Church Christmas Cantata

Temple Baptist Church - 12-17-2017

Matthew 1:18-25  (vs. 22-23)

Introduction: 

A.  What about the coming of the Messiah?  The most prophesied event in the Bible is that of the birth of the Savior of the world, Jesus Christ.  The first man was given this blessed hope in Genesis 3:15, four thousand years before His birth. 

1.  He was and is the Hope of mankind.  The promised Savior!

2.  He was and is the Hope of Israel.  The promised King!

3.  He was and is the Hope of the Church.  The Promised Eternal Bridegroom!

B.  This year, I chose to let the entire congregation participate in our Christmas Cantata. What a wonderful choir you all make.  I love to hear our congregation sing together, not in parts but in heart.  Together we worship the Lord in song. 

Psalms 100:1-5  A Psalm of praise. Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.  (2)  Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.  (3)  Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.  (4)  Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.  (5)  For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.

C.  I want to look at three aspects of the prophecy of Christ tonight. 

1.  The Person Of Christmas – Who came.

2.  The Performance Of Christmas – How He Came.

3.  The Praise Of Christmas – Why He came.

1.  The Person Of Christmas – HE WAS BORN THE RIGHT PERSON!

a.  God In Flesh - Isaiah 9:6  For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

Matthew 1:23  Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

b.  The Sacrificial Lamb Of God - Genesis 22:8  And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together.

John 1:29  The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.

c.  The King of Israel - John 12:15  Fear not, daughter of Sion: behold, thy King cometh, sitting on an ass’s colt.

Songs:

#422 – Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne

#423 – Joy To The World

#432 – Angels From the Realms of Glory

2.  The Performance Of Christmas – HE WAS BORN IN THE RIGHT WAY!

a.  He was Born The Right Time - Galatians 4:4-5  But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

b.  He Was Born The Right Way - Isaiah 7:14  Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

c.  He Was Born At The Right Place - Micah 5:2  But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.

Songs:

#434 – O Little Town Of Bethlehem

#433 – Away In A Manger

#431 – Silent Night

3.  The Praise Of Christmas – HE WAS BORN FOR THE RIGHT REASON! 

a.  To Provide a Savior - Matthew 1:21  And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

b.  To Fulfill Scripture - Matthew 1:22  Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,

c.  To Give Hope - Matthew 1:23  Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

Songs:

#429 – Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

#420 – There’s A Song In The Air

#426 – I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day

Conclusion: 

Thank you, God our Father, for the great love that offered your Son.

Thank you, God the Son, for dying for our sin, Faithful Lord and Saviour.

Thank you, God the Spirit, for indwelling us, Faithful Companion and Comforter.