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.

The Incarnation of Christ - The Purpose Of Christmas

Temple Baptist Church - 12-17-2017

Matthew 1:18-25; Genesis 3:15

Introduction: 

A.  Most of us, from our childhood, have known of the wonderful birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ—but it is a story that never grows old and holds for this preacher a wonder and beauty that never fades! 

B.  The birth of Christ is the most documented event in the history of the world.  It is even used to divide the calendar that most of the world recognizes.

C.  I want to look this morning at the purpose of His coming.  In verse 21, the Bible says, “and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.”  

2 Timothy 3:15  And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

2 Corinthians 5:21  For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.  (The word “made” means “to do or to perform something that would not have been done otherwise.”  This morning, our bed was made up.  If we had not done so, it would have never been done so.)

1.  Christ was “made sin” for us.  Without Christ sacrifice, salvation would have never come about.

2.  We were “made” the righteousness of God in Him.  We had to be “made” righteous which is something that only the applied blood of Christ could do.

D.  I want to go back to the First Mention Principle of Bible interpretation:  Genesis, chapter 3.

1.   The First Mention of Sin.  Genesis 3:6-7  And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it waspleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.  (7)  And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.

2.  The First Mention of a Seeking Saviour.  Genesis 3:8  And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden.

a)  The First Mention of a Sacrifice for Sin.  Genesis 3:21  Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them.  (There could not have been many “lambs” in the Garden of Eden at this time so I could speculate that Adam and Eve knew the lamb!  How painful to watch of one whom you love to die for you.)

b)  The First Mention of the Penalty (Death) for Sin.  “Make coats of skins.”  The wages of sin was and still is death.

c)  The First Mention of Propitiation.  “Clothed them” – The innocent lamb died for the guilty sinner.

d)  The First Mention of Imputation.  “The LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them” – Sinners covered by the innocence of another.

The First Mention of Modesty.  “Coats … clothed them” – Dressed in His righteousness alone, faultless to stand before the throne!

3.  The First Mention of the Prophecy Christ’s First Advent.  “Seed of the woman”  The Purpose of Christ. 

2 Corinthians 5:21  For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

a)  Man Sinned.

b)  Christ Came.

c)  Christ Died.

d.  We that are born again live forever!

1.  What Is Sin?  It has been said that there are 726 sins named in the Bible.  I do not know personally because I have not taken the time to count them and would probably miss many of them in the process, so I will just take these theologians at their word.  There are several rather large listings of sin such as: 

Galatians 5:19-21  Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

a.  Sin Defined:

1)  Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance definition of “sin” is – to miss the mark!  To violate God’s law

2)  Webster’s states that, “sin is any offence or fault. It is the breaking of a religious or moral law.

3)  The Greek dictionary defines sin as missing the mark; to miss or wander from the path of uprightness and honor. The Greek also states sin is a violation of the divine law in thought or in act.

4)  What is the Bible definition?

1 John 3:4  Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. (A transgression means to over step, to cross over the line God has drawn, or to jump the fence. The Word of God (Law) is the fence referred to. Therefore, transgression is an act of rebellion against the known will of God.)

1 John 5:17  All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death. (Unrighteousness is wickedness, iniquity, inward crookedness, perversity, and stubbornly contrary to God’s Word and Will.)

Romans 14:23b  For whatsoever is not of faith is sin. (If our actions are not those motivated by faith then it is sin. Open sin is probably not hindering revival as much as a lack of faith.)

James 4:17  Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin. (If a person fails to practice what is good, his action or his lack of action is sin.  This is generally called a sin of omission.)

b.  Generally, we classify sin in two ways :

1)  Sins of Commission – things that we do that are contrary to God’s Word.  God says not to do something and we do it anyway.  (The over stepping of God’s Law – a trespass.)

2)  Sins of Omission – things that we do not do that are contrary to God’s Will.  (God says to do something and we choose not to obey because of stubbornness.)

The Biblical Purpose for Christmas: Jesus Came To Die For Sin!

2.  Who Has Sinned?

a.  The First Man Sinned - Romans 5:12a  Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin;

Genesis 3:22  And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever:

b.  All Have Sinned – Romans 5:12b  and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:  (Both Jews And Gentiles)

Romans 3:9  What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin;

1 John 1:8-10  If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.  9  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  10  If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

Ecclesiastes 7:20  For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.

c.  The Sinless Became Sin!  2 Corinthians 5:21  For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

The Biblical Purpose for Christmas: Jesus Came To Save Sinners!

3.  What Is The Consequence Of Sin? 

a.  A Wasted Life - Romans 6:23a  For the wages of sin is death;

b.  A Wasted Eternity - Revelation 20:15  And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

The Biblical Purpose for Christmas: Jesus Came To Take Away The Penalty Of Sin!

4.  The Purpose Of The Incarnation Of Christ?

a.  Jesus Came To Die For Our Sin!  JESUS – “Jehovah is salvation”

John 12:24  Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.

b.  Jesus Came To Seek And To Save That Which Is Lost!  “all have sinned”

Luke 19:10  For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

1 Timothy 1:15  This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.

c.  Jesus Came To Give Eternal Life To All Who Believe!  “whosoever believeth in Him”

Romans 6:23b  but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

1 John 5:13  These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

Conclusion:  The Biblical Purpose for Christmas:  because of His great love for mankind, He came to die on Calvary for our sin! 

All Things That Pertain Unto To Life

Temple Baptist Church - 12-13-2017

2 Peter 1:3

Introduction:

A.  I know that Thanksgiving Day has come and gone, but Thanksgiving is day by day, moment by moment, as we realize all that God has done for us and given to us.  ALL things pertaining to our life and ALL things pertaining to our godliness.

