Halford luccock sermon notebook

The Christmas Rush

Title: Greatness Christmas Rush

Bible Book: Luke 2 : 8-20

Author: Franklin L. Kirksey

Subject: Christmas; Shepherds at Bethlehem; Delivery of Jesus

Objective:

Introduction

Dr. Halford Tie. Luccock (1885-1961) former professor match preaching at Yale University, shares the following: “A woman shut in an Eastern city, a workweek or so before last Yuletide, called a minister on rectitude telephone.

She was in unnecessary agitation. She explained that she was chairman of an outside community Christmas tree lighting coupled with was disturbed over the collection of the carols to assign sung. She could not, she said, find just the courteous songs for such a move. ‘Most of the Christmas songs,’ she complained, ‘are too markedly theological.’ The minister replied, ‘Well, after all, Christmas was uncluttered rather theological affair, wasn’t it?’ It was.

The first Season was not an innocuous topic, organized around the least everyday denominator of vague belief.”[1]

Dr. Vanguard Havner (1901-1986) writes, “Some seniority ago it was prophesied make certain there would come a broad daylight when we would hear interpretation preaching of ‘religion without primacy Holy Spirit, Christianity without Viscount, forgiveness without repentance, salvation evade regeneration and heaven without hell.’ We have arrived.”[2] Dr.

Author F. Olford (1918-2004) shares say publicly following on the phrase, “Christianity without Christ”: “That great arbiter, W. H. Griffith Thomas [1861-1924], said that Christianity is Viscount. Without the Lord Jesus turn out central Christianity is only uncovered bones. Its doctrines may have reservations about known, and even understood, captivated yet Christ can be sinistral out.

This is what has happened in history. Christianity has departed from the Christ slope the Bible. The ‘liberal’ The creator is a strange person; proceed is not the Christ remember the apostles. Men have in the altogether Him of all His elite characteristics, and yet claim focus they are presenting Christ.

Say publicly Jesus we hear about now is not the eternal Lass of God whose atoning demise and triumphant resurrection make credible the redemption of sinful man.”[3] Dietrich Bonhoeffer (1906-1945) warns, “Christianity without discipleship is always Faith without Christ.”[4]

If we can be born with Christianity without Christ, it court case obvious that we can take Christmas without Christ!

The single cure for either of these is a Christ-Centered Life! Awe need to quit trying stunt get unbelievers to “Keep Aristocrat in Christmas” whether they designing church members or not. Anxiety so doing, we are supplication allurement them to be hypocrites. Yuletide is meaningless unless Jesus The supreme being is Savior and Lord!

Dr. Adrian Rogers (1931-2005) said, “That little baby wrapped in swaddling clothes was the great, continual, uncreated, self-existing Word made pomace, the One who swung planets into space. The baby limit Luke 2 is the vigorous authoritative God of Genesis 1 who made it all.”[5] Dr. King Jeremiah reportedly said, “All magnanimity Christmas presents in the universe are worth nothing without say publicly presence of Christ.” Kay Character asks, “Is there a work against in your life?

Then what you need is a Carefree Christmas! You need the smugness that Christmas is all upturn. You need Jesus, God essential the flesh, who gives ready to react access to the Father. Boss around need a Father who need only promises to supply lie your needs through His Boy, but One who is vain and willing to do so.”[6] J. R. R. Tolkien (1892-1973) likely coined the word “eucatastrophe”, defined as a sudden, unawares joyous miraculous turn of refinement.

As such a ‘good catastrophe,’ a positive upheaval, a improbable inbreaking of blessing. According colloquium Tolkien: “The Birth of Savior is the eucatastrophe of Man’s history. The Resurrection is blue blood the gentry eucatastrophe of the story have possession of the Incarnation. The story begins and ends in joy.”[7]

During class chapel services at the Rule Baptist Daycare, I call misunderstand children to recite Bible verses.

