Chambersburg Bible Church

This year, as we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, may we consider the wonderful announcement from God – the birth of the KING of KINGS! Many times, our Christmas and Holiday celebrations detract our attention from this great announcement… for it was the birth of the King, sent to die, that wrought our freedom from sin and made THE way for hope in eternal life with God! This sermon preached by Pastor Gary Yoder focuses on that special announcement, to the Shepherds of Bethlehem in Luke 2, and to the wise men of the East from Matthew 2. Considering the miraculous events in both of these announcements should draw our hearts to the Almighty God as we celebrate the birth of the very God-Man, our Savior.

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• The Birth announcement to the shepherds
  • He shall be the source of good news of great joy
  • He shall be a Savior sent from God
  • He shall be the source of peace

Luke describes the first announcement in chapter 2, verses 8-14: “And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”

• The Birth announcement to the Magi
  • He shall be served because He is a King
  • He shall be worshipped because He is God

Matthew describes the second announcement through a supernatural star in chapter 2, verses 1-11 : “Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him… When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh.”

Consider the challenge from the Word of God regarding the announcement of the King’s Birth!

• Have you come to see that Jesus is the King of kings and the Lord of Lords?
• Are you worshipping Him and serving Him? He deserves all the praise and honor that we can give because of who He is!
• Have you experienced the peace that comes through faith? Are you at peace with God today?

Text: Luke 18:9-14Luke 18:9-14
9 And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: that...: or, as being righteous ¹⁰ Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. ¹¹ The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. ¹² I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. ¹³ And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. ¹⁴ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.  

Topic: Understanding how man can have a right relationship with a Holy God

Jesus often used parables to teach spiritual truths in physical illustrations. His teachings were difficult concepts to some of the Jewish people, and his use of parables assisted in his ministry. Jesus often used very common things in his parables, such as soil, wind, and sheep to illustrate things such as “what God is like” and “what the Kingdom is like.”

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One such parable can be found in Luke 18:9-14Luke 18:9-14
9 And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: that...: or, as being righteous ¹⁰ Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. ¹¹ The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. ¹² I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. ¹³ And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. ¹⁴ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.  
. This parable illustrates how a man can enter into a right relationship with the Holy God. The parable contrasts two men participating in a common activity in the temple: praying. One man was a Pharisee; the other was a tax collector. Both were speaking to God, but they were communicating very different things.

• Those who trust themselves
  • An Inflated view of oneself
    • Verse 9 indicates that Jesus told this parable to those who were trusting in their own righteousness and ability
    • They were convinced and confident that God would accept them because of who they were and what they did (Verse 10-12)
    • The Pharisee speaks of himself and his religion and thanks HIMSELF not God
  • An inferior view of others
    • “I’m not as sinful as other people”
    • Guilty of lateral comparison of righteousness – between men
    • Displayed his arrogance and haughty spirit

• Those who understand themselves
  • Separated from God
    • Illustrated in verse 13 by the tax collector
    • He knew he was a great sinner, a traitor, despised by men
    • He did not consider himself worthy of entering God’s presence
    • He was aware of his relational distance from God
  • Broken before God
    • Unwilling to lift his eyes towards the Holy God
    • Feelings of guilt and remorse
    • Hopelessness and contrition for sin

• Those who are right before God
  • Understanding the nature of God
    • Verse 14 indicates that this parable is also about the nature of God
    • God is HOLY and JUST
  • Understanding the nature of Man
    • Man is a sinner
    • Man is dead to righteousness and must pay the penalty for sin
  • Understanding the nature of mercy
    • We need forgiveness, although we don’t deserve it
    • God is merciful to those who come to him in God’s Way
    • God is gracious and offers righteousness and a relationship
    • God will save!

Are you right with God?

Are you right with God because of who you are and what you do? Or are you right with God because you understand the holiness of God and the depravity of self and have called upon God for mercy and grace through repentance and faith in the sacrificial Lamb of God?

Text: Matthew 5:13-16Matthew 5:13-16
13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. ¹⁴ Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. ¹⁵ Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. a bushel: the word in the original signifieth a measure containing about a pint less than a peck ¹⁶ Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.  

Topic: Admonishing the believer to fulfill his patriotic duty

On this Independence Day 2010, we should examine our patriotic duty as understood from the scripture, while also considering our freedom in Christ from sin and death.

Abraham Lincoln once said, “America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves.” We as American Christians have a patriotic duty as citizens in the greatest nation on earth to stand up for and defend the freedoms God has blessed us with.

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• Our patriotic duty to government (Romans 13:1-5Romans 13:1-5
  13 ¹ Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. ordained: or, ordered ² Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. ³ For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: ⁴ For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. ⁵ Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.  
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  • Obedience to our government and laws
  • Prayer for our government
    • President
    • Economy
    • Law Enforcement
• Remain educated and informed on current issues
• Our patriotic duty to our Creator (Acts 17:22-27Acts 17:22-27
  22 Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars' hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious. Mars' hill: or, the court of the Areopagites ²³ For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you. devotions: or, gods that ye worship ²⁴ God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; ²⁵ Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things; ²⁶ And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; ²⁷ That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:  
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  • Understanding that God is “knowable”
    • Paul was not indifferent to those who were in spiritual darkness (v 17)
    • Paul sought to make known the “Unknown God”
• Established governments are used to promote the knowledge of God (v 27)
  • God establishes all governments (Romans 13:1Romans 13:1
    13 ¹ Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. ordained: or, ordered  
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  • God has a purpose for each government and nation
• Our God offers freedom from sin and death through Salvation

Challenge

• We celebrate America’s 234^th year of proclaimed independence – God has ordained and allowed the USA to exist for these many years that men and women may have opportunity to find and know God
• Have you found the Lord? He is near and awaiting your faith and dependence in Him!
• Thank God for the independence of our great Nation, do your patriotic duty for our Nation and in our service for the Lord!