Scripture Readings and Sermon Notes
December, 2011
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December 18th, 2011
JOY TO THE WORLD
Scripture reading: Luke 2.1-18
1) In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire
Roman world. 2) (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of
Syria.) 3.) And everyone went to his own town to register.
4.) So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town
of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5.) He went there to register with
Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6.) While they were
there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7.) and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She
wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the
inn.
8.) And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at
night. 9.) An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them,
and they were terrified. 10.) But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good
news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11.) Today in the town of David a Savior has
been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. 12.) This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby
wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."
13.) Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and
saying,
14.) "Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to men
on whom his favor rests."
15.) When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another,
"Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."
16.)So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.
17.) When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about
this child, 18.) and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.
1. The birth of Christ brought:
a) Joy (verse 10)
There are two types of joy; the joy that the world gives, and the joy that Jesus gives.
(John 15.10-11)
b) Peace (verse 14)
(John 14.27)
c) Salvation (verse 11)
(Titus 2.11)
(Romans 6.23)
Christmas is.........
About the joy, peace and salvation that the birth of a child brought mankind so that all may
know the love of God.
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December 11th, 2011
WHAT MAKES THE WISE MEN WISE?
Scripture reading: Matthew 2. 1-12
After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east
came to Jerusalem and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw
his star in the east and have come to worship him."
When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When he had called
together all the people's chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Christ was
to be born. "In Bethlehem in Judea," they replied, "for this is what the prophet has written:
" 'But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of my people Israel.' "
Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had
appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and make a careful search for the child. As
soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him."
After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went
ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they
were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they
bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts
of gold and of incense and of myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to go back to
Herod, they returned to their country by another route.
1. The wise men were seeking God.
" Reach out for him and find him." (Acts 17.26)
"Seek God diligently." ( Hebrews 11.6)
2. The wise men worshiped God.
"Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only." (Matthew 4.10)
3. The wise men sacrificed for God.
Not only giving gifts, but giving their time and attention.
4. The wise men obeyed God.
"And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their
country by another route." (Matthew 2.12)
DO YOU WANT TO BE WISE?
Are you seeking God?
Are you worshiping God?
Do you sacrifice for God?
Are you obeying God?
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December 4th, 2011
WHO WAS PAUL?
Scripture reading: Romans 1.1-7
1)Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God - 2)
the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures 3)regarding his
Son, who as to his human nature was a descendant of David, 4)and who through the Spirit of
holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus
Christ our Lord. 5) him and for his names' sake, we received grace and apostleship to call people
from among all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith. 6)And you also are among
those who are called to belong to Jesus Christ.
7) To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints:
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Paul: (verse 1)
a) A bond servant
b) Apostle or ambassador
c) Set apart for the gospel
THE GOSPEL OF GOD
a) Verification of the old testament (verse 2)
b) Jesus' fulfillment of the old testament
c) Jesus' resurrection verifies who He is (verse 4)
PAUL'S AUTHORITY
a) Received from Jesus Christ - grace and apostleship (verse 5)
WHO ARE YOU?
We are all called to be:
Bond servants
Apostles or ambassadors
Set apart for the gospel
Saints (verse 7)