Sermon Tone Analysis

Hello…this is going to be fairly short because I have only one goal tonight.

My goal is to change or expand the way you think about Christmas.

I want you to see baby Jesus in the manger…and see so much more!

I want you to feel the awesomeness of what God did by becoming a baby…because of what it means…and hopefully what it means for you, for the entire universe, for your daily life, and for your eternity.

Many of us have seen or been to nativity scenes or Christmas plays…those are beautiful and help us to remember historical truth of Joseph and Mary, the angels, the shepherds, and Jesus in the manger.

But that is not where the story began…as we heard in the Isaiaiah readingfrom Jalyn…God had planned to send Jesus to be born of Mary…long before Jesus was born in the manger…before he even created the world for that matter.

It is also not at all where the story ends.

We can not leave Jesus in the manger…he does not allow that as an option.

He definitely was a cuddly, lovely little baby…and we should celebrate that!

Amen.

Those services can be so beautiful as we learn more about the story of Joseph and Mary, the angels, and Jesus in the manger.

But for many that is where the story ends.

We have left Jesus in the manger.

He is still this cuddly, lovely little baby and not much more.

It is a cute tradition that has meaning during this time of the year, but then it is back to our normal lives.

Jesus is not in the manger anymore.

He is not walking around Jerusalem.

He is not on the cross.

He is not in the tomb either.

He is seated at the right hand of Almighty God.

But the power and glory and awesomeness of Christmas…is that Jesus is not in the manger anymore.

Let me say that again!

But the power and glory and awesomeness of Christmas…is that Jesus is not in the manger anymore.

He is not walking around Jerusalem.

He is not on the cross.

And even better…the best news in all of the universe...he is not in the tomb …he is not dead…the cross and the tomb are empty...

This Jesus…is the King of Kings…He is the Lord of Lords…ruling every inch of this universe and every millisecond of time…right now…this very moment!

He is seated on His throne…and one day soon…this Jesus...will return.

says

“Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.”

He is not just a baby in a manger.

All authorities and presidents and dictators and rulers and and powers are under Him…they and we are His subjects.

No matter how crazy this world may get in the coming days, Jesus always was…right now is…and will always be, in total control.

That is good news for us this Christmas.

says

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”

Jesus is not just baby in a manger: Hew was there in the very beginning…because He is God.

He is the creator of all things!

So this Christmas when you see nativity scenes or Christmas cards or pictures of Jesus as a baby…I hope and pray you see His power, His glory, His presence, His love, His forgiveness, and His offer…His offer to you this Christmas.

When you see Him as God, you now look at Him completely differently.

You see His power, His glory, His omnipotence, His love, His forgiveness, and His wrath.

You don’t see those things when you just see him as a baby in a crib or a manger.

And I want you ask yourself a few questions…do you know Him? Do you love Him? Are you living for Him?

This baby Jesus...is God…and God came down to this earth…as a baby…and in Him…when you give your life to Him…in Jesus alone is salvation...

As I heard a pastor say recently, that some people see Jesus as a good rabbi, some see Him as a great prophet, and many see Him as a great humanitarian; but He is so much more.

He is God.

Do you see Him that way?

Do you see the power that He has? Do you realize that you will stand in front of Him and give account of your whole life one day?

says

says

When you see Him as the creator God of the universe...who took it upon himself to come as a man to live and then die for our sin and when you realize that because of that...living for Him is the only option...you can never just see him as a baby in a manger…again.

“In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they bethrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.

And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;”

Do you see Him as the Creator of the whole universe?

You need to see Him that way because that is who He is.

says

“But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:”

When you see Him as the perfect Lamb of God who took upon our sin as the only possible sacrifice for those sins, you can never just see him as a baby in a crib.

Revelations 19:11-16 states

“And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.

His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.

And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.

And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.

And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.

And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.”

Kind of sounds like a little bit more than just a baby in a manger.

Kind of sounds like a little bit more than just a baby in a manger.

When you know Jesus this way...All you can do is fall to your knees or raise your hands and worship Him.

All you can do is fall down and worship Him after reading verses like that.

Remember this Christmas season the beauty and wonder of the truth that the God of the universe…is Jesus…and that baby in the manger…is no longer in the manger because He is sitting on His throne…in control of all things.

Remember during this Christmas season that the Jesus you believe in is out of the manger and sitting at the right hand of God.

Stay focused on that fact.

Remember whom you will answer to for your entire life when you die.

Make sure it is the Biblical Jesus that you believe in for your salvation.

And since you believe in Him, it is a great time to share that belief with someone.

The belief that Heaven is real, Hell is real, God is real, and so is Jesus.

The Jesus that sits at the right hand of the Father does not fit in a manger; so don’t leave your faith in that manger.

And if you have put your faith and trust in that Jesus…it changes everything…for all of eternity with the angels we will celebrate this baby in the manger…who came to save His people...

And if you believe in Him and have given your life to Him, Christmas is a great time to share that awesome truth with someone else.

As we celebrate the birth of our Savior…let us do so because we also know the he is the all powerful King of Kings.

The Jesus that now sits on throne does not fit in a manger...

For some like the Shepherds…thinking of Jesus as the King of Kings brings fear...

Listen to what the angel said the the shepherds when they began to fear...

By r you is this…there is good news…listen to the angel shepherds.

Listen to what comes next in Luke.

So let me end by telling you the good news…and then I have afew invitations for you.

So with that...let me end by telling you the good news…and then I have a few invitations for you.

Gospel...

Christmas…Jesus a baby but also the king…give your life and live your life for him

Invitations:

Talk to me after...

This Sunday Christmas Eve…you and family…our home at 4 pm...

Wednesdays…6:30 kids and adults...

Every Sunday 10 am....

My contact info.

Prayer... that Jesus came as a baby…to live a perfect life as a man…to die for our sins…and return to life…so He could in all power and glory rule the entire universe as the King of Kings...