PASTOR JOHN COWLES
BRIDGE CHURCH
WORSHIP & PEACE
Tis the Season – Week 2
Luke 2:8-12, 14
Luke 2:8-12 ESV – And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.
Psalm 8:3-4 ESV – When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, 4 what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him?
Christmas brings God’s glory to the
Luke 2:1-2 ESV – In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria.
Luke 2:9 ESV – And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear.
When we fail to accept what we are we become less than what we were made to be.
Christmas reveals two things we need most:
Luke 2:14 ESV – Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!
Philippians 2:7 ESV – But emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.
Galatians 4:4-5 ESV – But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.
What does the Christmas story remind us?
It’s not about me!
Luke 2:14b ESV – …and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!
Romans 5:1 ESV – Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Philippians 4:7 ESV – And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
John 14:27 ESV – Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.
Christmas brings God’s glory to the insignificant and small, to provide the two things that we need the most: someone to worship and peace to be evident in our lives.
The message of Christmas requires a response.