December 2007 Sermon Notes Page

December 2, 2007 The Virtue of Joy
December 9, 2007 Great Expectations
December 16 2008 ‘Wisdom from Wise Men’ Part I Text: Matthew 2:1-12
December 23, 2007 ‘ Wisdom from the Wise Men’ Part II 12-23-07

December 2, 2007
The Virtue of Joy

But the fruit of the Spirit is…joy Galatians 5:22

I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete John 15:11

Four kinds of depression

1. Reactive: response to the traumas of life

2. Indigenous: chemical imbalances

3. Toxic: outside substances

4. Psychotic: mental illness

I … raised my eyes toward heaven, and my sanity was restored Daniel 4:34

I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Luke 2:10

There is great joy for people with…

1. A melancholy personality

2. Emotional pain

3. Difficult circumstances

4. Physical problems

Joy comes from …

1. Salvation

Restore to me the joy of your salvation Psalm 51:12

…he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God. Acts 16:34

2. The work of the Holy Spirit in me

For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of … joy in the Holy Spirit Romans 14:17

At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit Luke 10:21

3. My sense of purpose in life

4. My contentment with what I now have

5. A perspective on circumstances so they do not dictate my mood

a. God cares deeply about what is happening

I lift up my eyes to the hills — where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip — he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The LORD watches over you — the LORD is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The LORD will keep you from all harm — he will watch over your life; the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore. Psalm 121

b. Pain and suffering can bring me closer to God

The LORD is close to the brokenhearted Psalm 34:18

c. God enables me to do things I can not do

… about the hardships we suffered in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us
II Corinthians 1:8-10

What has happened to all your joy? Galatians 4:15

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December 9, 2007
Great Expectations
Luke1:26 – 45

Great Expectations…..From the course of History we know God had bigger plans for Mary than she expected.

What was it about Mary?
1. Mary was Chosen

Greetings Mary, you are highly favored!” You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. v. 28-32
God chose her even though she came from a modest if not poor family She was uneducated She was from a tiny remote village called Nazareth with only a few hundred people.
She was pretty much a nobody---a nobody that God saw potential in.
Mary’s Life teaches us that: God uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things
The bible says that Mary was greatly troubled…how could this be? She questioned his plan.
How did God respond?
God said: The Lord is with you. v. 28 As a child of God you can have the confidence that God will be with you always!

I Peter 2:9
But you are the ones chosen by God, chosen for the high calling of priestly work, chosen to be a holy people, God's instruments to do his work and speak out for him, to tell others of the night-and-day difference he made for you — 10 from nothing to something, from rejected to accepted. THE MESSAGE

Ephesians 1:11-12
It's in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for. Long before we first heard of Christ and got our hopes up, he had his eye on us, had designs on us for glorious living, part of the overall purpose he is working out in everything and everyone. THE MESSAGE

God is looking for people to use. And if you'll get useable, HE will wear you out.
Not only can God use you, he wants to use you and as a child of God it is expected.

2. She said YES

When the angel Gabriel told Mary she would miraculously bear a child from the Holy Spirit, not only did she believe it would happen, but she also adjusted her life according to God’s plan.

Mary’s response was:
“ I am the Lord’s servant, may it be to me as you have said.” V.38 Mary’s life teaches us that: God uses people who want to do his will.

Saying YES calls us to
Surrender: Mary was willing to do whatever God wanted her to do
Saying YES to God, calls for Sacrifice:
a. Sacrificed her reputation: She was a virgin, pregnant and not married.
b. She would become the talk of the town?
c. Sacrificed her comfort: How would you like to be nine months pregnant and take a long journey on the back of a donkey?
d. Would Joseph, her soon to be husband, believe her story
In spite of all of this Mary said yes because she desired to do the will of God more than anything else.

3. Mary Believed

After the angel visited Mary she went to visit her cousin Elizabeth, who was pregnant with a boy, who would become John the Baptist. Elizabeth’s response:

Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!" NIV Luke 1:45

Mary’s life teaches us that: God uses people who dare to trust his promises. God said: Nothing is impossible with God v. 37
Mary had faith to believe the impossible could be done.

Luke 1:48-49 Mary’s song From now on all generations will call me blessed, 49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me- holy is his name.
Mary believed in the PROMISES of God
She believed in the POWER of God

What big thing in your life do you need to trust God for?

Proverbs 3:5-7
Trust GOD from the bottom of your heart; don't try to figure out everything on your own.
Listen for GOD's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he's the one who will keep you on track. Don't assume that you know it all. Run to GOD! THE MESSAGE:

Questions to ponder
What is God asking me to say yes to?

Where do I need to trust God more?

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December 16 2008 ‘Wisdom from Wise Men’ Part I
Text: Matthew 2:1-12

Q: What was the market value of Gold?
A: Friday Low $787/oz High $796/oz

Q: What was the market value of Platinum?
A: Friday Low $1,461/oz High $1480/oz

Q: What was the market value of Dirt?
A: Nothing…is not traded. Thus the phrase “Dirt Cheap”

How do we determine the value of something?
1. Rarity: How available is it?
2. Quality: Greater clarity & color of a diamond, the higher the price.

We see this in Sports all the time.
E.G. – Packer Illustration: Fabulous Play vs. ½ hearted Effort.

***When we see Excellence, we esteem it. We honor it. We value it. We clap & cheer & go wild for it. We glorify it. We seek it. We praise it…
…some even go so far as to Worship it.

Q: Is this unnatural? No, it isn’t.
Q: Is this misguided? Yes, it is.
--In fact it is the most natural thing in the world.
--We were created to worship. Created to serve something bigger, better, wonderful, beautiful than ourselves.
--We were created for transcendence.
--We were created for Him.