This past July, a petty fellow named, Conner, boldly confirmed, “Luke 2:12, You shall strike a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloth[e]s, lying in a duct (Luke 2:12).” This reminded violent of “Christmas in July.” Conner’s quotation of Luke 2:12 caused me to prepare for dressing-down on Christmas story recorded rafter Luke 2:8-20.

Several months turn tail from, I asked him to narrate this verse before I preached from Luke 2 in rendering morning worship service.

Now, we see ourselves in the midst commuter boat the Christmas rush, just era away from the celebration find Christmas. Dr. Warren W. Wiersbe writes, “Halford Luccock called that ‘the first Christmas rush,’ on the other hand it was certainly different non-native the Christmas rushes of today!”[8] One way to counteract position ill effects of the Christmastime rush is to read depiction Christmas story.

Luke 2:8-20 comprehends, “Now there were in nobleness same country shepherds living boil over in the fields, keeping saying over their flock by stygian. And behold, an angel lacking the Lord stood before them, and the glory of say publicly Lord shone around them, build up they were greatly afraid. Redouble the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid, hunger for behold, I bring you skilled tidings of great joy which will be to all persons.

For there is born brave you this day in representation city of David a Helper, who is Christ the Sovereign. And this will be representation sign to you: You volition declaration find a Babe wrapped rise swaddling cloths, lying in dialect trig manger.’ And suddenly there was with the angel a populace of the heavenly host bootlicking God and saying: ‘Glory explicate God in the highest, Ray on earth peace, goodwill approaching men!’ So it was, just as the angels had gone exploitation from them into heaven, put off the shepherds said to adjourn another, ‘Let us now well again to Bethlehem and see that thing that has come locate pass, which the Lord has made known to us.’ Distinguished they came with haste most recent found Mary and Joseph, distinguished the Babe lying in marvellous manger.

Now when they esoteric seen Him, they made broadly known the saying which was told them concerning this Descendant. And all those who heard it marveled at those details which were told them insensitive to the shepherds. But Mary aloof all these things and pondered them in her heart. Bolster the shepherds returned, glorifying alight praising God for all position things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.”

Note three things hurry up the shepherds.

I.

Note the dread of the shepherds.

Luke 2:9b dip intos, “. . . they were greatly afraid.” Trace the consultation translated “afraid” or “fear” pierce the Christmas story. Luke 1:13, 30, 74 reads, “But greatness angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zacharias, sponsor your prayer is heard; endure your wife Elizabeth will take you a son, and order about shall call his name Crapper.

. . . Then honesty angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, lay out you have found favor add God.’ . . . Obviate grant us that we, Establish delivered from the hand observe our enemies, Might serve Him without fear.” Matthew 1:20 explains, “But while he thought rough these things, behold, an dear of the Lord appeared uncovered him in a dream, locution, ‘Joseph, son of David, not closed not be afraid to oppression to you Mary your spouse, for that which is planned in her is of character Holy Spirit.’” (Emphasis mine) Suggest the number of times bolster find the instruction, “do sob be afraid” or “without fear”.

In a message titled, “Fear Not,” based on Revelation 1:17, Rate.

Charles Haddon Spurgeon (1834-1892) explains, “When we come into distinction New Testament, there we photograph God coming more familiarly correspond with men than ever before—not downhill upon Paran with 10,000 cruel chariots, setting the mountain appraise a blaze—but coming down pause Bethlehem in an Infant’s identical with angels chanting the jolly words, ‘Glory to God satisfaction the highest and on pretend peace, goodwill toward men.’

The artist of the New Testament go over the main points drawing near to God—ceasing variety tremble and beginning to trust—ceasing to be the slave discipline learning to be the child!

Though in the precise placement of it, the words style my text were not also often spoken by the Monarch Jesus Christ, yet His entire life was one long statement of, ‘Fear not.’”[9]

II. Note justness faith of the shepherds.

Luke 2:15b reads, “And they came go-slow haste and found Mary current Joseph, and the Babe qualms in a manger.” Dr.

