Redemption Lutheran Sermons

Christmas Spirit, Blessing, and Destiny

Sermon from December 29, 2019

Theme: The True Spirit, Blessing, and Destiny of Christmas

Text: Luke 2:25-35 And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ. 27 So he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when the parents brought in the Child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the law, 28 he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said: 29 "Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, According to Your word; 30 For my eyes have seen Your salvation 31 Which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, 32 A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of Your people Israel." 33 And Joseph and His mother marveled at those things which were spoken of Him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother, "Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against 35 "(yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed."

Christmas Day 2019 - Christ Comes to His Own

A Christ Who Comes to His Own

1. As God and Word
2. As Light and Life

John 1: 1-5, 11-14 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ² He was with God in the beginning. ³ All things were created through Him, and apart from Him not one thing was created that has been created. ⁴ Life was in Him, and that life was the light of men. ⁵ That light shines in the darkness, yet the darkness did not overcome it.

¹¹ He came to His own, and His own people did not receive Him. ¹² But to all who did receive Him, He gave them the right to be children of God, to those who believe in His name, ¹³ who were born, not of blood, or of the will of the flesh, or of the will of man, but of God. ¹⁴ The Word became flesh and took up residence among us. We observed His glory, the glory as the One and Only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. 

 

Prepare the Way - Isaiah 40:1-6

The Clear Path to Comfort

1. In John’s task as Forerunner
2. In Jesus’ accomplishment as Savior

Isaiah 40:1-6 "Comfort, O comfort My people," says your God. ² "Speak kindly to Jerusalem; And call out to her, that her warfare has ended, That her iniquity has been removed, That she has received of the LORD's hand Double for all her sins." ³ A voice is calling, "Clear the way for the LORD in the wilderness; Make smooth in the desert a highway for our God. ⁴ "Let every valley be lifted up, And every mountain and hill be made low; And let the rough ground become a plain, And the rugged terrain a broad valley; ⁵ Then the glory of the LORD will be revealed, And all flesh will see it together; For the mouth of the LORD has spoken."

 

The Inevitability of Jesus - Malachi 3:1-6

Theme: The Inexpressible Inevitability of the Son of God

1. He does not change – therefore you are not consumed
2. His Word is faithful – therefore you can believe it
3. He makes you clean – therefore you are accepted

Malachi 3:1-6 "Behold, I send My messenger, and he will prepare the way before Me. And the Lord, whom you seek, will suddenly come to His temple, even the Messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight. Behold, He is coming," says the LORD of hosts. ² "But who can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He appears? For He is like a refiner's fire and like launderer's soap. ³ He will sit as a refiner and a purifier of silver; he will purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer to the LORD an offering in righteousness. ⁴ "Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasant to the LORD, as in the days of old, as in former years. ⁵ And I will come near you for judgment; I will be a swift witness against sorcerers, against adulterers, against perjurers, against those who exploit wage earners and widows and orphans, and against those who turn away an alien-- because they do not fear Me," Says the LORD of hosts. ⁶ "For I am the LORD, I do not change; therefore you are not consumed, O sons of Jacob.

 

Mary's Balanced Faith

Luke 1:46-55: And Mary said: "My soul magnifies the Lord, ⁴⁷ And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior. ⁴⁸ For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant; For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed. ⁴⁹ For He who is mighty has done great things for me, And holy is His name. ⁵⁰ And His mercy is on those who fear Him From generation to generation. ⁵¹ He has shown strength with His arm; He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. ⁵² He has put down the mighty from their thrones, And exalted the lowly. ⁵³ He has filled the hungry with good things, And the rich He has sent away empty. ⁵⁴ He has helped His servant Israel, In remembrance of His mercy, ⁵⁵ As He spoke to our fathers, To Abraham and to his seed forever." 

The Advent of Faith - Revelation 3:20-22

Theme: Beware of Attempts to Discredit Christ’s Advent

1. From blatant notions that He isn’t God
2. To subtle threats against His grace

Thankfulness that is Great Gain

Thanksgiving Day service 2019

Being Thankful is “Great Gain”

1. When it is present in all circumstances
2. When it is directed at all people
3. When it serves Jesus

Jesus the King

There is no one like your King

1. When you need help
2. When you need protection
3. When you consider eternity

Watching for Jesus with Wisdom

Matthew 25:1-13 "Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. ² "Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. ³ "Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, ⁴ "but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. ⁵ "But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept. ⁶ "And at midnight a cry was heard:`Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!' <sup>7</sup> "Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. <sup>8</sup> "And the foolish said to the wise,`Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.' ⁹ "But the wise answered, saying,`No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.'

¹⁰ "And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut. ¹¹ "Afterward the other virgins came also, saying,`Lord, Lord, open to us!' <sup>12</sup> "But he answered and said,`Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.' ¹³ "Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.

Theme: Three Areas to be a Wise Watcher

1. In Preparation
2. In Qualification
3. In Anticipation

 

The Nature of Christian Judgment - Job 14:1-6

You Can Follow Faith to its Conclusion (Judgment)

1. In matters of mortality: See the total corruption of sin
2. In matters of salvation: Trust God’s complete forgiveness in Christ

Job 14:1-6 Man born of woman has a few short days, and they are full of anxiety. 2 He blossoms like a flower, but soon withers. He recedes like a shadow and does not remain. 3 You keep your eye on such a man. You bring me into judgment in your presence. 4 Who can produce something pure from something that is impure? No one. 5 Certainly his days are determined. The number of his months has been set by you. A limit is set, which he cannot exceed. 6 Turn your gaze away from him, and let him be, until he finishes his day’s work as a hired man.

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