LBC Sermons & Messages

Philippians 3:12-16

A new year is facing us, with its challenges, circumstances and opportunities. We have no idea of the specific or how coming events will affect us personally. But one thing we do know is that God is in control and that he has a route for each one of us to travel. The Word of God teaches us that God is responsible for the results of our obedience and conversely we are responsible for the results of our disobedience to the revealed Word of God.

So as we face the start of a new year, we need to do so with a godly attitude and perspective. Our text gives us a few thoughts on how we are to guide our actions as we pursue a life that is glorifying to God.

First, in verses 12-13a, we need to recognize that we “have not already attained”. When we became saved a war began within us. The carnal believer feels everything is just fine while the spiritual believer knows there is room for improvement. As children of God we need to constantly compare ourselves to God’s standard, as found in the Bible.

Secondly, we need to concentrate on one grand purpose, “but one thing I do”. Keep your eye on the goal of Christ likeness and don’t try to mix the world’s values with God’s values.

Thirdly, “forgetting what lies behind…straining forward”, do not rest on the past or let it dictate the future. In each situation seek out the Lord’s leading.

Fourthly, “I press on towards”. God’s goal is for us to become mature solid believers living a victorious life that will glorify God’s Son and at the end of our life to stand before him, receiving the reward of a life lived for God for all eternity.

Fifthly, to develop a control of discipline, thru obedience and self-control. There are many forces in the world trying to make us ship wrecks. We need to just stay close to God, thru prayer and having a good working knowledge of his Word.

Ecclesiastes 9:13-16

An observation by Solomon about a small city, a great king and the wisdom of a poor man, which saved the city, but was soon forgotten and his wisdom despised.

Matthew 1:18 – 2:12, relates to us the account of the incarnation, God making himself known by taking our human nature into himself without in any way ceasing to be God.

The need for the incarnation is found in Genesis 1-3, where Satan attacks Adam and Eve and as a result gains control. Death now rules and all fellowship by man with God is now lost.
Mankind needed to be redeemed, but how?

In Genesis 3:14-15, we see the first hint of the carnation (“seed of the woman”), and thousands of years later the prophet Isaiah states, “ a virgin will conceive”. God would step into human history as a man yet without a sin nature.

The purpose of the incarnation was to 1) reveal who God is to mankind (Heb 1:1-3). To refuse to believe in the incarnation is to reject all of God’s divine revelation. 2) To redeem fallen mankind (Matt 9:13). Salvation hinges upon one man Jesus to save. He had to become a man to die for man’s sin and pay the penalty for sin and he had to die to defeat death by his resurrection. And 3) to restore man to his rightful position and authority.

The responses to the incarnation are seen in the Magi (Matt 2:2), they sought Jesus out to worship him. In Herod (Matt 2:3a, 7-8, 16), he sought him ought to try to destroy him. In the priest and the city of Jerusalem (Matt 2:3-5), they had the scriptures but were indifferent to it and made no attempt to seek him out.

Today we have the same three responses to the birth of Christ. Many today are indifferent to it. There are some like Herod who wish to destroy this truth, but there are some who will be like the Magi and truly seek him out as Lord and Savior.

Luke 2:1-20

If Christ had not been born then:
1. Our Bibles would be untrue
2. Our God would be unknown
3. Our sins would be unforgiven
4. Our hope would be unfounded

BUT CHRIST HAS COME

In our passage we note that God moved an entire empire just to get Mary to where she had to be for the birth of Christ. Micah 5:2 stated that he would be born in Bethlehem. In Luke 2:11 “born this day”. This was the dawning of a new era in the fulfillment of God’s plan to bring salvation. Gal 4, tell us that “in the fullness of time”, that is when God had everything in place he then stepped into human history thru the incarnation.

THEREFORE

1. Our Bible is true (Matt2:1)

2. Our God is known (Matt 1:23)

3. Our sins are forgiven (John 1:29)

4. Our hope is sure (I Cor 15:19-22)

We can sing the Christmas carols with complete confidence that Christ came to live among us as a sinless man, so that he could go to the cross, pay the penalty for our sins and to defeat death.

John 5:19-30

When Jesus healed the paralyzed man (Ch 5:1-18), he was deliberately challenging the tradition and incorrect beliefs system of Judaism. The Jewish authorities respond by charging Jesus with two charges (v18), the breaking of the Sabbath day rules and of blasphemy, making himself equal with God.

In our text Jesus gives specific examples of his activities in relation to the working of the Father and in so doing, he is claiming attributes of deity for himself.

First; he declares (v19-20) that it is impossible for the Son of Man (Jesus) to act in any way that is inconsistent or independently with God the Father. Jesus’ words and his deeds are the same as the Father. Both he and the Father have the same nature and the objectives.

Secondly; he declares (v21), that he has the authority to raise the dead and give life. The reason he can do this is found in v25 “the Father is life so also is the Son of Man”. Jesus is effectively claiming the truth of Deut 32:29 to himself.

Thirdly; he declares (v22-23), he has the authority to judge both the living and the dead. This prerogative was given to the son so that all would honor the son.

Jesus appeals in verses 24-30 that all who will hear and respond by believing in him (Jesus) will have eternal life, else they will some day stand before him at the judgment seat of Christ.

To those who say they worship the Father, but deny the deity of Jesus, have neither the Father nor the Son.

To those who say they follow the moral teaching of Jesus but deny his deity, are talking patronizing nonsense. Jesus is either who he says he is or else is a liar or a madman and nobody follows the teaching of a liar or madman.

If Jesus is right about whom he claims he is, then what have you done about it?

This evening, in lieu of the evening service, we sang Christmas Carols to the residents of Haven Health nursing home in Derry.