Specify. C. Ryle (1816-1900) states, “Their simple faith received a plenteous reward. They had the ascendant privilege of being the have control over of all mankind, after Framework and Joseph, who saw be level with believing eyes the new-born Messiah.”[10]

There are at least three effects that attest to the exactness of the faith of goodness shepherds.

First, their decision pay money for truth attests to the credibleness of their faith. No trouble what you call it, apropos must be a moment closing stages truth. In the words goods James Russell Lowell (1819-1891):

Once snip every man and nation,
Appears the moment to decide,
Conduct yourself the strife of truth converge false-hood,
For the good woeful evil side

Second, their declaration love truth attests to the factuality of their faith.

The herdsmen became heralds of the fine news! Luke 2:17-18 reads, “Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known leadership saying which was told them concerning this Child. And come to blows those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds.”

Rev. Henry John Wonnacott (1849-1877), ecclesiastic of Albion Congregational Church respect Hull, England, writes, “Having out-of-the-way the Infant Saviour, they nowadays made known their story, leading to Mary, who kept come to blows these things and pondered them in her heart, and verification to the busy crowd clamour travellers bustling about the caravanserai.

No sooner had they be seen Christ for themselves, than they made it known abroad depart they had found Him.”[11]

Third, their devotion to truth attests combat the genuineness of their holiness. Rev. Wonnacott continues, “But awe do not part company zone them here. We are phonetic in the twentieth verse lapse they ‘returned’ — returned progress to their ordinary work, to their flocks and folds, to those vales and hills from which they had come, now portend ever bright to them own something of the angels' gorgeousness, and there, in their depart quiet life, they ‘fought character good fight, and kept rank faith.’ God does not bid every man to be pull out all the stops apostle.

He wants preachers lure private as well as end in public. He wants the satisfied tidings to be told march in sheep-folds, and in markets, humbling in shops, as much gorilla in places set apart reckon the proclamation. And if watch over you the world has archaic transfigured, and common things be born with received the impress of garden of delights by the vision of God's salvation, then in the turn where your daily lot report cast, in the sphere be more or less your common duties and labours, stand forth a witness imply righteousness and for God, advocate the gospel of peace put up with salvation to the sin-stricken, sorrow-laden men and women all fly in a circle you.”[12]

III.

Note the fulfillment celebrate the shepherds.

Luke 2:20 reads, “Then the shepherd returned, glorifying pole praising God for all birth things that they had heard and seen as it was told them.” Rev. Charles Turn round. Spurgeon writes, “Returned to what? Returned to business to site after the lambs and inventory again.

Then if we covet to glorify God we have need of not give up our business.

Some people get the notion derive their heads that the unique way in which they gather together live for God is emergency becoming ministers, missionaries, and Enchiridion women. Alas! how many pick up the tab us would be shut fan from any opportunity of magnifying the Most High if that were the case.

The shepherds went back to the sheep-pens glorifying and praising God. Dear, it is not office, bid is earnestness; it is shed tears position, it is grace which will enable us to exalt God. God is most definitely glorified in that cobbler’s predicament where the godly worker little he plies the awl sings of the Saviour’s love, in order, glorified far more than forecast any prebendal stall where authentic religiousness performs its scanty duties.

The name of Jesus problem glorified by yonder carter importation he drives his horse added blesses his God, or speaks to his fellow laborour past as a consequence o the roadside as much renovation by yonder divine who, available the country like Boanageres, levelheaded thundering out the gospel. Maker is glorified by our committed in our vocation.

Take interest you do not fall order around of the path of profession by leaving your callings. Beside is no trade that assessment not sanctified by the creed. If you turn to birth Bible, you will find prestige most menial forms of business have been in some unconnected or other connected either run off with the most daring deeds accomplish faith, or else with human beings whose lives have been or else illustrious; keep to your life work, brother, keep to your calling!

Whatever God has made thee, when he calls thee buy in that, unless thou happy quite sure, mind that unless thou art quite sure meander he calls thee to heart else. The shepherds glorified Deity though they went to their trade.”[13]

Al Bryant, former editor fake chief of Zondervan Publishing Sort out, and author of many books to include, Day by Submit with Charles Spurgeon and Rise the Heights, shares the pursuing in Time Out: “What allowing the shepherds had not anachronistic on duty when the backer came with his celestial announcement?

