Luke 2:8-20 SOME TRUE REASONS FOR THE SEASON
Intro: Let's face it, the Christmas season is a time that is loved by
many and hated by just as many. Yet, regardless of which side of that issue you fall on,
this much is true: the Christmas season is a time filled with many mixed messages and with
pagan and worldly rituals. I mean, this is supposed to be the one time in the year when
the world remembers the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ, and every year we muddy the waters
of truth by allowing the Scriptural meaning of the season to be mingled with other
messages that have their origin in the world. Now. I enjoy Christmas as much as the next
person, but I just want you to be aware that there are some terrible misconceptions
surrounding the true meaning of the season. To many it all about money, commercialism and
greed. Others see it as a time for parties, meals and get-togethers. Many children know
Christmas only as a time for Santa, Rudolph The Red-nosed Reindeer and other equally
foolish fairy tales. As a result, some children have no idea what the true meaning of
Christmas is all about.
(Ill. A little boy came home from Sunday School. He was so excited about
learning about the Wise Men who brought gifts to the baby Jesus. He was so excited that he
had to tell his mother. He said, ""I learned today in Sunday School all about
the first Christmas. There wasn't a Santa Claus way back then, so these three fellows on
camels had to deliver all the toys. And Rudolph the Red-Nose Reindeer with his nose so
bright wasn't there so they had to have this big spotlight in the sky to find their way
around.")
(Ill. Some one has compared Santa Claus and the Lord Jesus in a piece
called "Santa Versus Jesus."
- Santa lives at the North Pole. Jesus lives everywhere.
- Santa rides in a sleigh. Jesus rides on the wind and walks on the water.
- Santa comes once a year. Jesus is an ever present help.
- Santa comes down your chimney. Jesus stands at your door of your heart
and knocks.
- Santa fills your stockings with goodies. Jesus supplies all your needs.
- You have to wait in line to see Santa. Jesus is as close as the mention
of His name.
- Santa lets you sit in his lap. Jesus holds you in His hands.
- Santa has a belly like a bowl of jelly. Jesus has a heart of love.
- Santa''s little helpers makes new toys. Jesus makes new lives.
- Santa puts gifts under your tree. Jesus became our gift and died on a
tree.)
Thank God for the Bible! In His holy, inspired, infallible Word, God
sets the record straight where Christmas is concerned! He gives us, in no uncertain terms,
the true reasons for the season. Many say, and I know what they are saying when they do,
that "Jesus is the reason for the season." And, He is the main reason, but He
isn't the only one! Allow me to share with some of the true reasons or the season.
I. V. 11 CHRISTMAS IS A TIME FOR GIVING
A. For God To Give His Son To Men - When those
shepherds heard the words of the angel, they were told that a Savior was coming into the
world. This child who was born in Bethlehem was no ordinary baby. This is proven by the
angelic announcements prior to His birth, Luke 1:26-33; Matt. 1:20-23. When Jesus was born
in Bethlehem, He was literally God in human flesh - John 1:1; 14! All through His life, He
proved His distinctiveness. He taught like no other man. He performed miracles that nobody
else could ever duplicate. He healed, He preached, He loved, He reached out. His life was
one miraculous event after another. However, none of those things qualifies Him to be
Savior. It wasn't enough for God to send His Son into the world, but that same Jesus had
to be "given up." When John 3:16 tells us that God "gave His only
begotten Son", that is the precise meaning. God gave Jesus up to die on the
cross for you and me so that our sin debt might be paid and so that we might have the
opportunity to be saved from an eternity in Hell. Thank God for giving the greatest gift!
(Ill. The cradle was the first stop on a road that was to end at an old rugged cross.)
B. For Men To Give Their Souls To God -
(Ill. Nobody likes to receive a gift and then give nothing from
themselves in return.) God gave His Son to die for sinners. If we are to give a gift to
the Lord, what would it be?
(Ill. There were two groups in connection with the birth and early life
of the Lord who gave themselves to Him - The Shepherds, Luke 2:8-10 and the Wise Men,
Matt. 2:1-12)
(Ill. We all have that someone on our gift list who seems to have
everything already. They are hard people to buy for. What do you give someone who has
everything already? Think about it, what can you and I give God? He doesn't need our
money. He can get by without our talents. He doesn't need a fruit basket, or a new tie, or
some socks or handkerchiefs. In fact, when you get right down to it, none of us really
possesses anything anyway. You say, "I own my house!" Just stop paying the taxes
for a few years and see who owns it! You say, "I own my cars!" Again, stop
paying the insurance and the taxes and see who controls that car. You say, "Well, I
own my money!" Just let the economy crash and then tell me what you have left. There
is only one true possession that we each have and it is our soul. I have control over it
and if I want to give something to the Lord, then it must be my soul. It is the only thing
I have that I can honestly give. Notice, this is the intent of Mark 8:36-37. Now, the
question arises, have you given your heart to the Lord? If not, there is no better time
than today to make that happen - 2 Cor. 6:2.)
I. Christmas Is A Time For Giving
II. V. 10 CHRISTMAS IS A TIME FOR GOOD TIDINGS
A. Ill. The angel came with a message of "good tidings."
Literally, this phrase comes from the word from which we get our "evangelize."
The message of the angel was a message of salvation. He came to proclaim the glorious news
that a Savior had been born in Bethlehem!
