Welcome to Worship
December 13, 2020
The Third Sunday of Advent
Lighting the Advent Wreath: The Angel’s Candle: Joy
The Joed Carbonell Family
Worship Song (pre-recorded): Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
Traditional Worship Team
Christmas Offering for International Missions Video: Remembering Lives
Welcome and Prayer: Rev. Peggy Peek
Worship Meditation: Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus
Marilyn Jordan, piano
Scripture: Luke 2:1-20
Sermon Series: The First Songs of Christmas
Sermon Title: The Angel’s Song
Rev. Mark Adams
Sermon Notes:
One of the unique things about our faith as Christians is its music.
Christians have their hymns and pages
Hava Nagila’s for the Jews.
Baptists have the Rock of Ages
Atheists just sing the blues
Romantics play Claire de Lune.
Born again’s sing He is risen.
But no one ever wrote a tune
For godless existentialism.
For atheists, there’s no good news,
They’ll never sing, a song of faith.
In their songs, they have a rule,
The “he” is always lowercase. —LYRICS to “Atheists Don’t Have No Songs” by Steve Martin
“Christianity is the one faith that puts a song in your heart. Confucianism has no chorales. Shintoism has no songs. Islam no glorias…atheism no anthems.” —Bruce Thielemann
“When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home AS HIS WIFE.” —Luke 1:24
“But [Joseph] did not consummate their marriage until [Mary] gave birth to a Son. And [Joseph] gave Him the name ‘Jesus.’” —Luke 1:25
“And so it was that WHILE THEY WERE THERE the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.” —Luke 2:6
“and there was no room for them in the inn.” —Luke 2:7
“For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for our sakes He became poor—so that through His poverty you might become rich.” —2 Corinthians 8:9
8 - And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.
9 - An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.
10 - But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.
11 - Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is the Messiah, the Lord.
12 - This will be a sign to you: You will find a Baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
13 – Suddenly, a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest Heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom His favor rests.” —Luke 2:8-14
“Every one of God’s angels was there because this was the most amazing event that had ever happened in the entire universe. The heavenly host stretched from horizon to horizon—obscuring the winter constellations.” —R. Kent Hughes
“The helmed cherubim and sworded seraphim, in glittering ranks with wings displayed—the stars with deep amaze, stand fixed in steadfast gaze.” —John Milton
“The morning stars (angels) sang together and all the angels shouted for joy.” —Job 38:7
“Jesus was the atoning sacrifice for not only for our sins but also for the sins of the whole world.” —1 John 2:2
What is Christmas all about?
1.) It’s all about
.
“GLORY to God in the highest Heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom His favor rests.” —Luke 2:14
“The heavens declare the glory of God.” —Psalm 19:1
“[I will show you My glory—and here’s how] I will cause My GOODNESS to pass in front of you.” —Exodus 33
“While we were yet sinners Christ died for us.” —Romans 5:8
2.) It’s all about
.
“For all have sinned and have fallen short of the glory of God.” —Romans 3:23
“Do not be afraid, for I bring to you good news of great joy which shall be for all of the people. Today in the town of David, a Savior has been born to you. He is Christ the Lord.” —Luke 2:10-11
3.) It’s all about
.
“It is CHRIST IN YOU, the hope of glory!” —Colossians 2:7
“We are being transformed into His image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord.” —2 Corinthians 3:18
Prayer and Benediction: Rev. Mark Adams