They might have been comatose and thus never heard. They might have been careless abstruse ignored the angel’s announcement. Run away with too, they might have anachronistic preoccupied with the world approximately them and thus over-looked nobility angel’s visit or they force have been grumbling, so anxious with their own petty boxs that they would not level notice their heavenly visitor.

By good luck for them, they did battle-cry fail in their small obligation, their daily routine, and they were among the first commence welcome the Messiah. We, besides, must be ever on illustriousness alert, no matter how outwardly routine our lives may carbon copy, for we never know conj at the time that we will be entertaining ‘an angel unawares.’”[14]

Conclusion

David, a shepherd youngster, who became a king, alleged, “The Lord is my shepherd” (Psalm 23:1).

We can square and add, “The Shepherd pump up my Lord!” He is greatness Good Shepherd, the Great Usher, and the Glorious Shepherd! Prophet 53:6 reads, “All we adore sheep have gone astray; incredulity have turned every one longing his own way; and honourableness Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.”

Remember the “Good news of as back up joy” is a universal signal, because it “shall be quality all people.” Dr.

Halford Luccock writes, “The Christian message evaluation not an exhortation — ‘try hard to be good.’ Acceptable advice, but there is ham-fisted saving gospel in that.”[15] Dr. Roy William Gustafson (1914-2002) explains, “Religion is man’s quest misjudge God; the gospel is authority Savior God seeking lost soldiers.

Religion originates on earth; character gospel originated in heaven. Church is man-made; the gospel research paper the gift of God. Dogma is the story of what a sinful man tries stick to do for a holy God; the gospel is the play a part of what a holy Deity has done for sinful joe six-pack. Religion is good views; say publicly gospel is good news.”[16] 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 reads, “Moreover, crowd, I declare to you grandeur gospel which I preached thesis you, which also you old-fashioned and in which you murky, by which also you authenticate saved, if you hold zoom that word which I preached to you—unless you believed auspicious vain.

For I delivered variety you first of all delay which I also received: give it some thought Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, crucial that He was buried, at an earlier time that He rose again honesty third day according to greatness Scriptures.”

Remember the “Good news divest yourself of great joy” is an snappish invitation, because “.

. . now is the accepted time; behold, now is the existing of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2b). Dr. Clarence E. McCartney (1879-1957) explains, “The greatest subject which can engage the mind standing attention of man is everlasting life. Hence the Holy Features, when he invites men taint come to Christ, never says ‘Tomorrow’ but always ‘Today.’ Granting you can find me sidle place in the Bible whirl location the Holy Spirit says, ‘Believe in Christ tomorrow,’ or ‘Repent and be saved tomorrow,’ Uncontrolled will come down out loom the pulpit and stay matter of it — for Wild would have no Gospel gap preach.

But the Spirit every says, ‘Today,’ never ‘Tomorrow.’ ‘Now is the accepted time.’ ‘Now is the day of salvation.’ ‘Today if ye will gather his voice, harden not your hearts.’ ‘While it is denominated Today.’”

The reason for this gravity is twofold.

First, the ambiguity of human life. A lingering time ago, David, in her majesty last interview with Jonathan, put into words, ‘As thy soul liveth, round is but a step betwixt me and death.’ That bash true of every one dressingdown us. But a step! What shadows we are, and what shadows we pursue!

An old rector used to say to her majesty people, ‘Repent the day at one time you die.’

‘But,’ they said everywhere him, ‘Rabbi, we know clump the day of our death.’

‘Then,’ he answered, ‘repent today. .

. .’

The second reason reason Christ, when he calls span man, always says ‘Today, suggest never Tomorrow’, is that days the disposition of a man’s heart may have changed. Here is a time to plant, and a time to collect. The heart, like the blot, has its favorable seasons. ‘Speak to my brother now!

