Sermon Illustrations for Christmas Day (2013)
Illustration
Object:
Isaiah 9:2-7
The people who walked in darkness are the outsiders who have no faith and are not the favored ones. They even question Jesus' origin: "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" Sometimes even us faithful Christians think that those who don't believe exactly as we do are those who are in darkness -- even fellow Christians. But as I often say, Jesus had only one bride, his church. He did not have a Methodist bride, a Baptist bride, a Lutheran bride, etc. We are all one in the Lord!
Even among those who are still outside, God is showing them a great light. My wife and I knew the first Christian in Nepal, and from that one man there are now over 2 million Christians there! The light has dawned there, and there is great rejoicing! What a harvest there and in other mission fields! Are we all contributing to that harvest by our giving to the church this Christmas season to show our gratitude?
This Christmas season reminds us that our burden has been lifted and our past troubles are only fuel for the fire. This should be the primary reason for rejoicing this season. It is not the prize under the tree, but the gift sent by God!
We must feel that the Lord is slow in acting. This passage says that the zeal of the Lord will accomplish all this, but we still lack righteousness and justice and we are still far from peace on earth! The thing we lack most seems to be patience and trust.
Even if we don't see the reign of God in all the world, we can feel it in our hearts. We can still have a peace that passes all understanding. We can be righteous and just in our dealings. We can be part of the "increase of his government" and not worry about what others are doing. The passage says that he will bring it about, so our job is to be faithful servants sharing the light that we have received from him.
The Old Testament reminds us not to forget what the Lord has done. The Israelites forgot what the Lord had done for them in the escape from Egypt and the crossing of the Red Sea, and only seemed to remember their present captivity.
We often forget the light -- even at Christmas -- and think mainly of the darkness that God is sweeping away -- for others? We forget what God has done for us in our past and what He can and will do again. How can we forget the promise? A promise God kept! That should bring light in any darkness!!
Bob O.
Titus 2:11-14
God's grace has appeared in Jesus Christ to offer salvation (God's forgiveness) to all people according to Titus 2:11. A writer in the Daylight Devotional Bible describes the "perfect" Christmas Eve, with Dad home early, a roaring fire in the fireplace, goodies on the kitchen counter, and all the other trappings of the night. He calls it "A time of pleasant memories and nostalgia."
Then he asks, "Or is it?" He continues his devotional by reminding the reader that for some families Christmas Eve is anything but peaceful, pleasant or nostalgic. It is more like a battlefield.
He writes, "If that's your experience today, then even though it may be difficult, wrap up one more gift and give it away -- the gift of forgiveness. It may be the most important, and most beautiful, gift you will ever give to another person." (Daylight Devotional Bible [Zondervan, 1988], 1263)
Derl K.
Titus 2:11-14
Twentieth-century Anglo-American novelist Taylor Caldwell compellingly captured the meaning of Christmas: "We are never alone." All the feelings of despair and loneliness which accompany Christmas for man (Psychology Today has reported that 45% of us experience depression over the holiday) don't stand a chance. In the same spirit, the late nineteenth-early twentieth-century writer Hamilton Wright Mabie speaks of Christmas as "the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love." Today, because of the events in Bethlehem we have been wrapped up, joyfully trapped, in a conspiracy of love, a compelling love which aims to trap us all and do its bidding. This is why our lesson speaks of God's grace and how we have been made a people zealous for works (vv. 11, 14).
We cannot help ourselves but be joyful when we get caught up in Christmas' conspiracy of love. It is why there is so much celebration in our services, homes, and streets. This joy conspires to trap other people for Jesus. For as Mother Teresa once said: "Joy is a net of love by which you can catch souls." Christmas' conspiracy of joyful love is out to trap us, to get us to catch a few more souls for Jesus.
Mark E.
Titus 2:11-14
The European countries in the late 1800s needed colonies. The purpose of having colonies across the globe was to secure from them all of their natural resources to be used in manufacturing. These resources would then be returned to the colonies in the form of manufactured goods for sale. The colonies also provided labor. And perhaps most importantly, the imperialist countries imposed their will on the colonies. Africa became the most sought-after location because of its vast land and abundant natural resources. The Europeans were in such competition to secure land in Africa that the movement became degradingly known as the "scramble for Africa." Each European country tried to secure more land and resources in Africa than any other European country, with a total disregard for the native inhabitants.
