Bill Loucks
December 23, 2012
John 8:12
Introduction
- Christmas joy?? It’s why some go to church…
- Some feel it as they give gifts to others
- Some feel it walking in the snow
- Some feel it listening to Christmas songs
- Joy to the world…joyful and triumphant…joyful all ye nations rise…
- How many of us feel joy this morning?
- Some find joy in a Christmas tree.
- Lisa and I struggled with this concept.
- Lisa’s Testimony
- Lights were symbolic of Jesus, Light of the World.
- John 8:12, 9:5
- Story of the Three Trees
- Tree can be symbolic of whatever we choose
- Joy…How do we get it if we don’t feel it
Follow the Light
- Read Luke 2:10-11. "But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. ”
- The angel announced the most joyous and important event in the history of mankind.
- A way to a joyous life forever.
- Luke 2:1-19 Story of birth of Jesus
- Mary and Joseph were betrothed…custom says: married but not having physical relations for 12 months.
Many references to “light”
surrounding the birth of Jesus
- Glory of the Lord “shone” all around the shepherds. Light
- The 3 wise men (kings, magi) followed a star. Light
- Matt 2:1-10 The chief priests and scribes knew where Jesus would be born
- They chose not to follow the star…didn’t want a disruption to their rituals?
- Didn’t follow the Light
It’s not so much what
you know as what you do with what you know.
- Go back to Luke ch2
- Look who God chose to reveal the birth of His Son to…shepherds
- Shepherds considered outcasts, thieves, nomads, unclean.
- Our Lord came for the forgotten people of the earth…most of the time they are the most ready.
- It’s the outcasts in the Bible and today who make the greatest contribution to the Kingdom.
- Sometimes it takes living in darkness before we really see the Light
He came for us
- Jesus came to be our Savior…for those who turn to Him
- He also came to be Lord of the Universe
- Today He is Lord of Heaven…some day – soon – He will return to set up His Kingdom on earth
- Between now and then, we are called to confess with our mouths that He is Lord of our lives (Rom 10:9)
- Surrender…let Him lead
Invitation
- True heart and joy of the Christian
- He loved us enough to send His only Son. He sent Himself. Immanuel “God is with us.”
- Are you ready today to follow the light?
- Confess Jesus as Lord?
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