Sunday Sermons

Some of us are still scrambling to finish up our Christmas shopping. Despite having had all year, we still scramble until the last minute to get gifts for those who matter the most to us. Who we put on that list and the gifts we give them says a lot about how we view those important people in our lives. When we look at Matthew 2 we see two different perspectives on Jesus’ birth. One results in the giving of generous gifts and genuine worship. The other results in a deadly decree and genuine jealousy. Which would be your response? If Jesus’ birth marks the greatest gift ever given, let us respond in true worship with praises to the King.

What is the true meaning of Christmas? This is a question that has been asked by many throughout the centuries. However, when we look at our passage from Luke, we might think that Christmas brings forth feelings of great fear! When the glory of the Lord comes upon you, fear seems to be a natural response. However, when the messenger shares the message with the shepherds, their response is quite different—great joy that came from God’s great glory and brought great peace. Their ultimate response to their experience? “Great glad tidings tell.”

How we hear and receive a message is dramatically impacted by the means (or medium) through which it is delivered. Throughout the story of Scripture, God sent angels to deliver important messages to his people, often revealing his plans to advance his redemptive plans. When God’s messages came through one of his own messengers, it was clear this was important. Enter Mary, the humble girl who was engaged but not yet married. When Gabriel tells her that she will be giving birth to the Son of the Most High—though shocked by the news—Mary’s response demonstrates how we should also respond when God speaks to us.

Christmas is the favorite time of year for many. From the time with family and friends to the decorations, many would say this is truly “the most wonderful time of the year.” In a year that has been less than wonderful for most, many might be looking to the hope that comes with Christmas. Can Christmas redeem 2020? Yes! But not through decorations, gifts, or even time with family. We must step back and gaze with wonder what it truly means when the song declares “the hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.”

It is easy for us to take our senses for granted. The ability to see—even if through glasses—is a tremendous blessing. The ability to hear—even if we need aids—is a wonderful gift. In John’s Gospel we have witnessed many who simply have not been granted the ability to see Jesus for who he truly is. Sadly, because they cannot see that he is the true light that has come into the world, they cannot (nor will not) see the glory of God. For those who can see him—through his work in going to the cross and through his word spoken throughout his ministry—to them has been given the ability to see the glory of God.

The coronation of a newly crowned king or queen puts on full display the majesty, wealth, and prestige of the new monarch. In many ways, the ceremony makes a powerful statement about what kind of ruler he or she will be. In John 12, Jesus arrives at Jerusalem for the Passover feast. Upon his arrival, the crowds greeted him seemingly ready to make him their king. Yet Jesus reveals in this moment just what kind of king he truly is when he rides in on a donkey. He then declares that the hour has finally arrived for him to be glorified. However, in this upside-down kingdom, it will look different from any other coronation celebration.

All too often our decisions are made by the answer to this question: What will it cost? Rather than deciding in light of what we truly need or what is best for us, we take the cost into account more than anything else—not only the monetary cost but the relational and emotional cost as well. Oftentimes, even a gift cannot be received without incurring a great cost to us. Jesus, without question, is the greatest gift ever given to mankind. Further, the cost of this gift must not be overlooked—because it was the costliest gift ever given. Though Jesus himself paid the highest price, to receive it will still cost you everything.

Few things are as painful as the death of a loved one. In John 11, we read about Jesus’ loss of his beloved friend, Lazarus. Though John has repeatedly declared that in Jesus “was life and the life was the light of men” (1:4), this was only understood in a spiritual sense. Yet, through this event, we are clearly shown that Jesus clearly holds life and death in his hands. The question we have to answer is, “How does this change the way we view death?”

Where does real security come from? Can we ever find it in this world given the uncertainty that we all face? Despite the various steps we take to feel secure, the reality is that these steps only reveal the depths of our insecurities. Those engaging with Jesus in John 10 are pressing him to find out if he truly is who he claims to be. While they’re primarily asking for their own benefit, Jesus reminds them of how his words and works have confirmed who he is time and time again. And that it is in him alone that we’ll find real security.

As we continue reading of Jesus’ interactions with the Jewish leaders, it is clear that their leadership did not match up with God’s intent for those shepherding his people. In the previous chapter, we saw them throw out the blind man who testified of Jesus’ miracle and rejected the very possibility that his testimony was true and… that Jesus is who he says he is. What kind of shepherd does the Father desire for his people? Jesus clearly answers this question by declaring himself as the good shepherd who lays down his life for his sheep.