Application: We are instructed to renounce impiety.
Ron L.
Luke 2:1-14 (15-20)
This passage presents a problem for some. How literally should we take every passage in scripture? The "whole world" in the case of our lesson refers to the whole of the land of Palestine. This becomes obvious when we check out the historical record. This difference does not take away from the spiritual message that follows. But it does point up the fact that God's work is carried out through history. The Bible is not just a book of philosophy. Instead of just sending us a message telling us what to do and what to believe, God sent His Son. He acted in history! We can check most of history to confirm it. I heard some church members asking why God did not just send a book of instruction to Adam and Eve and leave it at that. We also have to use that most uncommon thing, common sense! If Adam and Eve had obeyed, they (we?) might not have needed a guide.
If my children obeyed everything I told them to do without arguing, I wouldn't need to lay down the law.
All the locations and dates of this passage can be checked out. If we check we see that Jesus was born about 3 or 4 BC. That should make no difference to our faith. If you see someone raised from the dead, you don't need a record of the exact date and time and location!
I am not as worried about the stable or room Jesus was born in. It seems that Joseph must have been the midwife! When I think of my own children as babies, it does make me wonder if Jesus cried when he needed to be changed or needed his lunch since He was supposed to be sinless! Maybe our babies crying out for their needs is not sin! It does make you wonder about the teen years, though.
I think there is a point in Jesus having visits from both wise men and shepherds. It shows that there was no class distinction, since one was the upper crust and the other were low cast. The wise men saw a star, but the shepherds saw a whole batch of angels! It took more to get them moving since they probably didn't sit around reading messianic predictions when the sheep were grazing.
There is not much you can write about Jesus' life at this point. All you can do is shout praises to the Lord who does things in his way. His ways are not our ways. Some might think that if they were God they would bring Jesus into the world full grown and not waste all that time having him grow up and learn the carpenter trade!
Christmas is a time where God shows his love in a most humble way. What is more humble than a baby, and especially one born in a stable! I hope we learn a lesson about our God from this!
Bob O.
The people who walked in darkness are the outsiders who have no faith and are not the favored ones. They even question Jesus' origin: "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" Sometimes even us faithful Christians think that those who don't believe exactly as we do are those who are in darkness -- even fellow Christians. But as I often say, Jesus had only one bride, his church. He did not have a Methodist bride, a Baptist bride, a Lutheran bride, etc. We are all one in the Lord!
Even among those who are still outside, God is showing them a great light. My wife and I knew the first Christian in Nepal, and from that one man there are now over 2 million Christians there! The light has dawned there, and there is great rejoicing! What a harvest there and in other mission fields! Are we all contributing to that harvest by our giving to the church this Christmas season to show our gratitude?
This Christmas season reminds us that our burden has been lifted and our past troubles are only fuel for the fire. This should be the primary reason for rejoicing this season. It is not the prize under the tree, but the gift sent by God!
We must feel that the Lord is slow in acting. This passage says that the zeal of the Lord will accomplish all this, but we still lack righteousness and justice and we are still far from peace on earth! The thing we lack most seems to be patience and trust.
Even if we don't see the reign of God in all the world, we can feel it in our hearts. We can still have a peace that passes all understanding. We can be righteous and just in our dealings. We can be part of the "increase of his government" and not worry about what others are doing. The passage says that he will bring it about, so our job is to be faithful servants sharing the light that we have received from him.
The Old Testament reminds us not to forget what the Lord has done. The Israelites forgot what the Lord had done for them in the escape from Egypt and the crossing of the Red Sea, and only seemed to remember their present captivity.
We often forget the light -- even at Christmas -- and think mainly of the darkness that God is sweeping away -- for others? We forget what God has done for us in our past and what He can and will do again. How can we forget the promise? A promise God kept! That should bring light in any darkness!!
Bob O.
Titus 2:11-14
God's grace has appeared in Jesus Christ to offer salvation (God's forgiveness) to all people according to Titus 2:11. A writer in the Daylight Devotional Bible describes the "perfect" Christmas Eve, with Dad home early, a roaring fire in the fireplace, goodies on the kitchen counter, and all the other trappings of the night. He calls it "A time of pleasant memories and nostalgia."
