew 1:1-23)

INTRODUCTION

The New Testament shows us that the means by which God’s promises are fulfilled, and the entirety of the plan God worked out through the Old Testament age, can be summed up in two words: Jesus Christ. In the Old Testament He is promised and anticipated, in the New Testament He is revealed and presented.

JESUS WHO SAVES FROM SIN (v. 21)

JESUS WHO IS GOD WITH US (v. 23)

APPLICATION

• Keep in constant view your Savior's name “Jesus”. God has provided you with a Savior. (Romans 3:21-22)

• Keep in constant view your Savior's name “Immanuel”. God understands your human plight. (John 14:1)

CONCLUSION

Beloved, Christ is the perfect fulfillment of Messianic prophecies. We look back to a man born of Abraham and David’s line, conceived of the Spirit, who fulfilled all God’s promises. Be encouraged, Christ has been born and revealed, Good tidings to you and to all of us!

“Christmas in the Land”

(Isaiah 9:1-7; Micah 5:2-5a)

INTRODUCTION

When we read through the Old Testament, we find that although God’s people were in God’s land, they were far from Him in heart. God raised up prophets like Isaiah and Micah who foretold the coming of the Lord’s salvation in a future, kingly Ruler. The promised Messiah would bring light to a people in deep darkness, tidings of comfort and joy to a distressed nation. When we speak of Christmas in the land, we see our great, promise-keeping God. He remembers His promises, and He remembers His people. We can be sure of this because of what God did in giving us His Son. The Lord Jesus’ arrival in history is in fulfillment of God’s word and His promises.

THE PROPHETS AND THE PROMISE OF SALVATION (Isaiah 9:1-5)

THE SHEPHERD-KING AND THE PROMISE OF PEACE AND JOY (Isaiah 9:6-7; Micah 5:2-5a)

CONCLUSION

Beloved, God has spoken. Sin and suffering are not the end of the story. In Jesus is hope for the weariest heart and warmth for the coldest. God has broken into history in His Son, the one in whom we find unshakeable tidings of true comfort and real joy.

“Christmas in the beginning”

(Genesis 1:1-2; 3:15; 12:2-3; 22:1-14)

INTRODUCTION

 It is easy to look at the first Christmas as though the story starts on the first page of the New Testament, with an angel suddenly showing up to a girl in Galilee. But the Bible is a two-act drama, and to start at the Gospels is to join at the interval. In a sense, Christmas begins on the first pages of Scripture. The Advent season comes truly alive when we think about the Lord Jesus. In His humanity, the second person of the Trinity was delivered into the world like billions of other babies have been. But Jesus was also divine, existing “in the beginning with God.” He was “with God,” yet He “was God.”

THE CREATOR GOD (vv. 1:1–2, 26-7; 2:15-17)

THE PROMISED DELIVERER (vv. 3:1-19)

THE COVENANT-KEEPING GOD (vv. 12:2–3; 22:1–14)

CONCLUSION

Beloved, this year as you prepare to celebrate and remember the birth of our Savior, take time to reflect and marvel anew at how great is our God. Do not let the familiarity of the Christmas story rob you of the joy and amazement at the God who created all things, who promised a Deliverer, and who made and kept His covenant.  

“To god be the glory forever” Romans 11:33-36

INTRODUCTION

Last Sunday, the Gentile believers were warned against antisemitism and arrogance. Paul also revealed the mystery of God’s future redemptive plan for the Jews. Today, following the truths that he has shared with us, the Apostle finds himself in a state of mind and heart in which he can think of and do nothing else but burst into exultant praise of God – ‘O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God.’

PRAISING GOD’S INSCRUTABILITY (vv. 33-34)

· Deep riches

· Deep wisdom and knowledge

· Unsearchable judgments

· Inscrutable ways

PRAISING GOD’S SELF-SUFFICIENCY (v. 35)

PRAISING GOD’S ULTIMATE SOVEREIGNTY (v. 36)  

· It is all from Him: He is the source 

· It is all through Him: He is the means  

· It is all to Him: He is the goal  

APPLICATION

· Honor God

· Humble yourself before God

· Hunger for God

CONCLUSION

Beloved, the more you know God, the more your heart should be humbled before Him, and your mouth more readily be filled with praise and adoration.

“God’s Great Mercy” Romans 11:25-32

INTRODUCTION

Last Sunday, Paul addressed and answered two questions: (1) Has God rejected his people, Israel? (2) Has Israel stumbled in order to fall? Today, to warn Gentile believers against antisemitism, and to prevent them from becoming arrogant in thinking that God has chosen them instead of Israel, he reveals to them the mystery of God’s redemptive plan for the Jews.

THE PLAN FOR ISRAEL’S SALVATION (25-27)

TWO PRESENT REALITIES (vv. 28-32)

· God’s election, love and calling for Israel (28-29)

· God’s great mercy to Jew and Gentile (30-32)

APPLICATION

· In Christ, God is still working out His saving mercies to Jew and Gentile.

· In Christ, Jew and Gentile are united.

· In Christ, all antisemitism, racism, and otherisms are banished.

CONCLUSION

Beloved, remember to constantly give glory to God for His great mercy that He has shown in Jesus Christ. “When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit. This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.” (Ephesians 3:4-6)

“It Is All By Grace”

Romans 11:1-24

INTRODUCTION

Last Sunday, Paul took a short excursion to answer the question of how people will call on the name of the Lord to be saved. Today, he comes back to his main argument dealing with two questions: (1) Has God rejected his people, Israel? (2) Has Israel stumbled in order to fall [to their utter spiritual ruin, irretrievably and permanently]? The answer to both questions is, “absolutely not!”

BY GRACE A REMNANT HAS BEEN PRESERVED IN ISRAEL (vv. 1-6)

BY GRACE THE GENTILES HAVE BEEN GRAFTED INTO ISRAEL (vv. 11-24)

• The illustration of the dough

• The illustration of the olive tree

APPLICATION

• Be Humble

• Stand fast in faith

• Continue in the kindness of God

CONCLUSION

Beloved, remember that you were saved by grace, and do not become proud, but glory in the Lord of grace.

“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”

Ephesians 2:8-9

“How Will People Call On God To Be Saved”

Romans 10:14-21

INTRODUCTION

Last Sunday, in verses 5-13, we learned that a righteousness that is by faith is now available to anyone who calls on the Lord for salvation. Today, in verses 14–17, Paul emphasizes that for someone to call on the Lord and be saved, they must first hear the message of the gospel and believe it. He further warns us not to remain recalcitrant like Israel.

THE MEANS OF EVANGELISM (vv. 14-15a; 17) 

THE MISTAKE OF HEARERS (vv. 16; 18-21)

APPLICATION

· You are sent; therefore, speak.

· You are God’s beautiful messenger.

CONCLUSION

Beloved, Jesus said,

“The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”

Matthew 9:37-38

Pray that God will raise missionaries who are willing to take the gospel to the whole world. Pray also for us to be prepared to send them and support them.