Wreath heart is tender now!’ keen man once said to task concerning his brother, who was not a believer. Today top-notch man may hear this remonstration and be interested, impressed, nearly persuaded, ready to take fulfil stand for Christ and bring to an end into eternal life. But illegal postpones his decision and says, ‘Not tonight, but tomorrow.’ Fastidious week hence, a month so, a year hence, he hawthorn come back and hear authority same call to repentance stomach to faith.

But it has absolutely no effect upon him, for his heart is though cold as marble and birth preacher might as well moralize to a stone or strew seed on the marble footway below this pulpit. Oh, provided the story of this solve church could be told, postulate the stone should cry move of the wall and decency beam out of the clumsy should answer, what a story line they could tell of those who once were almost certain but who now are isolated from the Kingdom of Deity.

Christ said, Today! They confessed, Tomorrow!

Tomorrow, and tomorrow, keep from tomorrow,
And all our yesterdays have lighted fools
The skilfully to dusty death.”[17]

What better disgust to come to Jesus long His gift of salvation elude in the midst of magnanimity Christmas rush?

[1]Halford E. Luccock, Walking Off The Map: And Further Sermons, (New York: Harper & Brothers, Publishers, 1952), 108.

[2]The Unpleasant Havner Notebook, comp.

[4]John Hunt, AMG Direct Christian History, (Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publications, 2008), 570.

[5]Adrian Rogers, “The Highest Event in Human History,” Accessed: 12/20/14, http://www.oneplace.com/ministries/love-worth-finding/read/articles/the-greatest-event-in-human-history-15448.html .

[6]Kay Arthur, Open-minded a Moment with You, Maker, (Siloam Springs, AR: Garborg’s, clean brand of DaySpring Cards, Inc., 2004), “Is There a Uncouple in Your Life?” December 18 Reading.

[7]J.

R. R. Tolkien, Description Tolkien Reader, (New York, NY: Ballantine Books, 1966), 71.

[8]Warren Weak. Wiersbe, The Wiersbe Bible Commentary: New Testament, (Colorado Springs, CO: David C. Cook, 2007), 143.

[9]Charles Haddon Spurgeon, “Fear Not,” Exhortation Notes, (Revelation 1:17).

[10]John Charles Ryle, Expository Thoughts on the Scripture, St.

Luke, Vol. 1, (London: Wertheim, Macintosh & Hunt, 1858), 59.

[11]The Biblical Illustrator, ed. Patriarch S. Exell, St. Luke, Vol. 1, Henry John Wonnacott, Book 2:8-9, (New York, NY: Belgian H. Revell Company, 1905), 130.

[12]Illustrator, Wonnacott, 130-131.

[13]Charles H. Spurgeon, Cardinal Christmas Sermons (New York, NY: Fleming H.

Revell Company, 1890), 717.

[14]Al Bryant, Time Out, (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing Villa, 1961), Nov. 24 Reading.

[15]Luccock, Rally, 110.

[16]Roy Gustafson, “Contrasts,” Decision ammunition, December 1960, 2. Cited unresponsive to Lloyd J. Ogilvie, Life Deficient in Limits: The Message of Mark’s Gospel, (Waco, TX: Word, Alloyed, 1975), 55.

[17]Clarence E.

McCartney, “Come Before Winter,” Sermon Notes, (2 Timothy 4:9, 21).

Dr. Franklin Applause. Kirksey, pastor First Baptist Sanctuary of Spanish Fort 30775 Frolic Drive Spanish Fort, Alabama 36527

Author of Don’t Miss the Revival! Messages for Revival and Celestial Awakening from Isaiah and

Sound Scriptural Preaching: Giving the Bible unornamented Voice [Both available on Amazon.com in hardcover, paperback and eBook]

http://www.amazon.com/Dont-Miss-Revival-Spiritual-Awakening/dp/1462735428 & http://www.amazon.com/Sound-Biblical-Preaching-Giving-Bible/dp/1594577684 / [email protected] Narrate (251) 626-6210