B. This message is a message of hope! Ill. As has been mentioned in
other messages, these men were social outcasts. They were considered unclean by their
religion and were typically uncouth, dirty, and vulgar men. They were the type of men that
no one wanted to be around. They were generally forgotten by some elements of their
society. However, they hadn't been forgotten by God! How wonderful that these wretched,
sinful men who gave their lives to raising sheep for the Temple services were the first to
hear the good news that the Lamb of God had been born into the world. It was a message of
hope! They were forbidden from seeking God in the Temple, but God brought salvation to
them!
C. The message hasn't changed! The Gospel is still a message of hope.
You may be one who has committed some really terrible sins. You may feel that God wouldn't
save you. You may feel that you have no hope. You may think that you are beyond the scope
of God's saving power. Well, let me tell you this morning that the door of salvation is
standing wide and that whosoever will may come in and find salvation for their soul! (Ill.
John 6:37; Isa. 1:18-19 (Notice, there are no qualifications!); Matt. 11:28) Here's the
deal, if you are lost and know you need a Savior, then know that Jesus is who you need.
And, just as the message was one of hope for those men that night, it is a message of hope
for you this morning. It is a chance to begin life again. It is an opportunity to have
your sins washed away. It is an opportunity to come to know God and assure yourself of
Heaven when you die. Thank God, there is still hope in the Gospel!
I. Christmas Is A Time For Giving
II. Christmas Is A Time For Good Tidings
III. V. 11 CHRISTMAS IS A TIME FOR AMAZING GRACE
A. In a very real sense, WE are the reason for the
season! Before you call me a heretic and lead me to the stake to be burned, notice, verse
11, also Isa. 9:6.
B. These miserable shepherds did not deserve to be the first to hear of
Christ's birth, but it was God's grace that reached out to them in their need.
(Ill. Grace is defined as "The unmerited love and favor of God
toward sinners.")
C. Just as it was with those shepherd's in that field, if there is
salvation in your life and mine, it is there by grace and grace alone! There is not a
single individual in this place who deserves anything from God! In fact, if we got what we
deserved, we would all be in Hell this morning, screaming in the flames of torment, Ill.
Rom. 6:23! No, I did not deserve to be saved, but God in His great, matchless, marvelous,
unspeakable grace reached out to me in the midst of my sins and called me to come to Him!
(Ill. My dear lost friends, if you ever experience salvation, it will
not be on the basis of any good which you might have done. It will not be on the basis of
church membership, baptism, attendance, etc. If you are ever saved, it will be by grace
and grace alone - Eph. 2:8-9. Therefore, do not presume upon the Lord! If He is calling
you to come to Him, please do so, and do so today! There may never be another opportunity
- Pro. 27:1; Gen. 6:3.)
I. Christmas Is A Time For Giving
II. Christmas Is A Time For Good Tidings
III. Christmas Is A Time For Grace
IV. V. 13-14 CHRISTMAS IS A TIME FOR GLORIFYING GOD
A. After the first angel finished his speech, he was immediately joined
by a vast multitude of the heavenly host and they lifted their voices to give glory and
praise to the Lord.
(Ill. Please notice what they did not say! Their's was a spiritual,
rather than a secular message.)
B. May I remind you that Christmas, along with Easter (sans the Easter
Bunny!), are tremendous times for the children of God to demonstrate their faith. After
all, even though Christmas has been secularized and commercialized, it is still a day set
aside to commemorate the birth of the King of Kings! Through our Christmas programs, our
personal conduct and family functions, we have a wonderful opportunity to show this pagan
world just what this season is truly about! Let us join our voices with those of the
angelic host and declare the great glory of God. After all, that is our duty - 1 Cor.
10:31. This world needs to know the true reason for the season!
C. After the shepherds met Him, this became their mission. They went
about telling others about Him and they returned to their lives glorifying the Name of the
Lord - Luke 2:17-20. What are you doing to glorify the Lord this Christmas?
I. Christmas Is A Time For Giving
II. Christmas Is A Time For Good Tidings
III. Christmas Is A Time For Amazing Grace
IV. Christmas Is A Time For Glorifying God
V. V. 4 CHRISTMAS IS A TIME FOR GOING HOME
A. On that first Christmas, Joseph returned to the ancient home of his
forefathers. For he and Mary, it was time for going home.
B. Many of us will go to be with our parents during this holiday season.
Many will travel great distances to go home for the holidays. For some, this is what makes
Christmas special.
C. May I say to you who are gathered here today that there are some of
you who need to go home this Christmas! Like the Prodigal Son you have wandered from the
Father's house and have lived out in the far country. Now, it is time for you to come
home. If you will, like the Prodigal, you will find forgiveness and blessing in the
Father's house, I John 1:9; Luke 15:20-24.
There are others who have never net the Father. Your greatest need is to
come home for the holidays. God's offer of salvation is available to everyone who will
respond in simple faith. If you will come to the Lord and give Him your heart, He will
forgive you of your sins, save your soul from Hell and guarantee you a home in Heaven
throughout eternity. If, that is, you will come to Him.
Conc: I am sure there are many other reason for the season that we could
find in the Word of God, but these stand to remind us that the greatest need this season,
and for that matter, in any season, is or men to have a personal relationship with the
Lord Jesus Christ. How is your Christmas shaping up this year? If you would like to get
rid of your sins, I invite you to come to Him. If you have strayed in your walk with him
and need to come home, I invite you to come to Him. If there are areas in your life where
you need to follow God in humble obedience, I invite you to come to Him. Whatever you need
this morning, I invite you to come to the Lord Jesus and find all that you will ever need
to meet your need. Will you come?