B.  Tonight, I want to take a short look at how good God has been good to us in this life.  I know that counting our blessings could make for a long night, so I have just put down a few of the areas of God’s goodness in our daily life.

C.  How exceedingly great are the promises of God are when we stop to consider the nature of the      benefits offered and bestowed!  

1.  God’s power to provide is beyond our imagination. Our needs look very small in the light of our big God and His immense promises.  

2.  God’s promises are precious because they cover every conceivable human need, for time and for eternity. Whatever your need may be God has a promise that exactly covers that need (Phil. 4:19).

D.  We believe the Bible and yet often remin fearful!  During the Sermon on the Mount, our Lord spoke of our concerns and His ability.

Matthew 6:31-33  Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?  (32)  (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.  (33)  But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

1.  When we seek “all these things “first, then God does not provide.

2.  When we seek God first, He adds these things unto us.

E.  What do you really need tonight?  God has promised to give them to you if you seek Him first.

1.  God provided us with salvation.  How can we start without first mentioning our great salvation.  God has made provision for our redemption through a finished work called the gospel.  Hebrews 9:12,  “Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.”  Need salvation?  God has provided it freely to all who come to Him by faith!

2.  God provided us with the promise of not only life but abundant life.  John 10:10,  “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”  A life that is full; a life that is blessed!  I often say that “I had rather be an old time Christian than anything that I know!

3.   God has made a perfect peace available in this present evil world.  Isaiah 26:3,  “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.”  As we learn to trust the Lord, we find that He who holds tomorrow holds us in His hand!  Beloved, safety is of the Lord and everything will be alright!

4.  God gives fulness of joy to His children.  1 Peter 1:8,  “Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:”  A clear conscience still makes for a soft pillow!

5.   God has promised complete forgiveness of sin to those who confess their sinfulness.  Jeremiah 31:34,  “And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.” 

1 John 1:9  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

6.  God has promised a sufficient grace for every trial that we will face.  2 Corinthians 12:9  And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

1 Corinthians 10:13  There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

7.  God has promised to meet all our daily needs in this life.  Philippians 4:19  But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. 

The Christian’s Love That Comes From God

Temple Baptist Church - 12-10-2017

Romans 5:5

Introduction:

A.  So many things happen when the believer comes to Christ by faith.  Their life is never the same as they become new creatures in Christ Jesus.  One of the greatest is the love of God, shed abroad in their hearts by the Holy Ghost.

B.  There are two meanings found in the phrase “the love of God.”

1.  The love of God is the love that we have FOR God! 1 Corinthians 16:22  If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maranatha.  (God’s children love HIM!”)

2.  The love of God is what is loved BY God! 

C.  Let us look at two words found in our text that show the love that God gives.

1.  “Shed.”  To pour out or to gush out.  This love is not a small love; it is a great love.  John 15:13  Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.  (God’s love is a great love and a giving love.)

2.  “Abroad.”  “Across the board.”  It is a love instilled in EVERY child of God because the Holy Ghost lives within us.  1 John 3:16-19  Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.  (17)  But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?  (18)  My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.  (19)  And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.  (It is a consistent love found in all of God’s childen.)

D.  God’s love:

1.  Is a gift to His children.  James 1:17  Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

2.  Is a gift given to God’s children in the person of the Holy Ghost in salvation.  Romans 5:5  And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

3.  Is the greatest of the three remaining gifts of 1 Corinthians 12-13.  1 Corinthians 12:31 – 13:13  But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way…And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.”

E.  Though the world can have love, the love of God is what separates the believer from the world.  John 13:34-35  A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.  (35)  By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

1.  We love of God.  A love that is reciprocal with God.  1 John 4:19  We love him, because he first loved us.

2.  We love of the brethren.  A true birth into the family of God carries with it the love of the brethren.  1 John 4:20-21  If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?  (21)  And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.

3.  We love of the church.  Consistently throughout the New Testament, we find conversion and assembly with the church are inseparable truths.  Acts 2:41-42  Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.  (42)  And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

4.  We love of the Word of God.  God’s Word is the rejoicing of our hearts.  Jeremiah 15:16  Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts.

5.  It is the love of the sinner.  God loves sinners and so should we.  1 Thessalonians 2:19  For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?

F.  The love of God is a gift the Lord gives to His children and is the “glue” that holds the local church together.  Few “church splits” are for doctrinal reasons.  They are love problems.

1.  True Christian love glorifies God instead of self - John 13:35  By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

2.  True Christian love edifies the church - 1 Corinthians 8:1  Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.

3.  True Christian love evidences spiritual maturity - Colossians 3:14  And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.

4.  True Christian love covers a multitude of sins - 1 Peter 4:8  And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.

5.  True Christian love prefers one another.  Philippians 2:4  Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.

6.  True Christian love is compassionate toward the unfortunate.  1 John 3:17  But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?

7.  True Christian love brings about the forgiveness of others - Ephesians 4:31-32  Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:  (32)  And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

8.  True Christian love will help to bear the burdens of others - Galatians 6:2  Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

9.  True Christian love maintains the unity of purpose - Acts 2:1  And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.

10.  True Christian love will keep your feelings from being hurt - Psalms 119:165  Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.

WHAT IS BROTHERLY LOVE?

It's SILENCE when your words would hurt,

It's PATIENCE when you brother is curt,

It's DEAFNESS when some gossip flows,

It's COMPASSION for a brother's woes,

It's COURAGE when misfortune falls,

It's FIRMNESS when one's duty calls,

It's WILLINGNESS to help another,

It's TRUSTING and especially a brother,

It's RESTITUTION made when due,

It's FORGIVING when asked of you.

~Author unknown