What to Give the Christ of Christmas? (Your Gift to Jesus #4)
(Sunday message for House Church and individual use: preached 12/13 – 12/19/2020)
Bible reading from Luke 2:36-39:
36 And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity;
37 And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.
38 And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.
39 And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth.
(Luke 2:36-39)
I. What to give the Christ of Christmas? ~ Give him your ambition!
“And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity;” (Luke 2:36)
A. Then your career will be the greatest of all time!
“And there was one Anna, a prophetess.”
B. Then your social standing will be the greatest on Earth!
“And there was one Anna… the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser.”
C. Then all your years will be the best years of your entire life!
“And there was one Anna… of a great age.”
D. Then your life will always be fulfilled!
“And there was one Anna… [who] had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity.”
E. Then your ambition will be fulfilled in Jesus!
“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” (Matthew 6:33)
F. Then the payment of your sin will be fulfilled in Jesus!
“When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.” (John 19:30)
II. What to give the Christ of Christmas? ~ Give him your desire!
“And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.” (Luke 2:37)
A. Then you will remain in the presence of God!
“And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which… departed not from the temple.”
B. Then you will maintain the presence of God!
“And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which… served God with fastings.”
C. Then you will obtain in the presence of God!
“And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which… served God with… prayers night and day.”
D. Then your desire will be fulfilled in Jesus!
“Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.” (Matthew 5:6)
E. Then the burial of your sin will be fulfilled in Jesus!
“Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.” (Matthew 16:24-25)
III. What to give the Christ of Christmas? ~ Give him your joy!
“And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.” (Luke 2:38)
A. Then you will praise Him!
“She coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord.”
B. Then you will preach Him!
“She… spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.”
C. Then your joy will be fulfilled in Jesus!
“Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.” (Psalm 16:11)
D. Then your resurrection from the dead will be fulfilled in Jesus!
“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”
Conclusion
The forgotten Anna. The forgotten Anna?
“Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him, Even so, Amen.” (Revelation 1:7)
“He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.” (Matthew 28:6)
OUTLINE:
What to Give the Christ of Christmas? (Your Gift to Jesus #4)
(A Message to the Multitudes)
“And there was one Anna…” (Luke 2:36-38)
I. What to give the Christ of Christmas? ~ Give him your Ambition!
II. What to give the Christ of Christmas? ~ Give him your desire!
III. What to give the Christ of Christmas? ~ Give him your joy!
WORSHIP:
One Still Night by Sovereign Grace Music
Opening:
Message:
+ + + + + + +
Christmas Caroling Flash Mob The First Noel #LIGHTtheWORLD | The Five Strings
Cinematic Presentation:
The Greatest Story Ever Told (part 1)