But something happened long ago…we exchanged worship of the One True King for the worship of lesser things. The Creator for the created.

And we were plunged into darkness…

Romans 1:20-23
20 For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities-his eternal power and divine nature-have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. 21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles. NIV

God is worthy of our worship because he’s the best there is.

Ps 135:5-7
5 I know that the LORD is great, that our Lord is greater than all gods. 6 The LORD does whatever pleases him, in the heavens and on the earth, in the seas and all their depths. 7 He makes clouds rise from the ends of the earth; he sends lightning with the rain and brings out the wind from his storehouses. NIV

Q: How many have a favorite character or story in the Bible?

One of mine is the story of the Magi or the Wise Men.

Today and next week we are going to look at their story, their actions and study how it relates to the theme:
‘God is worthy of our worship b/c he’s the best there is.

Read Text: Matthew 2:1-12

Most likely from Persia.
Philosophers, Astronomers, Religious men, Counselors to the king
Seekers of Truth

Why did they come?
They watched the stars and interpreted meaning from their movements.
Possible they had heard the prophecies:

Num 24:17-19 17 "I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near. A star will come out of Jacob; a scepter will rise out of Israel. He will crush the foreheads of Moab, the skulls of all the sons of Sheth. 18 Edom will be conquered; Seir, his enemy, will be conquered, but Israel will grow strong. 19 A ruler will come out of Jacob and destroy the survivors of the city." NIV

They were expecting “something.”

An “Extraordinary Star” (celestial event)-- the likes of which they had never seen before---was an indication of an “Extraordinary Person” born in the land of Judea.

‘God is worthy of our worship because he’s the best there is.

They knew something wonderful had happened. Something monumental. Something beautiful.

They were willing to leave their homes, travel far & wide, not really knowing where they were going, risk their lives, never knowing if they would make it back…..in pursuit of this King.

‘God is worthy of our worship because he’s the best there is.

o They were not willing to simply “worship from afar”.
o They had to go see this King. In person.
o God showed them the way.

Q: Are you worshiping something “less than the best?”

Q: Have you traded the worship of the One True King for cheap substitutes?

Q: Have you settled for ‘worshiping from afar” or are you trying to get as close to the King as possible?

‘God is worthy of our worship because he’s the best there is.

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December 23, 2007
‘ Wisdom from the Wise Men’ Part II 12-23-07

Text: Matthew 2:1-12

“He is worthy of our worship because he’s the best there is.”
First Syllogism:
--Humans naturally praise excellence.
--God is the ‘most excellent.’
--Therefore, He deserves our worship & highest praise.

Second Syllogism:
--God is the best there is…
--God loves us and wants the best for us…
--Therefore He gives us the best…Him.

“He is worthy of our worship becaule he’s the best there is.”

II. Let’s continue our study of the Magi…
Matt 2:1-2
2:1 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem 2 and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him."
NIV

Extraordinary celestial event = Extraordinary King was born.
They were compelled to go.
Interesting word…”compelled”.
-- to have a powerful and irresistible effect, influence, etc.
-- To exert a strong, irresistible force on;

Q: Have you ever felt ‘compelled’ to do something?

Illustration:
Hide & Seek as a kid
Poignant Story
Matt 2:3-6
3 When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 When he had called together all the people's chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born. 5 "In Bethlehem in Judea," they replied, "for this is what the prophet has written: 6 "'But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of my people Israel.'" NIV

To really appreciate the full picture of what’s happening here, we need to back up a few years…700 to be exact.
Prophet of God, Micah, writes this.
Fast Forward again, Roman Empire now in control. Augustus is now the Caesar. Does what every leader does…he taxes.
To do so…a census is called. The whole Empire. Huge.
Quirinius…Governor of Syria, gets his orders and makes it happen.
Joseph is living in Nazareth and gets the news. It just so happens he is of the lineage of David. And it just so happens that he is from Bethlehem. And it just so happens that is soon-to-be wife is ready to give birth, to a son, Jesus.

*** If you ever begin to doubt who’s really in charge…you need to look here.
*** If you ever begin to wonder whether or not God knows what he’s doing…you need to look here.
*** If life’s circumstances begin to get the best of you…you need to remember who is really in control.

Col 1:15-19
15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. NIV
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Q: Why didn’t Herod go himself?

Q: What could possibly be more important?
--Yet, this is what he said:
Matt 2:8
" Go and make a careful search for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him."
Q: Are you missing Him? Have you placed conditions on your faith? Are you waiting for “something” to happen? “Then I will go…”
Q: What are you waiting for? What is stopping you?

Matt 2:9-10
9 After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. NIV

They saw it again. Whatever God did two years earlier, it happened again.
God was faithful to lead them. Gave them what they needed, when they needed it.

Ps 14:2
2 The LORD looks down from heaven on the sons of men to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God.

Ps 27:7-8
7 Hear my voice when I call, O LORD; be merciful to me and answer me. 8 My heart says of you, "Seek his face!" Your face, LORD, I will seek .

Heb 11:6
6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

Q: What does your heart seek? Is it God? Or is it something else?

Matt 2:11
11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh.
Notice the order:
1. First they offered themselves. “they bowed down & worshiped him.”

2. Then their gifts.

E.G.— Widows Mite

Mark 12:41-44
41 Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. 42 But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny. 43 Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. 44 They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything-all she had to live on."

God wants YOU. All of you. Not some token ‘gift’ & the rest is yours.
Everything!
Ps 51:16-17
16 You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. 17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.

Notice the gifts:
1. Gold Best their country
2. Frankincense – incense made from tree sap had to offer.
3. Myrrh – also made from tree sap Gifts for a King

A few things to remember: