Sermon Tone Analysis
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Good News!
LK2:8
Lk2:
(Insert slide of nativity scene)
We have read the scripture, we have heard what is known as the Christmas Story probably more times than we can count but did you know that most churches did not begin celebrating Christmas until the 19th Century?
As millions gather today, tomorrow to commemorate the birth of Jesus with many who only come to gather on this day, Easter and Mother’s Day, that is not the way the N.T. Christians did it.
While many N.T. Churches have returned to no special attention given to Christmas, is it wrong to acknowledge our Lord’s birth?
There are some questions that may come to mind or that we should consider.
How did this “Christmas” Holiday get started?
Should we or should we not involve ourselves in such a day?
How about personally observing it?
So we are a “word” church and we believe in the Word of God and try to follow it.
So lets go through this this morning and see what the scripture has to say, suggest.
So we are a “word” church and we believe in the Word of God and try to follow it.
So lets go through this this morning and see what the scripture has to say, suggest.
So if we want to focus on Christmas as related to the birth of Christ, let’s start with.
I. Birth of Christ
I already ready read the birth announcement of Jesus.
(Insert slide of Baby Jesus)
According to Encyclopedia Britannica - there is no mention as to date of Jesus birth.
The N.T.
only says this.
Most scholars agree that the birth was between 4-6BC, because of the reign of Caesar Augustus, and the rule of Herod which ended in 1AD.
So having said that, since we do not know the exact year, let alone the exact day of His birth.
OK, so how did this Christmas thing get started?
In a reference book by Sextus Julias Africanus written in 221AD he popularized the idea of Jesus birth being on December 25th Here is how he based this idea.
Based on assumption Christ Died, March 25th
Based on Jewish belief that a person died on date of conception
Based on that Jesus was conceived on March 25th, add 9 months and bingo you have December 25th
Now there are many orthodox churches that vary the dates to January 6th or 7th.
In reality we hold the scripture in our hand and it does not tell us an exact date of His birth.
There are lots of other dates that are specified but not this date.
So the Bible does not show a celebration of his birth but does a celebration of His death
1Cor11:
Paul expressed concerns that observing days, months, years is not unifying, or implies such.
He goes more into this in Rom15, but that is another day, another sermon.
So scripture does not support celebration of birth of Christ.
HISTORY
Origen an early patriarch and writer denounced the celebration of Jesus birth (AD 245)
Tertullian early historian, writer does not mention it with the other feast days (AD240)
Christmas did not show up on a calendar until 354 AD
It was shortly after that, that areas of the church started to recognize something that was not in the scipture
Constantinople (379)
Antioch (380) and Alexandria (430) AD
It was banned in 1647 by Puritans, and was outlawed until 1681
Early Americans did not recognize it for they believed it was an English custom; it was in 1870 that Christmas was declared a US Federal holiday.
So, to sum up thus far, we don’t know the exact year, exact date of Jesus birth, we have no biblical instructions, reference to it being an annual celebration either in O.T., N.T. or early writings of the church.
It was adopted by man, after great controversy between the Catholic and Protestant churches.
But what about now, 2000 years later?
III.
Should the church have a work in Christmas?
Paul gave warnings
He did not say it was wrong, but that he was concerned.
As should we be concerned about be enslaved to the commercialism of Christmas, of weak and worthless things.
To bring in traditions of man, not God we need to be careful.
Now contextually this passage in Galatians is about why were they incorporating things regarding salvation that are in vain and not in accordance to God’s will.
For justification is by faith not by law, religious days, feasts, so be careful.
Paul did not only warn the Galatians he warned the Colossians
So on a personal level you judge, you celebrate, you don’t celebrate, we cannot/should not bind things that are not in the scripture on anyone.
Our salvation is in Christ not in his birth.
It is because of his death and resurrection that salvation is available to us.
Paul was not averse to keeping Jewish customs when fit the purpose
He wanted to sin people to Christ.
He had Timothy circumcised (Act16:1-3) because he the people he was trying to reach at the time.
Paul did make it clear regarding individual preferences
It should not be bound on others
Gal2:3-5
And we need to remember Christmas, no Christmas is not a salvation issue, has nothing to do with justification by faith
We cannot make something that is not in the bible to be doctrine and should not compel people to celebrate nor not celebrate on a personal level.
Jesus warned about dangers of human traditions:
The traditions of Pharisees and scribes (Mk7:1-13)
Traditions of men are wrong when they become matters of doctrine or required practice/adherence to.
By doing such we are laying aside the commands of God
Don’t let things become a stumbling block to others.
How about some application regarding Christmas?
(Below not on a slide; just briefly discuss)
Scripture is silent regarding observing so observance is man’s traditions not God’s Word.
Don’t make a man made tradition a church doctrine and bind on others
Though unwise to as a church commemorate this, it does not make it wrong
On personal level
(Below is on slide)
It is between you and the Lord (Rom14:5-6)
Don’t condemn others who do/do not observe (Rom14:4, also 10-12)
Be sensitive to others personal convictions (Rom14:13-19)
Drawing a conclusion
Let us hold fast to the confession of our faith, not our man made traditions
Let us be steadfast in following the Apostles doctrine (Act2:42)
May we be people who consider the scripture and what the scripture says about Jesus birth
Let us remember daily what He was born to do.
To live, to die, to be resurrected so that we can be born again in Him!
Lead to invitation (insert invitation slide) Birth, death and resurrection
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