Then he asks, "Or is it?" He continues his devotional by reminding the reader that for some families Christmas Eve is anything but peaceful, pleasant or nostalgic. It is more like a battlefield.
He writes, "If that's your experience today, then even though it may be difficult, wrap up one more gift and give it away -- the gift of forgiveness. It may be the most important, and most beautiful, gift you will ever give to another person." (Daylight Devotional Bible [Zondervan, 1988], 1263)
Derl K.
Titus 2:11-14
Twentieth-century Anglo-American novelist Taylor Caldwell compellingly captured the meaning of Christmas: "We are never alone." All the feelings of despair and loneliness which accompany Christmas for man (Psychology Today has reported that 45% of us experience depression over the holiday) don't stand a chance. In the same spirit, the late nineteenth-early twentieth-century writer Hamilton Wright Mabie speaks of Christmas as "the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love." Today, because of the events in Bethlehem we have been wrapped up, joyfully trapped, in a conspiracy of love, a compelling love which aims to trap us all and do its bidding. This is why our lesson speaks of God's grace and how we have been made a people zealous for works (vv. 11, 14).
We cannot help ourselves but be joyful when we get caught up in Christmas' conspiracy of love. It is why there is so much celebration in our services, homes, and streets. This joy conspires to trap other people for Jesus. For as Mother Teresa once said: "Joy is a net of love by which you can catch souls." Christmas' conspiracy of joyful love is out to trap us, to get us to catch a few more souls for Jesus.
Mark E.
Titus 2:11-14
The European countries in the late 1800s needed colonies. The purpose of having colonies across the globe was to secure from them all of their natural resources to be used in manufacturing. These resources would then be returned to the colonies in the form of manufactured goods for sale. The colonies also provided labor. And perhaps most importantly, the imperialist countries imposed their will on the colonies. Africa became the most sought-after location because of its vast land and abundant natural resources. The Europeans were in such competition to secure land in Africa that the movement became degradingly known as the "scramble for Africa." Each European country tried to secure more land and resources in Africa than any other European country, with a total disregard for the native inhabitants.
Application: We are instructed to renounce impiety.
Ron L.
Luke 2:1-14 (15-20)
This passage presents a problem for some. How literally should we take every passage in scripture? The "whole world" in the case of our lesson refers to the whole of the land of Palestine. This becomes obvious when we check out the historical record. This difference does not take away from the spiritual message that follows. But it does point up the fact that God's work is carried out through history. The Bible is not just a book of philosophy. Instead of just sending us a message telling us what to do and what to believe, God sent His Son. He acted in history! We can check most of history to confirm it. I heard some church members asking why God did not just send a book of instruction to Adam and Eve and leave it at that. We also have to use that most uncommon thing, common sense! If Adam and Eve had obeyed, they (we?) might not have needed a guide.
If my children obeyed everything I told them to do without arguing, I wouldn't need to lay down the law.
All the locations and dates of this passage can be checked out. If we check we see that Jesus was born about 3 or 4 BC. That should make no difference to our faith. If you see someone raised from the dead, you don't need a record of the exact date and time and location!
I am not as worried about the stable or room Jesus was born in. It seems that Joseph must have been the midwife! When I think of my own children as babies, it does make me wonder if Jesus cried when he needed to be changed or needed his lunch since He was supposed to be sinless! Maybe our babies crying out for their needs is not sin! It does make you wonder about the teen years, though.
I think there is a point in Jesus having visits from both wise men and shepherds. It shows that there was no class distinction, since one was the upper crust and the other were low cast. The wise men saw a star, but the shepherds saw a whole batch of angels! It took more to get them moving since they probably didn't sit around reading messianic predictions when the sheep were grazing.
There is not much you can write about Jesus' life at this point. All you can do is shout praises to the Lord who does things in his way. His ways are not our ways. Some might think that if they were God they would bring Jesus into the world full grown and not waste all that time having him grow up and learn the carpenter trade!
Christmas is a time where God shows his love in a most humble way. What is more humble than a baby, and especially one born in a stable! I hope we learn a lesson about our God from this!
Bob O.
